Just a summer thing - A Folklore Love Triangle

POV: Betty

Inez came up to me before finals started, and said one of her friends left prom early. When she did, she saw James get into some girl's car and drive off. She couldn't see who the girl was, but it was definitely a girl. I switched my home room for the day, going into Mr. Kennedy's class because as I told the principal, "It's where I'll focus better and score better."

That wasn't true, clearly. Because 30 minutes into the science test I was still on question four. I studied this for days but all I could think was "Don't puke, don't puke." My stomach was doing backflips thinking of James being with another girl the whole weekend.

When the science and math sections were over, we went to lunch. James was here, he showed up. Very brave of him.

"Hey Betty, can we talk? I promise I can explain why I wasn't at prom." He said, grabbing my hands. I pulled away, and nodded. We walked over to an empty table away from everyone.

"I woke up late, my dad wasn't home, I drove as fast as I could to get there. I swear. I really tried. I left your red corsage at home that I'd bought to match your dress, and it all went wrong. I'm so sorry." He said, making as many excuses as he could. I didn't care about that anymore. Even if the corsage was red like I dreamed it would be. Dreams get crushed, apparently.

"Inez's friend saw you outside of the school, you got into a girl's car. Any excuses to cover that up James? You don't have any friends that are girls. Did she run over your phone and that's why you couldn't talk to me all weekend, so she made it up to you by driving you home? Oh wait, you weren't home all weekend. Your dad said that when I called him." My eyes were tearing up but I refused to let him see me cry.

"You can't believe a word she says, Betty."

I laughed. "I can't? Or I can't believe a word you say."

"Betty, I love you. I'm sorry and I promise I'll make it up to you. School ends today, you can spend this weekend at my house. Please."

I didn't say anything for a few minutes, before saying okay and getting up to go back to class. I couldn't eat today, I hadn't since Friday. Not much anyway, Steven forced me to have cereal yesterday morning when he was doing his daily check on me.