The Best Kind of Betrayal

Chapter 1

It's the first day of senior year and I already know something is really, really wrong. 

As in, something is wrong between Logan and I. Logan of course is Logan Hayman, the tall, good-looking senior with sun-bleached hair and undeniable popularity, who somehow also happens to be my boyfriend. And let's be honest — it is still surprising even to me to use the words my and boyfriend any time before my fiftieth birthday.

But somehow, Logan Hayman managed to waltz into my life at the beginning of summer break, when the only thing on my mind was picking up my couch potato status from spring break with a long overdue Netflix marathon. Instead, I found myself hanging from Logan Hayman's unfairly athletic  biceps, sharing ice cream and very sweet (because of said ice cream) kisses during hot summer days, and spending more time out of my comfort zone than I ever did in my life.

But now that summer is over and autumn has brought not only chilly weather, but also school, everything seems different. Nothing is left from the summery sweetness that was dating Logan Hayman. Instead, I stare at my phone and wonder how Logan manages to sound so cold over a simple text message.

You have a car yourself, so there's no need to pick you up, right?

I don't know what to reply to that. I mean, yes, I do have a car, and I would never expect him to pick me up. But why does he need to clarify it like that? I also don't reply because I don't like texting in general. Something Logan knows just too well. It feels like another blow to my already sour mood.

When I arrive at school, there's no Logan waiting for me in the parking lot. When I see him before classes, Logan gives me a weak excuse of a smile and busies himself with his schoolwork. And let me remind you — this is the first day of school. And Logan isn't exactly your straight-A student. 

When I meet Logan in the hallway, he sends me this weak excuse of a wave, which could also include the surprised sophomores next to me. They giggle and nudge each other's sides because Logan Hayman just waved at me! I press my lips together and don't wave back.

Of course, Kaia is all worried. Kaia, as in my best friend since late freshman year, bouncy cinnamon curls, the brightest smile I've ever seen, and an endless supply of good mood. The frown on her face begs to differ though, and this means a lot.

"You really don't know why he's acting so weird?" she asks during lunch break.

We're sitting in the back of the school's common room, commonly referred to as the green & gold room due to our school's logo. Which is for some reason not the creepy green snake with comically large golden fangs most of the student boy voted for during the Let's Get a New School Logo campaign last year. Instead, it is an abstract logotype of our school's name, in green font with golden dashes. It looks kind of nice I guess, but also boring. I really can't remember anyone voting for it.

The green & gold room is not very busy during lunch, since most students prefer to sit in the cafeteria. Which really is for the best, as it means I can enjoy my lunch in peace and quiet and don't have to see Logan, or even worse, interact with his weird, distant self.  I also do not have to bear the whispering and chatter "Oh my god, look — Logan Hayman has a new girlfriend!".

Maybe this is the reason Logan didn't want to give me a ride to school. Avoid unwanted attention. Avoid being embarrassed by my goofy self clinging onto his arm. 

Kaia shakes her head when I mention this.

"I don't think Logan cares about his image. Also, why would he be embarrassed by you? You're beautiful."

Kaia seems to be high on flattery today, which means something is definitely wrong.  

"Okay, be honest — you think Logan is going to break up with me, don't you?" 

I try to act nonchalant, looking at the couch across us with a bored, I-don't-give-a-fuck look on my face. A freshman shrieks and hides behind his math book.

"What? No, why would he?" Kaia protests and grabs my arm. "He likes you, June, like so much!"

She stretches out her arms and offers me her brightest smile.

"I'm sure by the end of the week he will have calmed down from whatever phase he is going through, and you two will be the cutest couple I know again!"

This is apparently a big compliment, considering Kaia knows a lot of couples. It still leaves a sour feeling in my gut. There is this nagging feeling that the outcome of whatever crisis Logan is going through will be bad. Really bad. 

"Okay," Kaia says and interrupts my moping by taking both my hands, "Okay, I wanted to tell you this later, but maybe — so, I think I found a great thing to cheer you up. Extracurricular activities!"

I expected ice cream and lame rom-coms.

"Why, Kaia," I ask with a mouth full of sandwich, "Can't you see that I'm already suffering enough?"

Kaia loves extracurricular activities, and I hate them. She joins clubs left and right, trying to add as many brownie points to her schedule as possible, but the truth is — she genuinely enjoys it. And I genuinely do not.

"Come on, I promise it will be amazing!" Kaia whines, "This is our last year in high school, our last chance to make an impact! We should really work on our resumes, don't you think?" 

Which — she got a point, maybe. My resume truly looks terrible. My extracurricular activities are nonexistent.

"There's this event council," Kaia continues enthusiastically, "They used to be part of the student council, but they split. Hence the name. Now they're organizing events on their own, which is super cool. My friend Liling, from my Literature class, told me all about it. They are looking for new members, and no one has applied so far!"

"It is the first day of school, of course no one signed up yet," I say, furrowing my brows, "Also, your friend Liling?"

Kaia beams. "We met today, and we instantly connected. She is a year younger and really sweet. And she told me that they really need new people to help them organize their events. She was almost desperate."

"Organizing things? Doesn't that require being good at organizing?"

I have never really organized anything before, except maybe my mother's last birthday party. Though I'm not so sure if that even counts — it only included my parents, grandparents, and two family friends.

"We will learn it quickly, I am sure," Kaia is so optimistic it is hard to stop her, "I will talk to Liling tomorrow and you'll see, we'll be part of their club in no time!"

It is a Kaia thing, I guess, the way she is always so energetic after something supposedly bad happens. When she failed three math exams in a row in freshman year, she became part of the tennis club. When her preferred date for prom was already taken, she decided to join the year-round Clean the Green & Gold Room project, which is definitely more work than it sounds. And now, since Logan is going through his Let's Keep Our Relationship Status Vague On Purpose phase, it is apparently this club. The event council. And I, in my vulnerable state of momentary weakness, find myself nodding. Like I was prepared for what was about to come.

Spoiler Alert: I wasn't.