Becoming Mrs. Bryant

𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

May

February 25, 2023

March 1st, the day that Lewis would be doing a press conference, was slowly creeping up on me, and I still hadn't come to a decision. I felt trapped in my thoughts because nobody knew how I felt. Nick and Jason were trying to console me, but from a distance, because Lewis is like their best friend. Aubrey has been iffy about this whole thing because the girl in question is white, and Nova seems to just not know how to feel. Almost as if she's confused about what happened. Or maybe it's because she herself was a massive cheater senior year, so she feels that she can't offer me much comfort because it would be hypocritical of her to scold Lewis in any way.

I had tried to isolate myself from the group a little bit because I just felt so miserable and misunderstood. I mean, why was I going crazy over this anyway? This wasn't the first time that Lewis was somewhat un-loyal to me. Plus, last time it was with Nova, who I had considered my friend. So like, shouldn't that have hurt more? Why did this time strike a nerve so deep?

I heard a knock on my dorm room door and chose to ignore it. I figured it was probably Lewis, which I didn't have time for. His picture was everywhere, and everybody was talking about him. His mugshot was on the news, and so many people have texted me about it. I just want a break, how am I supposed to heal when I've got all this shit to deal with?

"May!" a voice that sounded similar to Nova's said, "It's me, Nova. I wanna talk! I'm alone, I promise."

I raised an eyebrow because this was kind of weird. I mean, Nova is my friend, so I'm not shocked that she came by, but I just didn't expect that she would be the first out of the group to reach out. I thought that maybe Aubrey would finally come to her racially motivated senses or Nick would stop acting like Lewis was a part of him.

"Hi," I said as I opened the door, trying to look as carefree as possible. "Come in Nova."

"Hey girl" she replied calmly, "I wanted to check up on you. How are you? How are you feeling?"

I shrugged, "not any better," I said, "but who cares, right? Not like my feelings matter."

Nova squinted, "they do matter May" she responded, "which is why I'm here." I looked at Nova with confusion, "what do you mean?"

"Look" Nova began, "Lewis has that public conference like, real soon." I nodded, "yeah," I said simply, "I think I know that." Nova chuckled, "And you have the chance to prove yourself to not only Lewis but the entire country."

"What?" I asked, "How?"

"No love story is perfect May" Nova answered, "and I'm sure you know that because you saw what Aubrey and I dealt with all senior year. Things happen, mistakes, bad choices, unexpected acts, but you have to look at the bigger picture, piece together the smaller things, and ultimately decide for yourself what's best for you." I nodded, kind of confused at what Nova was getting at.

"If you go to the conference with Lewis on the 1st, and support him in one of the hardest moments of his life, you may just be inspiring another young lady somewhere out there, who felt that they didn't have the strength to keep pushing through their relationship. You may just give someone that ounce of strength they needed to heal from a bump in the road in their relationship. You may just prove to everybody that you are a strong-willed, positive, understanding human being who is willing to jump hurdles for somebody she loves. Despite how hard it may be." I was about to speak, but Nova put her finger up, stopping me.

"But lastly, and most importantly, you'll show Lewis that he is not alone and that you are clearly the best he will ever have. You deserve the ring, you deserve to be the only one receiving flowers, and you deserve the happiness and sanity that a healthy relationship brings. I know this is hard May and I am not forcing you to do anything. At the end of the day, you have to make that call on your own. But, I am trying to just give you a perspective on it, one that may have never been in your head before, because I believe deep down that you and Lewis are end game."