If Yesterday was Real (Benson Sisters #1)

Chapter 1: My boyfriend and his egg sandwich

Chapter 1: My boyfriend and his egg sandwich

My stomach churns when I walk in the cafeteria with the familiar touch of loneliness. Weeks ago, it would've been Daniel right beside me, his arm draped around my shoulder and his smile brightening the dark atmosphere of the room.

Instead, I'm left to wander around the cafeteria warily, desperate to talk to someone. I'm aware eyes are speculating me, wondering what my next move is now that I've publicly gone out with someone new right after getting cheated on.

I allow myself to explore the other areas of the cafeteria, searching for one specific face. I lock eyes with many people, and I know they're wondering if I'm going to sit with my new so-called boyfriend.

By the time my eyes land on him, I take a deep breath and put on a flirtatious smile.

"Colter." Saying his name sounds odd. I've never said his name in a way of addressing him. I can't even remember the last time I said his name in a conversation. Probably freshman year when Chloe's crush on him was the most intense.

Colter looks up from his egg sandwich with nothing but disinterest. There's a firm expression on his face, the same look he's worn for years which has given off an unfriendly vibe. I've never been to this area of the cafeteria before — farthest from the doors, located in the rightmost wing with the table planted right under a vent.

He's sitting with Josh and Ben from basketball, and Jonah from debate. Throughout the years, I've seen him talk exclusively to these people only. I try to remember if I've noticed him hanging out with any girls, but the only thing that clicks into my memory is Chloe walking up to him and getting rejected more than once.

"Hey, Margery." Josh greets me politely. Ben and Jonah just lift their chins up at me. I'm not sure if they know what's up with me and Colter, but the three excuse themselves from the table knowing something's up between me and my boyfriend. I wonder what his friends think about me and Colter getting together — were they as enthusiastic as my friends, or were they suspicious of the whole thing?

I still can't believe it. Colter and I just made our first grand appearance as a couple, and I'm already starting to feel overwhelmed. Aside from the attention we've been getting, I also realized how I couldn't even provide accurate details as to how we became a couple.

"We need a cute story," I sit down in front of him, stretching my arms on the table. He gives me a blank look, and I purse my lips and clarify, "about how we got together."

Colter nods approvingly, which makes me think people shot him questions about our relationship as well. I wonder what he told them. "We could say we've always been family friends, and I made a move on you the minute you got cheated— the minute you and Daniel broke up."

Ah. Typical. "That actually sounds believable," I reply, thankful for the change of his wording. He probably feels really sorry for me. Ugh. "Except for the fact that my parents died when I was a kid."

He blinks. "Oh."

I remember crying at the waiting room when the doctors told us how the car accident killed Mom and Dad. The doctors didn't give us the explicit details, but the words parents, death, and orphans kept blasting in my mind while Jo held onto me sobbing hard as Cara stood in front of us with a damp look.

Cara turned 16 a few months later, so she got ahold of our trust funds. Still, it was a tough time. "Do you have any siblings?"

Colter glances at me. "No."

"Really? That must be lonely sometimes, right?" I try to imagine my life without Cara and Jo. When our parents passed away, we helped each other get through it. "Do you sometimes wish—"