Bubble Tea

crossroads

Song for the chapter: Stay by The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber

Audrey's POV:

As I lay in bed, sunlight streaming through the window, I couldn’t help but think about today. Jeremiah’s game was today, and I felt a mix of anticipation and nostalgia. Jeremiah and I had known each other our whole lives. Growing up in the same neighborhood, our families were close friends. I’d watched him grow from a playful kid into the confident, talented basketball player he was today.

"Jeremiah has always been a great guy," I thought, my mind drifting back to the countless times we’d spent together. His family was deeply entrenched in politics. They were influential, rich, and often held lavish galas and events, especially around election time. These gatherings were always grand, with an air of sophistication that was hard to ignore.

But I couldn’t help but wonder, "Do they do anything shady behind the scenes?" Politics often had a dark side, and while I didn’t want to believe it, I couldn’t entirely dismiss the possibility. Shaking off the uneasy thoughts, I reminded myself that Jeremiah was more than his family's reputation. He had a good heart, despite his playboy image.

Lately, after getting to know Andres, I’d begun to see a different side of Jeremiah. Perhaps his flirtatious behavior was just a phase. Deep down, he was a genuinely good guy. Even from childhood, he had always been crush-worthy with his handsome looks and confident demeanor. I remembered the times I’d been to his house, how much he loved his cute beagle dog, and the bond he shared with his elder sister. It was heartwarming.

But before I could focus on Jeremiah’s game, I had to help Trevor with his sister’s wedding preparations. Trevor and I had a history that went way back. We met in nursery class, and our friendship blossomed from the very first day. I could still picture the day our teacher had us sit together. Trevor, with his chubby cheeks and bright eyes, had immediately become my best friend. His sister, who was now getting married, had been in the same class as my sister, Stella. It was like our families were destined to be intertwined.

Trevor’s family had always been wealthy, thanks to their legacy in the steel and iron industries. However, Trevor wasn’t always the guy who flaunted his money. In primary school, he was just a regular kid. But starting in middle school, he changed. He became a bit full of himself, always at the top of the class, and he sometimes belittled those who weren’t.

I sighed, thinking about the memory that sometimes haunted me. "I don’t want that memory to ruin my mood today," I told myself, pushing it to the back of my mind.

I hopped out of bed and got ready, choosing a comfortable yet stylish outfit. As I applied a bit of makeup, I couldn’t help but reflect on my relationship with Trevor. We’d had a sort of "relationship" for two years in middle school, but looking back, it felt more like a strong friendship rather than a romantic relationship. We loved each other, but not in the way couples do. It was innocent and sweet, but now, thinking of Trevor romantically felt strange.

"Trevor is my best friend," I reminded myself as I brushed on some blush. "That relationship was a great phase, but it doesn’t mean a lot to me now."

As I was getting ready, my phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I picked it up and saw Trevor’s name flashing on the screen.

"Hey, Audrey. Are you ready?" Trevor's voice came through, sounding eager. "I’m already at your house, so please come out."

I glanced at myself in the mirror one last time, making sure everything was perfect. "Yeah, I’m coming out," I replied, hanging up. I gave myself a quick spritz of my favorite perfume, a light, floral scent that always made me feel fresh and confident.