the hope of it all- a folklore love triangle story

chapter two- illicit affairs

augustine's pov-

it all started after the dance. james grabbed my hand and led me out to parking lot. we got in his car and went to his house. nothing really happened, we just had a good talk and kissed a few times. 

he told me that he and betty had broken up. that they were still friends, but there was nothing romantic. he said that even though they were on good terms, he didn't want betty to find out because she might be upset, so we had to keep it a secret. i agreed, and we had good times together. 

its august now. we've been dating for 2 months and school is starting soon. we still have to sneak around. he says i have to leave the perfume on the shelf, even though i picked it out just for him. so i leave no trace behind like i don't even exist. 

i'm getting suspicious. i don't get why we still have to hide. betty wouldn't still be upset. i know her pretty well and it's not like her to hold grudges or have trouble moving on. i'm so confused.

i'm tired of sneaking around. i called betty to see what she thinks.

she picked up pretty quickly.

"hey auggie, what's up?" she said.

"not much, just wanted to check in," i said, "how are you?"

"not bad, but i do have a question for you"

"ok," i said, "what is it?"

"so i heard a rumor from inez that james is cheating on me. do you know anything about it?"

"what?? i thought you guys broke up!!"

"no, what made you think that?"

"he told me," i said, "right before he asked me out."

"well what'd you say?"

"don't kill me..."

"oh no..." said betty.

"that liar!!" i said, "hes been making me sneak around for 2 months, because yall had 'broken up' and 'you would be upset if you found out he was already dating someone'" 

"well i AM upset!!" said betty.

"betty, im so sorry"

"auggie, im not mad at you, i'm mad james!!"

"do you want me to tell him?" i said.

"actually, yeah." said betty, "you go do that and i'm gonna tell inez that she was actually right for once."

"ok, ill let you know what he says." i said, "bye betty!!"

"bye"

god, i was so furious. how could he do this to me? i actually trusted him. and so did betty. a part of me was also heartbroken. how could he do this? i wish i could just go back to june and stop it all. and now i have to tell james.

i texted him asking if we could meet up.

texts-                                                                                                                                                                                            

me: hey james, can we meet up tonight?

james: sure babe, meet me behind the mall at 7.

me: ok, see you there

james: bye

i arrived a little before 7 and he was already there. we greeted each other and then i told him.

"so i talked to betty today," i said

"really? how's she doing with the breakup and all?" said james.

"what breakup? because according to her, you never broke up with her, you've just been avoiding her all summer," i said, "and then she heard rumors that you were cheating on her from inez, and when i called her, she asked me if i knew anything, so i told her that i thought yall had broken up and she said that you two were still together. i had to tell her that you had lied to me and tricked me into sneaking around and that i was terribly sorry. so now she's crushed, and extremely angry with you, as am i."

"i- uh- s- sorry, kid, i just have to go fix things with betty" james said, looking insanely surprised.

i was crying now and it was not a good look for me.

"don't call me kid," i said.

"baby, i'm s-" he said, but i interrupted him again.

"don't call me baby," i said.

and with that, i left