Finding Us (Interracial Romance)

Shattered Illusions at Gate 27

Jeremy 

The early morning sun filters through the windows at LaGuardia, casting long shadows on the marble floor. I'm standing near Gate 27, waiting for my flight back to L.A. and nursing a coffee that's already gone cold. It's too early for flights and too late for sleepless nights thinking about how my relationship with Hannah turns out to be bullshit and flushed our three year relationship down the toilet. I can't stop replaying how she left me for Cindy.

"Jeremy?" A voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I glance up and see Amy. She used to be close with Hannah, back when everything felt... normal. Before everything went sideways. She's dressed casually, her light brown hair pulled into double space buns. I try to muster a smile, but it feels weak.

"Amy. Hey, long time no see."

"Yeah, it's been a while," she says, moving closer, pulling her luggage behind her. "I saw you sitting here and thought I'd say hi."

"Hi," I repeat, awkwardly. "What's new?"

"Not much, just heading to see some family. What about you?"

"Going home to L.A." I shrug, keeping my tone neutral. "You know, the usual."

Amy hesitates for a second, looking me over like she's deciding whether to say something. Then, she finally speaks. "I heard about you and Hannah."

I stiffen but nod. "Yeah... it's over."

"She's something, isn't she?" Amy chuckles, but there's an edge to her voice. It's not the lighthearted laugh I remember from her when she used to hang out with Hannah.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." I grimace, not sure if I'm in the mood to rehash everything. But she's still standing there, her eyes sharp like she has something important to say.

"Look, Jeremy... there's something you need to know about three years ago. About what really happened with Cecilia and Athena."

I freeze. The coffee cup in my hand suddenly feels heavier, my heart racing. "What do you mean?" I ask, though I already feel like I know where this is headed.

Amy takes a deep breath. "Three years ago... when she told you about Cecilia and Athena—about them coming onto her—it wasn't true. It was the other way around. She told me afterwards."

My chest tightens and I stare at her, stunned. "What?"

"Hannah was always into girls, but she didn't want anyone--not even her own family to know," Amy continues, glancing down. "That night, Hannah came onto both of them. Cecilia and Athena turned her down. They're straight, Jeremy. But because Hannah's... well, you know, she didn't take it well. So she lied. She lied to you."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "You're saying... Hannah lied? About Cecilia and Athena?"

Amy nods firmly. "Yes. She started the rumors because she was rejected and jealous. Jealous of Cecilia's acting career, jealous of your friendship with her, jealous of how things always seemed to work out for Cecilia while she was struggling."

It feels like the floor has dropped out from under me. I'm speechless. My chest tightens as all the pieces start to click together—the arguments, the accusations, the rift that grew between me and the people I cared about. It all suddenly feels so stupid and avoidable. 

"So, the rumor about Cecilia sleeping with the casting director..."

"That was all Hannah, too. She made it up because she couldn't stand that Cecilia got the part she wanted on Voices in the Skyline while Hannah was given a minor role for the second season," Amy says quietly. "She wanted to hurt her. And she knew spreading that lie would drive a wedge between you and Cecilia."