One Up

cheater

TW: mention of abuse but it's not in full detail

AG scrolled through Tiktok, waiting for Anna to return from her shower. She had already taken her own, wearing a pair of banana printed boxers and a Nike sports bra.

She still had so many questions for her.

The rest of her family was back at the venue, closing the party and helping clean up the area. They wouldn't be back for a while.

Anna entered her room, wearing her glasses, red hoodie, and black shorts with black long socks.

AG put her phone down as Anna approached, propping her elbow out and leaning her head on her hand. Anna sat in her bed staring at the ceiling, her hands folded across her stomach as she sorted out her thoughts.

AG waited for her to speak. She wasn't going to force anything out of her. She patiently waited for Anna to break the silence.

Anna took a deep breath. "Nick was my ex."

AG waited for her to expand, deciding not to talk until she stopped.

"I usually spend the weekends at my dad's. Nick doesn't live too far from him. Since my dad was best friends with his dad for a long time, Nick and I were bound to get close," Anna started.

"Sophomore year, he asked me out and I said yes. We were happy at one point. And he used to be the sweetest guy. He was into film and art and all that stuff. His dad admired that about him but also pushed him to join a sport. He picked football." Anna's face scrunched in distaste. "That's when he started to change."

"As time went by, he started spending more and more time with his football buddies. I don't care that he did, I care that he ditched me to hang out with them when we had already made plans. I'd barely saw him on the weekends anymore, because he started choosing parties over me." Anna let out a humourless chuckle. "I thought it was just a football guy phase that he needed to get used to."

Anna paused before continuing with a shaky voice. "He would pressure me to get with him. Told me how hot I looked and all of that. Every time I said no, he seemed angry, then pushed me away. I felt guilty, even though I shouldn't have been. He would ignore me for a couple hours before coming back to apologize."

"I knew it was bull and I knew that I deserved better, but I hoped that the person he used to be would overrule the douche football one. He had such a kind soul, AG."

"The next time I told him no, he didn't stop until I shoved him off of the bed and stormed out after putting my clothes on. We were down to undergarments. He didn't come after me," AG's nostrils flared, angry at the prick who didn't understand that he didn't have her consent.

"We didn't talk for another week, but he drove to my mom's house to apologize for how he'd been acting. He sounded so genuine too. I accepted his apology with caution, but after a couple of days, it seemed like things were slowly turning back to how it used to be. I was happy." Anna sniffled, forcing herself to continue. AG reached for her hand and held it.

"When I got my license junior year, I decided to surprise him on a Friday afternoon after soccer practice. I knew he didn't have football practice that day, so he would have more time for me."

"He lived in a super safe neighborhood, so more often than not, the doors were unlocked. I entered his house and walked up to his room, opening his door," Anna's hand painfully gripped AG's but she didn't let go.

"He was with another girl, AG." Tears silently streamed down her face and her voice wavered. "The girl looked mortified, looking incredibly apologetic. I wasn't mad at her though. I was mad at Nick."