Page 1 of It Was Always You

Prologue

Walking in on Corey, my boyfriend of seven years, fucking his best friend, wasn’t on my bingo card for this year. However, ending this sham of a relationship was, so I can’t say I’m heartbroken by this development. Quite the opposite actually.

Saying yes to his awkward request for a date at fifteen, especially when I was reeling from rejection, ranks among my top five dumbest mistakes. But returning to single life as the girl hopelessly in love with someone who clearly wasn’t interested— and having sympathetic looks from all sides—was more than I could face. After our high school graduation, when my world fell apart, having Corey by my side turned into having a comfort blanket I wasn’t ready to part with. Eventually, that comfort turned suffocating, but by then, I couldn’t see a way out that wouldn’t break his heart, which I never wanted to do, —after all, he had always been there for me.

So standing in our bedroom doorway, watching the colour drain from his face, I feel nothing but gut-wrenching relief as thoughts of freedom finally flood in. Free from the weight of half-hearted promises and expectations dragging me down. Free from going through the motions, wondering what’s even keeping him here when it’s been years since we gave up on our lack of physical chemistry. But looking past him at Sam, his best friend whose features are painted with panic equal to Corey’s horror, his motives for clinging to our relationship’s safety net suddenly seem less mysterious.

As he stutters out apologies and excuses, I cut him off. “It’s fine, Corey. We both know we’re way past our expiration date. I’ll just head to Abbie’s and text you in a few days about picking up my stuff.”

I grab the pineapple vodka from the kitchen, slip on my favourite pair of black high heels, and quickly dodge out with a smile on my face and a spring in my step. I know Abbie will greet me with an I-told-you-so look before making us drinks that are more vodka than mixer, insisting I spill all the dirty details.

To me, it’s all the more proof of my newfound freedom and, hey, if that’s the worst part of this breakup, I’ll take it with a smile.

Ten Years Ago

The thought of starting a new school has haunted me all summer, like a bad smell that just refuses to vanish. The orientation St. Theresa’s held a few weeks ago only freaked me out more. I didn’t spot any familiar faces as we were briskly led around before receiving a pack with our dorm room numbers, map and timetable.

Going from being surrounded by the same group of people for seven years to this overly fancy boarding school just feels wrong.

Half the kids arrive with drivers, wheeling in their designer luggage, meanwhile, my suitcase looks like one good kick would break it. Mum made her tearful goodbyes at home because the price of a return taxi would break this month’s budget.

I’m only here because of a full scholarship; otherwise, I’d be at the local public school near our house. Part of me wonders if I should have fussed more and begged my way out of coming here. It’s clear I don’t belong.

After getting lost a dozen times, I finally found what will be my home for the next six years, only to discover from the piles of luggage on one bed that my roommate had already arrived. Dread curls in my gut at the thought of sharing a room with a virtual stranger, but before I can dwell on that, the sharp chime of the school bell reminds me I have a class to find.

Grabbing my school bag, I head to the academic buildings on the other side of campus. As I stand frozen in the courtyard, studying the map, a male voice asks, “Hey, you look as lost as me. Where are you trying to go?”

I take in the cutest guy ever. His eyes are as green as emeralds, and his shaggy black hair curls around his collar in the most adorable way. He’s a few inches taller than me, but what really has me weak at the knees and fighting the blush that wants to give me away, is his smile—so friendly and warm, I could stare at it all day and get lost in his eyes.

“That obvious, huh? I have ICT with Mr Jenkins first, and you?”

“Same! So now, we can get lost together.” Smiling softly, he takes my map, studies it for a second, then grabs my hand, sending a jolt through me. He waves us through different corridors until we stop outside a classroom just as the final bell rings.

I thought he said he was lost as well?

How was he able to find the right room so easily?

Despite my confusion, I turn to thank him, only to see he’s walking backwards. With a wink, he says, “Gotta run. My math class is down the hall.” He turns around and disappears amongst the crowd still milling about.

Lost in thought about what the heck just happened, I’m startled when a girl with lanky limbs and bright red hair rushes in five minutes late. She plonks down beside me and flashes a toothy grin, introducing herself as Abigail.

Having the same timetable, we spend the day arm in arm as she shares her radiant happiness and confidence with me. I think she might just be my new best friend. Or at least I hope she wants to be.

“I have to introduce you to Owen! Our parents are super close so we’re kinda close too. Well, as close as we can be. He’s a boy.” She shrugs as if that explains everything, just as the lunch bell rings.

Taking my hand, she weaves her way through the corridors as if she’s been here for years, leading the way to the canteen, bypassing the food line and heading straight to a table packed with boys our age.

I’ve never had much interaction with boys, considering my primary school was an all-girls school. So seeing such a large group freaks me out, but as I try to work out what to say to them, I spot the guy from this morning sitting on top of the table, tossing a rugby ball in the air as he talks with another boy.

Our eyes meet, and I can’t help smiling, but before I can speak, Abbie launches herself at him.

My smile falters, and an ugly pit forms in my stomach, before he pushes her off him, laughing. She then introduces him as Owen, “my brother from another mother.”

Instantly I feel like an idiot for my overreaction. I don’t even know the guy. But still. Seeing him push her away makes the ugly pit disappear as quickly as it appeared.

What a crazy first day already!

Ten Years Ago

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