Page 3 of Return Policy

My eyes drift around the springs, snagging onhim.The face of my nightmares—the bane of my existence—my ex-boyfriend Seth Miller. And what is the piece of shit doing? Laughing like he’s the happiest person in the world. Like he’s just a guy partying with his friends on graduation night. Like the moment permanently imprinted in my mind every time I close my eyes never happened.

How can he act like nothing happened?

Seth drags a hand through his blonde hair, turning around. His eyes connect with mine, and repressed memories surge to the surface. His lips curl upward, and yep, I’m definitely going to be sick.

“Hey,” Sage says, snapping my attention back to her sympathetic eyes. “Stop worrying about him. He’s not worth your time.” Sage doesn’t know the true reason for our breakup, but she’s my best friend, and if I hate someone, so does she. No questions asked.

“You’re right.” I lock away my hatred for him so she won’t get suspicious of just how deep it runs.

“Of course I am,” Sage says.

Charlie’s boyfriend, Jonathan, waves to her, blowing a kiss, and she blushes, sipping her drink. They’ve been dating since freshman year and will no doubt get married and have babies before the rest of us have even finished college. They were the “it”couple at our school—head cheerleader and varsity football quarterback. Totally cliche and totally adorable.

I wrinkle my nose at her. “You guys are so cute.”

She grins sheepishly. “Thanks.”

“How do you feel about next year?” I ask her timidly, knowing it’s a touchy subject.

Charlie lets out a heavy exhale. “I mean, we’re going to schools on opposite sides of the state.” She looks down at the liquid in her cup before taking a big gulp, doing a little shimmy as it goes down. “So not looking forward to the distance.”

“Jonathan will have Seth,” Sage says, and I tense at his name. “They can stroke each other’s dicks.”

I chuckle and shake my head, trying to dispel the visual image. “And you’ll have us to keep you plenty busy.”

“Thatistrue,” Charlie says, tipping her glass towards us.

Jonathan walks up, sliding an arm around Charlie’s waist and pulling her to him. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey, babe.” Charlie beams, nuzzling into his chest.

“Ladies.” He gestures to us with his cup in a cheers motion.

“Jonathan,” we coo back.

“Wanna go for a walk?” Jonathan asks Charlie, and she looks to us as if for permission.

“Go.” I wave her off.

“Yeah,” Sage says, slapping Charlie on the ass. “Get outta here.”

“Okay, okay.” Charlie laughs, protecting her butt with one hand as she turns away and joins Jonathan.

“Hey, beautiful girls,” our friend Benji says, throwing an arm around Sage’s shoulders.

“Benji.” She smirks up at him. He’s a horrible flirt and their relationship is purely platonic, but they both know how to have a good time.

“I’ve got some party favors if you’re interested?” He presents a Ziploc with a few joints.

She turns her eyes back to mine, the wheels in her brain spinning on overdrive.

“Sage.” I let out a soft chuckle. “I’m not a wounded dog. I can keep myself busy. Go have fun.”

“You wanna come?” Benji asks, dangling the little baggie between his fingers. “I’ve got plenty.”

“I’m good. Think I’ll go play a round of pong.” I gesture over my shoulder toward the beer pong tournament I have no intention of joining. “You guys have fun.”

“Okay, we’ll come find you in a bit.” Sage squeezes my shoulder, and then they're gone.

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