Love realized too late
Chapter 1
My boyfriend lost a truth or dare game, and
the dare was to kiss someone of the opposite
sex.
Before our lips even touched, Ashley just
shoved me out of the way and went for it.
“Come on, Ashley, knock it off. It’s Sarah’s
birthday, remember?”
Mark said, all smiles and playfully squeezing
her cheek.
Everyone in the room went silent, watching
me sprawled out on the couch.
Ashley just giggled, “Relax, Sarah. Mark
doesn’t even see me as a girl, anyway.”
Mark chimed in, trying to smooth things over,
“It’s just a game, Sarah. Don’t be such a sore
loser.”
Everyone expected me to blow up, but
instead, I just slipped off my engagement ring
and gently slid it onto his childhood friend’s
finger.
“Let me know when the wedding is, okay?”
1
“Ooh, Mark, you taste so good! What have
you been eating?”
Ashley’s sugary voice filled the whole living
room.
<
Mark, who had been gazing at her like she
hung the moon, seemed to remember we
were all there and noticed me on the couch.
He let go of Ashley’s cheek and gave her a
playful tap on the head. “Hey, come on, it’s
Sarah’s birthday, for Pete’s sake.”
Ashley pouted. “Oh… I didn’t think Sarah
would be so uptight… It’s just a silly dare,
after all!”
That one sentence sucked all the air out of
the room.
We weren’t talking about a flick on the wrist
or a head–tap for a penalty, this was a full-
blown kiss.
I saw a few people shrink back, because
normally, I’d be screaming bloody murder
right now.
Instead, I calmly took off my engagement ring,
walked over to Ashley, and gently put it on
her finger.
It actually fit perfectly.
I gave a small smile. “Seriously, let me know
when you’re setting a date.”
Everyone’s jaw dropped, including Ashley’s.
“Sarah, it’s just a game. Are you serious?”
Mark asked, his voice suddenly cold.
“I know, right?” I said, with a light laugh. “Just
trying to help you guys have some fun.”
<
Mark’s face was turning red before my eyes.
Ashley tugged on his sleeve. “It’s okay, Mark.
It’s my fault. I didn’t think Sarah would take it
so hard. But we’ve been like brother and
sister since forever…”
She plucked off the ring and tossed it at me,
“Here, don’t get all dramatic. It didn’t mean
anything.”
The ring hit me square in the face and
bounced onto the floor with a clink!
Everyone gasped and stared at me.
But I just picked up the ring.
“If you don’t want it, it’s pretty useless to
me.”
I tossed it in the trash can.
“Sarah, are you insane! That’s your
engagement ring!”
“Quick, quick, get it out!”
“Where did it go? I can’t find it!”
People scrambled around the trash can,
which was already overflowing with
watermelon rinds, banana peels, and even
someone’s vomit. It was impossible to find a
small ring in that mess.
Ashley looked panicked, clutching Mark’s
hand, her eyes welling up. “Mark, what just
happened? Why is Sarah so upset? Was I
really that awful? But we’ve always been
close…”
<
Mark stepped in front of her protectively.
“Everyone, stop!”
Everyone froze, looking at Mark by the trash
can.
His gaze was icy, like he could freeze me with
one look.
“If you can’t handle it, why play the game?
Now everyone is miserable because of you.
Happy now?”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut.
Ashley kissed my boyfriend, and I was the one
making people miserable for being so
accommodating?
く
The old me would be yelling and crying,
accusing Ashley of crossing the line.
But right now, I couldn’t muster any energy
for it.
Instead, I grabbed my purse.
“I’m out. You guys have fun.”
