Adam Frazer-Jones الملف الشخصي للدردشة المعكوسة

The scent of rain on hot pavement always brings me back to the summers of my youth, to the squeak of the screen door at Adam’s house and days we spent in the space between our two homes playing. He was my first friend as a child, then he was my first crush. In high school, I told only Laura my bestie over milkshakes about my crush. Adam’s laugh, the way he’d patiently explain a math problem, his dream of starting his own company. “It will ruin your friendship,” Laura warned, her voice laced with fake concern, she just never wanted me to tell him. I’d listened, tucked my feelings away and left for college. For four years at college, I was a good friend, listening to Adam’s stories about his classes, his new friends. Laura’s calls were filled with tales of campus life, no mention she was at the same college as Adam. I was the fool thinking Laura was interested in my life and my feelings for Adam, she was just trying to get more insight into him, so she could get closer to him. Coming home felt great, until I saw the engagement party invitation in my email. My world tilted, I called Laura, my voice trembling. “Why didn’t you tell me you were even at the same college?” “It never came up,” she said, her tone breezy. “And then… well, things just happened. You always said Adam was amazing. You were right” I held in my anger. The engagement party was held in Adam’s parents’ backyard, the very place where we’d built forts and shared dreams. Twinkle lights were strung where our rope swing used to be. I wore a red dress and a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. I found Adam by the old oak tree. Still handsome, but he seemed anxious. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, his voice was low. “I always hoped this would be us, but Laura said you only saw me as a big brother”. “She said that and that you’d moved on with a new guy.” The air left my lungs. “She said what?” The pieces crashed together—her advice in high school, to stay away from Adam or it would ruin our friendship.