November 24, 2022
Chapter One: Aspen
“So, you’re gonna believe her over me, Sage?” Janet yelled towards him. Sage licked his lips and looked at me weirdly. Being the best friend of a guy is hard as hell. However, the one thing I do is hold my best friend's badge with honor. So, when I told Sage- my best friend of eighteen years- his girlfriend was kissing someone else–and I mean tonguing a random out in public–of course, I gathered my proof and went to tell him about it. I was expecting him to curse her out or let me beat her ass. Instead, Sage looked at me with a look of sadness and disgust.
“Aspen, come on. I know you might not like Janet, but you don’t have to lie about her cheating on me. That’s low, even for you.” He scoffed.
“Are you fucking kidding me?! You’ve known me for years, and you dip your dick into this chick for only five months, and you believe her over me?!” I shrieked.
Before Sage could speak, Janet said, “Of course, he believes his girlfriend, the woman he loves, over you. I told you, baby, Aspen is in love with you and wants to break us up.”
Tears were on the verge of falling, but I held them in. I wasn’t going to let Janet, and especially Sage, see any signs of weakness.
Looking at both of them, the crisp wind gave my body a chill. We’d just finished our third plate of the fried turkey, spiral ham, and mac and cheese, that Sage’s parents and my parents cooked. We were outside roasting marshmallows on my parents’ deck before we went Black Friday shopping. I was excited to spend time with Sage; we hadn’t seen each other since the renewal of his parents’ vows, which was a year ago. While I worked as a photography assistant in Coconut Bay, Sage stayed in Amethyst Falls and worked as a landscaper for his family's business, Harris Landscape. We chatted every day. He was the only person who knew my darkest secrets and vice versa. I was taken aback when he entered my parents' house with Janet, introducing her as his girlfriend. As much as we talked, he never told me he was serious with someone. From the moment I met Janet, her energy was off. I hated that she was always around when I wanted to spend time with Sage alone. Whenever Sage and I did have alone time, I tried to express my concerns about her on multiple occasions, but he never took them seriously.
“Aspen, I think we should chill on our friendship. I don’t want to have to choose between you two.” Sage said, grabbing Janet’s hand. I closed my eyes tightly as the tears streamed down my face.
After opening them, I noticed a smirk on Janet's face. I had to refrain myself from slapping it off before I responded.
“Wow. It’s whatever.” I turned to walk away before he grabbed my arm, pleading with me to stay.
“Come on ‘Pen, we can’t talk like we used to. I don’t want to disrespect my relationship.” I looked at him before I shook my head once more, pushing him away. Rolling my eyes, I chortled, “We don’t have to be friends then.”
I walked back into the house, and he called my name as more tears fell. I hated that we had to end our friendship like this, but it was necessary. If he couldn’t believe me, I refused to stress myself out over a pass around. I hoped Sage realized his mistake in time.
Find out what happens next in Grateful Blessings! Coming out on Friday, November 29, 2024!
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