Chapter 22
The new year rolled in — 2018 — and everything between me and Chase had been slowly falling apart. We argued constantly. The open‑relationship situation kept coming up, and every time it did, it chipped away at us a little more. He spent more time with Evelyn than with me, and after meeting her… yeah. I didn’t like her. She was bratty, smug, and acted like she was perfect.
Still, I tried.
I texted him:
Hey babe, I wanted to see if you want to go out later this week?
Sure, when?
Saturday at 2 p.m.?
That works. I’ll bring Evelyn.
I yelled at my phone. Then typed:
I wanted it to be both of us.
I mean… it can’t hurt to have her join us, right?
Unbelievable.
Fine. She can tag along. We can go to the beach boardwalk and hang there.
Sounds fun. I’ll see you there then, babe. Love you.
Love you too. See you Saturday.
But I already felt sick about it.
Saturday came. I got ready, grabbed my things, and headed to the bus stop. It took almost an hour of transfers to get there. When I finally arrived, the three of us hung out — or at least they did. I wasn’t having a good time. I wanted it to be him and me. Just us. But of course, she was glued to his side.
At one point, I told them I was going to the bathroom. When I came back out, I scanned the area for them.
And then I saw it.
Near the drinking fountain.
Chase and Evelyn.
Cuddling.
Making out.
In public.
In front of me.
My heart cracked open. I pulled out my phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to my friends — and to the guys’ group chat.
They turned and saw me.
“You know what?” I said, my voice was shaking. “I want this open relationship to end. Now. I can’t take the torture anymore. Or better yet — we can break up. Since you’re spending more time with her than me.”
“NO — wait, Lola… please—”
“No,” I snapped. “No more pathetic excuses. I’m done. I actually loved you. I showed you the kind of love no one else could’ve shown you.”
I stared at him. “Either you choose me or her.”
He looked at me. Then at her. Then back at me. Minutes passed. He didn’t move.
“Who’s it going to be?” I asked.
Nothing.
I turned and started walking away.
That’s when he finally ran after me.
“PLEASE — it was a huge mistake! I realized I made a mistake with Evelyn. You’re the only one I want!”
“It doesn’t seem like it,” I said coldly. “I’m out. I’m heading home. See you.”
I walked to the bus stop. The bus arrived quickly. I got on, sat in the back, and cried until my chest hurt.
I texted my friends:
I pulled the plug. I ended things with Chase after seeing he preferred Evelyn over me, even though he tried to convince me to stay.
Their responses came fast:
“Good. He deserves to be dumped.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s for the best.”
“Karma got him good.”
I’m hurting right now, but I’ll be okay, I typed.
They told me they were here for me.
I texted the guys’ group chat:
I broke up with Chase. I ended things.
I attached the photo.
I know open relationships mean freedom, but he never bothered asking me anything or talking to me first.
They replied with shock, apologies, and promised to talk to him.
When I got home, I ran to my room, shut the door, and screamed into my pillow. I cried until my eyes burned.
This was my fault. I said yes to the open relationship. I should’ve known better. But now I did. I learned my lesson — never again. I would set boundaries. I would say no when something didn’t feel right.
Me and Chase were officially done.
I texted him:
Good luck with your girlfriend now. Don’t bother running back to me.
He replied instantly:
Give me another chance please… I’ll end things with her and block her.
You’ve said that before. Look what happened. I wanted to spend time with you, but you always forced her into our plans. I should’ve said no, but I was nice enough to let you bring her. You ditched me on my prom night for her. Beach day — you brought her. You’ve been spending more time with her than me. Honestly? It feels like you forgot about me and pretended I didn’t exist.
Don’t bother me for a while. I want space. Don’t come near me.
I put my phone down, opened my laptop, unfriended him on everything, and blocked him everywhere.
Then I texted Evelyn:
Have fun with your boyfriend.
Before she could reply, I blocked her too.
I told my friends I blocked them both. They said good — that I didn’t need him.
After everything I went through, I was officially single. And honestly? I wasn’t ready for another relationship anytime soon.
I needed to focus on myself.
On healing.
On my friends.
On remembering who I was before all of this.
And for the first time in a long time… I felt like I could breathe.