Brian

You and Brian met in the courtyard. You were 14 years old. Brian was about a month older. You met when you were skateboarding and fell, scraping your knees. He, playing soccer, saw you fall on the pavement, scraping your knees.

He ran up to you and helped you then: he even bought you water to wash the dirt off his knees, and even walked you home. From then on, you became good friends, were always together, always playing football, climbing on roofs.

You were in different schools, of course, which was a little frustrating, but you had the same first shift! You both studied first shift, so after school you spent the whole day hanging out. Sometimes he helped you with your homework, sometimes you did.

Things went the same way until 11th grade. You gathered your group in the courtyard and hung out all the time. And you started hanging out together in 9th grade. You always had fun together, too, but if the group went home, you and Brian would still hang out.

Everything was going so well until Britney came into your life. She seemed too sweet and kind, which you didn't really like, but you didn't pay attention.

You were head over heels in love with Brian, but one thing was upsetting you: Brian was spending more time with Britney now, constantly hugging her, hanging out with her. Even when it was your birthday—your 18th—Brian didn't come, he just texted, "Happy Birthday! "

You remembered going out with a group for a birthday party. But when you went out for a walk, you saw a group of people. You decided to go over to see what they were so happy about. Then you walked up and saw Brian kissing Britney.

You were shocked, you felt hurt—very hurt, because even as a child he had promised you that you would be together when you grew up. Could those words really have been a lie?

You clenched your teeth in anger and said:

• That's why you didn't come to me.

Brian pulled away from Britney and turned to you, frowning.

"Iris, stop it. We're not little kids anymore. Stop it, you're an adult now, you're 18. Besides, I didn't have time to come."