Brie jolted awake as sunlight sliced through her blinds like a blade. Her hand reached instinctively for the space beside her—cold. Empty.
Jeff hadn't come back.
Her chest tightened as she replayed last night: his frustration, the tension, the argument, and the way he'd left. She immediately grabbed her phone from the nightstand and dialed Jeff.
It rang. And rang.
No answer.
She tried again. Still nothing.
Brie tossed the phone aside, pulled on faded jeans, her oversized navy blue sweatshirt, and white sneakers. She didn't even bother with makeup. She had a natural beauty, and so she simply tied her hair into a bun, slung her backpack over her shoulder, ordered an Uber, and rushed out.
She was already late.
—
Professor Lancaster's voice echoed through the lecture hall as Brie slipped in, sneakers squeaking against the tile. A few heads turned, and Lancaster paused, eyes narrowing.
Then continued.
She slid into her usual seat, heart pounding. Everything felt off. Lately, she was always having a couple of altercations with Jeff over different things to the point that she was beginning to think the problem was with her.
The week before, it was Jeff's unnecessary closeness with Libby, then the dinner they had, not to mention the party they both attended. He had claimed he didn't go to the party with Libby and that they had met there. She had found all these on his socials and from different tags. She was beginning to feel she wasn't in a relationship anymore. It didn't feel like it, especially with Libby always draping herself around Jeff like they were glued together. The week before that, it was her refusal to go intimate with him. Last night, the same thing had happened; this time, it was both an argument about Libby and her refusal to have sex.
She was already tired of it all.
Jeff was making her sound like a broken record—always nagging and feeling like she was insecure, which was the last thing she felt. All she wanted was for Jeff to set more boundaries and reassure her.
After class, Professor Lancaster approached her.
"Miss Summers," he said quietly. "You're not usually late."
"Rough morning, Professor," she murmured.
He studied her. "You're one of the sharpest minds here. Don't let distractions dull your edge."
Brie nodded. "I won't, Prof." Her eyes met his, and he nodded, then walked out of the class with his bag in hand.
—
Meanwhile, Amber was waiting outside, iced coffee in hand and a raised brow. "You look like a storm hit you. Too busy last night with Jeff?"
Brie sighed. "I wish. My night was off."
"What happened?" Amber's eyebrow raised.
She then looped her arm through Brie's. "Food first. Then you spill."
Brie groaned quietly and walked with Amber hand in hand. They walked to the cafeteria, stopping briefly on the campus grounds to greet a few friends.
In the cafeteria, Brie grabbed a burrito and a bottle of water while Amber went for a hamburger. They sat by the window, while the campus buzzed around them.
Amber leaned in. "Okay, babe, spill. What happened with Jeff last night?"
Brie hesitated and sighed. "Jeff left home last night after another argument."
"What were you guys arguing about this time?" She asked, taking a sip from her iced tea.
"The same ol'. He wanted to go further, and I wasn't ready, not to mention the flirty conversations he's been having with Libby."
Amber's eyes darkened. "He and Libby have been flirting? What a douchebag!" Amber's tone went high, causing some heads to turn their way.
Amber scoffed and lowered her voice. "He's cheating on you and with her?" Her eyes opened wide.
Brie shook her head and leaned closer. "He isn't cheating. At least that was what he said before her call came through."
"She called?" Amber's eyes widened in disbelief as she interjected, causing Brie to pause what she had to say.
"Libby called. I don't know what she said, but he said something work-related." She sniffled and dug into her meal.
"So, let me get this straight. He is flirting with Libby or possibly having an affair, and he still left you all alone to go meet Libby last night?"
Brie sighed. "He isn't cheating, Amber. I trust Jeff."
Amber's voice sharpened. "Well, I don't, and if he's punishing you for having boundaries, that's not love."
"I feel like I'm losing him."
Amber reached across the table. "You're not broken or less than. And if he can't see that, maybe he's not the one."
Brie's phone buzzed, and her eyes went to the screen of her phone.
It was Jeff.
She stared at the screen. "It's him."
Amber leaned in. "Answer it."
Brie tapped the green button.
But it wasn't Jeff.
It was Libby.
Sultry. Breathless. Laughing.
"Mmm… last night was wild," Libby purred. "You owe me round two."
Brie froze.
Amber's eyes widened. "Speaker. Now."
Brie obeyed.
Libby's voice continued. "I still feel sore. You're such a tease, Jeff."
Amber stood, furious. "He's cheating with her."
Brie's hand trembled. She ended the call, staring at the screen like it had burned her.
Amber grabbed her bag. "I knew it. He is cheating with that tramp. We're going to that gym. Today."
Brie shook her head. "And do what?"
"Beat that boyfriend thief up and also beat Jeff up."
Brie laughed lightly and looked out the window.
"For real though. We are going to the Gym today." Amber scowled and folded her arms under her breasts, and frowned.
"Not yet. I need to think." Brie replied. This time her voice was lower—almost faint.
Amber's voice softened. She sensed Brie was having double thoughts. Probably thinking of the possibility that she got this whole thing wrong.
Lately, she had been second-guessing herself where Jeff was concerned. "Then think fast. Because this? This isn't love."
Brie looked out the window, the world spinning around her.
Everything was cracking.
And the flame she'd tried to protect?
It was turning to ash.