My Childhood Friend Chose Her Virginity Over My Future Chapter 01

My Childhood Friend Chose Her Virginity Over My Future Chapter 01

Right before the athletic scholarship tryout, my period started early, even though I’d been taking birth control to delay it.

I was cramping so badly that my legs felt weak, but I still forced myself to check in for the two-mile time trial.

That was when my childhood sweetheart, Ethan Caldwell, picked me up and carried me away from the starting area.

”That cup of honey-lemon tea I made for you last night? I laced it with a strong dose of motherwort tincture,” he said. ”It was meant to bring on your period. Even if you ran today, you wouldn’t get the scholarship spot.”

My eyes burned instantly.

I stared at him, unable to believe what I had just heard. ”Why?”

Ethan’s expression stayed calm, almost careless.

”Chloe Parker made a bet with Tyler Reed. She said she’d beat you in today’s qualifier and place first. If she lost, she’d have to be his girlfriend.”

”A girl like her can’t have her life ruined by someone like him.”

”You’re different. Your grades are good. You can still get into Easton State with your SAT scores and your academics. Just let her have this recruitment slot.”

Then he looked past me.

Across the track, Chloe was crossing the finish line.

The admiration and affection in Ethan’s eyes were impossible to miss.

Only then did I realize the boy who had once cried in front of my dying mother and sworn he would take care of me for the rest of his life was gone.

This time, I neither screamed nor fell apart.

I only took out my phone and texted my uncle overseas: [I’ll go to London for school. I won’t come back.]

…

For a while, I still couldn’t believe Ethan had actually done this.

He was the one who used to run with me every morning, train with me every evening, and push me until my race times improved.

Tears spilled down my face.

”You knew how long I prepared for this qualifier. She said that bet was just Truth or Dare. It wasn’t real.”

Ethan frowned, sounding impatient. ”You don’t understand. Chloe is a girl. Her reputation matters. Even if it was a joke, I couldn’t let her take that risk.”

”Besides, it’s not like you can’t get into college on your own. I’m just making the best use of the slot. Everyone wins. Stop making a scene.”

”We’re going to end up together anyway. Once we get to college, I’ll make it up to you.”

It felt as if a hand had closed around my heart, squeezing until I could barely breathe.

But Ethan no longer noticed my emotions the way he used to.

His eyes were fixed on Chloe, who was still running hard on the track.

”Breathe. Keep your steps steady. You’re almost there. Kick now. Kick!”

His urgent murmurs cut across my chest like a blade.

I could no longer remember the last time he had been this worried for me.

Maybe it had started the first time I beat Chloe and made her cry.

After that, whenever Chloe and I raced side by side, the fists Ethan clenched in secret were no longer clenched for me.

I had always lied to myself.

Chloe had once been passed by someone at her peak, just like Ethan had. Maybe it was only a student-athlete’s sympathy for another student-athlete.

But now I understood it had all been self-deception.

Maybe I should have known sooner.

Every time Ethan walked past me to comfort Chloe after she lost, every time he congratulated her for improving after she beat me, I disappeared a little more from his eyes each time.

The salty rain stung my face, and the pain seemed to pierce straight into my chest.

I took a breath, but weakness spread through my whole body.

”Ethan, I don’t want to go to the same school as you any—”

Before I could finish, the starter’s whistle blew.

Chloe crossed the finish line half a step ahead of the runner behind her and took first place.

She was gasping, her legs shaking so hard she nearly collapsed.

Ethan let go of me at once and shoved a pad into my hand.

”Go to the restroom by yourself. If she stops now, her legs will lock up. Someone needs to jog her out.”

Then he ran away.

A cold, damp gust rushed after him and passed straight through the hollow space in my chest.

I stood frozen where I was and watched him scoop Chloe into his arms, spinning her around with a smile I had not seen in a long time.

Then my phone buzzed in my backpack.

[Why didn’t I see you on the livestream? Did you finally come to your senses and decide to give up the qualifier and come to London with me?]

This time, I did not mock Uncle Michael for not understanding how precious teenage promises could be.

I only typed back: [Yes. I’ve decided. I’ll go.]