It was laughable.
Just like the twisted love triangle we were in.
I love him. And he loves her. How pathetic is that?
The party games were in full swing, and someone suggested a bragging game of 'I have something you don't.' We sat in a circle, each person boasting about their greatest accomplishment.
When it was Blair's turn, she gracefully held her drink, a sly smile on her lips. She deliberately stroked the varsity jacket on her shoulders and announced in a sickly sweet voice, "I have a man who'd do anything for me. Anything."
The circle erupted in jeers and laughter. "Come on, Blair, that's not fair! You're the cheer captain; the line of guys after you could stretch out of town!"
Everyone was laughing and joking, but I was staring intently at the jacket on her shoulders.
The message was crystal clear.
I used to think my rivalry with Blair was just about who was more popular. Now, I understood the truth.
What she wanted was to completely crush me.
Then, it was my turn.
I raised my eyes and said in a cool, detached voice, "I'll be speaking at Yale's opening ceremony as the incoming class representative."
The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and playful groans. "Okay, that's a serious flex! How's anyone supposed to follow that?"
But I couldn't smile. My eyes were locked on Blair. I paused deliberately, then asked, "And you? Can you do that?"
Her smile froze, her cheeks flushing with anger. After a tense moment, she bit her lip and reluctantly chugged her drink as a penalty. The jacket crumpled under her clenched fist.
Not long after, Blair stormed away from the group, and, predictably, Nathaniel followed her.
I stood up and followed them from a distance.
In the darkness, away from the bonfire, Blair's voice was thick with tears. "Cassie did that on purpose to provoke me! Didn't you hear her? She wanted to humiliate me!"
Nathaniel's voice was gentle, trying to soothe her. "I don't think she meant it like that. Don't overthink it."
"You're taking her side?" Blair's voice sharpened, her tone shifting to a flirtatious challenge. "Then maybe you shouldn't be with me at all."
Nathaniel immediately panicked. He grabbed her hand urgently. "It's not like that at all. You're the most important one. You're the only one I care about."
Seeing his reaction, a flicker of triumphant satisfaction crossed Blair's eyes. "Then prove it," she cooed, moving closer. "Tonight. Get a few of your friends together. I want a video of her for the party tomorrow. I want her so humiliated in front of the whole town that Yale yanks her acceptance."
Hidden in the shadows, my heart pounded in my chest.
A sliver of hope cut through me. I prayed he would refuse, or at least hesitate.
Because just yesterday, he had held me and told me he loved me.
Nathaniel lowered his head and was silent for what felt like an eternity.
But Blair knew how to play him. She leaned in and kissed him. "Nathaniel, if you agree, I'm all yours for the rest of the night."
The moment she finished, Nathaniel pulled her into a fierce embrace. "Don't worry," he breathed, his voice thick with desire. "I'll do anything for you. Once that video gets out, she's done."
The warmth of summer still lingered in the air.
But a bone-deep chill settled in my heart.
"Cassie, have a drink with me?"
Back at the bonfire, Nathaniel's voice was laced with false tenderness. "We'll be going our separate ways soon. Summer is almost over."
I kept my head down, silent.
He let out a wistful sigh. "I know we can't be at the same school, but... at least we could have been in the same state, right?"
