Chapter 3

3 Ashley was my best friend from college and the only one who supported my decision to break up.

Once, in college, Mark and I were supposed to study together at the library. Getting up at seven on the weekend wasn't easy, and even though I rushed, I was still two minutes late.

Mark crossed his arms and frowned. "Jennifer, can't you be on time for once? What if you had an important meeting? A multi-million dollar deal?"

I started to apologize, but Ashley pulled me behind her. "Getting up early on the weekend to study with you is inhuman. Jen did great just showing up! And she was two minutes late, sheesh. Get over it!"

From that moment on, Mark and Ashley didn't get along. Ashley loved praising me. If I got the second-highest GPA, she'd say something. If I passed my exams, she'd celebrate. She'd tell me "Good job!" when I got up early. She'd say, "Don't listen to Mark, girl, you're awesome!"

It was the kind of encouragement I had never gotten. I loved being around Ashley. But Mark sneered at it. "She only says that to make you conceited so you don't see your flaws. Being humble is how you see your flaws. Being direct is how I help you."

When talking about Ashley, Mark would frown slightly. I knew that's how he acted when he was upset. I knew I'd be scolded. I wanted to tell him she wasn't like that. But I was afraid. I didn't dare. I was too scared of Mark's anger and his criticisms.

When Ashley heard about this, she just sighed. "Being controlled is hard to get out of. Just take it slow."

So, Ashley was thrilled when she heard I had decided to break up with Mark. She hugged me and whispered, "Congrats, Jen, you're finally free."

Ashley took me to her place and let me stay in the spare room. She led me inside, eyes sparkling. "Do you like the room? I decorated it just the way you like it!"

I stared at the pink wallpaper, the Mickey Mouse desk, and a Raggedy Ann doll. I felt like I was in a fog. Since living with Mark, how long had it been since I'd seen things like this?

Mark was a minimalist. Everything was black, white, and gray. He'd scoff at my love of pink and dolls, saying, "Jennifer, you have such bad taste."

My eyes started to water again. I hugged Ashley and cried. If Mark was a nightmare, then Ashley was a gift from heaven.