Chapter 3

3.

This weekend was the birthday of my old high school teacher, Mrs. Jenkins.

Early that morning, the class president called me. "Make sure you and Caleb show up together!"

When I arrived at the venue, the lounge was already packed with former classmates. Caleb was nowhere to be seen.

The class president looked behind me. "Where's your husband? Looking for parking?"

"He's not my husband," I said.

He laughed it off. "Not yet, but you will be in a month, right? You guys have been together forever. Don't blow it now over a silly fight. Just be happy."

Mrs. Jenkins walked over, smiling. She had aged over the years, her hair turning a soft silver.

"Ivy, dear," she said warmly. "I've watched you two grow up. Are you two arguing over Serena? You must have misunderstood. Caleb and Jeremy were best friends. He's just being a good guy and looking after her. Have some faith in your relationship."

Mrs. Jenkins had always been my favorite teacher. She was kind and nurturing.

But school was over. She could teach me literature, but she couldn't teach me how to handle a failing marriage.

"I know what I'm doing, Mrs. Jenkins."

She took that as a sign I was listening. "Good girl. You were always the smart one."

Just then, the door swung open. Caleb walked in.

"Happy Birthday, Mrs. Jenkins."

The teacher beamed. "Thank you! I heard you and Ivy are getting married soon. I'm so happy for you both!"

But then, the smile froze on her face.

Serena walked in right behind Caleb. She was wearing his jacket over her shoulders, her hand tucked firmly under his arm.

She smiled sweetly and handed a gift to Mrs. Jenkins. "Hello, I'm Serena. I'm so sorry we're late. It's my fault. My cycle started unexpectedly, and Caleb had to run to the store to get me some pads. It took a while."

Caleb.

The way she said his name told the whole story.

The class president stood there, stunned. He pulled Caleb aside and hissed, "Ivy is right here! Why the hell did you bring her?"

Caleb didn't even look guilty. "Serena's been very fragile. I didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone."

"What about Ivy?"

Caleb glanced at me with total indifference. "She's fine. Don't worry about her."

He gently led Serena to the sofa, picking out fruit and snacks for her. "Don't be nervous. These are all my friends. They'll take care of you."

Serena leaned her head on his shoulder like a helpless kitten. "As long as you're here, I feel safe."

Everyone in that room knew Caleb and I were a couple.

They didn't know how to react. The atmosphere turned incredibly awkward.

The class president, who probably wanted to help us make up, looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole.

The party felt like a funeral after that.

When it finally ended, everyone looked relieved to leave. Everyone except Caleb and Serena.

As Caleb walked past me, still holding Serena's hand, he said coldly, "I have to drop Serena off. I might stay over to make sure she's okay. Call an Uber for yourself."

Serena let out a soft gasp and patted Caleb's arm. "Oh, honey, don't be like that. Ivy is your fiancée. You can't make her take a cab just because of me. Ivy, don't listen to him. Get in the car. I'll have Caleb drop you off first."

She spoke as if she was the mistress of the house.

And I was just a guest.

I brushed her hand off my arm and said tonelessly, "No thanks. My ride is here."

*Beep beep.*

A sleek, black Maybach pulled up slowly and stopped right in front of me.