My childhood friend's mom, Auntie Beth, suspects he's in a relationship too early. So she asked me to be the bad guy and break them up. I looked at my future mother-in-law, speechless. She roared, "I don't care who she is, they have to break up! If anyone dares to ruin my son's future, I'll end her!" My heart skipped a beat. I nodded vigorously. "Break up. Absolutely. Must happen." 1 I understand why Auntie Beth is spiraling. Last year, on the day of the SATs, she had a sudden heart attack. Her son, Caleb—who was projected to be Valedictorian and go Ivy League—missed the exam. Meanwhile, I got lucky. I aced it and got into State U with a full ride. Taking a gap year to retake the test messed with Caleb’s head. Even though he’s smart enough for State U, the specific program he wants is incredibly competitive. So, Auntie Beth is watching his study habits like a hawk. Caleb and I planned to go public with our relationship after he finished his exams this year. To keep Auntie Beth calm, we decided to keep it underground until then. But this semester, Caleb dropped from first in his class to third. Auntie Beth is losing her mind. When I came home for winter break, before I could even drag my suitcase through my own front door, Auntie Beth pulled me into a corner. She showed me Caleb’s report card. I tried to comfort her. "It's probably just a slip-up. Don't worry, Auntie." "If it was just a slip-up, I wouldn't be worried! But I've heard him whispering on the phone late at night. 'Babe' this, 'honey' that. I listened at the door... the girl sounds exactly like you!" Cold sweat instantly drenched my back. Guilty as charged. I looked down, avoiding her eyes, trying to play it cool. "It's probably just normal classmates chatting..." "Impossible!" Auntie Beth’s tone was so sharp my heart jumped into my throat. "Do normal classmates say 'I miss you' and 'kisses and hugs'? I guarantee that little punk is dating someone early. I just don't have proof. Sarah, honey, you go talk some sense into him. Whatever it takes, make them break up." I stared at my future mother-in-law, mouth open, words failing me. Then came the roar: "I don't care who she is! They have to break up! If anyone dares to ruin my son's future, I'll end her!" My heart trembled. I nodded like a bobblehead. "Break up. Yes. Must break up." 2 I dropped my suitcase right there and sprinted up to the second floor, straight to Caleb’s room. My hand was raised to knock when the door flew open. I was yanked inside. Without a word, Caleb pinned me against the door. He kissed me like he was trying to devour me. I couldn't struggle; I couldn't escape. One hand cradled the back of my head, the other gripped my waist. The kiss was urgent, fierce. By the time he stopped, my legs were jelly. I couldn't stand. My clothes were disheveled. Then I remembered Auntie Beth’s words. I pushed him away, blocking his attempt to go for round two. "Your mom thinks you're in a relationship. She sent me to convince you to break up. Do you think... maybe she knows it's us and was testing me?" "Will she tell my parents? Will they team up to destroy us?" Then our families would turn into enemies. We’d have to move. We’d never see each other again. The more I thought about it, the scarier it got. "We're doomed. What do we do?" Caleb wasn't listening. He was staring at my lips, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Not enough. More." He tried to pry my hands away, his other hand wandering. I remembered where we were. His mom was downstairs! I dodged him. Whether Auntie Beth knew or not, Caleb’s future was the priority right now. No one could get in the way. Not even me. Right then and there, I made a big decision. "Caleb, let's break up." 3 Hearing those words, his eyes cleared instantly, replaced by disbelief and anger. "Sarah Miller, say that again." I explained softly. "Just for six months. Until you finish your exams. Then we get back together." He got even madder, turning his head away. "I don't agree. Not happening. If this is because of a few words from my mom, I'll go tell her the truth right now." Caleb is stubborn as a mule. I knew he’d do it. I hugged him from behind, trying to coax him. "Baby, I don't want this either. But I am affecting you. Otherwise, why did your rank drop to third?" Caleb looked down at me, his gaze cold. "Did you want to break up with me a long time ago?" ??? My brain short-circuited. What does he mean, a long time ago? He was getting emotional. "Then why did you lie?" 4 Lie? My brain spun. I realized immediately what day he was talking about. Because it was the only time. That night during dinner, I had a sudden high fever. My roommates rushed me to the ER. I was out of it, unconscious. When the fever broke and I woke up, it was 7 AM. As expected, my phone was blown up with texts and missed calls from Caleb. I knew he had finals coming up, and I didn't want him to worry. So I called him back quickly. I lied and said I fell asleep and accidentally muted my phone. He just said "Oh" and hung up. He never mentioned it again. Now that he asked, I confessed everything. But he was still angry. Getting angrier. His eyes looked fierce. "Sarah, we promised. total honesty. Always." "I told you, you have the right to choose. If one day you don't like me as much, or you meet someone else who makes your heart beat faster, just tell me. I'll let you go." "But you can't lie to me. Don't treat me like an idiot." He was shouting now. I was confused. Was it that serious? I was wrong, sure, but it was a white lie. "I didn't change my mind. I still like you. I admit I shouldn't have lied, but you don't have to be so mean!" This was the first time Caleb had ever raised his voice at me. So scary. A wave of grievance washed over me. Tears spilled out uncontrollably. I turned my back on him. I didn't want to talk to him. Just then, a knock on the door. Auntie Beth pushed it open. She looked at the two of us. She saw my teary eyes and red nose. Then she remembered why she sent me up here. She grabbed Caleb by the ear right there. "Sarah is doing this for your own good! Why are you yelling?! How did I raise you? Never bully girls! Never make a girl cry! Apologize to Sarah right now!" I turned around, glared at him through my tears, and huffed: "Hmph. Don't need it." 5 Close to New Year's Eve, everyone was busy visiting relatives. I went with my parents and grandparents to Miami for the holiday. I didn't speak a word to Caleb. On New Year's Eve, the family was gathered around the TV, laughing. I sat in the corner of the sofa, distracted and miserable. Even the thick stack of red envelopes (cash gifts) couldn't cheer me up. Usually, at this time, Caleb would FaceTime me. He'd complain about being the Public Enemy of all the younger cousins because his grades were too good, making them look bad. He'd be surrounded by brats asking a million questions. Finally, he'd hide in his room and beg me for comfort. We’d chat through the screen about funny holiday stuff or roast the TV gala. Sometimes we’d say nothing, just look at each other. Time would fly. The night would be over in a blink. But now, the contact named [My Good Puppy] was silent in my chat list. The grievance welled up again. Seriously? He hasn't come to comfort me for this long? Says he misses me every day—is this how he misses me? Fine! Don't talk to me for the rest of your life! Sadness turned to rage. I threw my phone aside and went out to watch fireworks.
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