"What?" I whispered, and I could hear my voice crack.
Kelly finally lifted her eyes to mine, and that was when I knew the truth.There was no anger in her expression but only a face of some hurting.
"I saw it," she said again, her voice breaking like she was forcing herself not to fall apart. "I saw him kissing her like I didn't exist and his face was beaming with smiles, like that's where he really belongs."
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
Because what do you even say when your best friend's whole world shatters right in front of you?
Kelly swallowed hard and wiped her cheeks quickly, almost like she was embarrassed to cry.But she shouldn't have been.
Not when Shane was the one who should be ashamed.
"I don't understand" she whispered, her tears falling again. "I gave him everything. I did everything to make him happy. He's my whole world Grace and I expected the same from him."
I reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly and suddenly, a question I didn't want to admit crawled into my mind like poison.
If Shane could cheat then what was going to stop Leon or any other man?
I mean, I'd known Leon for a year now, and I was tempted to swear he'd never do something like that. But somedays I even felt like I had been cheating with him emotionally when he was with his girl, considering how close we were, but it had never been anything serious.
Shane didn't even look like the type of guy who would cheat on Kelly. Kelly did everything, she handled all the "wifey duties" like it was her job. Everyone saw them as perfect, happy and unbreakable.
I kept hoping she would suddenly laugh and say it was a joke but with the way she looked? This wasn't a joke.
"Are you for real?" I asked. It was the only reasonable question, but the moment it left my mouth, I regretted it.
She already looked shattered.
"I'm sorry," I quickly added. "That was a dumb question. I just, I can't imagine Shane doing something like that. He's always all over you. You can't even breathe without him and he equally gives the same vibe."
Kelly stared at me for a long moment, then wiped her tears again and all I could see was a broken version of her.Finally, she spoke.
"I kept asking myself the same question," she whispered. "I did everything perfectly. I loved no one but him. I don't even go home for holidays to see my parents and siblings because he didn't like the idea of me being two states away from him"
Her voice trembled as she continued."All Shane had to do was tell me to jump, and I wouldn't even ask why. I'd only ask him how high and how he wanted me to do it."Her tears streamed down her face.
I moved closer and rubbed her back gently, squeezing her hand with the other.Kelly had such a beautiful heart,She didn't deserve this.I wished there was a way we could make Shane pay.
I opened my backpack and pulled out a handkerchief, handing it to her. She took it quickly, dabbing her cheeks, I noticed people were staring at us already.
"What was his defense when you confronted him?" I asked, even though I already knew nothing he said could ever be good enough.
Kelly picked up her coffee slowly like her hands didn't even belong to her anymore,then she spoke.
"He said it's an old video from when they were still together."My stomach twisted in disgust,Old video?That was the best he could come up with?
"Why would an old video suddenly be on his phone now?" I asked, my voice sharper than I meant it to be."It doesn't add up."
Kelly nodded, her jaw tightening.
"He said she started sending him DMs," she replied, her voice thick with anger now.
"Sometimes nudes and sometimes old videos. But I swear that kissing video wasn't old. I just can't prove it."I felt my blood boil.
"Shouldn't he have blocked her the moment she sent the first DM?" I snapped. "Or at least told you? In case of something like this?"
"I said the same thing," Kelly replied, shaking her head. "But he said he didn't want me to worry too much. That I'd make a big deal out of nothing."Her voice broke again.
"But now it's obviously a huge something"More tears fell.
I clenched my fists.
"What are you going to do now?" I asked, even though deep down I already feared her answer.
Kelly looked down at her coffee like it held the solution.
"Gracie" she whispered. "I seriously don't know. I'm insanely in love with Shane. I don't think I can love anyone the way I love him."She paused, swallowing hard.
"I don't think I can leave him."My eyes widened.
"You've got to be kidding me," I said, disbelief spilling into my voice before I could stop it.
Kelly's expression hardened slightly. "I know it was easier for you to leave Michael," she said, "but it's not the same for me. I've known Shane my whole life. And I'm not letting some toxic ex who can't let go ruin what we have." well that hit a nerve.
"Was bringing Michael into this conversation necessary?" I asked, my voice colder now. Shane and Michael weren't the same.
But cheating? Cheating was cheating.
Kelly's shoulders sagged."I'm sorry," she said quietly. "But you need to understand me and not judge me."I let out a sharp breath.
"Seems like you just needed a place to rant and cry," I said, my voice laced with irritation. "Not my advice."Kelly flinched.
"It's your life and your decision," I continued."But I hope he keeps choosing you the way you're choosing him right now and I also hope he makes excuses for you when the tables turn."
Silence.
Kelly stared at me like she wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come.then she spoke, quickly.
"I'm sorry, Gracie," she replied with a little crack in her voice. "I shouldn't have mentioned Michael to justify my situation or what Shane did. That was rude and I'm really sorry." I softened immediately.
Kelly and I had a pact,If we hurt each other, we apologized always but right now she wasn't my enemy.She was just broken and betrayed.
"It's fine," I sighed. "I just want what's best for you. But right now we need to be in class before Professor Jarrad scolds us for being late."
Kelly nodded, wiping her face again.
I paid the bill, and we hurried to class.
The walk there was quiet.
Not awkward but just heavy. Like neither of us wanted to bring up the things we said and maybe it was for the best.
When we got closer to the building, I pulled out my phone.
My thumb hovered over Leon's contact. Kelly's heartbreak was still replaying in my mind like a warning sign.
And suddenly, I realized something. Waiting too long always made me overthink and overthinking always made me run from chances.
Before I could change my mind, I typed out a message and hit send.
"Leon, what if I ask what are we right now?"I had the weirdest way of telling men I wanted them but I realized waiting would only mean I'd talk myself out of happiness.
My feelings would die off slowly and I'd miss out on something that could actually be real.
So, just maybe it was time to try being Leon's girlfriend.