3
Chad eventually beat Tiffany and won the
Grand Slam championship.
Both families decided to go out to dinner to
celebrate.
<
At the restaurant, I FaceTimed Chad.
It rang a few times, then he hung up.
I froze and awkwardly put my phone down,
forcing a smile as I tried to explain.
“He must be busy, he didn’t answer.”
Mr. Miller scoffed, “That kid’s asking for a
beating! Hanging up on his girlfriend!”
“Ashley, you wait. When Chad gets back, I’m
gonna give him a piece of my mind!”
I shook my head, laughing.
“It’s okay, you guys. It’s not the first time he’s
won a championship. I practically know his
whole routine by heart. He’s probably
swamped dealing with reporters and media.”
11
“I figured I’d FaceTime him so he could see
we were celebrating for him, too. Oh well, he
can take us out for a fancy dinner himself
when he gets back!”
Mrs. Miller laughed and squeezed my hand.
“You’re too understanding, honey. These guys
can be jerks. You gotta get mad sometimes,
let him know when he’s messing up, got it?”
I nodded absently, changing the subject.
I knew they were trying to make me feel
better.
Usually, Chad would tell me about the win
first and express his happiness together.
As elders, they must see something changing
between us.
Chad and I grew up as childhood sweethearts,
and our families always had a great
relationship.
After we got together, our families were
super happy and supported us.
Then Chad went off to study for a Chess
Grandmaster in A City, and I stayed back in
town for college.
Besides my studies, I also went back home to
spend time with our families.
Chad would travel from afar to see me during
his vacations.
く
I always thought that we’d continue living this
life, until we moved out of a long–distance
relationship, and until we got married.
I never thought that Chad and I would split
- up.
But Chad’s changes reminded me, again and
again, that all his changes were because of
another girl.
A girl smarter and better than me.
I felt so defeated that I didn’t even have the
courage to question it.
I kept analyzing Chad’s behaviors in my mind,
analyzing his expressions, trying to tell myself
that his relationship with Tiffany was just an
admiration.
But, today, seeing him give up seven moves
to Tiffany on the stage, I suddenly realized
that Chad and I probably won’t last long.
