𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲

𝟓𝟖-𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐬, 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐧

𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓷𝓷

Michael drops me back off at the academy. 

"Are you sure you want to return?" He asks, looking at me through the rearview mirror. 

I nod, "I have to, people are going to find out anyway. Besides there is something I have to do." I inform him. 

He sighs, "Quinn, you know I love you like a daughter which is the only reason I am giving you this advice. Don't make any rash decisions out of anger or hurt. Once the pain settles you will be left with regret for what you did. Not everything is reversible." 

I give him a small smile, "Thanks, but trust me I know what I am doing." I tell him. 

He doesn't understand because he isn't apart of our world. 

If I do this now I spare myself the future heartbreak now. 

It will hurt but not as bad as if we continued. I always knew one day he'd get bored of me but I refuse to be there when that day comes. 

With that in my mind I slip out of the car and head towards the giant brick building. 

The news I know is slowly spreading and eventually everyone will be talking about it. 

How my dad knocked up his eighteen year old house keeper right under my moms nose. 

How he chose her over my mom, that he wants to marry the girl who's carrying his child. 

If you want out of this life you leave. Make the other person look good in the light as the one who stayed but you never humiliate your spouse. 

Cheating is practically inevitable in our world. 

Sarah's family, Casper's, Della's, Jordan's, mine. 

No one stays faithful to those they don't love. To those they fall out of love with. 

They may claim they are in love but if you truly loved someone, if you were truly in love with someone you would respect them enough not to cheat. 

It's one of the reasons I refuse to read books where there is cheating. It ruins the whole story because I want to believe that no matter what, no matter the challenges they face they will always be loyal to each other. 

If only that happened in reality too. 

I walk towards the dormitory and up towards my room. 

Right in front of my door stands Jordan. When he sees me he begins to head towards me. 

I knew I had to do this but I thought I could prepare first. I guess I just have to rip off the bandaid. 

"Hey I have been calling and texting you all day are you ok?" He asks and I can see the worry on his face. 

"I'm fine." I say trying to keep my voice detached. 

He tries to pull me in for a hug but I step back out of his reach. 

His brows draw together and he retracts his arms back to his side. 

"Taylor what is it?" He asks and I bite my bottom lip to try and keep it from trembling. 

"The school year is almost up and we are graduating soon. We- I had a lot of fun but-" He cuts me off. 

"What are you doing right now?" He asks and I try to swallow the golfball slide lump in my throat. 

Crying is a weakness. 

I laugh dryly "Come on Jordan we always knew this wasn't permanent. You said so yourself, I wanted you, you wanted me. But we are heading off to different colleges next year, did you really think we would stay together?"

"Yes." He says without hesitation, "I thought that's what you wanted too."

I shake my head, but inside I am screaming. I want that more than anything. 

"So what that's it?" He scoffs, "The past seven months mean nothing to you? It was all just fun right?"

A tear escapes me, "Jordan I'm sorry." I whisper.

"No you're not." He says and I let another tear fall. 

He runs a shaky hand through his hair, "So what was the point of all of it Quinn?"

"The point of what?"

"Everything." He shouts and I flinch. 

He laughs dryly, "You know you were so worried that I was using you. That you were just some game to me but you never got it did you?"

"Got what?" I ask confused. 

"I'm in love with you Quinn." He says and my breath hitches. 

He runs his hand through his hair again. 

"I think I have been in love with you since freshman year. No other girl compared to you, no matter how hard I tried to get over you. It was always you." He says and so many things are happening in my heart right now. 

Jordan scoffs, "You thought you were a game but the only one getting played here is me. I hope you're happy. You are valedictorian, you are going to Harvard, you managed to make me feel things I have never felt for anyone else. So congrats, you win." He says his last sentence barely above a whisper before walking away. 

I am left standing there with a million regrets on the tip of my tongue. 

"Quinn?" I hear from behind me and I turn to see Poppy peaking her out of the door. 

She opens the door wider and I step inside. 

"I heard what happened, are you ok?" She asks and I shake my head. 

You will be left with regret for what you did, Oh shut up Michael. 

"Let's sit." She says leading me over to the bed. 

"He loves me." I whisper and she nods, "I know."

"And I love him." I say as the tears fall. 

"I know."

I look up at her, "Then why did I ruin things? Why did I let my moms words affect me?"

"Because you're human Quinn, because even you make mistakes sometimes." She says and I wipe under my eyes. 

"Do you think it's reversible? Do you think he could forgive me?" I ask and she sighs. 

"I think that he loves you and he's hurt right now. I think you need to figure out why you were so easily swayed by your moms words before you talk to him again. Let him cool down while you figure yourself out, that's what I think." She says and I nod. 

Then I pull her in for a hug. 

"You are a pretty good friend Poppy." I tell her and she laughs, "I'm glad you gave me the chance to be a good friend."

In the beginning of this year I wanted nothing more than to get away from my roommate. 

Now I am glad I was stuck with her. I gained an amazing friend, who helped me grow. 

She may not understand the significance she holds in my life now, but I do.