She Plays Fake So Well
It was the night of her junior year prom, a night she had been waiting for since she first started high school. Riley had been dating Ben since the beginning of 8th grade. He was the guy she though would never hurt her. She never thought that he would betray her and never expected him to.
Riley was with her two best friends, Courtney and Claire, getting ready prom. They had been at the salon getting their hair and nails done since they woke up early that morning. It was meant to be the best day of her life.
Riley and Claire arrived at the prom together later that night because Courtney had to be there early to help set up for the big dance. When they walked in a girl named Brittany walked up to Riley and told her that there was something she needed to see before she talked to Ben. She followed Brittany and saw something that she never once in her life expected to see, Courtney and Ben were in one corner of the ballroom making out. Something that Riley never wanted her boyfriend and her best friend doing. Ben noticed Riley standing there watching him betray her trust and immediately stopped what he was doing. She ran off with Ben chasing after her.
“Riley will you please stop and talk to me?” Ben called after her.
“Why should I Ben, or do you not realize what I just saw you doing with mind you MY BEST FRIEND?”
“Riley I never meant to hurt you it was a dare I swear it was.”
Meanwhile everyone had followed them outside of the ballroom and was watching the argument and listening very closely.
“Sure you didn’t Ben; you just decided to take a dare to make out with one of my best friends,” Riley sobbed as she started crying.
“I just don’t understand why you would be so mad it was just a little dare Riley.”
“Just a dare Ben, it was just a dare? Do you realize how idiotic you sound right now.”
“Oh so I sound like an idiot. Do you realize what a big deal you are making out of such a small problem?”
“Whatever Ben, as of right now we’re through I don’t ever want to hear from you or see you again. As for you Courtney how could you do something like this to me how? Do you not understand the term “best friend?”
Courtney responded, “You use the term best friend a little lightly. I’ve been after Ben since you guys started dating or have you been too stupid to realize it?”
Riley walked away crying and Claire chased after her after yelling at Courtney.
“Riley, slow down,” said Claire.
“How could you not know about this Claire how?”
“I swear I didn’t know she was after him Riley and even if I did I would have told you about it when I found out.”
“So you weren’t behind this?”
“No, why would I do anything of the sort to you Riley?”
“I don’t know it just seems like there would be more than one person behind this”
“Well if there was I wasn’t one of them. I would never do such a mean thing to such a nice person.”
“Well it’s nice to know I have at least one friend in this world.”
“I’m always here for you girl and I always will be no matter what.”
The next morning Riley and Claire walked into their school and everyone was watching to see what Riley would do when she saw Ben and Courtney together. She saw them and she walked right passed them. The night before Riley vowed no body would see how upset she really was. It would be a miracle if she could just get through the first day without breaking down or getting in a fight with Courtney. As she walked up to her locker a few people walked up to Riley to let her know that they were there for her and they would help her in any way that they possibly could.
“I am fine, I don’t need help from any body Okay,” Riley screamed in the halls. Everyone walked away and left Riley and Courtney there.
“It will get better Riley you know that right?” Claire assured her.
“Yes I know that I just want it to get better as fast as possible. I hate this feeling. I feel like everyone is making Ben and I breakup just a sorry excuse to try and be nice and it is making me sick.”
“It’s going to be like that for a while but you will be okay. You’re a strong girl, you’ll get through it.”
“I guess.”
Halfway through the day Riley got a note from somebody in her locker. It read:
Dear Riley,
I realize what I did at the dance was stupid. I never should have done that to the girl I love. When Courtney came up to me and told me she was in love with me and that I shouldn’t have been with you I told her to leave me along but she just wouldn’t listen. Even when I walked into the dance she wouldn’t leave me alone. What you saw was not me making a move on her. It was the other way around. I swear I would never do anything to hurt you we have been together way too long for me to hurt you. What you saw this morning was me telling her that nothing would ever happen between us because I still love you. I hope you will forgive me and give me one more chance.
I’ll always love you,
Ben
After she read the letter she had no idea what to say. Riley went on with her day as nothing had happened and like she had never gotten the letter. Later in the day she saw Claire and showed her the letter. After she read the letter Claire said, “I don’t care what he says or does you shouldn’t take him back, once a cheater always a cheater. If he was really trying to stop her he would’ve been pushing her off of him when you walked in the room, not holding her closer to him.”
“I guess you’re right. Hopefully for the rest of the day I can just avoid him and no body will bother me. After we get out of school I am going straight home and getting rid of everything that reminds me of him. Every last thing I don’t care what it is.”
It had been a few weeks since the dramatic break-up of Riley and Ben and she seemed to be doing better. Claire was right about Ben lying, after Riley told him there was no way they were getting back together he had turned to Brittany and didn’t even look back.
“You know what Claire,” Riley said, “I’m glad I decided not to take him back. It may seem like I am doing better, but you never really know how much one person can hide something so well. You know what it’s just because I can play fake so well.”
written by k.m.w 8/6/06 (c)
