Chapter 3: The Ultimatum

“After May 20th.”

I said it firmly, like I was setting an appointment with destiny. Carter made a show of setting a reminder on her phone.

Carter narrowed her eyes, giving me a knowing look. “Oh, you set a deadline. Is it to see if he’ll change? Giving him a last chance?”

She leaned in, her eyes glinting. "Or are you catching feelings?"

Caught off guard, I bit my straw and shot back, “No, I just don’t want to be single on May 20th. That would be way too embarrassing. After this holiday, I’ll immediately—right away!—break up with him!”

I made a face, trying to play it cool. "I mean, who wants to show up solo at the graduation party?"

I steeled myself and strategized with Carter about how to break the news gently to Ethan. There was no big fight—just a total personality mismatch. Plus, his family seemed loaded, and he was a student council officer. I didn’t want to make an enemy out of him.

We huddled close, whispering like we were plotting a senior prank. Carter listed all the reasons to keep it classy. "No drama, no burning bridges. You never know when you’ll need Dr. Patel to write you a rec letter for that dream internship."

Carter and I mapped it all out for ages.

We must've circled the same ideas a dozen times, our lattes long gone, napkins covered in doodles and bullet points.

We finally decided:

“After May 20th, I’ll tell him I need to focus on grad school and can’t date anymore. As a study maniac, he’ll definitely get it.”

Carter grinned, giving me a proud nod. "That’s genius. No one’s feelings get hurt, and you look responsible."

“Perfect—classy and not awkward,” Carter said, giving me a double thumbs up. “My girl’s got brains!”

She snapped a picture of me, insisting, "For the group chat! Gotta document the master plan."

Once everything was settled, she nudged my foot. “Hey, hand me your phone. I ordered a birthday cake for you, but it’s under your name. I need your phone to pick it up.”

She wiggled her fingers expectantly. "And don’t forget, I picked the flavor you only mildly hate."

My eyes grew a little misty. I hugged her and planted a big kiss on her cheek. “Thank God for best friends. That useless guy doesn’t care about my birthday, but I love you forever!”

I squeezed her tight, burying my face in her hair. Memories of my last birthday—when Carter showed up with a cupcake and a playlist—flashed through my mind. "Seriously, Carter, you are the real MVP."

Carter pushed my face away in mock disgust, took my phone, and was about to leave. Suddenly, she flipped the phone over. The screen lit up, and she froze.

Her whole body went rigid. The playful smirk vanished. "Uh, Riley..."

I was puzzled. “What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I reached for my coffee, but she stopped me, eyes wide as saucers.

Carter held the phone up to my face. The words “In Meeting” glared at me from the screen…

The little red dot blinked in the corner. My stomach dropped like I’d just missed a step. It felt like ice water had been poured down my back.

Me:

No, the one who started the meeting is my boyfriend!

I grabbed the phone, my hands shaking. "No way. No freaking way."

My brain was totally fried. Please, let this be a nightmare.

I pinched my arm under the table. Nope, definitely awake.

Carter snorted, “Screenshot my ass—this is a live stream disaster. The meeting’s still going, and it’s being recorded. Girl, you just held a breakup press conference! But wait, there are only two people in the meeting—one is you, and the other is..."

She trailed off, voice dropping to a whisper. "Oh my god. The other is... Ethan."

Carter paused, realization hitting her like a truck. “Your boyfriend?”

She stared at me, mouth open. I felt myself sinking lower and lower in my seat.