Chapter 4: Small Town, Big Gossip

I sat on my dorm bed, watching my phone blow up with notifications. Ryan never did anything quietly. Our breakup made more waves on campus than a viral meme.

I’d wanted things to end quietly. Maybe delete the couple pics, fade out gracefully. But with Ryan’s Instagram, everyone came running with questions. “OMG what happened???” “Are you okay, hun?”

People assumed Ryan cheated. Because in their world, that’s the only reason couples split. I told the truth: “No third party. I just wanted to go home for Christmas.”

They didn’t get it. “Girl, we know how men are. We won’t tell anyone.”

By lunchtime, the rumor was Ryan cheated and dumped me. My roommates showed up with Ben & Jerry’s and tissues, ready for drama that wasn’t coming. “We always knew Ryan was trash.”

Meanwhile, Ryan messaged me: “Emma Sullivan, you’ve got some nerve. Dump me and then spread rumors?”

I tried to explain, but he’d already blocked me. All I could do was pack my things. I shoved the dress Ryan bought me into my duffel, sandwiched between thrift-store jeans and a faded Wildcats hoodie. It smelled faintly of his cologne, and I almost hated it for that. This would be my first Christmas home since college.