6
529words
My situation was different.To distance themselves from James and Robert,my colleagues shunned me.
During the initial accusations,the crew had overheard our argument but none of them were willing to stand up for me.
One day in the cafeteria,Emma and James walked in,arm-in-arm.
“Everyone,big news!Emma and I are together!”James announced.
The cafeteria erupted in a mix of gasps and insincere congratulations.
“You two two really kept this under wraps!When did this happen?”someone asked.
“Yesterday.I’d never hide someone as amazing as Emma!”James said,shooting me a pointed look.
I ignored him,focusing on eating my meal.
Even though James and I hadn't made our relationship public, our closeness was obvious. My colleagues, being perceptive, had noticed it.
“You and Emma make such a perfect couple!”someone gushed.
Emma blushed at the praise.
“We brought cupcakes for everyone as a treat!”she chirped,handing them out.
When she reached me,she deliberately placed a green tea cupcake in front of me.
“Claire,I picked this one especially for you.Look,the color suits you so well!”
Everyone caught her jab and stifled laughs,waiting for drama.
I wanted to ignore her but couldn’t stand her smugness.
“Keep it.You’ll need that color soon enough,”I shot back.
“Claire,what’s that supposed to mean?Emma’s being nice,and you’re being so rude!”James snapped,defending her.
“Oh,do you want the green one? Don’t worry, Emma will be handing it to you soon!”
Emma’s smile wavered for a moment,but she kept up the act.“When are you bringing your boyfriend to meet us,Claire?I know you have one.Don’t be shy!”
Her taunting gaze assumed I still cared about James.
“He practiced some dark arts,cut himself,and bled out,”I deadpanned.
The room burst into stifled laughter.James’s face flushed red,then white.
He glared and yanked Emma away,shouting,“We started a couples’ account to share our lives.Please like and follow!”
As a colleague followed their account,I glanced at it.They’d only posted twice,but their good looks were already attracting fans.
More flattery followed.
After their announcement,they flaunted their relationship constantly,buzzing around me like flies.
Emma provoked me relentlessly,clearly holding a grudge from the cockpit incident.
One day,they were at it again in the cafeteria.I’d had enough.
“Why don’t you two get a room?This is a cafeteria,not your personal stage!”
“Claire,you’re just jealous of me and James!Too bad you couldn’t keep a man!”Emma sneered.
I laughed,unfazed.“Sorry,my parents are the only ones I care about.”
“And he’s like a worn-out shoe—whoever grabs him can have him.You’re treating him like a treasure!”
“Who’re you calling a worn-out shoe?”James roared.
He hated that phrase.His mother had been a mistress who got pregnant,was beaten by Robert’s wife,and the story made the headlines. Even after she replaced the original wife,James was mocked as“little worn-out shoe”at school,leaving deep scars.
My words struck a nerve.He lunged at me, trying to hit me.
But I wasn’t the same weak Claire from before.I dodged and punched his nose,dislodging the prosthetic he’d gotten for his rhinoplasty.
He forgot all about hitting me,clutching his nose as he rushed to the hospital.
“You’ll regret this,Claire!”Emma spat as she left.
I knew her too well.My words and that punch were meant to provoke them.
I suspected she would go after my family next.
