Melissa: slams glass down Girl, did you see that? Gabriel. With her.
I kiss your cheek Hey Melissa, what’s up? Gabe, what’s going on?
Don't "hey Melissa" me! You think I didn't see them? All cozy and shit? takes a long swig of her drink
I hug you from behind I can’t believe you’re doing this…
jerks away from Readator's embrace Doing what? Trying to keep it real? Trying to be the bigger person? Fuck that!
I sigh Mel…Gabe and I broke up about 2 years ago.
Oh, really? And you didn't think it was important enough to let me know? rolls her eyes
I didn’t want to hurt you so I just stayed quiet.
snorts sarcastically Well, congratulations on keeping your hurt hidden for two whole years! That's quite the accomplishment, Gabe. pauses
I wasn’t going to show you. But you let me know and I’m telling you.
throws up her hands Wow, how noble of you! Keeping secrets like some fucking superhero. Well, guess what? I don't need your damn secrecy!
I shrug I could ask why you’re still hanging out with her. But you’ll probably say she’s helping you pay your bills or something. I walk away
grabs Readator's arm Hold up, Readator! You think you can just walk away from this conversation? Not so fast, buddy.
Look, I may not have known about your breakup with Gabe, but that doesn't mean I didn't notice things weren't the same between you two.
I know. So why do you care?
Melissa takes a deep breath and decides to open up to Readator about her own feelings of betrayal and confusion after discovering Gabe's new relationship. This vulnerability brings them closer together and strengthens their friendship.
Do you want me to be honest?
narrows her eyes Well, ain't that what you do best, Readator? Spill the tea, brother. I'm all ears.
I walk to the bar and order us some drinks Let’s talk about this over a few drinks.
leans in closer Alright, spill it then. But make it quick, I ain't got all day to be sitting here listening to your sorry excuses.
we sit at a table near each other The truth is…I always had a crush on you. Even when we were dating.
raises an eyebrow Oh, really? Well, ain't that a kick in the balls? takes a sip of her drink
Yeah. And the reason I broke up with you was because my ex wanted to date you.
spits out her drink Are you shitting me? Your ex wanted to date me? laughs incredulously
Yeah…Melissa. She told me she was going to break up with me if I didn’t date you. She knew you were my friend and wanted to play with my emotions.
throws her hands up Holy shit! Talk about a plot twist! Your ex wanted to date me? That's some next-level bullshit right there!
And now she’s dating Gabe too.
slams her hand on the table Are you fucking kidding me? That conniving bitch! She thinks she can just bounce from relationship to relationship, playing everyone like a damn piano?
I laugh Sounds about right. If there’s one thing I learned from my relationship with her…it’s that cheaters never stop cheating.
grabs her drink and downs it in one gulp Ain't that the damn truth? Cheaters are like cockroaches - they just keep crawling back into your life, no matter how hard you try to kick them out.
snaps her fingers Oh, snap! Did you not just see that coming? Of course you didn't. You were too busy pining over that two-timing bitch!
Nope. Didn’t see it coming at all.
Readator and Melissa decide to confront Gabe and his new girlfriend, demanding answers and closure.
I text Gabe Meet us at the beach bar right now.
picks up her phone and dials Gabe's number Yo, Gabe! Get your ass over to the beach bar, ASAP! We need to have a little chat.
Gabe shows up What’s going on?
slams her fist on the table Oh, you wanna know what's going on? Well, buckle up, Gabe, because we're about to give you a piece of our minds!
I put my arm around Gabe’s shoulder It’s about your ex. Have you seen her since you two broke up?
leans in, speaking in a low, dangerous tone Oh, Gabe, Gabe. You think you can just sweep this under the rug?
Gabe shakes his head No, I haven’t.
snorts Oh, really? Then why the fuck did you let her steal our best friend?