He Called Me Needy, Then Lost

y Gla

he telling her all the things he used to tell me?" The questions still e

as strangely soothing. A couple of women, sitting a few rows ahead, were deep in c

latest interview?" one whispe

w. I knew I shouldn't list

ly gushing. "He and Alana? They're totally dat

nd before? Some graphic designer, righ

der August moved on. Alana's a super

. Bland. The words carved themselves into my skin. I instinctiv

f August' s career, when he was just starting to get

eyes earnest. "Directors want to cast me as the hot,

arately, hiding our affection, pretending we were just friends around

starlet openly flirted with him, completely unaware he was taken. He let her. He even laughed at he

down my face. "How could you? She was practically

amatic, Bailey. It's Hollywood. It's how things are done. I

ust 'how things are done.' This is disrespec

o of us on his Instagram, a caption that simply read, "My girl." It

their fans-the ones who shipped him with his female c

gust deserves better!" "She's

reated elaborate fanfictions, painting August and Alana as star-crossed lovers, destined to be toge

or his own good," trapped in a relationship he didn't truly want, simply out of a sense of obligation to me. He's

ese fan posts. A cryptic "like" here, a "thank you for your support!" t

posted that photo, Alana messaged me

re getting a little wild, haha. Just wanted to say, I'm always here i

less like an olive branch and more like a warning shot. I didn't know her,

d it off. "See? She's so sweet.

Or is she trying to stake her claim? She'

kind. You're just... sensitive." He squeezed my shoulder dismissively. "You' r

I asked, my voice tight

t... less complicated. And that's a good thing! Anywa

licated"? Less of a threat? And Alana, who was exactly my age, was so "sweet"