The Lie of My Childhood Friend

I sorted through the things Lena had given me over the past ten-plus years, one item at a time.

The tie she had given me for my eighteenth birthday—I had worn it to school once, and not long after, I saw an identical one around Michael’s neck.

He had blushed and said, “Lena said that whatever someone else has, I’ll have too…”

Only the box of the limited-edition figurine remained—Lena had taken the figurine itself, saying she liked the scent of my cologne on it.

But the next day, I had seen it placed on Michael’s desk.

And those custom leather shoes from my coming-of-age ceremony, the indigo aromatherapy diffuser…

So the things I once believed were unique and meant only for me had already been given equally to someone else by Lena.

Well... not even equally.

I recalled how tenderly Lena had cared for Michael, how endlessly she had favored him.

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Since that was the case, those things no longer needed to exist.

I booked a plane ticket for the next day and prepared to spend one last quiet night.

At two in the morning, I was startled awake by a phone call.

Half-asleep, I answered, but the other end remained silent—just as I was about to hang up, Lena’s voice sounded.

“Harry, I’m sorry.”

My mind instantly cleared—if she had finally decided to tell the truth…

Lena spoke in a low voice. “Michael’s hurt himself. I can’t leave him alone, so I’ll deal with the transfer paperwork later…”

A heart lifted so high crashed heavily to the ground—pathetic and ridiculous.

I suddenly wanted to ask Lena—then what about the pain I endured because you pretended to be bullied?

But Lena kept speaking. “Apologize.”

I thought I had misheard. “What did you say?”

Lena’s voice was firm. “Harry, you really should apologize to Michael.

“Can you honestly say him hurting himself has nothing to do with you?”

I suddenly fell speechless.

Because I finally understood—when Michael was involved, every word I said was wrong.

Lena spoke again, her voice dipped in ice. “Harry, you really disappointed me.

“As long as you apologize, I can pretend nothing happened and transfer to the new school with you in two months’ time. Do you really want to be this childish and throw away our years of friendship?”

I heard the threat beneath her words.

But I no longer felt unwilling, or sad—only exhausted and disgusted.

I hung up cleanly, blocked her, and deleted everything.

I genuinely looked forward to tomorrow’s flight.

...

The foreign scenery felt refreshing, and someone came to see me straightly.

I the gaze of the Shaw family’s real heiress. “Harry, it’s been a while.”

I extended my hand with a bright smile. “Long time no see, Laura.”

My phone rang, interrupting our greeting.

I swiped to answer, only to find it was one of Lena’s friends.

Puzzled, I answered—and Lena’s voice came through, faintly anxious.

“Harry, which class did you transfer into at Haleswood High? Why did everyone say they’ve never seen you?”