2
And we should have.
But one day, something shifted.
At a lab dinner, the first piece of food Adam picked up went straight into Chloe’s bowl. He didn’t even seem to notice. Then, he put a piece of wood ear mushroom on my plate.
“Adam, I don’t eat this!” We had known each other since we were children; we knew each other’s tastes inside and out. It wa rookie mistake he should never have made.
He turned to me, his voice low and explanatory. “Chloe ordered it. We’re out with everyone, you have to be considerate. Don’t be so
picky.”
I wasn’t the kind of person who forbade certain foods from the table just because I didn’t like them. What I cared about was that he -knew I didn’t eat it, yet he gave it to me anyway.
Chloe sipped her juice, a sweet smile on her face. “Sorry about that, Jenna.”
“I didn’t realize you had such a temper. But you know, you should really eat more of this stuff. It’s perfect for women… of a certain age. Clears out the system, you know? Cools you down.”
My face went cold.
“We’re not related, so why do you keep calling me ‘sis? Besides, you didn’t get into this grad program on your first try. I’m only a few months older than you!”
The table fell silent.
A senior student who knew us both stood up, trying to smooth things over.
But Adam slammed his chopsticks on the table. “Jenna, don’t take it too far: This isn’t your house, you can’t just do whatever you
want.”
I looked at him as if he were a stranger.
Just moments ago, when Chloe was taking jabs at me, he’d said nothing. The second I fought back, he accused me of going too
far..
I grabbed my bag and stood up to leave.
Adam hesitated for a second, then stood and apologized to the table, “Sorry, everyone. I have to go. I’ll treat you all another time.”
He followed me out.
Behind us, Chloe’s face darkened.
After that, I avoided any gathering where Chloe would be present. Adam knew we didn’t get along and mostly kept us apart.
But one day, another senior student from the lab sent me a message.
*Jenna, you should probably come by. The queen is away, and the court jester is putting on a show.”
Attached was a photo. Chloe, her body pliant and soft, was pressed up against Adam, looking at a report with him.
I thanked my friend and went
t to the lab.
Chloe was there, wearing shorts so tiny they were completely hidden by her lab coat, leaving her long, pale legs exposed. She was sitting on Adam’s desk, facing him, chatting. I don’t know what was said, but they both burst into laughter.
The moment she saw me, her face fell. She hopped off the desk, her calf brushing against his thigh as she did.
“Your girlfriend’s here to check up on you. A guy as great as you, she probably wants to keep you on a leash 24/7. I guess it just goes to show, a woman really needs a career. Otherwise, her whole world just revolves around her man.”
Then, she looked at me, her smile sickly sweet. “Oh, I’m not talking about you, Jenna. Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s just an observat-
ion.”
I clenched my fists but ignored her.
Adam looked up, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
I had no intention of outing my friend. “I came to pick you up from work,” I said coolly.
Before Adam could respond, Chloe let out a sharp, mocking laugh. When we both looked at her, she covered her mouth. “Oh, sorry.
It just struck me as funny. It’s the first time I’ve seen it in real life… a woman who can’t bear to be away from her man for a single
second. It’s quaint.”
A few of the male grad students chuckled along with her.
Someone said, “Hey, that’s a good thing. A clingy girlfriend means a strong relationship.”
Chloe secretly rolled her eyes, making sure no one saw. She then said, her voice full of meaning, “Jenna, it’s not too late. You shou-
Id probably head home by yourself.”
I frowned. “Why do you care if I go home or not?”
Chloe pouted. “I’m just trying to be nice. I helped Adam out with something a while back, and he promised to treat me to dinner
tonight. Just the two of us. Right, Adam?”
