What?

Catching the confusion in my eyes, Rodrigo so helpfully reminded me, "Give up your spot in the grad program and help Monica pass her exam!"

Oh, so that's what this is about.

I studied Rodrigo for a moment, genuinely puzzled. How had I missed how unattractive he really was? His face looked bigger now—like I'd been seeing him through some kind of love spell.

"What's the matter? Finally figured out she's too dense to learn on her own?" I asked.

Rodrigo's expression faltered. "When did you become so rude?"

I let out a dry laugh. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. "So forcing me to help cheat on an exam is polite? Or cornering me outside the ladies' room is supposed to be, what, classy?"

Rodrigo's face went red and he yanked me into a more private corner. "Is this about last night? Monica doesn't even like me—she only kissed me to do me a favor, and you're that bent out of shape over it?!"

"So you don't like her either, do you?!" I shot back, locking eyes with him.

A flicker of guilt crossed Rodrigo's eyes, and I shoved him away and stormed off.

When I came out, Monica was waiting with this expectant look, her gaze bouncing between me and Rodrigo, who slunk out behind me. She whispered, "How'd it go?"

Rodrigo just shook his head, defeated.

Monica's face fell. Finals were right around the corner, and failing could tank her grad school application. Rodrigo tried to calm her down, mumbling that he'd figure something out.

But with finals only days away, what could he possibly pull off? Monica's frustration simmered just beneath the surface.

She quickly caught up to me, plastering on a fake smile like we were besties walking side by side. But I caught every word she hissed under her breath: "You only applied for the grad program because you heard I was applying, didn't you?"

"You're just jealous Rodrigo likes me better! You have to compete with me over everything!"

"Too bad for you, Rodrigo prefers me—and even his friends are on my side!"

I was speechless. It clicked then why she and Rodrigo were so close—they were both equally delusional.

"What proof do you have that I'm jealous of you?" I shot back.

Monica leaned in, her smugness practically dripping. "You know Rodrigo's confessed to me multiple times since high school? If I wasn't so not into his nerdy vibe, you'd have never had a shot! Even his friends tried to set us up!"

"The guy I tossed aside, you've been treasuring for three years. He won't even lay a finger on you—so pathetic!"

"I heard that kiss at the party was his first. How pathetic is that!"

Finally, I knew my suspicions weren't just in my head.

I glanced back at Rodrigo, who was catching up, then looked down at Monica. "You have the guts to repeat that?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Monica's eyes glittered with spite as she said it again, even prouder this time.

I fingered the pen in my hand and glanced at Rodrigo, now right there. I was dead set on exposing Monica right then.

This voice recorder, meant for practicing my speaking, was about to pull way more weight today.

"Are you bothering Monica again?" Rodrigo demanded the second he reached us.

What was he even seeing?

I understood a basic truth then: you can get pissed off by the same crap more than once.

Seeing Monica's fake concern, Rodrigo's sympathy for her only grew. He turned on me twice as harshly: "Jade, with your grades you can get into any university. Why are you fighting Monica for this one spot?"

Rodrigo went on, trying to sweet-talk me: "If you give up the grad spot, we can move in together off campus. You've already rented a place, right?"

After he said that, his self-satisfaction was practically rolling off him.

But I burst out laughing. "What's this? Couldn't force me into it, so now you're trying to bribe me? Rodrigo, let me tell you, you couldn't afford the place I've rented!"

Three years I spent feeding him, buying his clothes, and he wouldn't even let me touch him. And this was how he repaid me.

I turned to go but remembered I needed to clarify one more thing.

Looking at the face I'd loved for three years, I felt a relief I'd never known. Letting go really was that instant.

"Rodrigo!"

"You do realize we've already broken up, right?"