Fifteen years had passed since high school, and now I was back in my hometown. The reason? The time capsule.
What I thought would be a simple, nostalgic reunion turned into something much more than that. As we unearthed old memories, I uncovered the shocking truth about the betrayal and heartbreak that shaped my life all those years ago.
It all started on a chilly autumn night. Our group stood in the schoolyard under a sky full of stars, gathered in secret. The air buzzed with excitement, but I felt uneasy, as if something was off.
“Dig faster!” Jess, my best friend, snapped impatiently.
Malcolm groaned, wiping sweat from his forehead. “If you’re so clever, why don’t you do it yourself?”
Jess scoffed, lifting her foot to show off her pristine white sneakers. “Please. I have a fresh manicure and expensive shoes. That’s your job, boys.”
I forced a smile, my gaze drifting toward Brian. My boyfriend. Or at least, he was supposed to be. But something was wrong tonight. He had barely spoken to me. Every time I tried to get close, he pulled away, his eyes avoiding mine.
“Done!” Malcolm shouted. The hole was deep enough, and we lowered the time capsule inside.
Everyone tossed in little keepsakes and letters. I hesitated, holding my locket—the one Brian had won for me at the fair. It had meant everything to me. But now, it felt heavy in my hand. I dropped it inside and stepped back.
I turned to Brian, swallowing my nerves. “Why aren’t you talking to me?”
He didn’t respond. He just stared at the ground, his jaw clenched.
“Brian, please,” I pressed, my voice shaky. “Just tell me what’s wrong.”
His eyes lifted to mine, but they weren’t filled with love anymore. They were cold, distant.
“You ruined everything yourself,” he said flatly, then turned and walked away.
Panic shot through me. “What?! What do you mean? I don’t understand what I did wrong!”
But he didn’t stop. He didn’t turn back. He just left me standing there, my heart breaking into pieces. I collapsed to my knees, sobs shaking my body. Jess rushed over, wrapping her arms around me.
Fifteen years later…
I sat at my desk, staring at Malcolm’s email.
The time capsule. It was time to dig it up.
I had avoided my hometown since leaving for college. My parents moved away, and I never had a reason to return. That night had left a scar on me. I had lost Brian, my first love, and I never really understood why. And Jess, the friend I trusted most, had betrayed me in a way I couldn’t explain.
But maybe it was time to face it.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard before I finally typed, “I’ll be there.”
The town looked smaller than I remembered, yet the memories felt just as big. My old high school stood in front of me, unchanged. But inside, I felt everything shifting.
A group had already gathered near the schoolyard, including Malcolm.
“Amelia!” he greeted warmly, his face filled with nostalgia.
I smiled, but my heart pounded as I scanned the crowd. No sign of Jess. No sign of Brian.
We started searching for the capsule, struggling to find the exact spot.
Then, I saw them. Jess and Brian. Walking toward us together. My heart clenched before I could stop it. Were they still together?
Brian didn’t even look at me as he brushed past. But Jess? She smiled like nothing had ever happened. Like she hadn’t shattered my world.
“I found it!” someone shouted, breaking the tension.
The capsule was pried open, and everyone dug through old memories. I reached inside, my fingers finding something small and cold.
My locket.
And then I saw it—a letter. With my name on it.
My hands trembled as I picked it up and stepped aside. I recognized the handwriting immediately. Jess’s.
Hey, Amelia,
If you’re reading this, it means 15 years have passed. Maybe this will make things clearer, though I doubt it will make anything better.
I don’t even know how to explain why I did what I did. The truth is, I don’t have a good reason. I don’t even feel guilty. Not entirely.
I know why Brian stopped talking to you. It was me. I started a rumor about you and Malcolm. I even faked messages to make it look real. It was cruel, but I wanted Brian. I didn’t care about the consequences.
I’m not asking for forgiveness. I just hope you understand.
Your not-so-great friend, Jess
Tears blurred my vision. My hands shook. I hadn’t noticed Brian standing beside me until he spoke.
“Amelia, I saw the locket. I… I don’t know why, but seeing you today—” he started, his voice soft, uncertain.
I looked at him, then at Jess in the crowd. Anger replaced my tears.
“Sorry, Brian,” I said sharply. “I need to talk to your girlfriend.” I walked away before he could answer.
“She’s not my—” he called after me, but I was already in front of Jess.
I held up the letter. “Care to explain this?”
Jess swallowed hard, guilt flickering in her eyes.
“Amelia, I…” She sighed. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Start with the truth,” I said firmly.
She took a deep breath. “I was jealous. Of you, of your life, of how everyone loved you. I wanted to take something from you. So I took Brian.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “And for what?”
“Nothing,” she admitted. “We broke up three weeks later.”
Silence stretched between us before she finally whispered, “I’ve missed you.”
I hesitated, then sighed. “I’ve missed you too.”
Jess smiled sadly. “Would it be okay if I reached out? I don’t expect you to trust me yet, but I want to try.”
I studied her face. After a moment, I said, “I still have the same number.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
As I walked back, Brian stood waiting.
“The locket you put in the capsule… it was the one I gave you, wasn’t it?” he asked.
“Yes,” I admitted.
Brian smiled. “Then how about this? Let me take you on a date. And I’ll win you a new one.”
I laughed softly. “Fine. But it better be gold this time.”
Brian grinned. “It’s a deal.”
