The first day back at school is never easy, especially when relationship drama is swirling. For Jackie, things are particularly tense. After a summer of complicated feelings and a recent breakup, she finds herself at the center of attention, and not in a good way. The rumor mill is churning, and the accusation hanging in the air is: did Jackie cheat on Alex?
Jackie’s day starts with an awkward encounter with Kiley, hinting at underlying tensions. Seeking refuge with her friends Grace, Nathan, and Skylar, it’s clear something is amiss. Grace immediately picks up on Jackie’s unease, asking, “Hey, are you okay? It’s the first day back! It’s a new year, and you have every reason to be happy with your favorite little rodeo guy!” Grace’s words highlight the expectation and assumptions surrounding Jackie’s romantic life, especially concerning Alex.
Before Grace can delve deeper, Nathan’s strange behavior catches Jackie’s eye. “Nathan, what’s wrong? you look like you’re about to burst at the seams!” she exclaims, diverting the attention, but also adding to the suspense. Nathan’s discomfort hints that he knows something, further building anticipation about what Jackie is about to reveal.
“N-nothing,” Nathan mutters, but Jackie presses on, “i kind of have to tell you guys something. nathan already knows, and that’s why he’s trying not to worry anyone.” The color rising in Jackie’s cheeks and Nathan’s anxious demeanor sets the stage for a big reveal. Grace, impatient as ever, pushes her forward, “okay, jackie, well are you going to do it in this century?”
Finally, Jackie drops the bomb: “i broke up with alex officially last night.” Grace’s immediate reaction focuses on another potential romance, “wait, does this mean you’re officially after cole now?” This question, though seemingly supportive, stings Jackie. “no, of course not. he’s dating courtney. i think it’s just… better if i’m on my own for a little while, you know?” Jackie’s response reveals her desire for independence and avoids directly addressing her feelings for Cole, further complicating the situation.
Grace isn’t convinced and presses further, “no, i don’t know! jackie, come on! i know he’s dating courtney now, but there’s no way nothing is happening between you two! come on! everyone sees the way he looks at you!” Grace’s insistence on the connection between Jackie and Cole underscores the external perception of their chemistry and hints at unspoken feelings. Jackie, however, firmly denies acting on any feelings, stating, “grace, he has a girlfriend. i’m not going to do anything to sabotage their relationship. besides, cole and i aren’t on speaking terms right now.”
The reason for Jackie and Cole’s silence? Alex’s accusations. “alex kept saying that cole and i cheated, and that’s why he thinks i broke up with him. he told all the guys in the car this morning on our way to school.” This is the core of the drama: Alex believes Jackie cheated with Cole, which is fueling the rumors and Jackie’s current predicament. Grace is dismissive of Alex’s jealousy, “i knew he was clingy, but i didn’t know he was so jealous. that’s obviously not even why you broke up with him.”
Skylar, observing intently, gets to the heart of the matter, “it is apart of why you broke up with him, isn’t? come on, jackie. we’re your friends. we won’t tell anyone.” Jackie, seeking reassurance, looks to Nathan, “you promise you won’t tell anyone?” With Nathan’s reluctant agreement, Jackie confesses, “okay, fine, i sighed. i still have feelings for cole, and it is a big part of why i broke up with alex.”
However, Jackie is quick to clarify the cheating accusation, “cole and i didn’t do anything bad or cheat or anything. i just couldn’t string alex along anymore when the person i decided i wanted to date over the summer while i was in new york was cole.” She emphasizes that while her feelings for Cole played a role in the breakup, there was no infidelity. “but it doesn’t matter anymore now that he has courtney. i’d rather just not say anything and end things with alex because being in a relationship with someone when i have feelings for someone else isn’t fair to him.” Jackie’s explanation highlights her moral compass; she broke up with Alex because her feelings had shifted, not because she acted on them with Cole while still in a relationship.
Grace, ever the romantic, sees the situation differently, “aw jackie, grace said with soft eyes, you truly are in love. this is so sweet. i just wish cole could realize it and end things with courtney.” But Jackie is grounded, “i don’t want that. courtney is really sweet, and we’re friends. i don’t even know how i’d date cole after that anyways. it would violate girl code.” Jackie is prioritizing friendship and ethical boundaries over pursuing her feelings, showcasing her maturity despite the emotional turmoil.
Skylar, however, encourages her to follow her heart, “it might violate girl code, but you’re in love with him, girl! go for it! everyone else can tell you that boy definitely feels the same way. he’s probably just using courtney as a distraction.” Skylar’s perspective represents the impulsive side of teenage romance, contrasting with Jackie’s more cautious approach.
Jackie defends Cole’s relationship with Courtney, “no, he’s not like that anymore, i replied. cole has changed a lot over the summer. he doesn’t just hook up with girls anymore and leave them. he’s loyal to courtney. he’s happy with her too. it hurts to watch… but i know it’s better than cole and i would have been together. if we had been together, everything would’ve just gotten more complicated.” This reveals Jackie’s internal conflict: she acknowledges her feelings but believes staying away from Cole is the best course of action, even if it’s painful.
Nathan, ever practical, asks the question on everyone’s mind, “so… you’re just never going to tell cole how you feel?” Jackie hesitates, then concludes, “i don’t think so. as long as he’s with courtney, i’m out of the picture. it’s simple. it’ll make things better with alex too, especially now that cole and i aren’t talking at all.” Jackie believes that silence and distance will resolve the complicated situation, especially regarding Alex’s jealousy.
Skylar, with a knowing smile, doubts Jackie’s resolve, “yeah, good luck with that, honey. i think that’s only going to be able to last you a few hours tops. he won’t be able to live with not talking to you.” This foreshadows the second part of the story from Cole’s perspective, hinting that Jackie’s attempt to avoid Cole might be futile.
From Cole’s point of view, Skylar’s prediction rings true: “i couldn’t live with not talking to jackie.” He is frustrated by Alex’s accusation and its impact on his friendship with Jackie. “it wasn’t fair that we had to stop talking to each other completely just because of one stupid ass thing alex said to everyone in the car.” Cole is determined to rectify the situation, “i didn’t know how, but i was determined to change jackie’s mind. after the way alex acted in the car, i didn’t care if it hurt his feelings if i was talking to his ex or not.” He justifies his actions by Alex’s behavior, dismissing Alex’s feelings as irrelevant to his connection with Jackie. “i was dating courtney and things were going great. alex needed to worry about his own life, and it obviously didn’t include jackie anymore.”
Cole’s attempts to talk to Jackie are initially rebuffed. “i tried to talk to her when we home, but she ignored me. i also tried talking to her the next day at lunch, and i was ignored again. i decided enough was enough.” Jackie’s avoidance fuels Cole’s determination to confront her.
On the third day, Cole takes matters into his own hands, entering Jackie’s room while she’s doing homework. “on the third day, after school she was doing homework in her room, so i went in to talk to her. she didn’t even realize i was there, or maybe she did and just ignored me, i’m not entirely sure, so i quickly picked up the paper she was working on at her desk and she glared up at me.” Cole’s playful yet assertive action forces Jackie to acknowledge him. He escalates the situation, “she tried to grab it back, but i kept pulling it away or high above her head so she couldn’t get it. she was going to have to talk to me. i started walking towards the door with it high above my head when she shouted, cole, stop it!”
Cole is triumphant at breaking through Jackie’s silence, “wow, she finally speaks to me again! congratulations on lasting almost three days.” He directly addresses the issue, “i will once we actually talk about this whole not talking thing. because when i tell you i am sick of it, that’s the biggest understatement i’ve ever said. it’s stupid. we shouldn’t have to stop speaking to one another entirely just to make alex happy. he should be able to be happy in his own little world,” Cole argues against letting Alex dictate their friendship.
Jackie defends her position, “do you think i want to do this? it’s the only way for everyone to stop making assumptions about us. i’m mad at alex for what he said too, but not talking to each other is the right thing to do.” She believes that maintaining distance is the only way to manage the situation and dispel rumors, highlighting her desire to avoid further complications.
Cole, hurt by Jackie’s past actions, brings up their unresolved history, “you’re seriously talking to me about the ‘right thing to do’? that’s the most unfair thing to say after you just ditched everyone after we kissed last spring. i wanted to talk to alex with you so he wouldn’t get all pissed off, but you just left without saying anything instead.” He reminds her of a past incident where her actions caused him pain, adding another layer to their complicated dynamic.
Jackie’s face flushes with guilt, “it doesn’t matter anymore, cole. what’s done is already done. you’re with courtney now, and i don’t want to date anyone right now. alex is single. we’re all off for the better.” She attempts to shut down the conversation and reinforce the idea that moving on is the best option for everyone involved.
Cole, however, has the last word, putting down her homework and stepping back with a pointed remark, “you’re right. it is a good thing i didn’t end up with a cheater.” This final line, though ambiguous, leaves the question of cheating unresolved and hangs heavy in the air. While Jackie insists she didn’t cheat on Alex, the underlying feelings and the accusations create significant drama in their teen world. The story highlights the complexities of teenage relationships, miscommunication, and the lingering question of whether Jackie truly crossed a line with Cole while with Alex.
