Fifteen years after graduating, I returned to my hometown for something I had almost forgotten about—the opening of our high school time capsule. At first, it seemed like a simple reunion, a chance to reminisce about the past. But as we dug into old memories, I uncovered a truth that had haunted me unknowingly for years—the betrayal and heartbreak that had shaped my life in ways I never understood.
We gathered in the schoolyard under the dark sky, a small group of us huddled together. Excitement buzzed in the air, mixed with a nervous tension. We weren’t exactly supposed to be there.
“Dig faster!” Jess, my best friend, snapped, her voice sharp and urgent.
“If you’re so clever, do it yourself!” Malcolm shot back, pausing mid-swing with his shovel, his face flushed from the effort.
Jess rolled her eyes. “I have a manicure and white sneakers. You know I can’t. These boys are useless,” she added, flicking a glance at me.
I forced a smile, but my stomach churned. Something felt off tonight, a tension that had nothing to do with sneaking around. My eyes drifted to Brian. He stood a few feet away, staring at the ground, distant and silent.
Brian was my boyfriend. Or at least, he had been yesterday. Tonight, he hadn’t spoken to me—not even a hello. I had tried to ask what was wrong, but each time, he turned away.
“Done!” Malcolm’s voice cut through my thoughts as he unearthed the metal capsule, dirt clinging to its sides.
One by one, we tossed in little keepsakes and letters to our future selves. I hesitated, staring at the locket Brian had won for me at the fair. It had meant everything to me then. But now? It felt like a weight in my hand.
I dropped it inside and stepped back, my heart heavy.
“Brian,” I said, stepping closer to him. “Why aren’t you talking to me?”
Nothing. Not even a glance in my direction.
I swallowed hard. “Brian, what’s wrong? Can you just explain what’s going on?” My voice trembled.
He finally turned, his eyes cold and unreadable. “You ruined everything yourself,” he said, his voice flat before walking away.
“What?! What do you mean? I don’t understand what I did wrong!” I screamed, desperation clawing at my chest.
He didn’t stop.
I sank to my knees, tears streaming down my face. Jess rushed to my side, wrapping her arms around me. But even through my sobs, I could feel something shift. Something was very, very wrong.
Fifteen years later…
I sat at my desk, staring at Malcolm’s email. It was short, simple—a reminder that in two days, we were opening the time capsule.
I hesitated. That night had left scars. After losing Brian in a way I never understood and facing Jess’s betrayal, I had buried it deep in my past. But maybe it was time. My fingers hovered over the keyboard before I finally typed, “I’ll be there.”
Returning to my hometown felt surreal. I hadn’t been back in years—my parents had moved away, and I never found a reason to return. But here I was, standing in front of my old school, a place tangled with memories both good and bad.
A small crowd had already gathered. I spotted Malcolm, who greeted me with a warm smile.
Jess and Brian were nowhere to be seen.
We started searching for the capsule. The exact spot was lost in our memories, so the digging took longer than expected. Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw them—Jess and Brian, walking toward us.
My heart clenched before I could stop it. Were they still together?
Brian didn’t even look at me as he passed. Jess, on the other hand, greeted me like nothing had ever happened, her smile easy, her eyes unreadable.
Finally, someone shouted, “I found it!”
Excitement rippled through the group as the capsule was pried open. We took turns pulling out old trinkets and letters, laughing at our teenage selves. Then, I saw it—my locket.
I picked it up, but my fingers brushed against something else—a letter with my name on it. The handwriting was unmistakable. It was from Jess.
With shaking hands, I unfolded it and read:
Hey, Amelia,
If you’re reading this, it means 15 years have passed, and maybe this letter will make things clearer, though I doubt it will make anything better.
I don’t even know how to start explaining why I did what I did. The truth is, I don’t have a good reason. I don’t even feel guilty right now, not entirely.
I know why Brian stopped talking to you. It was me. I started a rumor about you and Malcolm.
I even forged messages to make it seem true. It was cruel, I know, but I wanted Brian. I didn’t care about the consequences. I wasn’t thinking about you or anyone else.
I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I just hope you understand.
Your not-so-great friend, Jess
Tears blurred my vision. Each word hit like a punch to the gut. I had spent years wondering what I had done wrong, blaming myself. And all along, it had been Jess.
I didn’t notice Brian standing beside me until he spoke.
“Amelia, I saw the locket in the capsule. I… I don’t know why, but seeing you today—”
I turned away from him, anger replacing my pain. “Sorry, Brian. I need to talk to your girlfriend,” I said, walking past him.
“She’s not my—” Brian started, but I didn’t care to hear the rest.
I reached Jess, holding up the letter. “Care to explain this?”
Jess met my gaze, guilt flickering across her face. “Amelia, I… I don’t even know where to start.”
“How about with the truth?” I said, my voice sharp.
Jess sighed, leading me toward the school bleachers. We sat, the old wood creaking beneath us.
“I’m sorry,” she said finally.
“Sorry isn’t enough,” I snapped. “Why did you do it?”
Jess looked away. “I wanted to be you.”
I frowned. “What? That’s ridiculous.”
“No, it’s not,” she said, meeting my eyes. “You had it all. I wanted something of yours. It didn’t even matter what.”
“You didn’t even like Brian?”
Jess shook her head. “We broke up three weeks later. It wasn’t worth it.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. “Malcolm is married now. To his husband.”
Jess gave a sad laugh. “No one knew that back then.”
We sat in silence before she said, “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I admitted, surprising myself.
“Can I reach out? I don’t expect you to trust me yet. I just want to try.”
I studied her face. “I still have the same number.”
As she smiled, I turned to find Brian waiting.
“Amelia,” he said softly. “One date. Let’s start there.”
I hesitated, then smirked. “Only if you win me a new locket. This one’s turned black.”
Brian laughed. “It’s a deal.”
