The Ugly Heidi

 “Isn't he your first love?” Heidi asked, like it wasn't rude to say that to someone she hadn’t seen in two decades. Especially considering she used to bully that someone back in high school.

“You must have at least regretted it. He's the one who got away for you, right?” she pressed on.

I could feel my cheek redden.

Not from embarrassment, but because she thought I was. She thought she’d won something. That she’d found a soft spot, a crack to poke at. She thought she managed to humiliate me.

“What an odd thing to ask a married woman,” I replied coldly.

“It's not odd unless you still like him,” she said, almost too brightly. “Or if you still remember those memories from time to time.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw him glance our way—like he could feel his name in the air, even unspoken. I regretted coming to this ridiculous reunion instantly. If only I hadn’t lost that silly dare with Nia, I’d be at home now, pouring wine and watching something mindless.

He looked older, of course. But not worse. Just... real. The kind of aging that comes with fall foliage and maybe a dog. Or a child. I didn’t know. We never stayed in touch.

He shifted across the room, like he could feel us talking. I didn’t look directly, but I could sense the weight of nostalgia passing between us like a ghost no one invited.

But I wasn’t here for him. I wasn’t even here for closure.

I was here because I lost a stupid bet with Nia and promised to stop avoiding things just because they were awkward. And honestly, this wasn’t even awkward. It was just... boring.

I don’t regret how it ended. Not because he was awful—he wasn’t. But because I ended up with someone who meets me every day with kindness and effortless love. Someone who doesn't haunt my memories because he's part of my present.

Still… (and I believe this is an important thing to affirm) I didn’t feel the need to say that out loud. People like Heidi feed on proof.

I smiled faintly and took a sip of my drink. “You can think whatever you want, Hun. That’s certainly your thing, not mine.”

And for a second, she blinked—like she couldn’t quite tell if she’d won or lost.