#tasteme

Chapter 1: The Past and the Present

It had been a while since things took an unexpected turn in my life. I had been dating Aiden for a couple of years, and for a while, I truly believed he was my "forever." We had shared so much: laughter, tears, nights spent stargazing, and lazy days in bed. But as often happens in life, things changed.

I still remember the day I first saw him with Jenna Ortega. It was a sweltering July afternoon, and I had stopped by Aiden’s favorite café after a long recording session, hoping to surprise him. Instead, I was the one who was surprised. The two of them were sitting at a corner table, their heads close together, laughing at something he had just whispered to her. At that moment, my world seemed to shrink, and my vision darkened as if I were about to faint.

Chapter 2: The Start of the Rivalry

Jenna Ortega. I had never thought of her as a threat. I vaguely knew her through mutual friends, a young and talented actress. But seeing the way Aiden looked at her… it made everything clear. It hurt, a sharp and unexpected pain. At first, I tried to brush it off, to forget that scene and move on. But Aiden confessed to me shortly after that his feelings had changed, that he had started to develop something for Jenna, and that he didn’t want to lie to me anymore.

The pain of the breakup was devastating. I had lost not just my boyfriend, but my best friend. And every time I saw them together, the wound reopened. Thus began my rivalry with Jenna. It was inevitable. Every opportunity was a chance to lash out at each other, to prove who was better, who was more deserving of Aiden’s love.

Chapter 3: The Night of the Confrontation

Our rivalry came to a head one night that neither of us would ever forget. There was a party in town, one of those events that draws all the VIPs and celebrities. I knew Aiden and Jenna would be there. I couldn’t miss it. I wore my best dress, determined to show that I was fine, that I was strong, and that I didn’t need anyone.

When I arrived, I spotted them immediately. Jenna looked stunning, as always, and she seemed so happy by his side. Jealousy burned inside me. I couldn’t resist and walked over. I’m not exactly sure what I hoped to achieve, but I needed her to understand how much I was hurting. Words flew out of my mouth, accusing her of stealing Aiden from me, of betraying me as a friend. Jenna didn’t back down; her words were just as cutting.

Aiden tried to separate us, but our argument had become too intense. Emotions were running high, and neither of us wanted to give in. In a fit of rage, Jenna grabbed a wine bottle from a nearby table and threw it into the air without thinking. Maybe she only wanted to scare me, but Aiden was too close. The bottle struck him on the temple, and he fell backward, hitting his head on the marble floor.

Blood quickly spread across the floor, and a heavy silence fell over the room. My screams echoed as I knelt beside him, tears blurring my vision. But it was too late. Aiden was gone.

Chapter 4: A New Beginning

The days that followed were a chaotic mix of pain and confusion. Jenna and I were both questioned by the police. It was ruled an accident, but the guilt and sorrow were overwhelming. People started talking, the tabloids began writing, and my life turned into a media nightmare.

But in all that pain, Jenna and I unexpectedly found comfort in each other. It was as if only the two of us could truly understand the other’s grief. Our once fierce rivalry morphed into something else. We started spending more time together, sharing memories and laughter that we wished we had experienced with Aiden.

At first, it felt strange, but soon we realized that, somehow, we were growing closer. One night, while we were lying on the couch in my apartment, our hands brushed against each other. I looked into her eyes and knew that words weren’t necessary. We kissed, softly, with a tenderness that we had both sought in Aiden but now found in each other.