First Glance, First Lie

Jennie had always been a shy, reserved girl, and her best friend, Vanessa, was everything she wasn't. Outgoing, bold, and unafraid of what anyone thought, Vanessa had always been the one to lead their friendship, pushing Jennie out of her comfort zone. But when it came to her personal life, Jennie kept things close to her chest. And one thing she’d kept hidden for a while now was Sam.

They met during an early morning class in a small coffee shop near their respective colleges. He was a transfer student, just another face in the sea of strangers. But something about him caught Jennie’s eye. He wasn’t like the others. He was soft-spoken, with an easy smile that made her feel like the only one in the room. Their first conversation was simple, about the weather and the coffee, but as the days went on, they began to spend more time together. It started casually—just sitting together at the library, talking after class. But soon, they were sneaking moments in between their busy schedules. They were quiet about it, afraid that someone might catch on. Especially Vanessa.

Vanessa had always been the center of attention, never one to shy away from drama. And Jennie feared that if she told Vanessa about Sam, everything would change. She didn’t want to lose her best friend, but she also didn’t want to lie. And so, Jennie kept her secret.

Everything seemed perfect. Sam was everything Jennie had ever dreamed of—a gentle, understanding presence in her life, making her feel safe and cared for. But as their secret relationship continued to grow, Jennie began to feel the weight of it. There was always the fear that one day, someone would find out, that Vanessa would sense the change in her behavior and question her. But Sam reassured her. It’s our secret, Jennie. No one has to know.

And then, the big event came. The annual festival in their city—concerts, food trucks, and performances galore. It was the biggest event of the year, and everyone from the city would be there. Jennie and Sam had made plans to attend, just the two of them. She’d imagined it for weeks: walking through the crowds hand in hand, their secret safe between them, enjoying the night without anyone else knowing.

But then Vanessa called.

"Hey, are you going to the event tonight?" Vanessa’s voice crackled over the phone, sounding distant. "All my friends bailed on me, and I don’t want to go alone. Can I come with you?"

Jennie’s stomach twisted. She had planned this night for just her and Sam, but the idea of Vanessa being alone at the event made her feel guilty. She was her best friend, after all. The thought of Vanessa wandering the crowded streets without someone by her side felt wrong.

Jennie hesitated for a moment. What do I do? she thought. She didn’t want to betray Sam, and she certainly didn’t want to share him with Vanessa, but she also didn’t want to hurt her best friend.

"Okay," Jennie said reluctantly. "You can come with us, but just… just don’t make it awkward, okay?"

Vanessa was quick to respond. "Oh, thank you! I’ll be there at 7. See you at the metro station!"

Jennie’s heart sank. She hadn’t planned on this. She hadn’t planned on Vanessa being there, and now, she was faced with the dilemma of keeping her secret or letting it all spill out. She quickly texted Sam.

Vanessa is coming with us to the event. Is that okay?

Sam’s reply came almost immediately. It’s fine. We’ll make it work. But just so you know, I’m not good at pretending.

Jennie sighed, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. She knew Sam wasn’t one to hide things, and the idea of having to act like everything was normal in front of Vanessa made her uncomfortable. Still, she couldn’t back out now. It was already set.

Later that evening, Jennie, Sam, and Vanessa met at the metro station. The train station was buzzing with excitement as people filled the platform, talking animatedly about the event and what they hoped to see. Jennie couldn’t help but feel out of place as she stood between the two of them, knowing that both of them were key players in the story of her life, but neither knew the full truth.

Vanessa, ever the lively one, was already chatting about the festival’s lineup and what food she wanted to try. Jennie was quiet, her hand nervously gripping the strap of her purse. Sam stood next to her, his body close enough to offer comfort but far enough to maintain the illusion that they were just friends—at least, in front of Vanessa.

Vanessa laughed, pulling Jennie out of her thoughts. "You guys are so serious. Lighten up! This is going to be the best night ever!"

Jennie gave a weak smile, trying to keep her nerves in check. She could tell Sam was struggling with the situation too. He glanced at her, and their eyes met for a fleeting second—just a moment, but enough to make Jennie’s heart race.

The train arrived with a loud screech, and the three of them boarded. The seats were crowded, so they stood by the doors, the noise of the station and the chatter of the crowd filling the air. Jennie couldn’t help but feel the weight of the secret between her and Sam. It hung there, thick and suffocating, as Vanessa continued to talk about everything under the sun.

The train ride to the event felt endless, every stop dragging on longer than it should have. Jennie stole occasional glances at Sam, who seemed just as distant as she felt. Vanessa was too wrapped up in her excitement to notice the tension that simmered between them.

As they reached the event, the excitement of the crowd escalated. People were already gathered, enjoying the music and food, and Jennie could sense that the night was about to take a turn. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Sam and Vanessa’s proximity to each other made her uncomfortable, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

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