Fifteen years after high school, I returned to my hometown for a reunion centered around unearthing our class time capsule. What began as a nostalgic trip quickly unraveled into revelations that redefined my past heartbreak and betrayal.

It was a brisk evening when we gathered in the schoolyard, our former classmates huddled around as we prepared to unearth memories long buried. As the group worked to locate the time capsule, flashes of that final night in high school filled my mind—Brian’s cold words, Jess’s comforting embrace, and the sense of utter confusion I felt as everything I valued slipped away.

Back then, Brian had been my whole world. He was more than just my boyfriend; he was my anchor, my dream. But in one inexplicable moment, he had walked away, blaming me for something I never understood. And Jess, my best friend, who had been there to console me, eventually disappeared from my life too.

Now, standing in the schoolyard, I saw familiar faces aged by time, their laughter intermingling with the clinking of shovels. Malcolm was still his sharp, sarcastic self, coordinating the excavation with flair. As we worked, I kept glancing around, half-expecting to see Jess and Brian. When they finally arrived together, my heart clenched. Were they still a couple? I thought I’d moved past caring, but seeing them stirred emotions I didn’t want to confront.