Reuniting with Jason, my high school crush, at a swanky restaurant felt like a scene out of a romantic comedy. But the night turned dark when his attractive facade crumbled, revealing a shocking secret that hit me like a ton of bricks. The boy I had idolized was gone, replaced by someone I barely recognized.Hello, everyone. I’m Emma, a 35-year-old with a narrative that dates back to high school.

Back then, I was the quiet, bookish girl who preferred libraries to parties. I had a big crush on Jason, the school’s golden boy. Jason was handsome, popular, and appeared to have everything.” Emma, come on, you have to at least try talking to him,” my closest friend Sarah would encourage me every time Jason passed by. I would blush furiously and hide behind my thick glasses. “You know, Sarah, he’s out of my league. “I’m just me.”“You are great, Emma. “He’d be fortunate to know you,” she’d urge, but I’d simply shake my head. Jason, surrounded by his companions, never glanced my way. As the football team’s star, he was always in the spotlight. I watched from afar, confident he had no idea I existed. With my spectacles and braces, I didn’t expect him to notice. But he never did. Our worlds were miles apart.Years later, I’d grown into a successful and attractive woman. I exchanged my glasses for contacts, braces for a flawless smile, and my dorky clothes for a more refined look. I had a successful profession in marketing and was living my best life. One evening, while shopping for avocados, I overheard a familiar voice.I turned around to see Jason, who appeared slightly older but still unquestionably attractive. He was staring at me with amazement. “Wow, you look amazing,” he exclaimed, his eyes wide. “Jason? Hi! “It has been a long time,” I said, my heart racing. He smiled heartily. “Yes, it certainly has. “How’ve you been?” We spoke for a while, catching up on our lives. I told him about my profession and recent return to the area. “So, you work in marketing now? “That is impressive,” Jason replied, nodding.”And you?” I inquired, inquisitive about his life after high school.“My work is interesting, but it’s not as glamorous as marketing,” he chuckled, successfully deflecting my inquiry. Why did he do that? I was still pondering his response when he interjected with an unexpected offer. “Hey, would you like to get supper sometime? “You know, catch up properly?” I agreed without hesitation. That was Jason! And he invited me on a date! Of course, I replied yes.We met a few days later at an exclusive restaurant in downtown.His pick astonished me; it was a restaurant renowned for its elegance and exquisite cuisine. Jason began reminiscing about our high school days as we sat down and ordered. “Do you remember that time we won the football championship?” “Those were the days,” he remarked, laughing. “I still hang out with the guys on the team. We have this small ritual of getting together every month.”I listened politely but couldn’t help feeling distant. Jason appeared to be stuck in the past, despite the fact that I had graduated high school. “That sounds nice,” I replied, attempting a smile. “Do you ever catch up with anyone else from school?””Not really,” he replied with a shrug. “Only the males. So, how about you? Are there any high school experiences you cherish?” “Well,” I began, unsure what to say, “I spent the majority of my time in the library.” “There aren’t many exciting stories there.”He laughed. “I recall you constantly had your nose buried in a book. Isn’t it funny how things change? Our dinner arrived, and we continued to talk. Jason’s anecdotes got repetitious, and I found myself drifting off. When it came time for dessert, I excused myself to the restroom.When I returned, I spotted Jason toying with something on my plate. Before I could question what he was up to, he looked up with a naughty grin. “Watch this,” he said quietly, placing a hair on my dish. “I’m going to show you a trick.” My eyes widened in disbelief, but before I could argue, Jason summoned the waitress. “Excuse me, there’s a hair in my friend’s food,” he exclaimed, his voice audible enough to turn heads. “This is unacceptable!”The waitress appeared uncomfortable and apologized profusely.She offered to return the dish and provide us fresh ones. However, Jason demanded that we not pay for the lunches owing to the inconvenience. After some back and forth, the manager approached us and agreed to compensate us for our meals, including a complimentary dessert. Jason was grinning ear to ear as we walked out of the restaurant. “That’s how you handle these places. “You should never have to pay for a negative experience.” I faked a grin, still shaken by what had just happened. “I CAN’T BELIEVE you did that.” Jason shrugged. “You know, working as a promoter doesn’t pay well, so I have to find methods to survive and eat at such locations. “This trick never fails.” Promoter? This was what Jason did during his high school summer breaks. I couldn’t believe he was still doing the same job. “You’re still promoting?” I inquired, attempting to keep my voice steady.”