- 12.
That evening, I got a call from an unknown
number.
I answered without thinking.
…Ashley.”
It was Jason. He must have gotten a new
phone.
“…Are you kidding me?” I was about to hang
- up.
“Wait! Just listen!”
I stayed silent.
“I…I read the diary.”
His voice was hoarse.
My mind went blank for a second, then I
realized he meant the diary I’d kept for years.
<
I only had one, the one Jason had given me
for my tenth birthday. I’d treasured it and
developed a habit of writing in it every day.
That diary held years of my affection for him.
I’d meticulously documented every little detail
of our interactions, every moment I’d felt
something for him.
I’d even imagined giving it to him when we
got married, a testament to my enduring love.
“…Didn’t I throw it away?” My voice was
barely a whisper.
“I…I picked it up.” Jason’s voice trembled.
“I’m sorry, Ashley. I read it. I didn’t realize…
how much you liked me. I’m sorry I never
noticed. I regretted slapping you the moment I
did it…l…”
“All these years…I haven’t just thought of you
as a sister…”
“Jason.” I interrupted him.
“When did you pick it up?”
く
The line went silent.
A while ago, right?” I chuckled. “Then why
are you calling me tonight? Did you just get
around to reading it?”
“I…” His voice was weak.
“Because I’m ‘dating‘ someone now. You feel
threatened. Your position is finally at risk. So,
after months, you suddenly decided to open
that dusty old diary. Is that it?”
“Ashley, it’s not like that…”
I didn’t let him explain. My voice was soft,
almost gentle.
“Jason, you should know that a belated
apology and confession doesn’t fix the past. It
just makes the remaining memories…
uncomfortable.”
“That diary…it doesn’t mean anything
anymore. You should just throw it away.” “Don’t call me again. And don’t try to find
- me. It’s really annoying.”
L
I hung up.
