Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 46

Jenny seemed lost in thought, reminiscing, "When we graduated from middle school, Elton threw you a prom. You invited me. I told you I didn't have a dress or heels. You took me to your closet and told me to pick out anything I liked. You helped me pick a white dress and a pair of pink heels. I felt like a princess, just like you, living in a castle. I was so excited to go to your prom that day."

Agnes remembered that day but also that Jenny didn’t show up.

Agnes said, "That day, you told me you weren't feeling well, so you didn't come."

Jenny said, "I was so excited that I went early. The venue was empty, except for Elton’s setting up. I had seen him many times over the three years, but that was the first time I had ever seen him up close. He was in a suit and looked like a prince from a fairy tale."

Agnes said, "So you fell for him at first sight, betrayed our friendship just to get closer to him?"

Jenny laughed, "Do you know the first thing Elton said to me?"

Agnes was silent.

Jenny said, "When he saw me, he walked over. I remember the anticipation. I knew he was your boyfriend. I didn't have any inappropriate thoughts. I thought, since I was your best friend, I could be his friend too. But when he approached me, he frowned at me, then asked why I was wearing your clothes and shoes."

Red-faced, Jenny had replied, "Agnes lent them to me."

Without missing a beat, Elton said, "Are you some kind of beggar? Don't you have your own clothes? These shoes are a graduation gift I worked two months to buy for Agnes. You think you're worthy of wearing them?"

The humiliation from that day still haunted Jenny.

Jenny said, "Agnes, do you know how it feels? It's like Cinderella turning back into a frog after midnight. That's when I knew we were from different worlds. You were living in the clouds, and I was stuck in the mud. Even when you reached out to help me, it only made me see more clearly my own inadequacies. That's when I swore that one day, I would reach the top. And I've done it."

There was a hint of pride in Jenny's eyes, "Can you imagine what it's like when Elton sleeps next to me? When the man who once looked down on me is having sex with me, it's the greatest satisfaction. I feel like all my past humiliation have been vindicated. Even I'm the first... the first woman he's ever been with!"

Agnes said, "Let's not talk about this. I don't know what Elton said to you back then, but even if he did, it doesn't justify your actions. You care too much about what others think, and you're afraid of being looked down upon. But the freedom of your soul is more important than others' opinions."

"Agnes, it's easy for you to say that. You've had a privileged life. You don't know what it's like to struggle. Have you ever had to deal with the teacher coming to your house because you couldn't pay your tuition? Have you ever been the kid with patches on clothes while everyone else was talking about limited-edition sneakers? Have you ever had nothing but bread and cold water for lunch for an entire semester? You don't know what it's like, so you have no right to judge me!"