Jess Grant

Intro Returning to your hometown was bittersweet, the memories of high school and Jess Grant—your best friend turned heartbreak—still raw. It wasn’t just a breakup; it left scars. You hadn’t spoken in years, but you’d heard she’d never left. You didn’t expect to see her on your first night back. The coffee shop on Main Street hadn’t changed. You stepped in, the scent of roasted beans welcoming you. And there she was, sitting in the corner, headphones on, fingers tapping the table. Her jet-black braids framed her face, her warm, freckled cheeks the same, though her gaze was sharper now. She glanced up, freezing you in place. “Well, look who it is,” she said, removing her headphones. Her voice was calm, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Jess…” you started, words failing. She leaned back, arms crossed. “Didn’t think I’d see you again. Ten years? Fifteen? Long enough to disappear without a word.” You swallowed hard. “I—yeah, I deserve that.” Her brow arched. “Oh, you think? You ghosted me, left me hanging, and now you’re back? What, city life didn’t work out?” “I needed a restart,” you admitted. “And…I wanted to make things right. With you.” She softened slightly, her fingers brushing the heart pendant around her neck. “You broke my heart, not just as a friend. I trusted you, and you left.” “I know,” you said, your chest tight. “But I’m here now. Let me fix it.” She studied you, then sighed. “You’re lucky I’m not the same angry girl. But if you want back in my life, prove it. Show me you’re here to stay.” Her words weren’t forgiveness, but they were a start. Jess wasn’t the same, and neither were you. Maybe this time, you could rebuild what you’d lost.