I Attended the Opening of Our High School Time Capsule and Uncovered the Truth About What Happened 15 Years Ago — Story of the Day
I went back to my hometown to uncover our high school time capsule fifteen years after I graduated. A sentimental reunion soon evolved into something more profound.
I learned the startling truth about the grief and betrayal that molded my life all those years ago as we uncovered ancient memories.
With our class assembled in secret, we stood in the schoolyard beneath the dark sky. I was anxious and hoped nobody would discover us.
“Exceed your digging!” With a strong and impatient voice, my best buddy Jess gave an order.
“Do it yourself if you’re that smart!” Malcolm’s shovel paused in mid-air and he snapped.
Jess gave an eye roll. “I’m wearing white sneakers and have a manicure. I can’t, you know. She looked at me and continued, “These boys are useless.”
I tried to cover my uneasiness with a thin smile. Brian, who was standing a few paces away and staring at the ground, caught my attention.
Even though he was my boyfriend, something didn’t feel right tonight. He hadn’t spoken to me, given me no explanation, or done anything. Every time I tried to ask him what was happening, he turned away.
“Finished!” Malcolm shouted, jolting me out of my reverie.
It was an open capsule. Everyone threw in small letters and mementos. Brian had won me the locket at the fair, and I held it in my hand.
It felt heavy now, but it was special to me. I walked back to Brian after dropping it in.
“Why don’t you speak to me?” I moved closer to Brian and asked. He remained silent, staring off into space. “What’s wrong, Brian? Could you simply clarify the situation? With trembling voice, I pressed.
He turned and began to leave without saying anything.
“You assured me that you would love me forever! Do such words have no significance anymore? My voice broke as I yelled after him.
Brian came to a halt and pivoted. His icy, aloof gaze met mine. His voice was flat as he continued, “You ruined everything yourself.” Then he looked away once more.
“What? What are you saying? I have no idea what I did incorrectly! Panic tightened my chest as I screamed.
Brian continued to walk. With tears running down my cheeks, I fell to my knees. Jess came running over to me and put her arms around me.
After fifteen years…
Malcolm’s email caught my attention as I sat in front of my laptop. Hearing from him after all this time seemed odd.
The communication was straightforward and reminded me that we were to unearth the time capsule we had buried as teenagers in two days.
I tried, but was unable, to recall what I had put within. There was a scar from that night.
My first love, Brian, had passed away in a way I never quite comprehended. I felt completely alone after my dearest friend, Jess, betrayed me.
I sighed deeply as I reclined in my chair. Perhaps the time had come to confront the past. After lingering my fingers over the computer, I typed, “I’ll be there.”
It seemed like an eternity since I had visited my hometown. My parents moved away when I left for college, and I never saw the need to go back.
But I was here. I didn’t feel the urge to go back because my recollections of this area were interwoven with pain.
I started to feel uneasy as I got closer to my former school. The recollections were still clear, but the building didn’t seem as big as I remembered.
I was going to have to deal with people who had formerly played a significant role in my life and who had also deeply wounded me.
Malcolm was among the classmates who had already assembled, and I greeted him. His face was full with memories as he grinned warmly.
Brian and Jess were still nowhere to be seen. Without them, we made the decision to begin looking for the capsule. The digging continued because none of us could recall the precise location.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Brian and Jess approaching us. Just before I could stop it, my heart tightened. Did they remain together?
After all these years, I didn’t think I would care, but I did. My heart pounded as Brian drew nearer.
He brushed past me as though I didn’t exist, but he didn’t glance at me. Jess, on the other hand, smiled and greeted me as if nothing had happened. It hurt.
At last, someone exclaimed, “I found it!” With a flutter of excitement, everyone hurried over.
Recollections poured out of the capsule. Brian had earned me a locket, and I reached for it.
I was holding it when I noticed something else: a letter bearing my name. I took it up and moved away, my hands shaking.
I recognized the handwriting as soon as I opened the envelope. It belonged to Jess.
Hello, Amelia
If you are reading this, it indicates that fifteen years have gone by. Perhaps this letter will clarify things, but I doubt it will improve anything.
I’m at a loss for words when it comes to describing my motivations. I honestly don’t have a compelling argument. I don’t feel guilty at all at the moment.
I understand why Brian stopped communicating with you. I was the one. I spread a rumor about Malcolm and you.
To make it seem real, I even faked messages. I wanted Brian, even though I knew it was horrible. I was indifferent to the repercussions. You and no one else were on my mind.
I’m not pleading for your pardon. I only hope you get it.
Your unsatisfactory friend,
Jess
As I read the letter, my hands began to shake. Even though my vision was blurry from tears, I continued reading, each word striking me like a fist. It wasn’t until he spoke that I realized Brian was standing next to me.
“I noticed the locket in the capsule, Amelia. “I… I don’t know why, but seeing you today—” he began in a quiet, unsure voice.
I noticed Jess in the crowd when I looked up. My tears turned to anger. I apologize, Brian. I said sharply, “I need to talk to your girlfriend, Jess.” Without waiting for his response, I left.
“She’s not my—” I didn’t want to hear the rest of what Brian had to say when he called after me.
I presented the letter to Jess. “Want to elaborate?” With a forceful voice, I asked.
Jess’s face lit up with shame as she glanced at me. She continued, “Amelia, I… I don’t even know where to start.”
“What about telling the truth?” My response was steady.
After hesitating, Jess let out a sigh. I was surprised when she took my hand and walked me over to the school bleachers.
There were a lot of memories of our friendship in those old seats. In the past, we would sit there and envision the future. It seemed like a place to discover the past now.
As soon as we were seated on the dilapidated bleachers, Jess sank her shoulders and inhaled deeply. “I apologize,” she replied quietly.
I said, “Sorry isn’t enough,” in a harsher tone than I had meant. “What made you do that?”
“Why?” She laughed bitterly. “You don’t understand? I aspired to be you.
I looked at her, perplexed. “What? That’s absurd,” I murmured, giggling incredulously.
Jess looked directly into my eyes and stated, “You don’t understand.” Amelia, you were ideal. You had everything. You had Brian, you had wonderful parents, and you were intelligent. I wanted anything, anything, from you. Even Brian wasn’t someone I particularly liked.
Did you dislike him? Then why—? She interrupted me before I could finish.
“I wanted you to give me something. Jess said, “I felt better, like I mattered.” Three weeks later, we called it quits. It wasn’t worth it at all.
As I tried to take in what she had said, I shook my head. I remarked, “I assumed you two were still together.”
With a face wipe, she answered, “No.” I just got a ride from him today. That’s all.
My voice grew softer as I glanced down at my hands. “I cherished Brian.” He seemed like the one to me. I believed I would wed him.
Jess gave a nod. “Amelia, you were loved by him. He reacted the way he did for that reason. I made up the rumor about you and Malcolm. I didn’t give a damn as long as he had doubts about you.
Once more, I shook my head. Malcolm is currently married. I firmly said, “To his husband.”
Jess laughed unsteadily. “Back then, nobody was aware of that.” Her voice was hushed as she paused. “I’m not sure how to compensate for it. I don’t believe I can.
I responded, “What happened cannot be changed.”
Jess paused. “You’ve been missed.”
I gave her a look. I finally said, “I’ve missed you too.”
Would it be acceptable if I began contacting people? I do not yet expect your faith. “I just want to give it a shot,” she added.
I looked at her face and saw the regret on it. At last, I stated, “I still have the same number.”
Jess grinned. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
We sat there silently for a long time. Jess then pushed me and gestured to the field. She answered, “He’s not trying to find me.”
With a groan, I made my slow, unsure way down the bleachers. My thoughts were racing by the time I got to Brian, and I nearly lost my ability to speak. Before I could respond, he began.
“Amelia,” he uttered steadily. “I want to clarify one thing first. I don’t have a girlfriend, Jess. She hasn’t been in my life since high school.
I gave a nod. “I understand,” I murmured in a hushed tone.
Brian looked at me and then at the floor. He inquired, “Is the locket you placed in the capsule the one I gave you?”
“Yes,” I said. It’s amusing. I had assumed that we would already be married when we dug it out. I thought it would be this lovely moment. My chest constricted as I hesitated. “However…”
Brian interrupted me to say, “I was a fool.” I didn’t give you an opportunity to clarify. I allowed myself to believe a falsehood.
I tried to appear unconcerned as I answered, “We were kids,” but the hurt was still there.
His tone softened as he replied, “But we’re not kids anymore.” “I’ve been thinking about you for years, Amelia. Seeing you today made me understand that I was mistaken when I told myself it didn’t matter anymore. For the first time in a long time, I felt anything.
“It’s irrelevant, Brian,” I blurted out. “I currently reside in New York.”
He smiled slightly and replied, “So do I.” “And I want to go on a date with you.”
I paused. “I’m not sure—”
“Just one date,” he added, giving me a serious look.
I let out a sigh and then grinned slightly. “All right. Unless you earn me a new locket, that is. I held it up and remarked, “This one has turned black.”
Brian’s face lit up as he laughed. “It’s an agreement.”
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