Reuniting with Jason, my high school crush, at a posh restaurant felt like a rom-com scene. But the night took a dark turn when his charming facade cracked, revealing a shocking secret. Hi, I’m Emma, a 35-year-old woman. Back in high school, I was the quiet, bookish girl with a massive crush on Jason, the school’s golden boy. “Emma, come on, you have to at least try talking to him,” my best friend Sarah would nudge me. But I always felt he was out of my league.

Years later, I transformed into a successful, stylish woman. One evening, while shopping, I heard a familiar voice. “Emma? Is that you?” It was Jason. We caught up, and he invited me to dinner. At the upscale restaurant, Jason reminisced about high school. I listened politely, feeling disconnected. Our food arrived, and he did something shocking—he placed a hair on my dish and called the waitress over, causing a scene to get a free meal. “You know, working as a promoter doesn’t pay much, so I have to find ways to get by,” he admitted.

As we left, I forced a smile, knowing I’d never call him again. The next day, I laughed about it with my friend Mia. “Jason actually put a hair in my food to avoid paying,” I said, still in disbelief.

Reflecting on the experience, I realized how much I had grown. The high school me would never have believed I’d be where I am today, and seeing Jason stuck in the past made me appreciate my journey even more.