Boyfriend's new girlfriend

My Instagram story’s live audio was on, and I’m pretty sure I’m the first casualty. Nine photos, seven of which featured Ethan, the ridiculously hot architecture major. The audio? Me gushing about his abs, his legs, and how much I wanted to sneak into his tent later. And the worst part? Ethan liked the post. I cringed, trying to backpedal. “Don’t worry,” I typed, “I’m all talk. You can sleep soundly tonight.” Ethan, ever the cool customer, didn't reply. But then, when I twisted my ankle hiking, Ethan was suddenly there, crouching in front of me. "Didn't you like my abs?" he asked. "Hop on. Hold tight. I’ll carry you."

Don’t get the wrong idea. The “I” in this story isn’t me. It’s Chloe, a girl from the year below us. And Ethan? He’s my boyfriend.

It all started when Chloe posted that Instagram story. I was mortified. We were on a group camping trip in Yosemite, planning to rent tents near Glacier Point. Everyone started teasing me, telling me to guard my tent, lest Chloe actually try to sneak in. I didn't find it funny at all. I asked Chloe to delete the story and repost it without the audio. Chloe just looked at Ethan, all innocent and wide-eyed. “Ethan, I swear,” she said, “I’m just clumsy and I say stupid things. I wouldn’t actually do it. You guys can sleep tight, I promise.”

Ethan, cool as a cucumber, ignored her and put his arm around me. “Relax, babe,” he said, “everyone has embarrassing moments. Don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s just a joke.”

“How is this not a big deal? Any normal person would delete it and repost! I’m just asking her to fix it, is that so much to ask?”

Chloe’s eyes welled up. “Seriously, I didn’t mean anything by it,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I know he's your boyfriend. I'm late to the game and I know I have no right to have feelings, just please don't be mad at me."

I frowned. “So you’re apologizing, but you won’t delete the post?”

Chloe started sobbing harder, bowing at a ninety-degree angle towards Ethan. “Ethan, I'm so sorry I upset your girlfriend! I didn’t think posting a story would cause so much drama. I'm so embarrassed I could die.” She bit her lip, looking at him with a mix of shame and… something else. Like I was somehow persecuting her.

Before I could say anything, Ethan cut me off. “Enough, she didn’t do it on purpose. Why are you being so harsh? If someone posted about you having great legs and being their dream girl, I wouldn’t care.”

He then proceeded to like Chloe’s post, adding insult to injury. “There, there,” he said to Chloe. “Don’t cry. It’s my fault for being so handsome and causing all this trouble.”

I couldn’t believe it. Was this really my boyfriend? He patted my head. “Be nice, okay? Don’t make a fuss.”

My stomach twisted. I pushed him away. Just then, Chloe yelped. “Ow!”

“What’s wrong?” Ethan asked.

“I think I twisted my ankle,” she whimpered. “It really hurts.”

Ethan told her to try walking. She shook her head. “I can’t. It hurts too much.”

Everyone stopp...