I’ve got a story and I’m still not over the shock.

Yesterday was the school sports day, started around 7:10 AM. I’m 22, homeroom teacher, the school’s near my place in Nimman so I rushed over even though I was kinda sleepy, but had to get up.

Short version: around lunchtime, about 12:30, I saw my boyfriend (we’ve been together a year) standing and talking with a woman behind the canteen, near the water machine and the concrete benches. My heart nearly stopped because that woman was a college friend of one of my coworker’s friends — didn’t expect to run into her here at all.

I sidled over and eavesdropped quietly for like 5–10 minutes because I was suspicious. It was dead quiet. They were talking like... close, not just casual hellos, and he had this kind of smiling, teasing vibe like she was special. I’m not sure, but my chest felt so tight, seriously.

I didn’t storm over or yell because it was a public place and there were students everywhere, and he was holding a small plastic cup and his phone, so I kept it to myself and tried to work. But my head kept replaying that image all day — couldn’t shake it.

By evening, around 6:30, I asked him nicely. He said she was just an old friend and they were talking about a community activity for a friend. His answer was flat, but I was like... didn’t really believe it, hahaha. Or am I just overthinking? Right? He’s usually an open, detail-oriented guy who doesn’t hide things, so seeing this side of him felt like a punch.

It’s like I saw a side of the person I’m with that I’d never seen before, and I’m baffled at how fast my feelings flipped. Sometimes I want to ask him straight up but I’m scared of making a big deal or looking stupid. So confused T_T

Sorry if this is messy, OP is genuinely confused. Friends, what do you think I should do? I really want to ask clearly but I’m scared the answer will hurt so much.