In Taylor Swift’s “august” story, the boy’s former lover is named Betty.
The song is one part of Folklore’s fictional teenage love triangle. The unnamed narrator describes a brief summer relationship with James, who ultimately returns to Betty, his former lover. Betty is not the narrator of “august”; she is the character whose viewpoint appears in the separate song “cardigan.”
James’s perspective appears in “betty,” where he reflects on his mistake and seeks forgiveness. Swift designed the three songs to overlap in characters and events, but each uses a different emotional lens. That structure is why listeners often compare details across the tracks rather than treating “august” as a self-contained autobiographical confession.
The names Inez, James, and Betty also appear in the broader story world associated with the songs. Inez is mentioned in “betty,” but she is not James’s former lover. Distinguishing the narrator from Betty is essential: “august” is the summer lover’s song, while Betty’s account is “cardigan.”