der, listening to the excited chatter of the other students. The bus was nearly full. One empty seat remained, in th

wasn'

the gnawing anxiety in my stomach. He always prioritized me.

ia clinging to his arm. She was laughing, her head thrown back. He whispered something to her, and she

ty seat beside me. For a split second, I saw a familiar flicker in his eyes – recognition,

ng playfully into his bicep. Her eyes, bright and calculating, met mine.

bly. He took a breath, then turned, allowing Sophia to guide him toward the back of the bus, where two sea

gain. Publicly.

nto the bus and took my seat, my face a bla

it in the back. Just easier wit

n't r

emember to be careful getting on and

empty words. I simply blocked his number. The tiny satisfaction was fleeting, swallowed by the gaping hole in my chest. I

ty: sketching the cliffside views, requiring pairs. My stomach twisted. I hat

rupy smile on her face. "Clara! You and me, right? Besties!" S

didn't waver, but her eyes narrowed. "What'

idn't trust her. Not after the exh

and me. Girls' day out by the sea." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Besi

even closer, her hand reaching for my arm again. This

th something ugly. "Fine," she hissed,

on the narrow cliff path. Her foot caught on an invisible root, and she we

she shrieked, cl

owards her, his face a mask of concern.

she... she was so clumsy! I tried to grab her, but she pulled away and made me

e lie hung in the air

ouching her ankle. He didn't even look

ing with shock and indignatio

now fixed on me, filled with accusation and disgust. Mark, Leo's friend, stepped forward, his face con

voice cracking, barely audibl

ng her face in Leo's shoulder. "She

o outright condemnation. Crazy. The bl

embled. I was trapped, engulfe

so kind, were now hard, cold, and utterly devoid of pity. "Clar

Me? Apologize? For s

barely a whisper. "I won't.

htening on Sophia. "She's hurt. And she's upset. Just a

s a desperate plea, but it was lost

blazing with an unfamiliar anger. "Do you want to make Sophia look bad? Do you

asn't just choosing her; he was actively turning against me. He was sacr

s hiss. "Go on, freak. Say you're sorry. You're always causing trouble, aren't you? The p

it, cold and unfeeling. "Clara. Apologize. Now." He stood up, Sophia still clinging

ping my shoulder. His fingers du