Ruined

e I saw her,

s but the kind that announces itself. Bold. Unbothered. She walked into our 100 lev

nd her braids, thick and long, swung with each step. Every guy in the hall looked up. Ever

wn the row, scanned the chairs like she was choosing a throne, and settled in

was C

s how i

ike anyone I

or proud. Chelsea was neither. She wasn't t

ething more sinister-placed her in mine. When she turned and said, "Y

s," I m

me. "You look like you think too muc

was supposed to tha

her phone. And just like that,

. People talked about her clothes, her aura, her Instagram. Rumors flew: she was dating a final year g

metimes laughing loudly in front of the class, other times disappearing

the library when I saw her sitting al

she said before I

m n

lowly with a book in their hand like t

the space

it

you say no to a stor

sic. Politics. Her love for Frida Kahlo. H

, blowing smoke through parted lips. "If

se. Opinionat

s alread

the semester, she started calling me at nigh

p," she'd say

I wo

est the next morning. Because those midnight conversations

aid something th

she whispered. "Like I ca

nt, it didn't matter. I would have taken

kissed, it was a

y she flirted with some older guy

ous m

I am,"

ou're special?" H

ink I

et. Then ste

mured. "You make me feel th

wly. Like she was testi

n that love if you can call it that wa

l anything. Sh

me once, her fingers tracing invisible cir

troyed me," I sa

she r

ty silent, dangerous,

let mys

ting her. There were others. I saw the texts. The random guys who stared too

, I s

h

and looking you dead in the eye like you were the most important person in t

cissist. And

iting for class to star

hyly. "You dropped your p

eld i

rised. "Thanks.

no

command attention. But there was something soft ab

. "You seem... d

tired,"

wanted to say more,

t someone to tal

e walke

r go, pen st

s before I realiz

lized who re

I would alrea