The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Marianne, perched on the edge of the school's rooftop, sighed, the wind whipping her long, auburn hair around her face. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, a text from Liam: "Meet me at the usual spot after school."Â
Liam. Her Liam. The boy who had captured her heart with his mischievous smile and charming wit. He was everything she had ever wanted - handsome, popular, and, most importantly, he loved her. Or so she thought.
The "usual spot" was a secluded clearing in the woods behind the school, their sanctuary from the world. It was where they shared stolen kisses, whispered secrets, and dreamt of a future together. But tonight, something felt different. A knot of unease tightened in Marianne's stomach.
As she walked towards the clearing, the air seemed thick with unspoken tension. She saw Liam, his back to her, leaning against a tree. Beside him, a figure she recognized with a sickening certainty: Olivia, the head cheerleader, known for her sharp tongue and even sharper elbows.
Liam turned, a forced smile plastered on his face. "Hey, Marianne. Olivia just wanted to show me something."
The words felt like a slap. Olivia, with her perfectly manicured nails and designer clothes, could never be a friend, let alone a confidante. And Liam, Liam who swore he loved only her, was now standing with her, his hand brushing against hers.
Tears pricked at Marianne's eyes. Was this a joke? Was Liam playing some cruel prank on her? The clearing, once their haven, suddenly felt suffocating.
"Liam," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper. "What's going on?"
Liam's smile faltered. He looked away, his eyes darting between her and Olivia. The silence stretched, filled only by the rustle of leaves and the pounding of Marianne's heart.
This wasn't the perfect picture she had painted in her mind. This was a betrayal, a shattered dream, and the beginning of a journey she never imagined she w
ould have to take.Â