Ryan leaned against the lockers, scrolling through his phone as the hall buzzed with the usual end-of-day commotion. Mona spotted him from across the hall and made her way over, her steps deliberate and confident.
"Ryan," she called out, her voice light and casual. "Got a minute?"
He looked up, offering a small smile. "Hey, Mona. What's up?"
"Not much." She leaned against the locker beside him, her expression friendly. "I've just been thinking about our conversation the other day. You seem like a good guy, and I figured I should give you a little heads-up about something--or rather, someone."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Someone? Who?"
Mona hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor as if she were conflicted. Then she sighed dramatically. "It's Mary. I know you've been spending time with her, and I just thought you should know a few things before you get too close."
Ryan straightened, his curiosity piqued. "What about Mary?"
"Well," Mona began, her voice lowering conspiratorially, "she's not as innocent as she seems. People here don't talk about it much, but she has a history of dragging people into her problems. She's... unstable."
Ryan frowned, his expression skeptical. "Unstable? She seems fine to me."
Mona's lips curled into a sympathetic smile. "I get it. She's good at hiding it, making people feel sorry for her. But trust me, I've seen her true colors. Last year, she spread rumors about me when I tried to help her. I thought I was doing the right thing, but she turned on me."
Ryan's expression shifted slightly, doubt creeping in. "That doesn't sound like her."
Mona placed a hand on his arm, her tone softening. "I know it's hard to believe. She's good at pretending to be the victim. But think about it--why is she always alone? Why doesn't she have more friends? People eventually see the truth and back away."
Ryan stayed silent, processing Mona's words. Sensing his hesitation, she pressed on.
"I'm not saying this to turn you against her," Mona continued, her voice dripping with sincerity. "I just don't want you to get hurt. Mary has a way of pulling people in and then pushing them away when they've given her everything."
Ryan nodded slowly, his mind clouded with conflicting thoughts. "I appreciate the warning, Mona. But I don't think she's done anything like that to me."
"Not yet," Mona said quickly, her eyes widening for effect. "Just be careful, okay? You seem like a great guy, and I'd hate to see you get caught up in her mess."
With that, Mona gave him a small, understanding smile and walked away, leaving Ryan to stew in the seeds of doubt she had planted.
---
Later that evening, Ryan found himself replaying Mona's words. Mary's vulnerability had been what drew him to her, but now he couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her story. His usual confidence wavered as he began to question his instincts.
Meanwhile, Mona watched from a distance, pleased with her performance. She knew Ryan wasn't fully convinced yet, but she had planted enough deceit and lies to Ryan to create a rift. Now, all she had to do was wait for it to grow.
Mary, unaware of the storm brewing around her, felt a faint flicker of hope when Ryan greeted her the next day. But something was different. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and his tone carried a hint of hesitation. She brushed it off, telling herself she was imagining things.
But deep down, the cracks had already begun to form.