Mona had a way with words. It was subtle, almost imperceptible at times, but it was always there—like a thread slowly winding around Mary's heart, tightening bit by bit. She'd been talking to Mary for over an hour now, her voice soft, gentle, as though she were the only one who understood.
"You know," Mona began, her tone laced with concern, "Sophie's not exactly the friend you think she is. I've been watching her, Mary. She's always been so perfect, don't you think? She probably doesn't even get why you're struggling."
Mary paused, biting her lip as she looked at Mona, trying to make sense of her words. Mona's gaze was steady, reassuring, the kind of gaze that made you feel like you were being protected from the world's harshness. It was the same gaze that had drawn Mary in countless times before. But now, something felt off, like the weight of Mona's words was heavier than it should be.
"You're probably right," Mary whispered, her fingers tracing the rim of her water glass absentmindedly. She wanted to believe Mona But her thoughts kept drifting back to the moments she'd shared with Sophie—the laughter, the late-night talks, the way Sophie always tried to lift her spirits. Wasn't that enough to prove their friendship?
But Mona's voice pulled her back to the present.
"Maybe you should stop talking to her as much. It'll make things easier for you. You don't need someone who doesn't even understand your pain."
A knot twisted in Mary's stomach. She knew Mona was planting seeds of doubt, but it was hard to ignore them. The isolation felt familiar—comfortable, even. A part of her was tempted to give in, to listen to Mona and cut Sophie out, as though it would make everything better. But then, a memory of Sophie's face popped into her mind—the way she'd held Mary when she was at her lowest, the way she never pushed, just offered quiet support.
"I hear you, Mona," Mary murmured, but something in her tone faltered. She didn't see Mona's eyes. "I'll think about it."
Mona smiled, satisfied, as though her mission had already been accomplished. "Take your time. I'm always here if you need me, Mary. I just want what's best for you."
Mary nodded but felt the weight of Mona's gaze linger. She knew Mona was only telling her what she wanted to hear, but that didn't make it any easier to fight against. Every part of her felt conflicted, torn between Mona's words and the pull of her long-standing friendship with Sophie.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Mona stood up, brushing off her skirt, and gave Mary one last look before walking away, leaving Mary with a heavy silence. It was the same silence that had crept into her mind after every conversation with Mona. A silence filled with doubts, whispers, and a creeping sense of loneliness.
Sophie caught Mary's eye as she stood to gather her things. Her smile was warm, genuine, as she waved her over. "You coming?"
Mary hesitated, feeling the tug of her loyalty to Sophie, but she stayed silent. She hadn't told Sophie anything about Mona, or Ryan, or the way Mona had been twisting her mind. She wanted to, so badly, but something inside her held her back. Maybe it was fear—fear of Sophie not understanding, of losing the one person who had been there when the world felt too heavy to bear.
"I'm coming," Mary said finally, her voice soft, but her heart felt distant.
As they walked to their next class, Mary couldn't help but wonder if Mona's words had already started to take root, burying themselves deeper in her thoughts. Would she continue talking to Sophie the way she always had, or would the isolation Mona had suggested become her reality?
The truth was, Mary didn't know anymore. But the more she listened to Mona, the more the distance between her and Sophie seemed to grow, even if she couldn't bring herself to admit it.