The afternoon sun was starting to dip, casting long shadows on the ground as Mary, Mona, and Ryan walked side by side down the street. It had become routine—spending time together after school, a trio of friends. To any outsider, the three of them seemed inseparable, like they had been friends for years. But to Mary, something felt off.
Ryan had been quieter than usual. His usual charm was still present, the way he could make any conversation feel like it was meant just for her, but there was something distant in his eyes. He was distracted, his gaze often drifting as if he wasn't entirely present in the moment. Mary tried not to read too much into it—after all, maybe he was just tired from school, or maybe it was nothing. But her gut told her otherwise.
Beside him, Mona's laughter rang out, bright and unbothered, like it always did when they hung out. But to Mary, it didn't feel real. It was too loud, too perfect. Mona had always been the type to wear a smile like armor, and lately, that smile seemed even more rehearsed. Mary caught Mona's eyes flickering to Ryan, and then back to her, as if sharing some private joke that she wasn't a part of.
Mary's heart tightened in her chest, but she quickly shook it off. I'm being paranoid, she told herself. It's just in my head.
As they continued walking, Ryan's hand brushed against Mary's, a small gesture that should've been comforting. But the way he quickly pulled it back, as though surprised by the touch, left a cold feeling settling in her stomach. She wanted to ask him if something was wrong, but the words wouldn't come. What if she was wrong? What if she was imagining things, like she always did?
Mona, sensing the shift in the mood, piped up, "It's so great that we're all spending time together. It's not every day you find friends you can trust, right?" Her tone was casual, but there was something sharp beneath it, as though the words were laced with a meaning only Ryan understood.
Mary nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, it's nice. Really nice."
Ryan glanced at her, offering a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's great to have people who really get you," he said, his voice soft, almost too soft.
There it was again, that nagging feeling in Mary's chest. He's saying things like that a lot lately. Why?
Mona caught her eye with a wide, almost expectant smile, as if she was waiting for Mary to agree with something unspoken. Mary met her gaze, unsure of what to say. What was it they wanted from her? She had no idea, but it didn't sit right with her.
"Yeah," Mary said slowly, her voice shaky despite her attempt to keep it light. "I guess that's why it's good we're all friends, huh?"
Mona's smile softened, but Mary could see the faintest trace of something else—something harder behind the curve of her lips. "Exactly," Mona agreed, her voice smooth as silk, but with an edge that Mary couldn't quite place.
The three of them walked in silence for a moment, the quiet stretching between them like an invisible barrier that Mary couldn't cross. She didn't want to be alone anymore, but being with them didn't feel like comfort. It felt like waiting for something bad to happen, like standing on the edge of a cliff and knowing, deep down, that the ground beneath her was crumbling, bit by bit.
She couldn't explain it, but she felt like she was losing control. The tension between them, subtle but ever-present, was starting to suffocate her. She wanted to say something, ask one of them what was going on, but the words wouldn't come. It felt as if whatever she said would fall flat, only confirming how much of an outsider she had become in this strange, new friendship.
As they reached the corner of the street where they would part ways, Mary lingered for a moment, watching Mona and Ryan walk ahead. They were laughing again—laughing together, like a perfect pair. And for a fleeting second, Mary wondered if they were laughing at her.
It's all in your head, she thought, but even as she tried to convince herself, the feeling wouldn't go away. The uneasy silence that had settled between them felt like a wall she couldn't climb.
Mona glanced over her shoulder, catching Mary's eye. A flash of something darker crossed her face before she turned back to Ryan, whispering something to him. The faintest glimmer of a smile tugged at Mona's lips. "Tomorrow's the school ceremonial event," she said casually, as if it were an afterthought. "Should be interesting to see how everyone reacts, huh?"
Ryan nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, it's the perfect opportunity."
Mary frowned, her pulse quickening. What did they mean?
Mona's voice broke through her thoughts as she and Ryan walked away. "See you tomorrow, Mary. Don't forget to enjoy the event. It could be fun."
As they disappeared down the street, Mary stood there for a long moment, the words lingering in her mind. The event tomorrow... What's really going to happen?
Her unease deepened. Tomorrow wasn't just another day. It felt like the beginning of something she couldn't control. A shift she wasn't prepared for. But she remembered tomorrow was the school ceremonial event, And as the evening shadows stretched longer, Mary felt a chill run down her spine.
Tomorrow, everything will change.