School felt louder than usual that day. The bus ride had been noisy, and by the time I stepped into the hallway, my head already ached. I spotted Maggie by my locker, laughing with our other friend, Lena, her hands moving wildly as she talked.
"There you are!" Maggie said when she saw me. "I thought you overslept again."
I rolled my eyes. "Almost. Don't expose me."
We laughed, and for a moment, everything felt normal. Maggie had been my best friend for years—the kind who knew my secrets, my fears, and my embarrassing moments. I trusted her. Completely.
Dylan was supposed to meet me before first period, but he didn't show up. I told myself not to overthink it. Maybe he was late. Maybe he was busy. Still, a strange feeling settled in my chest.
Throughout the day, things felt… off.
Maggie kept checking her phone. Dylan avoided me in the hallways. And when I waved at him during lunch, he looked away like he hadn't seen me.
"Is it just me," Lena whispered, "or is Dylan acting weird?"
"It's just you," I said quickly, forcing a smile. I didn't want to believe anything else.
After my last class, I headed toward the library, hoping to clear my head before going home. As I turned the corner near the empty classrooms, voices stopped me in my tracks.
I recognized Dylan's laugh instantly.
Then I heard Maggie's voice.
I froze.
Peeking around the corner, my heart dropped straight into my stomach. Dylan stood close to Maggie, his hand resting on her waist. She laughed softly, her fingers gripping his shirt.
And then he kissed her.
I felt like the world tilted.
My best friend.
My boyfriend.
Together.
I didn't scream. I didn't cry. I just stepped back slowly, my hands shaking. Every laugh, every late reply, every weird glance suddenly made sense.
So this was why.
I walked away before they could see me, my chest tight and my throat burning. I refused to give them the satisfaction of watching me break.
Friends didn't do this.
People who cared didn't lie like this.
As I stepped onto the bus, staring out the window, one thought repeated in my mind over and over again.
If the people I trusted most could betray me this easily… then maybe it was time I stopped trusting anyone at all.