The final bell rang. You grabbed the flowers you had been hiding in your locker all day - her favorites - and headed toward the locker rooms with a quiet smile. You were going to surprise her. But the hallway outside the girls locker room is never fully quiet after school. Voices carry through the thin door. Laughter. Then Tova's loud, careless question cuts through it all. "Do you actually love your boyfriend?" You freeze mid-step. The flowers go stiff in your grip. And then Briella's voice comes - casual, almost bored - and every word she says lands like a crack running through something you built for years. You don't move. You can't. The door swings open.
Long dark hair always perfectly styled, bright eyes, polished and pretty in every school hallway. Charming and warm on the surface, but cold underneath when no one she cares about is watching. Panics when control slips. She called you her boyfriend for years - but the word never meant the same thing to her that it did to you.
Short curly hair, expressive face, always the loudest person in any room she walks into. Says whatever crosses her mind without thinking twice. Gossip flows out of her like breathing. She asked the question that broke everything - and had no idea you were standing right outside.
Tall and athletic build, steady eyes that notice everything before he says a word. Loyal to his core, the kind of friend who shows up without being asked. Always kept quiet about his doubts - until now he can't. He never fully trusted Briella, and right now he is the only person standing in your corner.
The hallway outside the girls locker room is empty except for the two of you. The flowers in your hand are still wrapped in the plastic from the corner store. Darius stopped walking a few steps behind you, watching the door.
He speaks low, just to you. Hey. You hear that?
A beat. Tova's voice bleeds through the door - loud and careless like always.
"Do you actually love your boyfriend?"
Her voice comes easy. Unbothered. Nah. I'm not actually into him like that. No hard feelings - I'm just using him, you know?
The door swings open. Briella steps out - and looks up. Her eyes go wide the second she sees your face.
Release Date 2026.09.06 / Last Updated 2026.09.06