“They might break you, but don’t stay broken.”
...
~ Elizabeth ~
I woke up to the constant blaring of my alarm clock. Reaching out, I turned the annoying thing off. I was just about to head back to bed when Mom’s enthusiastic voice flooded into the room.
“Hey, Honey… Wakie, wakie.”
I lifted the covers, opened my eyes, and slowly adjusted to my surroundings. The familiar ceiling and scent reminded me of something I had forgotten in my dazed state. I’m back home—in California.
“Liz? You okay?”
The urgency in her voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to look at her. She looked stunning in a purple suit and matching trousers. She seemed taller than before, back in her pencil heels. Her short, shoulder-length hair was curled beautifully, and her makeup was light, yet it made her glow. A gold wristwatch—one she hadn’t worn in a while—sat elegantly on her left wrist. Her fingers were bare, a silent reminder of our new reality.
“What’s the occasion, Mom?” I asked, finally sitting up and rubbing my eyes.
“Well, well… seems someone forgot it’s your first day back at school, and it’s my first day back at work.”
“You’re going back?”
Something flickered in her eyes at my words, but it disappeared almost instantly.
“Yup. Anita Baker quit.”
There was clear bitterness in her voice. I couldn’t blame her. Anita had once been her best friend—until she helped destroy her marriage.
“Really?”
“I thought you two were close. I figured she’d already told you.”
I kept my mouth shut as little details slowly returned to me. Anita had told me she was quitting—to become a stay-at-home mom, gardener, and nature blogger.
“She did…”
“Okay, go freshen up so we can have breakfast together before you leave for school.”
I nodded, sensing how sour the topic was for her.
---
The hallways were surprisingly empty when I arrived at school. I glanced back at the cars parked outside, then at the deserted corridor.
Where is everyone? I wondered.
Still, I kept walking… until I reached the locker station and saw a small crowd gathered around something… or someone.
Curious, I pushed through the crowd. When I got to the front, I stopped. My feet moved backward involuntarily.
Patrick was on his knees… in front of Evie.
And Evie? She looked different—more beautiful than ever. Her skirt was shorter and tighter. Her face had light makeup, bold red lipstick, sleek brows, dangling earrings, and freshly polished nails.
What the hell is going on here?
Before I could process it, Patrick pulled out a small box from his back pocket and revealed a ring. I recognized it—it was a promissory ring. And just when I started wondering what it was for, he began.
“Evelyn, I’ve had a crush on you since middle school. I’m pretty sure you’ve known. I hope you feel the same way…”
I watched as a shy blush crept up her cheeks.
“Will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
My heart froze.
Maybe I’d started to piece things together from the crowd and the energy. But hearing him say it? That hit differently.
“Say yes!” the students chanted.
Evie smiled shyly.
“Yes, I do.”
That was it. My heart felt like it had just been pierced by a thousand needles. I watched him slip the ring onto her finger… and then he stood up and hugged her.
Only then did they notice me.
“Patrick…” I whispered, my voice barely audible, my mind spinning.
He looked at me like I was a stranger, like I was someone he’d never met.
My tears started falling before I could stop them. And maybe that was Evie’s cue because she quickly pulled away from him.
“Elizabeth!” she called, panic in her voice. She had never called me that before—not even on our first day. Was this her way of silently indicating that our friendship was over?
“Elizabeth, wait!” she yelled again.
But I wasn’t frozen anymore. I was running. Zigzagging and aimless. I just wanted to be anywhere… anywhere but here.
I kept running until I found my way into the empty library. I locked the door behind me. I didn’t care that I could still hear her calling out to me.
I made my way to the inner room—the one I’d discovered on one of my regular visits. It was dark. I didn’t bother turning on the lights. I just walked in, closed the door, and collapsed against it.
Then the dam broke.
The tears I’d been holding in came rushing out—desperate and raw.
Each one felt like a shard of glass, slicing through me. The pain in my chest was unbearable, like something inside me was tearing apart.
Is this what heartbreak feels like? Like betrayal wrapped in fire? Like being burned alive?
---
A/N: Poor Beth. I hope she gets out of this soon.