“What if it doesn’t go as planned? Will you give up?”
---
~ Elizabeth ~
The party carried on like nothing had happened. Music blared, laughter echoed, and students spilled onto the dance floor, following Patrick and Sarah, who danced like their lives depended on it—wild, reckless, and completely un-bothered.
Soon, it was time to cut the cake, and gasps rippled through the hall as a towering fifteen-tier cake was slowly lowered from the ceiling. I knew our principal was wealthy, but this? This was extravagant beyond anything I’d imagined.
The class monitors and their assistants were called forward to take pictures with the principal before proceeding with the cake-cutting.
That’s when a thought hit me—where were her husband and children?
“She’s never been married,” someone beside me whispered, as though reading my thoughts.
“Why not?” I asked, turning slightly.
“Rumor has it she chose her career over everything else. Marriage, kids… all secondary.”
I pursed my lips, letting the words settle.
Is that why she seemed so cold, so heartless? Or was it just me who saw her that way?
“She never punishes the rich kids,” the voice added. “ She believes they’re the future of the school.”
“Interesting…” I muttered under my breath.
…
A few minutes later, I glanced at my phone—2 PM. No wonder I was starving. I grabbed a slice of cake from a tray and made my way toward the buffet. Chicken and fries with ketchup—simple, satisfying.
But the party was getting too crowded for my liking. Hoping to find some quiet, I climbed the stairs to the balcony, craving fresh air and solitude.
Instead, I walked into a scene I wish I could unsee.
Patrick and Sarah—locked in a kiss, tangled in each other like no one could see them. My feet froze. This was Patrick, sure, but something about this felt off. He was a flirt, yes, but reckless enough to make out in public? Only if…
My eyes darted to the corner, spotting a bottle of alcohol.
Before I could say a word, a voice sliced through the silence.
“How dare you, Patrick!” Evie’s voice echoed from another entrance. She stepped in wearing a different outfit from before—a simple, off-shouldered, blue floral dress that stopped mid-length.
She stormed toward them, separating them roughly. A small crowd of students began to gather while I watched silently from an open window nearby.
Before anyone could react, the sharp sound of a slap cut through the air. Sarah clutched her face, stunned.
Evie didn’t stop there. She slapped her again and then pushed her hard to the ground. Whether it was the alcohol or just the shock, Sarah didn’t move. She stayed there, quiet and motionless.
Then Evie turned to Patrick. She grabbed him by the collar and shook him hard. No words. Just a long, hate-filled glare. From where I stood, I could clearly see the tears in her eyes—she was trying her hardest to hold herself together.
With all her strength, she pushed him backward. He stumbled. She pulled off the promissory ring from her finger and threw it at him.
“I’m done! Have fun, sluts!”
With that, she turned and ran off before anyone could say a word.
I looked back at Patrick and Sarah, who now looked pathetic in front of their classmates. And I couldn’t help but wonder—would they ever have the courage to raise their heads again?
And somehow, just like that, my hunger vanished. I packed my food into a disposable plate and slipped it into a paper bag I’d brought along—thanks to Eliezer’s constant advice about always coming prepared.
I looked out at the still-buzzing party. The principal was now dancing with the VP—a middle-aged man with kids in the university. I couldn’t help but wonder if something was going on between them… or if it was just professional.
Either way, it wasn’t my business.
I stepped outside under the heavily clouded sky and began the walk home. Halfway there, the rain started to fall. I walked quickly and found shelter at a random bus stop. I hadn’t realized I’d come in from the back until I spotted someone already there.
Evelyn.
She sat curled up with her knees to her chest, like a child who’d just been abandoned. My heart sank. No matter what had happened, she had once been my best friend—and a part of me knew she always would be.
As if sensing someone was there, she looked up. Our eyes met. Her gaze was cold, filled with pain. I wanted to run to her, to hug her and promise her it would all be okay—but I held back.
Instead, I turned my gaze to the street as the rain carved tiny rivers in the dirt. And I clenched my fists behind me.
…
A/N: What do you think of the chapter, guys?