Soon, it was break time. Sarah and Dora headed to the cafeteria. They picked up their food and found a seat.
As they began eating, Stella walked over.
"Hey," Stella said, looking straight at Sarah.
"How may I help you?" Sarah replied coolly.
"How do you know Shane?" Stella asked, arms crossed.
"I don't know him," Sarah replied calmly.
"He asked me about you. Said he knows you," Stella insisted.
"We met once, that's all," Sarah said, barely lifting her gaze.
"Well, I like him—and that's it. You don't usually talk to the guys in our class, so don't talk to him." Stella warned, her voice low but firm.
"I'm not interested in him," Sarah replied, unfazed.
Stella scoffed and walked away with her usual entourage.
"What was that about?" Dora asked.
"Let's just talk after school," Sarah mumbled.
"Alright, let's head back to class," Dora said, and they both got up.
On the way back, they noticed a crowd forming in the hallway.
"Let's check it out," Dora suggested, curious.
"No, let's just go to class," Sarah replied, but it was too late.
From the center of the crowd, a voice rang out.
"The girl I like is Sarah Williams," the new guy announced.
Everyone turned to stare at her.
"What?! You like me?" Sarah asked, stunned.
"Give dating a try," Dora whispered, nudging her.
"Yes, I like you," the boy confirmed.
"You liked the wrong person," Sarah said coldly, then walked away. Dora ran after her.
SARAH'S POV
They say love is beautiful. That it heals, awakens, transforms.
But no one talks about how it kills.
I don't fall in love.
I can't.
Not because I fear heartbreak or rejection or all the teenage drama my classmates chase like it's candy, but because my love is a loaded gun.
And I've pulled the trigger before.
I don't date. I don't flirt. I don't trust love. It's easier this way. Safer—for everyone.
The first time it happened, I was eight. A boy gave me a lollipop and kissed my cheek at recess. That evening, he was hit by a car and broke both legs.
At thirteen, I liked a boy in my literature class. He suddenly started coughing blood in the middle of class and never came back.
And then... there was Noah.
Sweet, golden-hearted Noah.
He kissed me behind the library steps.
Three days later, he drowned in his family's pool. No drugs. No injuries. No explanation. Just... gone.
Since then, I've built walls. I stay quiet. Unseen. Emotionally buckled in. I avoid eye contact. I smile just enough to survive the day. And I never feel too deeply.
Five days ago, I turned 18. And since then, I've been dreaming of a witch—telling me I belonged to her.
"You shouldn't have rejected him like that," Dora said softly, linking her arm in mine.
"We both know why," I replied.
"It's fine, baby girl. I'll always protect you," she said, hugging me. I smiled faintly.
Dora has always been my anchor—the one I can rely on. We returned to class, ignoring the whispers. I knew they were talking about the scene in the hallway, but I didn't care. I was protecting them. From me.
Stella was clearly trying to get Shane's attention now. Not that I cared.
After school, Dora turned to me.
"Twinnie, I can't go with you today."
"Why?" I asked.
"Jake's mom is sick. I promised to check on her."
"Okay. I'll be fine, so don't worry about me," I said with a small smile.
When I got home, Mom was dressed in her nurse uniform.
"You're off to the clinic?" I asked.
"Yes, dear. Night shift today. Take care of Chris for me."
"Alright, Mom. Bye."
After she left, I took a bath and dozed off. In the evening, I went to the comic shop.
"Good evening, sir," I greeted the shop owner.
"Evening, Sarah."
"Is Full House Season Five out?" I asked eagerly.
"Yes, it's on the shelf."
"Are there two copies? I want one for Dora too."
"Only one copy's available."
"Okay, thanks." I rushed toward the shelf—just as another hand reached for the same book. I glanced up. The person wore a face cap and a nose mask. He looked oddly familiar.
"Let go," I said.
"You let go first," he replied.
"I already paid. I'm renting it for three days. You can read it after that," I said.
"Your money can be refunded," he said coolly.
"Can't you be a gentleman for once?" I snapped.
"There's another copy at the front table," the owner called out.
"Go get it," Shane said.
"You go get it," I shot back, and he finally let go.
"Where's the front table copy?" he asked the owner.
"There is none. I said that so one of you would back off," the owner replied. I smirked.
"I'll return it in six days. Then you can borrow it," I said smugly.
"Fine. Register my name. I'll pay," the guy said.
"Name?" the owner asked.
"Shane Allen," he replied.
"You!" I gasped. "Were you stalking me?"
"I should be the one saying that," he said.
"Then why the face mask and cap?"
Without waiting, I pulled his mask down and lifted his cap. My heart skipped.
"I shouldn't fall for him," I whispered, turning and running out.
"Hey!" he yelled and chased after me.
I didn't stop.
Eventually, I slowed down. Then, out of nowhere, I felt strong arms wrap around my neck. I turned, ready to scream—but it was just my little brother, Chris.
"Are you mad?!" I snapped.
"You can't hit me. I'm taller than you," he joked.
I gave him a light pat. "What's up?"
"Can you come to the stadium tomorrow?"
"Why? I thought you were into swimming."
"My friends don't believe we're siblings. One of them's playing tomorrow, so they asked me to bring you."
"I'm busy," I said.
"I'll do anything you want," he pleaded.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Deal?"
"Deal."
He pulled me into a side hug.
"Can you invite Dora too?" he asked.
"Why?"
"Just do it, sis."
"Alright," I said as we walked home together.
SHANE'S POV
I ran after Sarah, but from a distance, I saw her in the arms of some guy. He held her close. They looked... intimate.
I wanted to scream her name but stopped myself.
Were they dating?
I wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying, but I did what any guy would do—
I took a photo.
And I went home.