𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒

The Second Wall Fell

Soon enough, the week of our finals rolled around — and right alongside it came the announcement of the biggest event of our department. Everything shifted into full swing. We were all part of the event management team: Ethan, Mia, me, Tarren, and his group of friends.

It wasn't just any event.
It was a tech-based departmental showcase, deeply tied to our field. A huge opportunity for us to gain exposure, build connections, and understand the kind of world we were stepping into beyond the university walls. Real experience, real pressure, real preparation for the future.

For me, it felt like the perfect moment to finally step out of my comfort zone. I still remember what Ethan said to me that day — "You're the only one who can pull yourself out of the mess you're in."

And he was right.

The mess my ex left behind.
The walls I'd built so high.
The cage I locked myself into without even realizing it.

It felt like life was finally giving me a shot to breathe again. What I didn't know was... fate had already thrown me into it before I could prepare.

We were each assigned our roles. On Day 1, Mia, Ethan, and I went to another university to invite them to our event — for collaboration, for outreach, and most importantly, to raise funds. It was necessary, and honestly, it went better than expected. I felt calm — safe, even — with Mia and Ethan by my side. They made things feel light. Effortless.

Everything was finally going okay.

But then the new year started. And with it came that date.

One of the worst traits about me? I remember dates. Every single one. The day something happened, the hour even. I remember birthdays of people I should've forgotten long ago. People who don't even think of me once. But I remember. I always do.

So when January 3rd came... it hit like a storm.

It started with Mia being assigned to another university that day. Ethan couldn't come for half the day either. And the final blow? I got paired with Tarren — just me and him — to sit at the round table we had put up for event advertising. We were supposed to guide students, tell them about the event, get them to participate.

It sounds boring. Draining. Awkward.
But it was the one way we were all pushing ourselves to show up — to build confidence, to grow, to finally be seen in a field that still felt so massive and intimidating.

The only problem?

Tarren.

I've always felt like he couldn't stand me. He only ever talks to Mia — like only her — and acts like I don't even exist. Like I'm invisible. And that... that does something to me that I can't explain — and it's not good.

I was convinced he wouldn't come.

And that meant I'd be stuck there — alone — for four hours. Four long hours. That's when the panic really kicked in. What if that creep came back? What if someone else came up and made me feel unsafe again?

Winters make our campus feel almost haunted. It's so quiet in the morning — too quiet. All the classes are locked to keep the wind out, doors sealed shut. It doesn't feel calm — it feels wrong. Like something bad could happen, and no one would even hear it.

And then, everything just spiraled.

Before I knew it, a full-blown panic attack came crashing over me. The kind that feels like your chest is too tight to breathe, like your hands don't know what to do anymore, like you're drowning in your own thoughts.

I never thought I'd let Ethan or Mia see me like that. I was always the strong one. The level-headed one. The "mature" one.

Mia was the butterfly — full of light and laughter and energy.
But me? I was the stable one. Or so I thought.

And here I was — breaking down, texting them that I didn't think I could come.

It was like all the pretending caught up with me.
Every time I said "I'm fine,"
Every time I laughed and shrugged like I was over my breakup,
Every time I tried to act like I didn't care...

All of it came crashing down at once.

Why was I crying like this?
Why was I telling them I couldn't do it?

If Tarren didn't want to come, fine. But why was that making me feel this helpless?
This wasn't me — not a few months ago.
I used to be so self-sufficient. So grounded. So sure of who I was.

And now? Now I felt like I didn't recognize myself.

Ethan and Mia tried everything to calm me down.
They talked to me gently.
Tried to soothe me.
Tried distracting me, grounding me, reminding me that I was safe.

But nothing worked.

So Mia... did the one thing her heart told her to do.

She messaged Tarren.
Told him I was panicking.
Told him I didn't want to be alone.
Told him I was scared — that the guy who made me feel unsafe might show up again.

And Tarren replied. Without hesitation. Without drama. Just quiet certainty.

"I'll come. Don't worry. I won't leave her alone — not even for a second."

And the second I heard that... something loosened in my chest.

I felt my breathing settle. My hands stop trembling. My head stop spinning.
It was like hearing that he was coming flipped a switch in me.

For the first time in hours... I felt relief.
Because I wouldn't have to do it alone.
Because someone would be there.

But somewhere deeper than that... I just felt safe.
Because for the first time in a long time — someone chose to show up.
Without me begging.
Without making me feel like a burden.

And not just anyone.
Him.

And that... that was a big thing for me.
For Tate.

Because I've been the girl who was constantly let down.
The girl who begged just to feel seen.
Who only ever wanted time, attention, effort — basic things. And still... was made to feel like asking for that was too much.

I had someone once — someone who twisted love into something painful.
Who made me feel guilty for simply wanting to talk.
Who punished me emotionally just for needing him.
Who made me feel like a burden just for existing in his world.

So to stand here — a year later — and see someone come for me?
Stand up for me?
Without me having to ask twice?

It shook something in me.
Something that had gone numb.
And suddenly, the weight of it all didn't feel so heavy anymore.