unveiled hearts

Beginnings in the Shadows

The school day wore on, and Jayden leaned against the lockers, her burnt straightened hair catching the last rays of daylight. Rowen, her best friend, stood beside her, their laughter resonating through the emptying hallways.

"Hey, Jayden, you up for a movie night at my place this Tonight?" Rowen asked, her eyes reflecting the comfort of familiarity.

Before Jayden could respond, a familiar voice interrupted, "Hey, my little witch nose hoe." It was Daruis, Jayden's boyfriend, casually approaching with a smirk.

Rowen's smile faltered as Daruis wrapped an arm around Jayden, watching as a roach climbed from Daruis's hair and onto Jayden. The easy camaraderie between Jayden and Rowen shifted in the presence of someone who had never been part of their intimate world.

"Hey, Dairy Doo," Jayden greeted him, glancing at Rowen with a subtle apology that only Rowen seemed to catch.

"I was thinking we could catch a movie this Today," Daruis suggested, his eyes fixed on Jayden.

Rowen, feeling like an outsider in the exchange, bit her lip, feigning a nonchalant smile. "Sounds like a plan. Maybe next time, Jayden," she said, her words more casual than she felt.

As Daruis and Jayden walked away, Rowen couldn't shake the unexpected pang of jealousy. The laughter that once bound them now felt like an echo from a distant past.

Rowen decided to ignore thr deep feelings inside of her chest and continue on with her day. Which consisted of going home, watching Jayden pee through the secert cameras, getting ready, and head to Jayden's house.

At Jayden's house, Rowen joined them for a movie night that felt different. The easy banter was replaced by a subtle undercurrent of tension. Jayden sat on the couch between Daruis and Rowen, the space that used to be just theirs now invaded by a presence that felt intrusive.

The movie played on, but Rowen's mind wandered. She tried to brush off the unfamiliar feelings, reminding herself they were just friends. Yet, as Daruis draped his arm around Jayden and another roach crawls from Daruis onto Jayden, Rowen couldn't shake the knot in her stomach.

As the credits rolled, Jayden walked Daruis to the door, leaving Rowen alone in the living room. The air crackled with unspoken words when Jayden returned.

"Everything okay?" Rowen asked, attempting a nonchalant tone.

Jayden hesitated before responding, "Yeah, just some stuff with Jake. He's been acting weird lately."

Rowen masked her relief with a sympathetic look. "You'll figure it out."

The night ended with an unspoken tension lingering between them, setting the stage for what felt like an impending storm.