Pieces Of Grace

Chapter 9

I walked into school with Alya, the weight of my dad's coma still heavy on my heart. Everything felt surreal, like I was moving through a dream. Alya stayed close, her presence a silent support as we navigated the hallways. The usual buzz of school life seemed distant, a world I was barely connected to anymore.

As we approached our lockers, my eyes drifted to where Kyle usually stood with his friends. My heart skipped a beat, but then my gaze froze. There, leaning against the lockers next to Kyle, was Lily.

Lily, with her perfect hair and flawless smile, was practically draped over Kyle. She giggled at something he said, her hand resting on his arm. My stomach churned. It felt like a punch to the gut.

I turned on my heel, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. "Let's go," I muttered to Alya, already walking away.

Alya glanced between me and the scene unfolding by the lockers. "Alice, wait—"

"I can't, Alya," I said, my voice tight. "I just can't." I walked away quickly, not waiting for a response.

"Go to class," Alya called after me. "I'll catch up with you later."

I didn't look back, my heart feeling like it was breaking all over again. I ducked into the nearest bathroom, locking myself in a stall. I leaned against the door, taking deep, shaky breaths. How could Kyle forget about me so quickly? Had he ever really cared at all?

Meanwhile, I imagined Alya staying behind, keeping a careful eye on Kyle and Lily. I hoped she would set Lily straight, but I couldn't bear to stay and watch.

I tried to focus on calming myself down, but my mind kept racing. Why did it always have to be Lily? She had everything – looks, confidence, and now it seemed, Kyle's attention. The thought made me sick.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I finally left the stall. I washed my face and took a deep breath, trying to compose myself before heading to class. As I walked through the halls, I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and hurt.

Alya caught up with me later, her expression fierce. "Alice, you wouldn't believe what just happened," she said, pulling me aside.

"What?" I asked, my heart heavy with dread.

"Kyle told Lily he wasn't interested," Alya said, her eyes flashing with anger. "He told her he loves someone else."

I felt a flicker of hope, but it was quickly extinguished by doubt. "And Lily?"

"She didn't care," Alya said, her voice shaking with frustration. "She kept flirting with him, even after he rejected her. I almost fought her, Alice. I wanted to punch her so badly."

I looked down, my heart aching. "It doesn't matter, Alya. He still didn't come after me."

"Maybe he didn't see you leave," Alya suggested, but I could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

"Maybe," I said quietly, not entirely convinced.

As we walked to class, I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness inside me. Kyle's rejection of Lily should have made me feel better, but it didn't. All I could think about was how easily I had walked away, and how he hadn't come after me.

Maybe he really didn't care as much as I had hoped