Unraveled Threads

Chapter 26: Prom.

Mia and Reece went on their date, but Mia was on edge the entire time. The weight of her guilt hung heavily over her, making it impossible for her to fully enjoy the evening. She tried to push the feelings aside, but they kept creeping back, gnawing at her conscience.

Reece noticed the change in her demeanor. He reached out, gently placing his hand on hers. "You okay, Mia?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

Mia forced a smile, trying to brush off his worry. "I'm fine," she responded dismissively, hoping he wouldn't press further. But even as she said the words, she knew they were a lie, and the guilt only grew stronger.

Meanwhile, Autumn was bubbling with excitement, eagerly watching the clock as it ticked closer to 7 p.m. Every minute felt like an eternity as she imagined how the night would unfold. She couldn't stop smiling, her heart racing with anticipation for her date to arrive. The thought of spending the evening with Kyle, dressed in the stunning outfit Mia had helped her put together, made her feel more confident and beautiful than she had in a long time. All she could think about was how perfect everything was going to be.

At 7 p.m., just as Reece and Mia were arriving back home, they spotted a figure standing at the front door. Reece squinted, recognizing Kenny, a 20-year-old supply deliverer, casually leaning against the doorframe.

"What are you doing here?!" Reece called out, his voice sharp with surprise and a hint of suspicion.

Kenny turned, smiling nonchalantly. "I'm here to pick up Autumn Knight for prom," he replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Reece's eyes widened in disbelief. "You? For prom? With Autumn?" He glanced at Mia, who stood frozen beside him, her expression unreadable.

Kenny nodded confidently. "Yeah, she's my date tonight." His words hung in the air, creating an awkward tension that Reece couldn't shake.

"She's 15," Reece said coldly, his eyes narrowing as anger surged through him. Without hesitation, he shoved Kenny hard, sending him stumbling backward. Kenny's feet slipped, and he tumbled down the stairs, landing with a heavy thud at the bottom.

Mia stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. The shock of the situation paralyzed her, leaving her unable to move or react as the scene unfolded.

Just as Kenny scrambled to his feet, ready to flee, the door swung open, and Autumn stepped out, her eyes bright with anticipation. She looked around, her gaze landing on Reece, who stood with a frown on his face, holding a wilted bouquet of flowers.

As Reece opened his mouth to explain, he saw the light drain from Autumn's eyes. Her breathing quickened, and she stared at him with a mix of sadness and anger. The betrayal she felt was evident in her expression, and the weight of it hit Reece like a punch to the gut.

"Never talk to me again," Autumn said, her voice trembling with emotion before she turned and bolted up the stairs, leaving Reece standing there in stunned silence, the dead bouquet still clutched in his hands. He could hear her footsteps echoing in the hallway above, each one a painful reminder of the damage done.

Mia slowly ascended the steps, her heart heavy with the weight of what had just transpired. Reaching Reece, she gently placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort despite her own guilt gnawing at her.

"Don't worry about her," Mia said softly, forcing reassurance into her voice. "She's just upset."

But deep down, Mia knew it wasn't that simple. The pain in Autumn's eyes, the way she had run off without looking back—it all told a different story, one that couldn't be so easily dismissed.

"I'm gonna go explain everything," Reece said, determination in his voice as he tried to walk inside.

But before he could take another step, Mia grabbed his wrist, holding him back. "Reece, don't," she said, her voice light and playful, though her words carried a hidden edge. "She's upset, and you know you'd probably go to prison if I told anyone about this."

The playful tone belied the seriousness of her words, but Reece could sense the underlying threat. He looked at her, confusion and frustration mingling in his eyes. Mia held his gaze, trying to maintain the facade, even as the weight of everything threatened to crush her from within.