The Illusion of Us

Chapter 12: Shattered

It began with something as small as can be. Always does, doesn't it? A passing glance, a throwaway remark, a conversation turned ugly by envy. But that careless moment quickly spiralled out of control into something much darker.

It was Thursday afternoon, and I had just finished my session with Daniel. We were in the library, once again bent over books, surrounded by the quiet hum of students hard at work. Lately, though, studying together had become a regular thing, for I liked the way he made things seem simple, but he liked my straightforward approach to academics, and it seemed like we worked well together.

As I started packing up some stuff, Daniel turned his head towards me and ground his teeth into a disarming grin. "You know, you're going to ace this bio test. I'm convinced you're secretly a genius."

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Hardly. I just work hard."

He shook his head. "Seriously, Elaine, you've got this. Maybe you should tutor me full-time."

I was going to say something to him, laugh at that, but then noticed Felix who stood out of the windowpane of the library, staring fixedly at us without an expression on his face. Shivers crawled down my spine. I waved at him, showing come inside. He didn't. He turned sharply and walked away.

My stomach twisted. Something was wrong.

"Everything alright?" Daniel asked, his concern flicking up on his face.

"Yeah," I answered quickly, forcing a smile. "Just… Felix is here. I should go catch up with him."

Daniel nodded, softening his expression a little. "Okay. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow," I echoed, though I'd already turned my thoughts to Felix's retreating back and was hurrying after him, catching up just outside the library.

"Felix, wait!"

He stopped, but did not turn around, his posture stiff. When he finally did face me, the look in his eyes was something I hadn't seen before. Cold. Distant.

"Are we okay?" I asked my voice hesitant.

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Are we okay? Really, Elaine? Do you not see what's going on?"

I blinked, taken aback by his tone. "What do you mean? We just finished studying."

"Studying," he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's what you call it?"

My heart sank. "Felix, what are you talking about?"

"You and Daniel!" he snapped, his voice rising, causing a few heads to turn in the hallway. "You think I don't see it? How close you two have gotten? How much time you spend with him?"

I stare and find my voice petrified. "He's just a friend, Felix. We study together."

"Really?" he sneered. "Just a friend. That's what they all say."

The words cut through me like a knife, and my chest feels a knot twist up in my anxiety. "Felix, please, you're overreacting. You know you're the only one I care about."

"Do I?" he shot back, moving closer, low in voice, menacing. "Because it doesn't feel that way. Every time I turn around, you're with him. Laughing. Smiling. Studying. You make time for him, but when's the last time we had a moment like that?"

I should have felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back, not wanting to cry in front of him. "Felix, we spend time together. I love you. Why can't you see that?"