The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 30: Falling Together

The sun hung low in the sky as I trudged home from school with Marie, our usual route littered with golden leaves that crunched beneath our feet. Each step felt like time was throwing me a bone, the rich, earthy scent of autumn wrapping around us like a slightly suffocating hug, hinting at the chill of the hellish winter to come. I found myself glancing at Marie more often than I meant to, mesmerized by the way sunlight played in her dark hair, strands glimmering like stolen treasure. Every time she laughed, it rang out in the crisp air, echoing like a siren's call—tugging at something deep and messy inside me that I usually buried under layers of sarcasm and dark thoughts.

As we approached a small park wedged between two blocks, an unexpected urge to stop washed over me. Usually, I saw the park as a lame pit stop, just another place to navigate through on our boring journey home. But today? Today felt different. The leaves clinging to the trees blazed with colors that looked like they were auditioning for some fantasy movie, vibrant enough to knock my eye out.

"Want to take a quick detour?" I asked, my voice wavering like a tightrope walker who'd just realized the ground was made of knives.

Marie's face lit up with a smile that could probably melt glaciers. "Sure! I could use a break from the books. Let's see if we can find something fun to do—like play hopscotch on a bed of nails."

Her enthusiasm sent a jolt of warmth through me, and as we entered the park, the fading sunlight poured through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground like some sickly sweet fairy tale. The world outside faded into a gentle murmur, and it felt almost magical—time slowing down just for us. With every step, I felt the weight of my defenses loosening, like a sunbeam melting the frost off a locked door.

We wandered down a winding path surrounded by trees dressed in their autumn best. Their leaves whispered secrets as they rustled in the breeze, and I could almost imagine the stories they held, twisted and dark. We settled onto a bench surrounded by the riot of fall colors, leaves rustling softly, greeting us like old friends. I fiddled with my backpack strap, my mind racing with unspoken thoughts. The bench creaked slightly beneath us, a sturdy reminder that even the fragile state of my emotions needed a place to rest. "So, what do you think of the English assignment?" I asked, desperate to divert the conversation away from anything too personal—like my unending existential dread.

Marie shrugged, her expression dramatically contemplative. "I think I'm going to ace it, thanks to my genius study partner. Seriously, you're like a walking encyclopedia of angst."

I rolled my eyes, a grin breaking through my usual facade. "Yeah, right. You're just using me for my charming personality. Who wouldn't want to hear my thoughts on the bleakness of high school life?"

She leaned in slightly, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Honestly? I think your perspective is unique. How many people can turn an assignment into a full-blown crisis of existence?"

My cheeks warmed at the compliment, the weight of it settling in my chest like a brick dipped in chocolate. "Thanks, I guess. But don't get too used to it; it's all just a clever act to keep the masses entertained."

"Maybe so, but it's a captivating act," she replied, her voice soft but teasing, as she studied my profile. The way she looked at me—like she could see past my carefully curated chaos—made my heart race in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.

The moment lingered, and I caught myself stealing glances at Marie, my heartbeat quickening with each one. It felt like something more was brewing between us, a current that pulled us closer, yet I hesitated, acutely aware of the vulnerability lurking just beneath the surface.

"Do you ever think about what happens next?" I asked suddenly, my voice low and thoughtful, fingers nervously toying with a loose thread on my sleeve, wishing it would just unravel and take me with it.