𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 18+

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑

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LIZZIE
ROSEWOOD
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Sitting alone in the cafeteria, I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on me, like a dark cloud that refused to lift. I hadn't responded to Aiden's countless attempts to reach out, and for once, I was proud of that. Roses, gifts, endless texts—none of it mattered. It was all empty gestures, hollow apologies that couldn't erase the betrayal.

Loren. Why did it have to be her? The thought of them together made me sick. Was she really better than me? With her fake blonde hair and the way she acted like she was on top of the world? It felt like the universe was laughing at me, mocking me for being so naive.

Walking through the halls was unbearable. The stares, the whispers—everyone knew. Aiden and Astor were absent, probably hiding from the fallout, and Ana... God, Ana. I missed her so much, but how could I forgive her for keeping something like this from me? She tried to explain in a long text, said she was trying to protect me. But if she had really cared, wouldn't she have warned me?

The only person I answered was Ryke. Somehow, he always knew how to cut through the noise, to get to the heart of things without making a big deal out of it. His texts were blunt but comforting in their own way.

RYKE:
I heard about what happened. Don't let it get to your head, crazy girl. Don't ruin what we have over them, we're still friends, yeah?

Friends. Ryke never got involved in the drama, never cared about Loren's games or anyone else's. He stayed on the sidelines, and for that, I was grateful. He didn't push me to talk about it, didn't offer false platitudes. He just... existed in the space where I needed someone.

LIZ:
I'm not crazy, stop calling me that. And no, Ryke, me and you are okay. You didn't know, right?

I knew he didn't. Ryke wasn't the type to get wrapped up in other people's messes. He was indifferent to it all, and in a way, I admired that. It made him feel safe.

RYKE:
Nah, don't give a fuck about Loren and her playing around for revenge. And you are crazy, to me.

LIZ:
You're making me laugh through tears. I'm a threat to you? Wow.

RYKE:
Don't cry.

A shadow fell over me, and Ryke appeared, taking a seat beside me. "Hey, Lizzie," he muttered, pulling out his phone and glancing at me.

"Hey, Ryke," I said softly, barely lifting my eyes to meet his.

"Give me back my glittery loud girl. This sadness shit you're doing isn't good for my health." He pointed at me, his tone light, but I could tell there was more behind it. "Lizzie, Aiden is my best friend, but seriously, reflect on what he's doing. Go have fun. You're not this."

I shrugged, staring down at the table. "I loved him. I still do," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just go kiss another guy and pretend it'll be okay."

"I'll volunteer as tribute," Ryke joked, winking at me. "But seriously, get over him. Go find yourself a new victim to break like you used to be."

I sighed, feeling the weight of it all press down on my chest. "What if he gets mad?"

Ryke leaned in, his voice dropping a little. "Then you've got someone to protect you." He pointed at himself. "Aiden is a dick, but he won't hurt you. He'll probably hurt whoever you go out with, though."

"He already did," I muttered under my breath.

Ryke's eyes narrowed. "Did what?"

"Hurt me."

The usual teasing expression on his face faltered, replaced with something more serious, more real. "Lizzie..." He leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean it like that. I know you're hurt, and I know it's not as easy as just moving on. I'm not saying it should be."

I stared at my hands, fingers tracing the edges of my sleeves. "He's not the guy I thought he was. It's like I loved a version of him that doesn't exist anymore, but I don't know how to let go. I don't even know if I want to."

Ryke stayed quiet for a second, then spoke softly. "You deserve better, Lizzie. Even if you don't believe that yet, you do. What he did with Loren—that's on him. It's not a reflection of you."

I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears I could feel welling up again. "I just don't understand how someone can say they love you and still hurt you like that. How can he cheat and still expect me to forgive him?"

Ryke shifted, his voice gentle but firm. "People do stupid shit, even people who claim they love you. But that doesn't mean you should keep taking the hit. You're not supposed to stay broken just because someone you love keeps breaking you."

His words hit me harder than I expected, like a reality check I didn't know I needed. I glanced over at him, really noticing the rare seriousness in his eyes. Ryke was usually all jokes, always sarcastic. But right now, he was real, and it shook me a little.

"He's not worth this, Lizzie. You gotta let him go."

Let him go?

Oh, God.

I have to let the guy I loved and was attached to since I was a child go.

Aiden, I have to let you go.

Loren got the one thing that I wanted.

My heart.
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