Forgotten (Falls Elite #1)

28

Lex

Saturday arrives sooner than I'd like, the hours blending together until it's time to get up and face the day. But when the shrill wail of my alarm rips me from sleep, I groan, slapping my hand over the clock. I didn't even need to set it; I've got nowhere to be. I collapse back onto my pillow, letting my eyes drift shut, but my mind won't let me sink back into sleep.

Instead, I reach for my phone, scrolling through social media, checking for anything remotely interesting. After an hour of aimlessly flicking my thumb across the screen, I switch to watching One Tree Hill. I let it play, smiling as Nathan and Haley have one of their sweeter scenes. They're so solid, so genuine together—it's hard not to feel a pang of envy.

Eventually, boredom drags me out of bed. Sunlight filters through the gap between my curtains, highlighting every detail in my messy room, and I decide a long, hot shower is exactly what I need. I head to the bathroom, turn the faucet, and wait until the water heats up before stepping in.

As the lukewarm water trickles down my back, it's as if all my stress is rinsing away with it. I let my mind drift, focusing on the steady rhythm of water hitting my shoulders. Every worry, every nagging thought—gone, just for a moment. I don't think I've had such a relaxing shower in ages. Time slips by, and I finally step out, wrapping myself in a towel and letting the warmth linger.

With my hair wrapped up in a towel, I open the bathroom door, but stop abruptly when I walk smack into someone standing right outside.

I grunt by the sudden inpact. my face heating up as I realize who it is. I take a step back, looking up to meet a pair of familiar brown eyes.

Felix Sullivan. Nadia's boyfriend, and the school's prized quarterback. But why is he here, right outside the bathroom? My heart thuds painfully against my ribcage as I process what's happening. Felix's face is flushed, but he doesn't say a word, instead giving me a strange, almost embarrassed look.

Before I can even gather my thoughts, a door across the hall opens, and I turn to see Pearl step out of her bedroom. She freezes when she sees me standing there with Felix, her face going from a rosy glow to ghostly pale in a second.

"Babe," she says softly, her gaze flicking nervously between Felix and me. "What's taking you so long?"

I blink, too stunned to react. "Babe"? Pearl's voice wobbles, and the full reality of the situation slams into me, twisting in my gut. Felix wasn't here with Nadia, he was here... for her.

A nauseating mix of shock and anger rises up inside me as I look between them. The hallway feels smaller, like the walls are closing in, but somehow, my mind sharpens, fitting together pieces of an all-too-familiar puzzle.

Pearl, my sister, the girl with a reputation for sticking her nose—and sometimes a lot more—where it doesn't belong. And Felix, Nadia's boyfriend of four years. I bite back a bitter laugh as I process it. My sister, cheating on her so-called best friend, and Felix, betraying the girl he's been with since sophomore year.

Pearl's eyes dart around nervously, her face plastered with a shaky, forced smile as if hoping I'll pretend this isn't happening. "Lex, it's... I mean, I was just..." Her words fizzle out, leaving a thick silence between us.

I cross my arms, giving her a level stare. I can't help but feel a twisted satisfaction watching her squirm. She's put herself in this position so many times, and it's always the same story. It's pathetic, really. There's no pity, no disappointment. Just a resigned acceptance of who she's decided to be.

My voice comes out colder than I intend. "Wow, Pearl," I say, raising an eyebrow. "Couldn't resist, huh? Or maybe you just like the thrill of going after what's not yours?"

Pearl's face crumples, but she doesn't say anything. Felix shifts awkwardly beside her, a nervous hand running through his hair, but he remains silent as well, unwilling to face the situation he's created.

I scoff, glancing at him with contempt. "Nadia's been your girlfriend for years, and this is what she gets? For what? To stroke your ego?"

Felix's face flushes with shame, but he doesn't offer an explanation. It's just silence, thick and uncomfortable. Pearl's lip quivers, and I can see her trying to muster some kind of defense, but no words come. Her shoulders slump, and her expression turns resigned, as if even she knows how this looks, how little there is to say that could justify it.

I've seen this scene play out before with Pearl. She always tries to be the other girl—the one who flirts with unavailable guys, drawn to the thrill of someone else's boyfriend. Even my own.

 She's convinced herself it's harmless fun, that it doesn't mean anything, but watching her here, I can see how hollow and miserable it's made her.

"Karma's a real thing, Pearl," I say quietly, looking her in the eye. "You keep putting yourself in this position. Maybe one day you'll figure out why."

I don't wait for an answer. Turning on my heel, I walk back down the hall to my room. The door closes behind me with a soft click, and I lean against it, locking it tight. My heart is still hammering, and I realize I'm trembling slightly, a wave of anger and disbelief crashing over me.

They both stood there, caught red-handed, and neither of them had anything to say. It's almost funny—except it's not. It's just sad, a perfect summary of everything wrong with Pearl's choices. 

Maybe some part of me should feel hurt by her actions, but mostly, I feel numb. Numb, and maybe a little relieved. This time, it wasn't me she tried to betray.

As I sit on the edge of my bed, I wonder how long they've been sneaking around. I wonder how much Nadia knows or suspects, and how much longer they'll all pretend not to notice the cracks in their so-called friendships.

I pick up my phone, scrolling idly through my messages, but the text from Tate catches my eye. He's probably still expecting me to meet him later. But right now, with all this churning in my head, Tate Bell is the last person I want to deal with.

I let my head fall back against the wall, staring up at the ceiling. Today has been a complete wreck, and it's barely started. It's like my life is some twisted soap opera, and I'm trapped as a spectator, watching it all fall apart from a front-row seat.

But at least, for once, I'm not part of the mess.

___

If you don't remember. lexi found Pearl sleeping with her first boyfriend. That is mentioned in chapter 3.