Victim

We're just friends!

Malia's POV

I'm curled up in bed, reading, when a text from Kylie pops up.

Draculaura: Everything went well. Ruby and I are good again.

Me: Proud of you<3

Draculaura: Thank you for pushing me.

Me: That's what friends are for.

Draculaura: Yeah that's what friends are for...

A little warmth blooms in my chest. I'm genuinely happy that Kylie and Ruby have patched things up. At the party, they seemed so perfectly in sync, like they were made to be each other's friends. Smiling, I grab my phone and hurry into Momona's room, holding it up like a trophy.

"Momona, look! Kylie and Ruby made up!" I say proudly, my voice bright with excitement.

"Good, that's nice," she replies, taking my phone and squinting at the messages. Her eyebrows raise, and a sly smile appears. "'That's what friends are for?'"

"What? It's true, isn't it?" I reply, confused, but she just stares at me with a smirk.

"Malia, you are so clueless, oh my god," she laughs, shaking her head like she's about to break some big secret.

"W-what? Kylie and I are friends, right?" I stammer. "I mean, sure, I've only known her for four days, but I think it's safe to say we're friends."

"Mhmm. Friends..." she says, drawing out the word with an amused look.

"Momona," I say, exasperated.

"Oh, come on, Malia," she sighs, still laughing a little. "'The Hola Mami, the you look divine—even though you were just wearing the most basic outfit ever? And her only going to class with Dior and Ruby because you asked her?"

My stomach flips. Shoot, I promised Kylie I'd talk to Dior for her. Quickly, I unlock my phone and open my chat with Dior. "And all those flirty comments? She's a natural flirt—you know that. I think you're reading into it too much," I say while typing, but I can feel Momona's eye-roll from across the room.

Me: Hey D, can we talk?

Dior: Sure, but I'm at Xóchitl's rn...

Me: No problem, I'll just come to her dorm. I need to check in with her as well.

Dior: Alr

"Okay, Mo, I'm heading to Xó's dorm. Dior's there, alright?" I tell her as I stand up. But as I turn to leave, I notice the playful sparkle in her eyes is gone, replaced by a sadness that creeps across her face. Her eyes look glossy, almost on the edge of tears.

"Sure..." she whispers, her voice barely audible. "Could you check if Xóchitl's doing okay?" Her voice wavers, and it's clear she's fighting back tears. Seeing her like this breaks my heart. She's torn, trying to balance her feelings with her own logic, caught between what her heart wants and what her mind says she should do.

I give her a soft, reassuring smile. "You can come with me if you want. Check on her yourself?" I offer gently, trying to be supportive without pushing her too hard. She knows what's best for herself.

She considers it, and for a moment, I think she might come. But then she shakes her head, swallowing hard. "We agreed on a break," she says quietly, her voice cracking just a little.

I just nod, understanding. Sometimes, silence is all someone needs. Giving her one last sympathetic look, I leave her room without another word, hoping my quiet support is enough.