Twisted Fates

Truth Hurts

New York. Six months ago.

"I thought we were on the same page, Noah," I said, my voice trembling as I stared up at him. "You told me—"

"I was wrong," he interrupted, his tone sharp and cold, so unlike him. "This... this was a mistake, Sofia. You and me? It's not going to work."

I blinked, my chest tightening as his words hit me like a brick wall. "A mistake? Is that all I am to you?"

His jaw clenched, his expression unreadable. "You're better off without me. Just... let it go."

"No," I said, my voice breaking. "Don't do this. Don't push me away."

But he already had. The look in his eyes was distant, detached, as if he'd already walked out of my life before he'd even turned to leave.

"Goodbye, Sofia," he said, and with that, he was gone.

Present day.

The memory still stung, no matter how much I tried to bury it. But I didn't have time to dwell on it as I stood outside the dressing room with my friends, their laughter pulling me back to the present.

Sam twirled in front of us, showing off a new dress that sparkled under the fluorescent lights. "What do we think? Party material?"

"Totally," I said, forcing a grin.

"Definitely," Marissa added. "But you better not spill anything on it this time."

Sam rolled her eyes, and we all burst out laughing. For the first time in a while, I felt like I could breathe again.

As we walked out of the store, bags in hand, I almost didn't notice Ethan until he called my name.

"Sofia?"

I turned, my heart skipping a beat when I saw him. He was wearing his café uniform, but somehow he still managed to look effortlessly handsome.

"Oh, hey," I said, trying to sound casual.

He smiled, the kind of smile that made my stomach flip. "Funny running into you here."

"Yeah, small world," I said, feeling suddenly awkward under his gaze.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, I've been meaning to ask—would you want to grab dinner sometime?"

I blinked, surprised but not unpleasantly so. "Like... a date?"

"Yeah," he said, his smile widening.

"Sure," I said, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest.

"Great. I'll text you."

I nodded, feeling my friends' stares burning into the back of my head as he walked away.

Later that night, I came home after dinner with Ethan, my cheeks sore from smiling. He was charming, sweet, and everything I thought I wanted.

But as I unlocked the door to my apartment, I heard it.

A giggle.

It came from Noah's door, followed by a loud smack and more laughter.

I froze, my stomach twisting as a girl's voice rang out, playful and teasing.

"You're so bad," she said, her tone dripping with flirtation.

I turned sharply, scoffing under my breath as I stormed inside. My good mood from the date vanished in an instant, replaced by a familiar ache in my chest.

Before I could even close my door, Noah appeared in the hallway.

"Sofia," he said, his voice softer than I expected. "Wait."

I stopped, turning to glare at him. "What?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking almost... unsure. "About the other night... I'm sorry."

I blinked, the words catching me off guard. Noah Richards apologizing? It didn't feel real.

But I wasn't about to let my guard down. "Good for you," I said coldly, slamming the door in his face.

I sank to the floor, the weight of everything crashing down on me. The memory of New York, the party, Ethan, and now this—it was too much.

The tears came fast and hard, and I reached for my phone with shaking hands.

"Hello?" Athena's voice was groggy but concerned.

"I need you," I said, my voice breaking. "Can you come here? Please?"

Athena didn't hesitate. "I'll book a flight first thing in the morning."

"Thank you," I whispered, clutching the phone like a lifeline.

When the call ended, I sat there on the floor, the silence of the apartment wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket.

I didn't know how much longer I could keep pretending I was okay.