Whispers of the Unbitten. | Katseye FF Sophia x Manon

Chapter 3 : Assembly

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀིྀི

As the group made their way back to Daniela's house, the night air was cooler, the stars twinkling above them like distant memories. Manon walked slowly, her heart still heavy with the weight of what had transpired. Each step felt like a reminder of the betrayal, and she found it hard to shake the bitterness that clung to her.

"Let's get some hot chocolate," Megan suggested, attempting to lighten the mood. She knew that food and warmth could sometimes ease the chill of heartache, if only for a moment. "I think we could all use some comfort right now."

"Yeah, I could definitely use some," Manon replied, her voice still wavering. She appreciated her friends' efforts to distract her, but the ache inside her chest felt insurmountable.

Once they arrived at Daniela's cozy home, the scent of warm cookies wafted through the air. Lara headed straight for the kitchen, ready to prepare the hot chocolate, while Yoonchae, ever the caregiver, wrapped a blanket around Manon's shoulders.

"Just breathe, okay?" Yoonchae said gently, her eyes filled with understanding. "You're safe here."

Manon nodded, taking a deep breath as she sank into the warmth of the blanket. She watched as her friends moved about the kitchen, filling mugs with steaming chocolate and adding whipped cream and sprinkles. Their laughter echoed softly, a stark contrast to the turmoil in her heart.

"Here we go," Lara announced, returning with mugs for everyone. "A little sweetness to combat the bitterness."

As they gathered in the living room, Manon took a tentative sip of her hot chocolate. The warmth spread through her, providing some solace. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the camaraderie, the laughter, and the comfort of her friends. But soon enough, the reality of her situation crept back in.

"Why did she do it?" Manon asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought we were in this together. I trusted her."

The room fell quiet, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Daniela, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Sometimes people make choices that we don't understand. It doesn't make it right, but it does say more about them than it does about you."

"Yeah," Megan added, her brows furrowed in thought. "Sophia might have had her own reasons, but that doesn't excuse the pain she caused."

"I just wish I could have seen it coming," Manon admitted, tears pooling in her eyes once more. "I thought we were building something real."

"You did build something real," Yoonchae interjected, her tone firm. "Just because she betrayed you doesn't mean what you had wasn't genuine. You deserve better, and you will find it."

Feeling the warmth of her friends surrounding her, Manon took another deep breath, letting their words wash over her. "I just don't know if I can forgive her," she confessed, her voice trembling. "It hurts too much."

"Forgiveness takes time," Daniela reassured her. "And it's okay to feel hurt. You're allowed to grieve what you lost. But don't let her actions define your worth."

"Yeah," Lara chimed in. "You are so much more than this one experience. You have us, and we'll help you through it."

As the night wore on, they shared stories and memories, laughter gradually replacing the heaviness in Manon's heart. They reminisced about their adventures together, the late-night talks, and the dreams they had for the future. Each shared laugh chipped away at the walls of her sorrow, reminding her that she was not alone.