𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

Cross My Heart

~'~

That night had been one of the loneliest of my life.

Sleep barely came, and when it did, it was shallow, restless, and a cruel tease. I wanted to think I was fine. Strong. Over it. But deep down, I just wanted him next to me again, where he used to be. I couldn't let myself spiral, though.

That was dangerous.

Again. Alone.

The next morning, I made a last-minute decision to head home for a day before Silverstone. I wanted to see Ann. I hadn't seen her since the breakup, and I missed her. But mostly, I needed answers. About what had really happened between them.

When I knocked on her door, she opened it within thirty seconds.

"Bri! Oh my gosh, you didn't tell me you were home!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. Her voice was so full of warmth that it made my chest ache.

"Surprise," I laughed, hugging her back as she ushered me inside.

But the moment I caught sight of her oversized "Fuck Men" t-shirt and the telltale breakup sweatpants. That sounds about right. Appropriate. I agree.

"So," she grinned weakly, plopping onto the couch. "What do I owe this little visit to? Not that I'm complaining."

I hesitated, sitting down beside her.

"I, uh, I heard about you and Lando... I'm so sorry."

Her smile faltered for a second before she waved me off, leaning back against the couch cushions.

"Ah, word travels fast, huh? I was kind of hoping you wouldn't find out, but honestly, I'm not surprised. That boy couldn't keep a secret from you if his life depended on it."

The lightness in her tone didn't match the sadness in her eyes.

"If you don't mind me asking... What happened? I mean, you guys always seemed happy." My voice cracked slightly. "Did he do something or—"

"No." She cut me off quickly. "No, Bri. He was... He was perfect, actually. Too perfect, maybe."

I frowned, my confusion growing. "Then I don't understand."

Ann let out a long sigh and pulled her knees to her chest. "It's hard to love someone who's in love with someone else." She gave me a soft smile.

"What? Who?"

"You really don't know, do you?" she said softly, her lips curving into the smallest, saddest smile.

"Know what?" My chest felt tight, and I didn't understand why.

Ann shook her head lightly, almost laughing. "You really are blind."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" I frowned.

She flinched slightly but gave a rueful laugh. "Bri... he's in love with you."

I froze.

"What?"

"He's always been in love with you, Sabrina." Her voice was calm, soothing even, like she was breaking bad news to a scared child.

I stared at her, my brain rejecting the words outright. "No." I shook my head sharply. "No, no, no. That's... No. That's not true."

Ann's gaze softened as she reached for my hand, but I pulled it back before she could touch me. "We all thought you knew. He's not exactly subtle, Bri."