Breaking Hearts

Cracks Beneath the Surface

The music could be heard before they even reached the entrance.

Savannah stepped out of Ethan's car and looked up at the glowing sign above the club.

She immediately questioned her decision.

"I don't know if I belong here anymore."

Ethan looked at her and smiled.

"You say that like you're suddenly fifty years old."

She rolled her eyes.

"I'm just tired."

"No, you're exhausted. There's a difference."

She smiled slightly.

That was Ethan.

Always noticing things other people missed.

Inside, the club was alive.

The walls vibrated with music, colorful lights moved across the crowded dance floor, and graduates filled the room with the same excitement they had carried throughout the day.

For a moment, Savannah forgot about everything.

The future.

The job search.

The uncertainty.

Tonight wasn't about what came next.

Tonight was about celebrating what she had already achieved.

Lily spotted them almost immediately.

"There she is!"

Before Savannah could respond, Lily pulled her into a hug.

"I thought you abandoned us."

Savannah laughed.

"I had lunch."

"You had a fancy lunch without us?"

Lily turned toward Ethan suspiciously.

"Did you take her somewhere expensive?"

Ethan shrugged.

"Maybe."

Savannah laughed.

"You two are ridiculous."

The night moved quickly.

For the first time in a long time, Savannah allowed herself to relax.

She danced with Lily.

She laughed with classmates.

She took pictures she knew she probably wouldn't look at often, but would still keep.

She wasn't someone who went out much.

She preferred quiet nights, books, and familiar places.

But tonight was different.

Tonight was goodbye.

Goodbye to late-night studying.

Goodbye to stressful exams.

Goodbye to the version of herself that had spent years just trying to survive.

At some point, Lily handed her a drink.

"One."

Savannah looked at the glass suspiciously.

"One?"

"One."

"You promise?"

Lily grinned.

"I promise."

Savannah laughed and accepted it.

She wasn't a big drinker.

One glass was usually enough to make her cheeks warm and her thoughts a little slower.

And tonight was no different.

She felt lighter.

Happier.

Less guarded.

Ethan, however, had been drinking more than usual.

At first, Savannah didn't notice.

Everyone was celebrating.

Everyone was having fun.

But as the hours passed, she noticed the slight change.

His laugh was louder.

His words came faster.

His usual calm confidence had been replaced by something restless.

"Ethan, how many drinks have you had?" she teased.

He smiled.

"Not enough to forget tonight."

She frowned slightly.

That answer felt strange.

But before she could ask, Lily pulled Savannah back onto the dance floor.

A few hours passed.

The group slowly became smaller as people started leaving.

Eventually, Lily disappeared with a few friends to another part of the club.

Savannah stepped outside for some fresh air.

A few moments later, Ethan followed.

The night air was cooler than she expected.

She leaned against the railing.

"This was actually fun," she admitted.

Ethan smiled.

"I'm glad."

She looked at him.

"Thank you for today."

"Anytime."

For a moment, everything felt normal.

Then Ethan's expression changed.

"Savannah..."

Something in his voice made her turn.

"What?"

He looked away briefly.

Then back at her.

"Stay away from Brian."

The sudden change caught her off guard.

She frowned.

"What?"

"Just listen to me."

"Ethan..."

"I'm serious."

She studied him.

The alcohol had loosened something inside him.

The friend she knew was still there.

But underneath it was frustration.

Fear.

Something he had been holding back.

"Why?"

His jaw tightened.

"Because he's not who you think he is."

Savannah sighed.

"That's not much of an explanation."

"You don't understand."

"Then help me understand."

Ethan ran a hand through his hair.

"He has money. A lot of it."

She stared at him.

"That's your reason?"

"No."

"Then what is?"

He opened his mouth.

Then stopped.

And that hesitation told her everything.

There was something.

Something he wasn't telling her.

"If you know something, tell me."

"I can't."

Her eyebrows pulled together.

"Why not?"

"Because it's complicated."

"That's not an answer."

"I know."

His voice softened.

He looked almost frustrated with himself.

"Just promise me you'll be careful."

Savannah looked at him.

She wanted to understand.

She really did.

But something about the conversation didn't sit right.

Because the truth was...

Brian had never actually done anything to hurt her.

He was mysterious.

Yes.

Confusing.

Definitely.

But he had never lied to her.

He had never treated her badly.

And she couldn't understand why Ethan wanted her to judge someone without giving her a reason.

"I'll be careful," she said quietly.

It wasn't the promise he wanted.

And they both knew it.

Ethan looked away.

The silence between them grew heavier.

Then his phone buzzed.

He glanced at it and quickly turned the screen away.

Savannah noticed.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Another answer that wasn't an answer.

She sighed.

"Let's head back in. Lily is probably looking for me."

Ethan nodded.

But as they walked back toward the entrance, Savannah couldn't stop thinking about one thing.

The black card sitting safely inside her handbag.

Brian Lakewood.

She didn't know what secrets surrounded him.

But she knew one thing.

Ethan definitely didn't want her near him.

And somehow...

That only made her more curious.