Chasing The One I Pushed Away

The Day That Should’ve Been Beautiful

The sun rose gently over the hills, casting a golden hue on the quiet town as if it, too, were celebrating. It was graduation day — the day Mila had waited years for, the day her mother had dreamt of, and the day Liam had promised he would be there for.

She stood in front of her mirror, her gown slightly wrinkled from the last-minute rush, but her face was radiant. Despite the storm of the past few weeks — the confusion, the arguments, the threats — today was meant to be hers.

Her mother burst into the room, her eyes wet with pride.

“Look at you, my graduate,” she whispered, voice breaking.

Mila smiled, swallowing her emotions. “We made it, Mum.”

They took pictures in front of the gate, by the garden, and in front of her childhood room — freezing the moment like a memory they never wanted to lose. Liam’s text had come that morning.

“You look beautiful today. I’m proud of you.”

Her heart skipped. Despite everything, despite Keisha’s madness and the threats she’d thrown like daggers, Liam was still by her side. From a distance, she caught sight of him standing by the tree where they used to meet in secret. Clean-cut, his shirt folded neatly at the sleeves, he looked like peace and chaos all at once.

Their eyes met.

She tried to walk slowly, gracefully, but emotion overtook her. She ran and he caught her in his arms without hesitation.

“I told you I’d fix it,” he whispered.

“You’re fixing it now,” she said, holding him tightly.

But across the field, Keisha stood by a black car, her arms crossed, eyes burning holes into them.

And she wasn’t alone.

Beside her stood her cousin — the same one who had once nearly gotten Mila in trouble at the school outing. They were whispering, watching, planning.

That afternoon, the celebration moved to the school hall. Music played, teachers gave speeches, students danced in excitement. Mila received her certificate with pride, and Liam clapped the loudest.

But the joy was short-lived.

As the principal stepped up to give the final address, a voice rang out sharply from the back.

“Excuse me, sir! Someone here stole my phone!”

All eyes turned, it was Keisha.

The hall went silent. She held up a broken phone casing and pointed dramatically.

“Mila was the last person in the dressing room and now my phone is gone!”

Gasps broke out. Teachers looked confused and mila stood frozen.

Liam stepped forward. “What are you doing, Keisha?”

“She was alone in there! She’s trying to ruin me!” Keisha shouted. “She’s jealous! She took my phone and broke it!”

A teacher approached Mila, already suspicious but Mila’s mother stormed to the front.

“My daughter has never stolen a thing in her life,” she said fiercely. “and you will not frame her because of a boy!”

Chaos ensued. Some students whispered. Others took out phones. Keisha, in a full performance, even began to cry.

“I just wanted to be happy! But she’s trying to destroy me!”

The principal tried to calm things down. “We’ll investigate this after the ceremony. Let’s not ruin the day for everyone.”

Mila was humiliated. She sat in silence while the last speech was made, her joy slipping away with every second. She knew Keisha had planted that phone and she knew this was far from over.

Later that night, after the party ended and the guests had left, Liam came to her house. Her mother had gone to bed, exhausted.

They sat under the stars in the backyard.

“She’s trying to finish me,” Mila whispered. “and she nearly did today.”

“I know,” Liam said. “But she’s losing and that’s why she’s desperate.”

Mila turned to him, eyes tired. “So what happens now?”

He looked away. “I think she’s going to do something bigger. She told me she’d hurt herself if I leave.”

Mila’s stomach dropped. “She said that to you, again?”

He nodded. “She’s threatening suicide, Mila, and if anything happens... they’ll blame me.”

The silence between them grew heavy. This was more than drama now. It was danger, manipulation, darkness.

“What will you do?” she asked.

He looked her in the eyes. “Stay by your side. No matter what she does.”

But as the wind shifted and a chill blew across the yard, Mila couldn’t shake the feeling that something worse was coming — something that would break them both if they weren’t careful.

The morning after graduation was unusually overly quiet.

Mila stared at her phone, debating whether to call Liam or just leave things where they were. He had said he’d block Keisha — and he had. She’d checked. Keisha’s outburst yesterday had left everyone shaken, but somehow, Mila wasn’t surprised. That was the thing with Keisha — she always wanted to be seen, no matter the cost.

A text buzzed through her phone:

“Get ready. There’s a small hangout at Sunview Eatery for all SS3 students. Class dinner, starting by 3pm. Don’t ghost o! — Blessing”

Mila sighed. She wasn’t in the mood for crowds or smiling fake smiles. But she knew if she didn’t show up, the gossip would start again.

She typed back:

“I’ll come. Need to clear my head anyways.”

Sunview Eatery – 3:45pm

The eatery buzzed with excitement. Laughter, clinking plates, music from a Bluetooth speaker someone had brought, and that ever-present hum of finality — like everyone knew this was their last time being "kids" together.

Mila walked in wearing a simple dress and a denim jacket. Heads turned, whispers passed but she ignored them.

Liam waved from a corner booth. He looked relieved when she came over.

"You're late," he teased gently.

"Had to look human," she said, forcing a smile.

They shared a quiet moment, and for a second, it felt like the world had calmed.

But peace never lasted long where Keisha was concerned.

It started with a scream.

High-pitched, desperate and everyone turned.

Keisha stood on the railing of the upstairs balcony that overlooked the eatery’s open center. Her gown from graduation fluttered around her legs — she had worn it again. Her eyes were wild, hair unkempt, and hands shaking.

"I hope you're all happy!" she yelled. "You’ve watched him destroy me! You’ve all laughed behind my back! and you—" her eyes locked on Mila, "you took everything!"

Liam shot up from his seat. “Keisha! Get down, please!”

The entire eatery froze.

Staff tried to approach her carefully, but one wrong move and she could fall. Or worse — jump.

“I gave you everything, Liam!” Keisha cried, tears streaking her cheeks. “Even when she mocked me... even when you lied, I stayed! and now you’ve embarrassed me in front of everyone?”

“Keisha, stop!” Mila shouted, stepping forward despite the pounding in her chest. “This isn’t the way!”

“You shut up!” Keisha screamed. “You’ve always wanted him! You sneaky, quiet little snake! You pretend to be the innocent one — but you’re just like every girl who takes and takes until there’s nothing left!”

People were crying now. Teachers and staff had arrived. Phones were out again.

Keisha took a shaky step closer to the edge.

“Keisha, please,” Liam’s voice cracked. “I hurt you. I know. I should have ended it sooner, but please... don’t do this.”

Something flickered in her eyes. Pain. Bitterness. Desperation.

And then, her foot slipped.

A loud gasp ripped through the eatery as her body tilted forward— but she didn’t fall.

One of the security men had grabbed her arm just in time, pulling her back with a grunt. She screamed and kicked, but he held on. It took two more adults to help restrain her as she sobbed into the tiled floor, all her fury melting into exhaustion.

Thirty minutes later, the eatery was half-empty. The party was ruined, the students were silent. Some left in shock, others sat in corners whispering, processing.

Mila stood outside, her hands still trembling.

Liam joined her quietly.

“I’m sorry,” he said again. “You didn’t deserve any of that.”

“She needs help, Liam. Not just blocking, real help, therapy, something,” Mila murmured.

“I know,” he whispered. “Her parents are already on the way. They’ve seen the video.”

Mila turned to him, her voice soft and sad. “You know this isn't just about you anymore or me. It's deeper than jealousy.”

He nodded, eyes distant. “She’s breaking and I think we’ve all just been watching it happen like a movie.”

That night, social media exploded with clips and messages. Keisha’s name trended. Some laughed, some were cruel, others begged for compassion.

And Mila? She shut off her phone, lay in bed, and stared at the ceiling.

She should have felt relived, but instead, she felt the sharp edge of guilt.

Even love… came with a price.