Chapter 3
1182 Words
Chapter 3: The Night She Left
Three years ago.
“Monica, hurry up! We’re going to be late!”
Kailey Anderson’s voice echoed through the hallway, impatient as always.
“I’m coming!” Monica called back, adjusting the strap of her dress as she stepped out of the guest room.
She wasn’t supposed to feel nervous.
It was just another party.
Another night surrounded by people she already knew.
Another night inside the Anderson household that had slowly started to feel like a second home.
But tonight felt… different.
And she knew exactly why.
“You look good,” Kailey said, giving her a quick once-over. “Like, suspiciously good.”
Monica rolled her eyes. “It’s just a dress.”
“Yeah, okay. Keep telling yourself that.”
Kailey smirked, then leaned in slightly. “Is this about my brother?”
Monica froze.
“Of course not.”
“Liar.”
“I am not—”
“You wore that dress last time he actually noticed you.”
“That was—”
“Exactly.”
Monica turned away quickly, grabbing her clutch.
Because the last thing she needed…
Was Kailey noticing too much.
“You’re overthinking,” Kailey added, softer now. “He’s just Kian.”
Just Kian.
Monica swallowed.
If only it were that simple.
Because Kian Anderson had never been just anything to her.
The party was already alive when they arrived.
Music. Laughter. People everywhere.
Familiar faces.
Safe.
And then—
She saw him.
Kian stood near the bar, sleeves rolled up, drink in hand, surrounded by a few people.
Including Vivian Mendez.
Monica stopped walking.
“Don’t,” Kailey warned immediately, catching it.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re staring.”
“I’m observing.”
“You’re jealous.”
“I’m not—”
“Monica.”
She exhaled.
Hard.
Because maybe Kailey wasn’t wrong.
Vivian leaned in closer to Kian, laughing at something he said.
Her hand resting lightly on his arm.
Too comfortable.
Too familiar.
“See?” Kailey muttered. “You hate that.”
“I don’t hate it.”
“You definitely hate it.”
Monica looked away.
Too late.
Because the damage was already done.
“Let’s just go say hi,” Kailey said, grabbing her hand again.
“No, wait—”
Too late.
“Kian!”
His head turned instantly.
And just like that—
Everything else faded.
Because he saw her.
Really saw her.
For the first time…
Not as Kailey’s tag-along best friend.
Not as the girl who was always around.
But as someone else entirely.
Something in his expression shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
“Monica,” he said.
Her name sounded different coming from him that night.
Lower.
Slower.
Like he was trying to figure something out.
“Hi,” she replied, hoping her voice didn’t give her away.
Vivian glanced between them, then smiled politely. “Oh, you’re Kailey’s friend, right?”
Monica nodded. “Yeah.”
“Kian was just telling me about—”
“I wasn’t,” Kian cut in, eyes still on Monica.
That should’ve meant something.
But it didn’t last.
Because Vivian just laughed it off, slipping her hand back onto his arm.
“And yet, here you are.”
Monica felt it again.
That tight, uncomfortable feeling in her chest.
“Come on,” Kailey said softly. “Let’s grab a drink.”
Monica nodded.
Anything to get away.
But even across the room…
She could still feel his eyes on her.
And that was the problem.
Because later that night—
Everything changed.
“You’re avoiding me.”
The words slipped out before Monica could stop them.
Kian turned, surprised.
They were alone now.
Back balcony.
City lights stretching endlessly behind them.
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“You are.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“With her?”
There it was.
Too direct.
Too honest.
Kian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Doesn’t sound like nothing.”
Monica shook her head. “Forget it.”
“No,” he stepped closer. “Say it.”
She shouldn’t.
She knew she shouldn’t.
But she did anyway.
“You act like I don’t exist… unless it’s convenient for you.”
Silence.
Kian studied her.
Longer this time.
More carefully.
“That’s not true.”
“It is.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“I’m not.”
Her voice cracked slightly.
And she hated that.
Because now he knew.
“Monica—”
“Just forget it, okay? I shouldn’t have said
anything.”
She turned.
Ready to walk away.
But he caught her wrist.
And everything stopped.
“Don’t.”
One word.
But it held her in place.
Monica slowly turned back.
Heart racing.
Too fast.
Too loud.
“You’re not invisible,” Kian said, quieter now.
“Then why does it feel like I am?”
Another step closer.
Now there was barely any space between them.
“You want honesty?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Because I don’t know what to do with you anymore.”
Her breath caught.
“What does that even mean?”
Kian hesitated.
Then—
“I notice you.”
That was it.
That was all it took.
Because suddenly—
Everything made sense.
The distance.
The silence.
The tension.
And the worst part?
She felt it too.
“That’s not my problem,” she whispered.
“It becomes your problem when you
start looking at me like that.”
Her heart slammed against her chest.
“Like what?”
Kian didn’t answer.
He just looked at her.
The same way he had earlier.
Slow.
Intentional.
And that’s when she realized—
This wasn’t one-sided.
Not anymore.
But instead of relief…
She felt fear.
Because Kailey.
Because everything.
Because this—
Wasn’t supposed to happen.
“I can’t do this,” Monica said suddenly.
Kian frowned. “Do what?”
“This,” she gestured between them.
“Whatever this is.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“No, I’m not.”
She stepped back.
Creating distance.
Breaking it.
“We shouldn’t cross this line.”
Kian’s jaw tightened. “No one said anything about crossing—”
“But we will,” she cut in.
Silence.
Because they both knew…
She wasn’t wrong.
And that terrified her.
“I’m leaving,” she said.
“What?”
“I’m transferring schools.”
That hit harder than anything else.
“What?”
“I already made the decision.”
“When?”
“A week ago.”
Kian stared at her.
Like he didn’t understand.
Like he didn’t accept it.
“You didn’t tell me.”
Monica swallowed.
“Because I knew you’d look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I matter.”
Silence.
And that was the moment everything broke.
Because she did matter.
Too much.
And that was exactly why she had to leave.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Then she walked away.
And this time—
Kian didn’t stop her.
- Writer
