CHAPTER 13: “CONFESSIONS AND CLOSURES"
540 Words
Cherry found Katienne behind the library again, same place she first confessed, weeks ago.
The sky was starting to melt into shades of orange and gold, the breeze tugging gently at the leaves above them. It would’ve been romantic, if not for the awkward tension thick enough to choke on.
"Please, Kat," she said softly. "We can fix this. One short interview. Pretend we’re back together. Just for your reputation, for the media... for your safety."
Katienne sighed.
"I can’t, Cherry."
"Why not?"
"Because I love someone else."
She froze.
"You what?"
"I love her. And if she can’t trust me after this mess, then I’ve already lost. But I’m not lying again."
SCENE 1: Cherry’s Last Attempt
Cherry laughed, but it was hollow. "Kat, come on. I know how this goes. You’re upset, confused, whatever. But she’s just your roommate."
"She’s the reason I started painting again," he said, eyes fixed on the ground. "She’s the reason I remember what peace feels like."
Silence stretched for three full heartbeats.
Suddenly,
a voice from behind the tree.
"Good answer."
They both turned.
Liora stepped into the sunlight, arms crossed, hoodie sleeves bunched up around her elbows, eyes locked on Katienne like he was the answer and the equation.
"You really suck at texting," she said.
"I was going to come to you," he started.
"But you didn’t."
She walked up and stood between him and Cherry.
"We’re not breaking up."
"You’re not even dating," Cherry scoffed.
"Now we are," Liora snapped. "So watch us."
SCENE 1.2: Cherry’s Exit
Cherry looked at her, at Katienne, then back again. Her lips twitched like she wanted to say something snarky, but nothing came out.
She sighed, ran a hand through her ponytail, and turned.
"Good luck, Kat," she said without looking back. "You’ll need it."
Katienne looked like he’d just been run over by Cupid in a golf cart.
"Wait, seriously?"
"Shut up and hold my hand before I change my mind."
He grabbed it. Tight.
SCENE 1.3: Holding On
Their fingers tangled, her nails painted a soft grey, his palm slightly shaking. She squeezed once, steadying him.
Cherry didn’t say anything else. Just sighed, turned, and walked away, this time for good.
The breeze returned. Softer now. Like even the wind knew it was time to move on.
The tone shifted.
The next day, Katienne and Liora arrived at class late, hand-in-hand.
Whispers followed them. Not malicious, just... curious. Some approving. Some shocked. One girl audibly gasped and dropped her mechanical pencil.
Professor: "Nice of you two to join us."
Katienne: "We got caught in a life-altering romantic subplot."
Liora: "He means traffic."
Yuna raised her eyebrows. Dax looked amused.
Yuna: "So... it’s official?"
Liora: "Define official."
Katienne: "She kissed me and insulted my music taste in the same sentence."
Liora: "True love."
SCEN 2: A Class Reaction
From the back, someone clapped slowly. Then someone else joined. A third person whooped.
Professor Hae Jin sighed but smiled. "Sit down, Mr. Vale, Miss Celestine. We’re not grading romance here."
"Yet," Dax muttered.
Liora rolled her eyes. Katienne leaned closer and whispered, "We’re going to get detention together someday."
"Romantic."
"My dream date."
They both laughed.
- Writer
