Chapter 9
1124 Words
Louisa's POV
"Meet me at the old building in the back."
My heart races as I read the text from Titus.
My mind spirals in disbelief, excitement bursting through me like fireworks. I squeal, clutching my phone, and bounce off my bed, diving into my wardrobe. I need to look perfect. This isn’t just anyone—it’s Titus. Gorgeous, charming, and the most popular guy in school.
I’ve been crushing on him since seventh grade, so getting that text feels like a dream come true.
It wasn’t easy building the courage to talk to him, let alone send him the first text. I spent three whole days debating it. But when I finally did, I couldn’t believe he replied—and it didn’t stop there.
Text after text, we got closer. He explained why he was hesitant to approach me in public—his friends had this ridiculous “no girlfriends” rule.
He even apologized for brushing me off during our first encounter.
And now, here we are. He wants to meet me. Alone. This is it—the beginning of something real.
"Don’t let anyone else in on this, okay? Just us," he’d texted me once. I agreed wholeheartedly. I’d do anything for him.
Finally, I pick out my outfit: a denim skirt paired with a soft pink top. Cute but casual. Perfect.
“See you there, Titus!” I text back, giddy with anticipation. My stomach flutters as I fall back onto my bed.
The next morning, my mom notices my mood. “What’s got you so happy today?” she asks, placing a pancake in front of me.
I just shrug, unable to share my secret just yet. She smiles knowingly, probably assuming it’s just a crush.
Classes drag on painfully slow. I bounce my leg under my desk, checking the clock every two minutes. I’ve never wanted a school day to end so badly.
Finally, the bell rings.
Grabbing my backpack, I bolt out of the classroom and make my way to the old building on the edge of campus. It’s a derelict, abandoned shed no one ever goes near—a perfect place for privacy.
My smile widens as I approach the door.
“Titus!” I whisper-shout, stepping inside and scanning the dimly lit space.
It’s eerily quiet.
“Titus?” I call out again, taking a few cautious steps further in.
Something feels... off.
Suddenly, the door slams shut behind me.
I whirl around, my heart pounding. “TITUS!”
Click.
A light flickers on, and I freeze.
Three boys are standing by the door, grinning.
What.... They’re not Titus.
“Hello, Rachel,” one of them says, his voice laced with mockery.
Rachel?
Panic sets in.
I know these boys—they’re Titus’s friends.
What are they doing here?
“Where’s Titus?” I demand, my voice trembling.
They laugh...
“Oh, Rachel,” the boy sneers, stepping closer. “Why do you think Titus wrote those texts?”
My stomach drops.
No!!!
“That was me,” he continues, smirking. “Titus doesn’t even know you exist. I forwarded all your texts to my phone. You’ve been talking to me, sweetheart.”
No. No, no, no.
The realization crashes over me like a tidal wave. This was never real. Titus never wanted to meet me. It was all a cruel joke.
Tears sting my eyes as I scream for help, but it’s useless. No one ever comes to this building.
No one’s going to save me.
******
I wake up gasping, my body drenched in cold sweat.
A dream?
Then my eyes widened when a pair of lifeless eyes hover inches above me.
Rachel....
She’s floating, her translucent form staring at me, her expression hollow and haunting.
I can’t move. I can’t scream.
And then she’s gone.
My chest heaves as I scramble out of bed, rushing to the bathroom to empty the contents of my stomach.
I vomit until my head pounds, and I collapse onto the floor.
“You okay, Louisa?” My father’s voice is gentle as he helps me up, guiding me back to bed.
I nod weakly, but the truth is, I’m not okay.
I know now.
I know why Rachel thought Titus loved her.
They humiliated her.
They assaulted her.
And when she couldn’t take it anymore, she ended her life.
Five days later, Titus corners me in the library.
“Okay, what’s going on, Louisa?” he demands, arms crossed.
His piercing gaze pins me in place.
I’ve been avoiding him, too consumed by what I’ve uncovered.
I’ve been keeping tabs on those boys—Paul, Darren, and Eric—watching their every move.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumble, pretending to focus on the book in front of me.
He sighs, pulling out the chair across from me.
“Lu,” he says softly, his tone laced with concern. “You’re scaring me. Please, just tell me.”
I hesitate, chewing my lip.
How can I explain this without him losing it?
“Promise me you won’t get mad,” I finally say, meeting his eyes.
He raises an eyebrow. “What?”
“Titus, I’m serious. Promise.”
He studies me for a moment before nodding. “Okay, I promise.”
I take a deep breath, gathering my courage.
“Remember when I had that accident on my way to Burger Grill?”
He frowns. “Yeah. I told you to call me.”
“Well, I didn’t tell you the whole story,” I admit. “Rachel... she was there. She stopped me.”
“Rachel?” he repeats, his brows knitting together.
I nod. “And... I know why she thought you loved her.”
His eyes widen as I recount the vivid dream—or rather, the memory—that Rachel showed me. I tell him everything: the texts, the meeting, the betrayal, the boys.
When I finish, Titus’s jaw is clenched, his fists trembling on the table.
Paul, Darren, and Eric.
They weren’t just his friends. They were his closest friends.
And they did this.
“Titus...” I reach out to him, but he stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
“I need to go,” he mutters, his voice tight with barely contained rage.
I watch helplessly as he storms out, leaving me alone with Rachel’s lingering presence.
She appears again, sitting silently beside me, her ghostly form shimmering under the library lights.
I meet her gaze, my chest heavy with sorrow.
“I’ll make this right,” I whisper.
Her lips part slightly, as if to speak, but then she fades away, leaving behind only the weight of her pain.
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- Writer
