THE REVENANT OF EMILY

Confession

“Yeah… great game, by the way. You were amazing out here.”

“Thanks!” he said, rubbing the back of his neck modestly. “It means a lot.”

There was an awkward pause. Harper’s hands fidgeted at her sides.

“So, um,” she began nervously, “I wanted to talk to you about something. I’ve kind of—well—I’ve been wanting to say this for a while…”

Damon tilted his head, curious. “Yeah?”

Harper opened her mouth, but before she could speak another word, Damon smiled and said, “Actually, before you say anything, can I ask you something first?”

Harper blinked. “Sure…”

He looked down briefly, then back up with a slight grin. “Is Emily… single?”

The words hit her like a punch to the chest.

She froze. Her breath caught. “What?”

“I mean, I’ve liked her for a while,” Damon continued casually. “I just never knew how to approach her. She’s always with you, and I didn’t want to make things awkward.”

Harper’s stomach twisted. All the words she’d rehearsed vanished.

“Oh…” she said, forcing a small smile. “Right. Emily.”

“Yeah. She’s just… cool, you know? Quiet but strong. There’s something about her.”

Harper nodded numbly, her throat tight. “She is… pretty amazing.”

Damon smiled. “Could you maybe… tell her I said hi? Or—like, give me a chance to talk to her sometime?”

“Yeah,” Harper whispered. “I’ll let her know.”

That means a lot ,so what were u about to say before, he asked smiling

Ohh it's...... nothing, just wanted to say great game once again, u did well,"she stuttered "

Ok then

Damon said and jogged off to the locker room, completely unaware of what he’d just done to her heart.

Harper stood there for a moment, staring at the spot where he’d just been, her chest heavy. Then she turned around and slowly made her way back to Emily, who was waiting a few feet away, smiling expectantly.

“Well?” Emily asked.

Harper swallowed hard and forced a shaky smile. “He said… great game.”

Emily tilted her head. “That’s it?”

Harper nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah. That’s all.”

And for the first time, she lied to her best friend—not out of malice, but to protect her own heart… and maybe, just maybe, to protect their friendship too

The days after the match felt... different.

Emily couldn’t quite explain it, but Harper had been distant. She wasn’t showing up for lunch. Her replies over text were shorter. She was always “busy” or “tired.” And when they did see each other in the halls, Harper barely met her eyes.

Emily let it slide at first, thinking maybe Harper just needed space. But after nearly a week of cold shoulders and awkward silences, the weight became too much to carry.

One afternoon, Emily finally spoke up.

“Harper,” she said as they passed each other in the corridor. “Can we talk?”

Harper blinked, caught off guard. “Talk? About what?”

Emily exhaled, frustrated. “You’ve been ignoring me. Don’t pretend you haven’t.”

“I’ve just been busy, Em,” Harper said quickly. “I’ve had a lot going on.”

“You always have time for me—*always*. Until now,” Emily said quietly, her voice soft but firm. “Did I do something wrong?”

Harper hesitated, eyes flickering. “No. You didn’t do anything.”

“Then why does it feel like I lost my best friend overnight?”

There was a long pause. Harper looked away, jaw tight. “You’re being dramatic.”

Emily’s face dropped. “Seriously? That’s your answer?”

“I just need space, okay?” Harper said flatly, then turned and walked off.

Emily stood frozen in the hallway, hurt blooming in her chest.

***

The next day, Harper got a message.

*Emily:* *Meet me at the rooftop today. Just like old times. Please.*

It was their spot—the hidden rooftop above the old music building. No one else knew about it. They used to go there to escape the noise, share secrets, laugh, cry. It was *their* place. Sacred.

Harper stared at the message for a while before replying.

*Harper:* *Okay.*

***

Evening fell. The rooftop was quiet, bathed in orange light as the sun began to set. The breeze was cool. Emily stood by the ledge, looking out at the city beyond the school grounds. Her hair danced in the wind, and her arms were folded tightly across her chest.

Harper arrived minutes later.

“You came,” Emily said without turning.

Harper stepped closer. “Of course I did.”

Silence.

“I missed this,” Emily finally said. “Us. This place. I thought if we came back here… maybe we could talk. Be honest.”

Harper’s jaw clenched. “Honest?”

Emily turned, eyes searching her friend’s. “I know something’s wrong. I know you’re holding something back.”

Harper walked slowly toward her, stopping just a few feet away. Her voice was quiet. “You always get everything.”

Emily frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t even try, and people love you. Teachers. Friends. *Damon*,” Harper spat.

Emily blinked, stunned. “Wait… Damon?”

Harper’s eyes shimmered—not with tears, but something darker. “He likes you, Emily. *You*. And you didn’t even know. You didn’t even care.”

“Harper,” Emily whispered, stepping back slightly, “I didn’t ask for that. I never even—”

“But he *never* looked at me. Not once. And I’ve liked him forever. And through it all, you just stood there like the perfect little star everyone circles around.”

Emily’s voice shook. “You’re my best friend. I didn’t mean to—”

“I *was* your best friend,” Harper said, stepping closer. “But you ruined everything… just by existing.”

The air turned cold.

Emily’s eyes widened. “Harper… what are you doing?”

“I just want the world to be quiet for once,” Harper whispered, tears now running freely. “I want to stop feeling invisible.”

And in that chilling moment—before Emily could react, before reason could return—Harper shoved her.

Time stopped.

Emily’s scream was swallowed by the wind as her body disappeared over the ledge.

Then… silence.