Chapter 44: Shadows of Friendship
644 Words
Liam Hart’s tone was icy, his expression unreadable. “Don’t trouble yourself with this.”
Noah smirked, his fingers dancing across his laptop keyboard. “Come on, Liam. You’re having me dig into campus drama now? You’re not really supporting a scandal, are you? I mean, sure, guys have needs, but this isn’t your style.
Besides, if Elizabeth finds out, you’re toast.”
Liam’s gaze snapped up, piercing. “If you have this much free time, perhaps I should find you a spot in the technical department.”
Noah paled, waving his hands in surrender. “Whoa, whoa, hold on! Nine-to-five isn’t my thing, remember? Free spirit here. I’m out of here, but hey, if you need me for more ‘interesting’ assignments, you know where to find me.”
Grinning nervously, Noah grabbed his laptop and bolted from the room.
Liam glanced at the file Noah had uncovered—a student’s profile, the name Cheryl Waverly glaring back at him.
He hesitated, then forwarded the information to Allie.
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Allie Brooks sat in the library, her thoughts adrift when her phone buzzed. She opened Liam’s message and stared at the forwarded file, her stomach twisting.
As her fingers tightened around her phone, another message popped up—from Cheryl.
Cheryl: “Nick stopped by to see you?”
Allie scowled, refusing to reply. Moments later, another text appeared.
Cheryl: “I’m begging you, Allie. Leave Nick alone. Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”
Her anger flared. Without hesitation, Allie typed back:
“Did you post that disgusting rumor about me online?”
The reply came almost instantly.
Cheryl: “Of course not. Look, we’ve had our differences, but you’re still my best friend. I’d never stoop that low.”
Allie felt a wave of nausea at Cheryl’s words. Best friend? The words felt hollow.
Without a second thought, she sent Cheryl the damning evidence Liam had uncovered.
Minutes passed. Hours. Cheryl didn’t respond.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
That night, Allie’s phone buzzed again.
Cheryl: “Meet me at Ridgewood Junior High tomorrow at 3 PM. Let’s settle this once and for all.”
Allie hesitated. Ridgewood was their old school—the place their friendship had begun. The irony wasn’t lost on her.
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The next afternoon, Allie stood on the cracked asphalt of Ridgewood’s empty playground. Memories of her childhood swirled around her, tainted by the present.
Ahead, Cheryl waited. She wore a pristine white sweater, her beauty radiating innocence, though Allie knew better now.
“Allie,” Cheryl greeted, a smile curving her lips. “Right on time. I wasn’t sure you’d show.”
“I’m here,” Allie replied, her voice flat. “What’s this about?”
Cheryl gestured towards the school building. “Why don’t we take a walk? For old times’ sake.”
Allie hesitated but followed. The silence between them was thick as they wandered into the dim, deserted halls.
They stopped at their old classroom. To Allie’s surprise, the door was unlocked.
Cheryl strolled to their former desk, her fingers trailing along its surface. “It’s still here. The desk we shared. Look, the words you carved…”
Allie moved closer. In the corner of the desk, faint but legible, were the words: “Allie & Cher—Best Friends Forever.”
The memory struck her like a blow. She had etched it one summer afternoon when Cheryl had been sobbing, bullied
by classmates.
“You told me no one liked you,” Allie murmured. “That you had no friends. I promised to be your friend, no matter
what.”
Cheryl’s voice softened. “You were the first person to really see me, Allie. To make me feel like I mattered. I’ll never forget that.”
For a moment, Allie saw a flicker of the girl she once knew. But the weight of betrayal hung heavy between them.
- Writer
