The screeching sound of tyres ripping against asphalt was the only thing I heard before everything seemed to pause around me. My eyes were shut tight and my arms were slightly raised as if they could somehow shield me from the crushing weight of the car that was supposed to hit me. My heart had already accepted it. This was it, I just want everything to end. An end that promised silence and would free me from the humiliation twisting around my chest at this moment. But the impact never came. Instead, the deafening screeching of a car’s tyres cut into the silent night, and I realized I was still standing while my knees trembled, and my eyes flew wide open with shock. Just inches away from me was the shining hood of a black car, the headlights were still on and shining into my eyes, causing me to squint as my body froze and my chest was rising and falling rapidly, as I tried to process that I wasn’t dead. The car door slammed open, and a tall figure stepped out angrily. I couldn’t see the person’s face clearly because of the light, even though I was squinting. "For fuck’s sake, Raina! If you wanna die so bad, at least pick somewhere less inconvenient. Maybe a goddamn bridge or a cliff!" An extremely pissed voice came into my ears and my eyes widened in surprise. My lips parted, but no words came out as I stared at the man who was now standing in front of me, looking extremely annoyed. He was none other than Gary, Kendrick’s best friend. He had been gone for weeks.. no, over a month. I thought he had left the city for good because of his family issues. The last thing I expected was to see him tonight, much less with me standing in the middle of the road like some pathetic broken doll. I quickly lowered my head, staring at the ground as my pride and everything inside me screamed not to let him see me . Because Gary wasn’t just Kendrick’s best friend. He was someone I had always tried to put in his place every time we crossed paths. I had mocked and sneered at him severally and had even called him useless more times than I could count. I had built this wall of arrogance around myself when it came to him, because I hated how his sharp eyes always seemed to see through me. And he was always trying to protect and help Kendrick, so he was not an ally. Now, here I am, a crying and broken mess. I couldn’t bear for him to see me . Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that a day would come. "Did you hear me?" he snapped again, his tone dripping with the usual mix of sarcasm and annoyance. "If you’re gonna play suicidal princess, at least don’t do it in front of my car, I don’t need bloodstains on the hood I just polished." he said with a mocking voice. I stayed silent, biting down on my trembling lip, hoping he would just walk past me, get back in the car, and leave me to my misery. But Gary wasn’t stupid. The silence dragged on for too long, he didn’t hear the usual insults and arrogant comebacks from me. "Wait..." His voice dropped, less sharp and more cautious. "Why aren’t you throwing your usual tantrum? Why aren’t you biting my head off?" he asked with a puzzled voice. I still didn’t lift my head but my shoulders started shaking as I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. "Raina..." His tone changed again and he sounded softer and I could hear a hint of worry. Or maybe I was just thinking too much. He reached out his hand, and before I could stop him, his hand lifted my chin gently, forcing me to meet his eyes. And the second his gaze locked onto my tear-streaked face, his whole expression froze. His expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief. I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I just allowed my tears to flow freely. A strangled sob tore from my throat as I threw myself against his chest as my arms wrapped around him desperately. I felt him stiffen instantly, his entire body going rigid, as if he didn’t know what to do with me, and honestly, I didn’t care. I needed to cry and for some reason, right now, Gary was the only person standing here to witness my breakdown. "I can’t... " My voice cracked. "I can’t take it anymore!" I said amidst sobs. The tears kept flowing non stop and his shirt bunched under my fists as I clung to him, soaking his chest with tears. For a moment, he stayed stiff with his arms hanging awkwardly at his sides. But slowly, very slowly, one of his hands lifted, hovering before finally resting on my back. Not pulling me closer or pushing me away. Just... there. Like he was letting me vent without judgment. I poured everything out. "He... he cheated on me. He lied to me! He used me! Do you know what it feels like to realize that the man you loved, the man you thought saved you, was nothing but a disgusting liar?" My voice broke, anger and heartbreak tangling until I didn’t know which I was feeling exactly. Gary’s hand on my back tightened , but he didn’t interrupt. "And Celeste," I spat her name like poison, "my best friend.. no, the person I thought was my best friend, she betrayed me in the worst way possible! She got pregnant for my father. My fucking father! Do you know what it feels like to have everything you thought was solid just... crumble? To realize that the people you trusted most stabbed you in the back?" I asked him in anger. Each word was laced with so much hatred and my body was shaking violently as I pressed harder against him. "I hate them! I hate them both! I curse them with everything inside me. I curse the day I ever let them into my life. I was so stupid... so blind..." My knees gave out slightly, but Gary’s arm held me steady. He still wasn’t saying anything, just letting me vent out all the anger and frustration inside me. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my sobs began to calm. My breathing was ragged and my chest was sore, I could feel my swollen eyes as I blink. But for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt... lighter. I pulled back slightly, embarrassed to realize how tightly I had clung to him. My eyes flickered to his face and for once, I didn’t see the mocking sarcasm I usually expected. It felt like he was silently saying, I’m not going to pity you, but I’m not going to let you fall either. Thıs content belongs to 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩 "Thank you," I whispered hoarsely, my voice barely audible. Gary blinked, then cleared his throat awkwardly, like my gratitude made him uncomfortable. "Don’t thank me...I didn’t do anything." He said before glancing. "And seriously, if you are planning to keep throwing yourself in front of cars, at least pick a cheaper car next time. I would rather not deal with dent repairs." he added in his usual sarcastic tone. I almost laughed but the pain in my chest made me unable to. ."Come on, I will drop you home. I was heading there anyway to see Kendrick."He sighed I nodded silently and followed him into the car. My head leaned against the window as the city lights blurred past, my reflection staring back at me with swollen eyes. I didn’t know what to say, and Gary didn’t push me. The silence between us wasn’t suffocating this time.,it was... just calm. When we finally pulled up in front of the house, my heart sank at the sight of Kendrick standing outside. His sharp eyes immediately landed on Gary’s car, and then on me. Panic surged through me as I couldn’t face Kendrick . Not with swollen eyes and definitely not with my pride shattered. The second Gary parked, I rushed out of the car, avoiding Kendrick’s gaze entirely. I bolted inside the house, my footsteps quick against the marble floor. I didn’t stop until I reached my room. Slamming the door shut, I pressed my back against it, sliding down until I hit the floor. My chest rose and fell heavily as the humiliation of everything crashing back. Slowly, I pushed myself up and staggered to the mirror. The reflection staring back at me wasn’t me at all. Not the proud, arrogant and untouchable Raina I had always presented to the world. No, this girl looked broken and weak. Her mascara was smeared and her lips were trembling with swollen red eyes. A sorrowful laugh escaped my lips But then the laugh faded, replaced by something darker. I leaned closer to the mirror, my eyes hardening as my tears dried into nothing. "No more," I whispered to my reflection. "Celeste and Mark." I spat their names like curses. "You think you broke me? You think you can humiliate me and walk away untouched? No! You’ve only woken something in me that you are going to regret." I said coldly. My fists clenched tightly at my sides, my nails digging into my palms until it hurt. But I welcomed the pain as it made me more clear headed. "I swear," I said, my voice low but laced with anger. "I’ll get my revenge on both of you. I’ll make you wish you never crossed me." I swore angrily. The girl in the mirror didn’t look broken anymore but her eyes held a dangerous glint. And for the first time tonight, I believed in her.