The moonlight always had a strange pull on me.
That night, it was brighter than usual, spilling silver across the quiet streets as if it was trying to warn me. But of course, I didn't listen. I never thought one night could change everything.
"Pamela, hurry up!" Lilly's voice rang out ahead of me. She was walking fast, heels clicking against the pavement, her laughter echoing in the air. She always walked like she owned the world. Me? I was just the girl following behind.
We were on our way to a classmate's birthday party, and I was already regretting letting Lilly talk me into it. Loud music, sweaty dancing, too many stares it wasn't my kind of scene. But I went anyway, because Lilly was my best friend. Or so I thought.
The party was already in full swing when we arrived. Bodies moved under flashing lights, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and excitement. And that's when I saw him.
Jossy.
He was leaning casually against the wall, a red cup in his hand, his shirt fitting just right across his shoulders. His eyes were sharp, almost glowing under the dim lights, and when they swept across the room and landed on me, I froze.
Something inside me shifted. It wasn't just attraction it felt like my chest tightened, my skin prickled, like I'd been waiting for that exact moment without even knowing it.
"Who's that?" I whispered to Lilly, but she was already staring at him too. A little too long. A little too curious.
"That's Jossy," she said smoothly, flipping her hair. "One of the most popular guys around here. Don't waste your time."
But her warning only made me look longer. And when Jossy pushed away from the wall and walked straight toward us, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.
"Hey," he said, his voice low but confident. His gaze flicked over Lilly once, then settled firmly on me. "I haven't seen you before."
I swallowed hard, trying not to look like a deer caught in headlights. "I… I'm Pamela."
His smile deepened, slow and deliberate, like he'd just discovered something interesting. "Pamela," he repeated, as if testing the sound of my name. "Nice to meet you."
For a second, I forgot where I was. The music faded, the laughter disappeared, and it was just his voice, his eyes, the weight of his attention on me.
And I didn't notice the way Lilly's smile faltered, or how her eyes darkened as she looked between us.
That night was the beginning. I thought it was the start of love. I didn't know it was the start of betrayal.