Chapter 2 – The First Fall
Science class dragged on forever, and when it finally ended, I still found myself glancing at the door, half-expecting Lucas to walk in late. Maybe he'd just overslept or something.
That's when I nearly jumped out of my seat.
"I actually wanted to talk to you."
"Oh my God, Sabrina!" I pressed a hand to my chest. "You scared me."
Sabrina was the queen of everything extracurricular — class president, theater lead, basically a student with superpowers.
She laughed, rolling her eyes.
"No, you were just daydreaming. Anyway... I have news about theater."
Theater. My heart skipped.
"You're our star, Hanna. I need your confirmation. Auditions, costumes... everything starts this week."
My smile came instantly... but faded just as fast. Her expression fell with mine.
"I'd love to. You know I adore theater, but... my mom's insisting I join the writing club. She says it'll look better on my college applications."
Sabrina sighed, disappointed.
"Seriously? Hanna, you're nineteen. This is your last year of high school. Don't you think it's time to start making your own choices?"
Before I could answer, she shoved the audition flyer into my hand and walked away, done with excuses.
I just stood there, staring at the paper.
"Wow, that new teacher is really... something," Carolina appeared out of nowhere, fanning herself dramatically. But her grin faded when she saw my face. "What's wrong?"
I showed her the flyer, then smirked.
"Looks like I'm going to have to do something behind my mom's back."
She grabbed it, grinning wide.
"Last year. Let's take the risk."
We laughed together, heading down the hall with ten minutes before our next class.
"Looks like your crush didn't show today," Carolina teased.
"He probably just overslept."
"On the first day of school? Please."
I was about to argue when a buzz spread down the hallway. Heads turned, whispers rose. My heartbeat spiked.
It was him. Lucas.
But he wasn't alone.
Walking beside him was a tall redhead with impossibly long hair, a skirt way too short for school, and his arm draped casually over her shoulders.
A chill swept through me.
"Let's get out of here," Carolina muttered, tugging my arm.
Once we turned the corner, I whispered:
"Who was that?"
She hesitated.
"I thought it was just rumors... but I guess not."
"What do you mean?"
"They say Jerry isn't the only one with a fiancée. Apparently, a model named Belly's back in town. She and Lucas... well, they had a thing last time she was here. And now... looks like they're together again."
The words hit harder than I expected.
"So... he only saw me as a friend? Just like Jerry did? All this time, he was into her?"
Carolina placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't let this crush you. You'll move on, Hanna. Don't let this ruin your year."
I forced a smile.
"I'm fine, really. I'll see you at lunch — math's waiting."
"Okay... but we're talking more about this later."
"About theater, Carol. Lucas is history. I'm not making a scene over something that never even happened."
I turned before she could notice the knot in my throat.
I hurried down the hall, nearly at my classroom door, when someone grabbed my arm.
My eyes widened.
It was him. Lucas.
"Thought you weren't coming," I said, trying to sound calm.
He smiled.
"Blame Bel. She's always late."
Bel. A cute nickname. Of course.
"I never introduced you two, did I?"
And there she was, stepping up behind him. Belly. Even more stunning in person than on magazine covers. I swallowed hard.
"You're... you're a really great model," I managed. "I always see you on the covers."
"Thanks," she said, flashing a confident smile. "Come on, love. You promised to show me around before I leave."
Before she leaves? I wondered, but I didn't dare ask.
They walked off together, and I slipped into class, my mind replaying the scene again and again.
The hours blurred. At lunch, I barely spoke to Carolina, pretending to be busy with food and schedules. Truth was, I just couldn't talk about it.
When the day ended, I accepted our usual ride home. Before I got out, Carolina gave me a soft look.
"Even if you two never dated, it's okay to feel hurt. You've liked him for years."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I waved goodbye, then stepped inside my house — not knowing the day still had more to take from me.
"Did you sign up for the writing club yet?" my mom asked the second I walked in.
I rolled my eyes.
"Thanks for asking about my first day."
"No jokes, Hanna. This is serious."
"Where's Dad?" I dodged.
"Working late."
"Again? He even worked overtime through my vacation..."
"Work is work, sweetheart. He's the CEO, the company can't run without him."
And then, like she hadn't even paused, she circled back:
"From the way you're stalling, I'm guessing you didn't sign up. I'll call the director myself."
"No! I'll do it tomorrow. Promise."
She smiled faintly, satisfied.
"Good. You know you're making the right choice."
"Yeah," I muttered. "I'm going to shower."
"Check the dress I left on your bed first."
"Dress? Why? Prom's not until the end of the year."
"Tomorrow night we're having dinner at the Joneses' house."
My stomach dropped.
"The parents of Jerry and Lucas? They'll be there?"
"Of course. Lucas still lives there, and Jerry's leaving campus early to make it."
I went upstairs without answering. I didn't have the strength.
In my room, I shut the door and stared at the dress. My mom was right about one thing: this was my last year. But looking in the mirror, all I could think was how quickly it was already spiraling into chaos.