Young Aria dragged Marie all the way to the library. Even as they approached the doors, she didn't loosen her grip. When they finally arrived, she gave Marie a small push forward before slipping into a dark corner, hidden from sight.
Marie walked in slowly. Nervous would be an understatement — she was trembling — but she straightened her shoulders and forced herself to look composed.
This time, the memory shifted.
It focused on Marie and Lewis.
I thought it would fade just like the others. I thought all the memories were centered only around young Aria but guess I was wrong.
Marie stood in front of him.
"You look tired," she said softly.
Lewis didn't respond.
Instead, he asked, "Did she send you?"
Marie froze.
"Who?"
He gave a faint smile — not warm, not cold.
"Never mind."
Silence stretched between them.
After a moment, he said quietly,
"You shouldn't get close to people, just when they are about leaving."
Marie blinked. "Leaving?"
But he had already checked the time.
"I have to go."
He walked past her.
Then paused.
"At least from now," he said quietly, "I will start seeing you."
But he didn't look at her when he said it. Marie remained where she stood, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. It looked like she was trying to figure out something
One minute later, young Aria stepped inside the library.
She looked almost breathless.
"Well?" Aria asked quickly. "How did it go? Did you speak to him?"
Marie didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she studied her.
"Are you trying to mock me, Aria?"
Young Aria blinked. "What?"
Marie let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
"Don't pretend you don't know what I mean."
"I really don't—"
"You remember what you said before we got here." Marie's voice sharpened. "You said, 'from there he'll start seeing you.'"
Young Aria's expression faltered.
"And then he said the exact same thing." Marie's voice cracked despite her effort to keep it steady. "The exact same words."
Silence filled the space between them.
"That's not—" young Aria stepped closer. "That's just a coincidence."
Marie actually laughed this time — a broken sound.
"A coincidence?" She air-quoted the word, tears now spilling freely. "Do you think I'm stupid?"
"I would never—"
"Then why didn't you go talk to him yourself?" Marie demanded. "You dragged me here. You hid. You made me stand there like some kind of replacement."
Young Aria looked stunned. "I didn't—"
"You love him," Marie said, and this time the words didn't tremble — they hardened. "So you planned this. Both of you."
Young Aria shook her head. "Marie, that's not—"
"To embarrass me," Marie cut in. "To make me feel small."
Her breathing grew uneven.
"Oh." A bitter laugh escaped her. "I see now."
Young Aria frowned.
"See what?"
"This is your little revenge, isn't it?" Marie's voice lowered, colder now. "For what happened that day with Jasmine."
Her voice trembled.
"Thank you so much, Ariana Larken."
And before young Aria could respond, Marie turned and walked out of the library — leaving behind silence thicker than before.