Rafael watched from across the hallway as Althea laughed, her hand brushing against someone else's arm. His heart thumped—no, it shattered a little. That was their spot, near the lockers, the one place they always met after classes.
He blinked, hoping it was just a trick of the light. But no. The way her eyes sparkled, the tilt of her head—it wasn't for him.
"Rafa!" Althea waved cheerfully, like nothing had happened.
He forced a smile, but it felt heavy. "Hey…" His voice cracked. He wanted to ask, to yell, to demand, but the words wouldn't come.
His chest burned with a weird mix of anger and longing. How could someone so perfect, so… hers in every memory, betray him like this?
"Who's that with her?" His friend nudged him, eyes narrowing.
Rafa's stomach twisted. "I… I don't know," he admitted, trying to convince himself it didn't matter.
But it did. It mattered too much.
As Althea's laughter floated across the hallway, Rafael clenched his fists. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
And deep inside, a tiny, nagging voice whispered:
She's not who you think she is…
Rafael didn't want to believe it. But the smile on Althea's face told a different story.