Behind the school building, the world felt quieter.
The noise of East Ridge High faded into a distant hum—
football practice echoes, lockers slamming, laughter that didn't reach here.
This was where people came when they didn't want to be watched.
Cypriana leaned against the brick wall, arms folded tight over her stomach.
Matt stood in front of her.
He looked nervous in a way she wasn't used to.
Like he didn't know how to fix something.
"Cypri…" he said softly. "Talk to me."
She forced a smile.
"I am."
Matt's jaw tightened.
"No. You're doing that thing."
"What thing?"
"That thing where you act like you're fine when you're not."
Cypriana's throat tightened.
Her bubblegum was gone today.
No sweetness to hide behind.
She looked away.
Matt stepped closer, voice quieter.
"Did they really call you that?"
Cypriana's fingers curled into her sleeves.
"…Yeah."
Matt's face flashed with anger.
"God, I hate them."
Cypriana let out a humorless laugh.
"It's not about them."
Matt paused.
Then, gently—
"Then what is it about?"
Silence.
The air was cold.
Cypriana swallowed.
Her voice came out thin.
"It's about me."
Matt frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Cypriana hesitated.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Then she sighed.
Like giving up.
Slowly, she reached up to her cheek.
Her fingers wiped across the layer of makeup near her jawline.
Matt blinked.
"Cypriana…?"
She wiped again.
Harder.
The concealer smudged.
And underneath—
A bruise.
Faded yellow and purple.
Old, but not gone.
Matt went completely still.
His voice dropped.
"What the hell…?"
Cypriana's laugh cracked.
"It's nothing."
Matt stepped closer immediately.
"It's not nothing."
Cypriana's eyes burned.
"I said it's nothing."
Matt's voice softened, careful now.
"Who did that?"
Cypriana's lips parted.
But nothing came out.
Because it wasn't one person.
It was pressure.
It was expectations.
It was nights she didn't want to explain.
It was life.
Matt's eyes searched her face.
"…Cypri."
Her voice broke.
"I'm so tired."
Matt's expression shattered.
He didn't think.
He just pulled her into his arms.
Cypriana froze for half a second—
Then collapsed into him.
Her forehead pressed into his chest.
His hands held her like she might fall apart.
And maybe she would.
Matt whispered, almost desperate—
"You don't have to be perfect."
Cypriana laughed softly through something close to tears.
"That's literally my job."
Matt pulled back just enough to look at her.
His hands cupped her face.
His thumb brushed the bruise gently.
His voice was shaking.
"I don't care what anyone says about you."
Cypriana's breath caught.
Matt's eyes held hers.
"I see you."
Something in her chest cracked open.
She whispered—
"Matt…"
He leaned in.
The kiss was slow.
Not like the party.
Not heat.
Not hunger.
This was something else.
Something softer.
Something like an apology.
Cypriana kissed him back, trembling.
For a moment…
She felt human again.
When they pulled apart, she was dizzy.
Matt rested his forehead against hers.
"You're not alone," he murmured.
Cypriana closed her eyes.
She wanted to believe that.
She really did.
But then—
She saw him.
Across the field.
Near the edge of the woods.
Andrew.
Standing still like a shadow that belonged to the trees.
His camera hung loose in his hand.
He wasn't filming.
Just watching.
Cypriana's stomach tightened.
Matt followed her gaze.
His body stiffened instantly.
"…Andrew."
Cypriana whispered—
"I should talk to him."
Matt's voice was careful.
"Cypri…"
"I just…"
She didn't know how to explain the pull.
The gravity.
Andrew looked like someone standing on the edge of disappearing.
Cypriana stepped away.
Matt didn't stop her.
But his eyes did.
Worried.
Afraid.
The grass was damp as she crossed the football field.
Andrew didn't move when she approached.
He only spoke when she was close enough.
"You're with him."
Cypriana flinched slightly.
Her voice was soft.
"It's not like that."
Andrew's eyes flickered.
"It looks like that."
Cypriana swallowed.
"I just wanted to check on you."
Andrew's lips twitched.
"Why?"
Cypriana hesitated.
Because she'd seen his mother.
Because she'd heard the yelling.
Because she knew.
But she couldn't say it.
Not yet.
So instead she whispered—
"You've been…different."
Andrew stared at her.
"So have you."
Cypriana's throat tightened.
"I don't want to change."
Andrew's voice was quiet.
"Change is the only thing that's real."
Cypriana shook her head slightly.
"That's not true."
Andrew stepped closer.
His presence was heavy.
Dangerous in a way Matt wasn't.
Andrew's eyes held hers.
"They hate you."
Cypriana's breath caught.
She didn't answer.
Andrew's voice sharpened just slightly.
"They talk about you. They tear you apart."
Cypriana whispered—
"I know."
Andrew leaned closer.
"And you're still trying to be good."
Cypriana's voice cracked.
"I don't know what else to be."
Andrew's gaze dropped briefly to her cheek.
To the bruise she'd tried to cover.
His jaw tightened.
Then he looked back up.
His voice was almost gentle.
"I do."
Cypriana went still.
The air between them vibrated.
Not with romance.
With something darker.
Something inevitable.
From the bleachers—
Brianna and the cheerleaders watched.
Whispering.
Smirking.
"She really can't pick one."
"Matt and Andrew?"
"That's disgusting."
"Attention whore."
Their laughter was soft.
Poison.
Steve stood farther back.
Alone.
Watching all of it.
His face twisted.
Not jealousy.
Not exactly.
Something worse.
Abandonment.
He muttered to himself—
"Dude…"
His phone buzzed in his hand.
The group chat sat open.
No one had answered him all day.
Steve's jaw clenched.
"They're changing."
He stared at Matt.
At Cypriana.
At Andrew.
And for the first time…
Steve felt like the only one still trying to make it fun.
Still trying to make it normal.
But nothing was normal anymore.
And he was starting to realize—
Maybe he was the one being left behind.