Raina’s POV
The screeching sound of tyres ripping against asphalt was the only thing I heard before everything seed to pause around .
My eyes were shut tight and my arms were slightly raised as if they could sohow shield from the crushing weight of the car that was supposed to hit .
My heart had already accepted it.
This was it, I just want everything to end.
An end that promised silence and would free from the humiliation twisting around my chest at this mont.
But the impact never ca.
Instead, the deafening screeching of a car’s tyres cut into the silent night, and I realized I was still standing while my knees trembled, and my eyes flew wide open with shock.
Just inches away from was the shining hood of a black car, the headlights were still on and shining into my eyes, causing to squint as my body froze and my chest was rising and falling rapidly, as I tried to process that I wasn’t dead.
The car door slamd open, and a tall figure stepped out angrily.
I couldn’t see the person’s face clearly because of the light, even though I was squinting.
"For fuck’s sake, Raina! If you wanna die so bad, at least pick sowhere less inconvenient. Maybe a goddamn bridge or a cliff!" An extrely pissed voice ca into my ears and my eyes widened in surprise.
My lips parted, but no words ca out as I stared at the man who was now standing in front of , looking extrely annoyed.
He was none other than Gary, Kendrick’s best friend.
He had been gone for weeks.. no, over a month. I thought he had left the city for good because of his family issues.
The last thing I expected was to see him tonight, much less with standing in the middle of the road like so pathetic broken doll.
I quickly lowered my head, staring at the ground as my pride and everything inside scread not to let him see like this.
Because Gary wasn’t just Kendrick’s best friend. He was soone I had always tried to put in his place every ti we crossed paths.
I had mocked and sneered at him severally and had even called him useless more tis than I could count. I had built this wall of arrogance around myself when it ca to him, because I hated how his sharp eyes always seed to see through . And he was always trying to protect and help Kendrick, so he was not an ally.
Now, here I am, a crying and broken ss. I couldn’t bear for him to see like this.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that a day like this would co.
"Did you hear ?" he snapped again, his tone dripping with the usual mix of sarcasm and annoyance.
"If you’re gonna play suicidal princess, at least don’t do it in front of my car, I don’t need bloodstains on the hood I just polished." he said with a mocking voice.
I stayed silent, biting down on my trembling lip, hoping he would just walk past , get back in the car, and leave to my misery.
But Gary wasn’t stupid.
The silence dragged on for too long, he didn’t hear the usual insults and arrogant cobacks from .
"Wait..." His voice dropped, less sharp and more cautious.
"Why aren’t you throwing your usual tantrum? Why aren’t you biting my head off?" he asked with a puzzled voice.
I still didn’t lift my head but my shoulders started shaking as I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore.
"Raina..." His tone changed again and he sounded softer and I could hear a hint of worry.
Or maybe I was just thinking too much.
He reached out his hand, and before I could stop him, his hand lifted my chin gently, forcing to et his eyes.
And the second his gaze locked onto my tear-streaked face, his whole expression froze.
His expression was a mixture of shock and disbelief.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I just allowed my tears to flow freely.
A strangled sob tore from my throat as I threw myself against his chest as my arms wrapped around him desperately.
I felt him stiffen instantly, his entire body going rigid, as if he didn’t know what to do with , and honestly, I didn’t care.
I needed to cry and for so reason, right now, Gary was the only person standing here to witness my breakdown.
"I can’t... " My voice cracked.
"I can’t take it anymore!" I said amidst sobs.
The tears kept flowing non stop and his shirt bunched under my fists as I clung to him, soaking his chest with tears.
For a mont, he stayed stiff with his arms hanging awkwardly at his sides.
But slowly, very slowly, one of his hands lifted, hovering before finally resting on my back. Not pulling closer or pushing away. Just... there.
Like he was letting vent without judgnt.
And so I did.
I poured everything out.
"Mark..." I choked.
"He... he cheated on . He lied to ! He used ! Do you know what it feels like to realize that the man you loved, the man you thought saved you, was nothing but a disgusting liar?" My voice broke, anger and heartbreak tangling until I didn’t know which I was feeling exactly.
Gary’s hand on my back tightened , but he didn’t interrupt.
"And Celeste," I spat her na like poison,
"my best friend.. no, the person I thought was my best friend, she betrayed in the worst way possible! She got pregnant for my father. My fucking father! Do you know what it feels like to have everything you thought was solid just... crumble? To realize that the people you trusted most stabbed you in the back?" I asked him in anger.
Each word was laced with so much hatred and my body was shaking violently as I pressed harder against him.
"I hate them! I hate them both! I curse them with everything inside . I curse the day I ever let them into my life. I was so stupid... so blind..." My knees gave out slightly, but Gary’s arm held steady.
He still wasn’t saying anything, just letting vent out all the anger and frustration inside .
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my sobs began to calm. My breathing was ragged and my chest was sore, I could feel my swollen eyes as I blink.
But for the first ti since this nightmare began, I felt... lighter.
I pulled back slightly, embarrassed to realize how tightly I had clung to him. My eyes flickered to his face and for once, I didn’t see the mocking sarcasm I usually expected.
It felt like he was silently saying, I’m not going to pity you, but I’m not going to let you fall either.
"Thank you," I whispered hoarsely, my voice barely audible.
Gary blinked, then cleared his throat awkwardly, like my gratitude made him uncomfortable.
"Don’t thank ...I didn’t do anything." He said before glancing.
"And seriously, if you are planning to keep throwing yourself in front of cars, at least pick a cheaper car next ti. I would rather not deal with dent repairs." he added in his usual sarcastic tone.
I almost laughed but the pain in my chest made unable to.
."Co on, I will drop you ho. I was heading there anyway to see Kendrick."He sighed
I nodded silently and followed him into the car.
The drive was quiet.
My head leaned against the window as the city lights blurred past, my reflection staring back at with swollen eyes. I didn’t know what to say, and Gary didn’t push . The silence between us wasn’t suffocating this ti.,it was... just calm.
When we finally pulled up in front of the house, my heart sank at the sight of Kendrick standing outside. His sharp eyes imdiately landed on Gary’s car, and then on .
Panic surged through as I couldn’t face Kendrick like this. Not with swollen eyes and definitely not with my pride shattered.
The second Gary parked, I rushed out of the car, avoiding Kendrick’s gaze entirely. I bolted inside the house, my footsteps quick against the marble floor.
I didn’t stop until I reached my room.
Slamming the door shut, I pressed my back against it, sliding down until I hit the floor. My chest rose and fell heavily as the humiliation of everything crashing back.
Slowly, I pushed myself up and staggered to the mirror.
The reflection staring back at wasn’t at all. Not the proud, arrogant and untouchable Raina I had always presented to the world.
No, this girl looked broken and weak. Her mascara was sared and her lips were trembling with swollen red eyes. A sorrowful laugh escaped my lips
But then the laugh faded, replaced by sothing darker.
Anger.
I leaned closer to the mirror, my eyes hardening as my tears dried into nothing.
"No more," I whispered to my reflection.
"Celeste and Mark." I spat their nas like curses.
"You think you broke ? You think you can humiliate and walk away untouched? No! You’ve only woken sothing in that you are going to regret." I said coldly.
My fists clenched tightly at my sides, my nails digging into my palms until it hurt. But I welcod the pain as it made more clear headed.
"I swear," I said, my voice low but laced with anger.
"I’ll get my revenge on both of you. I’ll make you wish you never crossed ." I swore angrily.
The girl in the mirror didn’t look broken anymore but her eyes held a dangerous glint.
And for the first ti tonight, I believed in her.
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