Friends to Strangers: The Heartbreak of a Smile

I fear smiling because whenever I do, something bad happens around the same time. It's heartbreaking because I just want to feel happy without worry. I'd rather stay with my poker face, even though it hurts.

Hey! MIA? Mia, are you okay? Why did you react like that in the cafe?" Sara asked worriedly, her voice trembling with concern.

Huh? ... I... I don't know. I'm surprised too. Maybe I was scared of what happened to the lady. She seemed nice, but her husband was not a good man. Were you scared too?" Mia asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Hmm, not really," Sara began, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and anger. "It felt like a scene from a movie meant to get attention, but I was furious when her husband continued to beat her up. Who allows that behavior? If it were me, he would have been beaten up, and he wouldn't dream of hurting any lady again. Useless man! Even though the lady makes money and provides for his basic needs, he still abuses her. It's inhumane—what a loser! Huh!

Sara, take it easy, Mia said softly, trying to calm her down. "Let's not dwell on the sadness. How about we go and sing karaoke? It might help lift our spirits.

Sara's eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and relief. Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. Let's do it!

As they walked towards the karaoke bar, both girls felt a strange blend of sadness and anticipation, knowing that singing their hearts out might just be the release they needed.

We both entered and chose different songs to sing. This would help me share my emotions with Sara, and I hoped she would finally tell me why she did what she did, Mia thought to herself.

Mia's POV:

Sara was the first one with the microphone. She sang "Shivers," and her voice was so beautiful. It was captivating and heartbreaking at the same time. I felt a mix of sadness and happiness because this might be the last time we would be together, and I didn't want it to end. My heart was pounding with the hope that she might open up to me. But I had to know the truth!

She started to drink wine. Luckily, she only had one glass because she could handle her wine well, so I still had a chance to sing my song and maybe find a moment to talk.

End of Mia's POV.

Sara was in such a good mood that she ran over and gave Mia her phone to take a picture of her singing. She took five pictures, and Sara seemed to be enjoying herself, her laughter ringing in the air. But what caught Mia's eye while checking if the pictures she took were good or not were, her own pictures, struggling to save her life from drowning at the beach! It was her so-called best friend's profile...

Mia's heart sank. What? Why? And she even took videos of me!

God! Is this even human behavior?

Each photo and video she viewed broke her heart again and again. Mia couldn't stand still, her legs feeling like jelly. Mia's emotions were all over the room—confusion, anger, sadness. She knew what Sara did to me but could never believe she reached this level. What kind of hatred did she have that she could even giggle while recording someone trying to stay alive in that cold, scary ocean?

Mia felt a lump in her throat, her eyes welling up with tears. She couldn't control herself and shouted at the top of her lungs, HEY! SARAAAAA!

What are we?! I asked you a question... can't you reply to a simple question??! Huh?" Mia's eyes seemed dark red, and her body looked ready to explode with a storm of emotions. She added, "So, were we even friends in the first place?! Answer the damn question... Mia's voice trembled with a mix of anguish and fury as she commanded Sara to speak.

Heyyyyy! Lower your voice! I'm not your kid that you can shout at. Mmmm, are you crazy?" Sara's reply was both teasing and mocking, her smirk cutting through Mia's anger like a knife.

I will not repeat myself, Mia simply said, her voice low but intense. Her breathing was so strong that Sara could hear each inhale and exhale, making the room feel charged with electricity. Mia added, Don't you dare make me more furious! You won't like it... So don't try me, Sara.

Her eyes locked onto Sara's, piercing straight into her soul. This was no longer just a confrontation; it was a raw, emotional battle. The intensity in Mia's gaze made Sara's smirk falter, and she realized that Mia was deadly serious with her words.