chapter 6: Trapped in lie

I stumbled into the classroom, my mouth throbbing in pain and blood trickling down my chin, when Mira rushed to my side, concern etched on her face.

"Who did this to you?' Mira asked, but before I could respond, Anthony dragged me out of the classroom, his grip tight on my arm, and led me to the school nurse, his eyes blazing with concern, and only then did he ask, 'Who hurt you?'"

I longed to reveal the truth, but I hesitated, fearing that accusing his cousin would spark a rift between them, so I remained silent, even as Anthony's frustration boiled over, his shouting unlike anything I'd ever seen before.I rose from my seat, my anger simmering, and headed to the clinic, where I spotted Andrew, Yet, I knew I had to confront him, so I approached him, my heart pounding, and demanded, 'We need to talk'.

I sobbed, my voice shaking, 'I can't do this anymore,' but Andrew just laughed, his mocking tone cutting deep, 'You think your precious best friend would stick around if she knew you were tangled up with her ex? I berated myself for my stupidity, wondering how I'd ever explain this mess to Mira. How could I possibly tell her about my entanglement with Andrew, her ex?

Mira's curious gaze fell on my lips, and she asked what happened, but I quickly fabricated a story, telling her I'd accidentally hit them on the door, dodging the truth. I just wanted things to end.

As Mira's mom arrived to pick her up, I prepared to walk home alone, but then Anthony appeared out of nowhere, his presence a unwelcome surprise.He suggested we head home, and we walked together in silence. As we reached my house, he bid me a quick goodbye, and I was left to face my mom's concerned gaze. I brushed off her worries with a faint 'I'm fine', but the moment I reached my room, I collapsed onto my bed, surrendering to tears.

The knock on the door was a dreaded signal; my mom's gentle voice followed, 'Honey, it's time for dinner, are you okay, baby?' But I couldn't muster the strength to respond, let alone open the door. I remained silent, hoping she'd leave me alone.Despite my silence, she continued to knock, her voice growing more urgent, 'Sweetheart, Anthony and his cousin are here with his mom, please come downstairs, but Ignored her again.

" Sorry guys Emily is not in a good mood now I don't know why she has been ignoring me since she came back from school" my mom said.

So, I mustered the strength to get up, not wanting to add to my mom's worry. I freshened up and headed downstairs for dinner, putting on a brave face to hide my lingering sorrow.

Hey Emily, Andrew said with a smile on his face, but I just couldn't muster a response, my eyes locking with Anthony's instead, his gaze piercing through my facade. I ignored Andrew's greeting and sat down, trying to escape the tension."

After dinner, Andrew stepped outside to take a call, and Anthony's mom and mine retreated to the kitchen, engrossed in conversation. I seized the opportunity to escape, retreating to my room. But soon, a knock on the door broke the silence, and I found Anthony standing in the doorway, his eyes fixed on mine.

Emily, what's wrong?" he asked, his concerned tone cracking open the dam of my emotions, and I burst into tears. He swiftly locked the door and sat me down, enveloping me in a warm embrace.I wished I coud tell him my sorrow, but words failed me. Instead, I surrendered to tears, Anthony's embrace. As I cried, I felt a sense of comfort and security in his arms, eventually drifting off to sleep, wrapped in his gentle hold.