TWENTY-SIX: CURSHED.

Zack stared in surprise as I ran out. He was about to go after me when Eska appeared.

"What's up? What happened?" she asked, casually sipping her wine.

"I wish I knew."

With a sigh, he made his way to the wine table, poured himself a glass, and took a deep gulp.

"So, you're telling me you have no idea why she just ditched you like that?" Eska raised a brow. "Maybe something you said?"

Zack set his glass down, his mind replaying the last few moments. "One minute, we were laughing, figuring out a way to ditch the speech, and the next… she looked scared. She had this worried look on her face, like she saw something. And when she ran, it was like she was chasing someone." His brows furrowed. "I need to go after her."

Before he could leave, Pink and the rest of the group arrived, each grabbing a glass and pouring themselves a drink.

"This night is going great. Who's having fun?" Pink asked, raising her glass.

"I definitely am!" Clary whooped, downing her wine in one gulp before rushing back to the dance floor with her date.

"Going well for us," Summer said, clinking her glass against Daniel's.

"Mine's going amazing," Pink added with a satisfied smile.

Eska glanced around. "Where's Jesse?"

"He went to take care of something," Pink replied. "What about Terra?"

Zack's face darkened.

"What happened?" Summer asked, now concerned. Eska, sensing Zack's reluctance, took it upon herself to explain.

"Why would she run off like that?" Summer asked skeptically.

"That's not like Terra," Pink said, setting her drink down. "I'll go check on her. Who's coming with me?"

"I'd love to," Clary said, "but I can't keep my man waiting." She winked before slipping away.

Pink sighed. "Guess I'm on my own, then."

Outside

The night was cool, the streetlights casting dim glows over the pavement. Pink wrapped her arms around herself as she walked into the darkness.

"Terra!" she called, scanning the empty courtyard. "Where'd you go?"

After checking several places, she finally wandered toward the field.

"You better be here," she muttered under her breath, stepping further in.

Then she saw me.

But I wasn't alone.

From a distance, she spotted Jesse, his lips on mine.

Pink's breath hitched, and she came to a halt. "Terra?"

Her voice snapped me back to reality. My eyes widened, and I shoved Jesse away, turning just in time to see the pains in her eyes.

"It's not what you think!" I blurted, desperation creeping into my voice.

But she didn't stay to listen.

She spun around and ran, a shimmer of tears in her eyes.

"Pink, wait!" I called after her, my chest tightening. I turned to Jesse, hoping he'd go after her and explain that it wasn't what it looked like but he just stood there, silent, his expression unreadable.

"Aren't you gonna go after her?" I snapped.

"And say what?" His voice was cold, indifferent just like always.

I clenched my fists. "Jerk!."

He didn't respond.

I exhaled sharply before running after Pink, but by the time I reached the courtyard, she was gone. My breath came in heavy pants.

This is so messed up.

After the party, I returned to the hostel, Pink was already in bed, her back turned to me.

I hesitated at the doorway, guilt washing over me. "Pink?" I whispered.

No response.

I swallowed hard. "I swear I never meant for any of that to happen. He just… caught me off guard. And I'm so, so sorry."

Still, nothing.

She didn't even glance at me.

I sighed, defeated. "I really am sorry," I murmured one last time before changing into my nightwear.

Something told me… this was only just the beginning.

...

Monday at School

School felt weird. Awkward.

Pink barely acknowledged me. I tried to talk to her in the morning, but she was gone by the time I woke up. And every time I saw her, she found an excuse to leave.

During lunch, I grabbed my tray and made my way to our usual table.

"Okay, this is it," I told myself, inhaling deeply before walking up to them.

"Hey, guys," I greeted, forcing a smile.

"Sup, Terra?" Eska and the others waved back except for Pink. She didn't even look at me.

I moved to sit beside her, like always, but she placed her pink designer purse on the chair.

"Seat's taken," she said coolly. "Find somewhere else."

The table went silent.

"But… that's Terra's spot," Eska said, her brows knitting together in suspicion.

"Not anymore," Pink declared.

"Okay, I'm not following," Clary said, looking between us. "What's going on?"

Pink finally turned to me. "You wanna tell them, or should I?"

I felt a lump in my throat.

This was it. I had to come clean.

I told them everything.

Silence.

The way they looked at me, like I had betrayed them made my stomach churn.

"But it's not what it seems," I tried. "I've been—"

"Save it." Pink's voice was sharp. "I think you've done more than enough."

She grabbed her purse and stormed out.

Clary shot me a look of disgust before rushing after her. "Pink, wait up!"

I turned to Eska and Summer, hoping for some kind of understanding.

"Look, I know I messed up, but it wasn't my intention to—"

"You really messed up," Eska cut in. "And there's no point explaining. Pink's not ready to listen." She placed a hand on my shoulder, her voice softer now. "You'd better find a way to fix this. Because from here, it'll only get worse."

With that, she left.

Summer stood next, her tray in hand. She hesitated before saying, "I've always admired you, Terra… but what you did is unforgivable."

Then she, too, was gone.

I sat there, alone.

What the hell am I going to do now? This wasn't how I planned things to turn out.

And the worst part?

It wasn't even my fault.

...

I skipped math and wandered to the field, the wind biting against my skin like it wanted to punish me too. The sky was heavy with gray clouds, and the whole world felt like it was holding its breath.

I didn't want drama. I just wanted to breathe. To fix everything.

As I turned to head back toward the school, I nearly collided with someone.

Jesse.

Of course.

Out of all the people I didn't want to see right now, he was at the top of the damn list.

I tried to sidestep him, to pretend he wasn't even there, but his hand reached out and caught my arm, firm, not rough.

"Terra..."

I yanked my arm free and turned to face him, fire already building in my chest.

"What now?" I snapped. "You here to finish what you started? Don't worry, I'm leaving."

"Wait."

"Why? So we can be seen together again and fuel more rumors? I'm already getting burned at the stake, thanks to you."

He looked at me then, not smug, not cold, just tired. "I'm sorry. For last night."

"Oh, really? Now you realize that?" My voice cracked as frustration swelled inside me.

He stayed silent, jaw clenched.

I took a step closer, anger shaking my limbs. "Pink hates me. My friends turned their backs."

"I'm sorry about that," he muttered, his voice low. "knowing Pink... she's not going to believe anything you say. She believes what she wants. Always has."

My breath hitched.

"So I'm just supposed to give up?" I hissed. "Let her hate me and say nothing?"

He gave the smallest shrug, a barely-there movement that made my blood boil.

I laughed, sharp and bitter. "You really are something else, Jesse. You make the mess, and I'm the one picking up the pieces. You don't even care what this did to me."

"I do," he said quietly.

"Then act like it!" I shouted, voice echoing across the empty field. "Because I'm the one being painted as the villain here, and I didn't even do anything!"

For a second, something flickered in his eyes. Guilt? Regret? I didn't know, and I didn't care.

I turned and stormed away, heart pounding, throat tight.

And he didn't follow.

Of course he didn't.

...

After School

I rushed back to the hostel, hoping to find Pink, but she wasn't there.

I waited.

Hours passed.

By midnight, she still hadn't returned. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She must be staying at Clary's.

I set my laptop aside and was about to sleep—

Then I heard it.

That eerie sound.

My breath hitched as my eyes darted around the room.

And there she was.

Sitting on Pink's bed. Legs crossed.

She looked dull. Exhausted. Dark eye bags framed her face, like she hadn't slept in days.

She turned to me, offering a weak smile.

Then she waved.

"Wh-who are you?" I stammered, my throat dry.

She smiled wider. "Why don't you find out?"

And then she laid down.

The moment her eyes shut…

She vanished.