the truth(28)

The morning air was crisp, the autumn wind brushing against Michael's face as he stood at the school gates. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, his shoulders slightly hunched.

A week had passed since the fight.

A week of thinking.

A week of waiting.

And now, here he was—back at school.

Michael: (muttering to himself)

"Alright… just get through today."

He exhaled, shaking off his nerves, and walked inside.

The hallways were the same as always—students chatting, lockers slamming shut, the occasional teacher yelling at someone to get to class. But there was something different in the air.

Or maybe it was just in his head.

When Michael entered the classroom, the first thing he saw was Ethan.

The second thing he saw was Ethan looking away.

Not just Ethan—Lisa, too. The others didn't meet his gaze either. It wasn't just coldness. It was distance. A silent message.

Michael felt something tighten in his chest. He expected this, but damn, it still stung.

Without a word, he walked to his seat, slid into it, and focused on the front of the room.

The teacher began the lesson, and Michael listened. He didn't try to talk to anyone. He didn't try to explain himself.

It wasn't time for that.

Yet.

The bell rang, signaling lunch.

Michael took his time walking to the cafeteria. His feet felt heavier than usual.

Would they even listen to him?

Would Ethan?

As he entered the lunchroom, his eyes scanned the familiar table—their table. Ethan sat with the others, laughing softly at something Liam had said. Lisa was there too, though she seemed less engaged.

Michael clenched his jaw and started walking.

As he approached, the laughter quieted.

The others saw him. Ethan saw him.

A tense silence fell over the table.

Michael took a deep breath.

Then, he bowed.

Michael:

"I am very sorry."

His voice was firm, unwavering. He kept his head lowered.

Michael:

"My emotions were in shambles. I was thinking about something, and I got angry. So I'm sorry, Ethan. I am very sorry."

The silence stretched.

Then—

Ethan stood up, placing a hand on Michael's shoulder.

Ethan:

"I accept your apology, Michael. And I'm sorry too—for fighting you."

Michael slowly raised his head, blinking in surprise.

Then, a smirk tugged at his lips.

Michael:

"Well, damn. That was easier than I thought."

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head.

Lisa, however, remained silent.

Michael noticed the way she was looking at him—like she wanted to say something, but she didn't.

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples.

Ethan:

"You really are an idiot."

Michael:

"An idiot who knows when to apologize."

Ethan rolled his eyes, but a small smirk played on his lips.

And just like that, things shifted. The tension eased.

Ethan sat back down, Michael slid into his usual seat, and the group naturally fell back into conversation.

It was as if the fight had never happened.

Jokes flew back and forth. Laughter filled the air.

But one person wasn't laughing.

Lisa.

She stared at Michael, her eyes unreadable.

Michael could feel her gaze, but he ignored it.

Lisa suddenly stood up.

Lisa:

"I have to go. I have something to do."

Ethan glanced up.

Ethan:

"Oh. Alright, see you later."

Lisa nodded but didn't leave right away.

Instead, she looked at Michael one last time.

Then she turned and walked off.

Michael watched her go, then leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

In his mind, he thought—

"That's what you deserve, bitch."

But he didn't say it.

The crackling fire in the cave cast flickering shadows against the rocky walls. The scent of burning wood mixed with the dampness of the dungeon air, creating a strangely comforting contrast.

The group sat in silence, absorbing Dakota's story.

Henry was the first to react.

Henry:

"Damn, Dakota. You were really sassy back then."

Mia smirked, shaking her head.

Mia:

"Calling Lisa a bitch in your head? Ruthless."

Dakota stretched his arms lazily, grinning.

Dakota:

"Of course I did. She deserved it. Deserved that bitch."

Luna raised an eyebrow.

Luna:

"Dissolved?"

Dakota blinked.

Dakota:

"What?"

Luna:

"You said 'dissolved that bitch.' Did you mean 'deserved'?"

Dakota waved a hand dismissively.

Dakota:

"Same thing."

The group burst into laughter.

Henry wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling.

Henry:

"Oh my god, Dakota. Your hatred for Lisa is hilarious."

Mia leaned forward, smirking.

Mia:

"Are you just going to keep cursing her forever?"

Dakota stretched, cracking his knuckles.

Dakota:

"Until this illusion ends. Until this memory ends, I'm going to keep cursing her."

He smirked.

Dakota:

"And after it ends… I'll still keep cursing her."

The laughter continued, echoing through the cave.

But even as the fire crackled and the jokes flew, there was something in Dakota's eyes.

A flicker of something deeper.

Something unresolved.

Because no matter how much he laughed—

The past still haunted him.

As the night dragged on, the laughter quieted. The fire burned low, casting faint embers into the air. The group sat in comfortable silence.

Then, Duke spoke.

Duke:

"Do you ever regret it, Dakota?"

Dakota didn't answer right away. He leaned back against the cave wall, gazing at the dying flames.

Dakota:

"Regret what?"

Duke:

"Not saying what you really thought. Not telling Lisa to her face how much she pissed you off."

Dakota exhaled, a ghost of a smirk on his lips.

Dakota:

"Nah. Some people don't deserve a reaction."

He glanced up, his golden eyes reflecting the firelight.

Dakota:

"Some people only realize what they lost when it's too late."

The group fell silent at that.

Because deep down, they knew—

Lisa had lost to Dakota.

And she knew it, too.

Dakota thinking: ...man we are very close to ending middle school and getting into highschool... When the intense stuff and terrible stuff happen, when my nightmare happened... I hate that highschool so much, at first it was going good, but suddenly it all started falling down for me. And for Lisa it started going up.