the truth(46)

(Rain pours from the sky, drenching the empty school courtyard where Michael and Ethan stand. The dim glow of streetlights casts long shadows on the pavement, their figures outlined against the storm. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground fills the silence between them.)

Michael (low, almost pleading):

"Ethan… do we really have no other choice but to fight?"

(Ethan's expression is hard to read. His wet hair clings to his forehead, his breathing steady. He exhales before answering, his voice calm, but firm.)

Ethan:

"Well, we do have a choice. Well, you do, at least. You can apologize… or you can fight. Which one will it be?"

(A tense silence follows. The rain continues to pour, washing over them like an omen. Michael's fists tighten, his knuckles turning white. He doesn't answer immediately. For a second, he looks away, his jaw clenched.)

(Then, after what feels like an eternity, he looks up—his eyes burning with something unshakable.)

Michael (cold, resigned):

"Well, looks like I have no choice but to fight."

(A heavy gust of wind howls through the courtyard as Michael takes his stance. Ethan nods slightly, accepting his decision, and then they charge at each other.)

(The moment they collide, the storm rages with them. Michael swings first, a fast right hook aimed at Ethan's jaw. Ethan barely dodges, countering with a straight punch to Michael's ribs. The impact is solid, forcing Michael to stagger back.)

(Blood drips from the corner of Michael's mouth, but he doesn't stop. Instead, he lunges forward, throwing a wild punch straight at Ethan's face. The force sends Ethan stumbling back, his nose beginning to bleed. He grits his teeth, eyes darkening with fury.)

Ethan (panting):

"Why, Michael?! Why couldn't you just apologize?! Why?!"

(Michael wipes the blood from his lip, his expression unreadable.)

Michael (firm, voice shaking with anger):

"Ethan… you don't know what she was doing when you weren't looking. She's been manipulating you."

(Ethan glares at him, fists tightening.)

Ethan:

"Shut up! Lisa would never—"

Michael (interrupting, voice rising):

"I found the truth, Ethan! Her own parents said it with their own mouths! They said she was never our friend to begin with! She was manipulating all of us!"

(Ethan stops, rain dripping from his chin. His eyes waver, but only for a moment. Then, he shakes his head violently, as if trying to rid himself of Michael's words.)

Ethan (shouting, desperate):

"No! She's my girlfriend! She could never be evil! Ever since the day I met her, she was innocent! Did you see her smile, Michael?! There is no way that was an evil smile! I refuse to accept it!"

Michael (darkly, voice dripping with frustration):

"Ethan… you're a fool. You're ignorant. Deep down, you probably know the truth… but you refuse to accept it."

(Ethan clenches his jaw, something breaking in his gaze.)

Ethan (gritted teeth):

"Of course I refuse to accept it! She's my girlfriend, Michael! I will refuse to accept it! I will never accept it!"

(With a roar of frustration, Ethan lunges at Michael. They crash into each other, fists flying, bodies slamming against the rain-soaked pavement. They don't fight like trained martial artists. They fight like desperate men with nothing to lose.)

(Blood splatters against the ground. Their faces are bruised, their knuckles raw. Every punch carries anger, regret, and years of broken friendship.)

(The storm rages on. Neither one stops. They keep swinging, keep fighting, refusing to yield.)

(Eventually, their bodies grow heavy, their muscles aching. They're both exhausted, their movements sluggish. Their breath comes in ragged gasps. Rainwater mixes with blood on their faces.)

Ethan (weakly, voice breaking):

"Michael… can't you just apologize?"

(A heavy pause. Michael stares at him, his chest rising and falling. His lips part, but the words won't come.)

(Then, finally, he speaks.)

Michael (quietly, yet resolute):

"No. I can't. Sorry."

(And just as they prepare to finish their fight, a voice cuts through the rain.)

Lisa (mocking, smooth):

"Well, hello there."

(Michael and Ethan freeze. Slowly, they turn to see Lisa standing a few feet away, an umbrella in hand. Her parents stand beside her, their expressions unreadable.)

Michael (growling, spitting blood to the side):

"Lisa… what the hell are you doing here, you bitch?"

Ethan (confused, breathless):

"Lisa…?"

(She ignores Michael completely and steps toward Ethan, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. Then, without hesitation, she leans in and presses a soft kiss to Ethan's lips.)

(Ethan's eyes widen in shock.)

Ethan:

"Lisa… what did you do that for?"

(Lisa doesn't answer. Instead, she kisses him again. But this time, as her lips press against his, a glint of silver flashes in her hand—)

(A dagger.)

(Before Ethan can react, Lisa drives the blade straight into his stomach.)

(The world slows.)

(Michael's breath catches in his throat. His entire body freezes in place.)

(Ethan stares down in disbelief, his fingers trembling as he touches the hilt of the dagger lodged in his abdomen. His breath shudders, his knees weakening.)

Ethan (hoarse, barely a whisper):

"W-Why…?"

(Lisa tilts her head, smiling sweetly.)

Lisa (softly, as if amused):

"Sorry, Ethan… but Michael was right. This whole time, I was trying to manipulate you."

(Ethan's lips part, but no words come out.)

Lisa (casually):

"I got bored of you, Ethan."

(And then, just like that, she lets go of the knife. Ethan stumbles, his legs giving out. He crashes to his knees, blood seeping into the pavement, mixing with the rain. His vision blurs, darkening at the edges.)

(He turns his head slightly, his fading gaze landing on Michael.)

Ethan (choked, barely audible):

"…Sorry, Michael… I should have believed you…"

(And then—his body slumps forward.)

(He stops moving.)

(The rain continues to fall, the sound deafening in the silence.)

(Michael stares. He doesn't move. He doesn't breathe. His entire world has gone still.)

(Then, something inside him snaps.)

(His hands shake. His body trembles.)

(And then, he roars.)

Michael (screaming, voice raw and unhinged):

"LISA… I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"

(Back in the present, Dakota and his friends stand in shock as Lucas writhes on the ground, screaming in agony.)

(Ava, Mia, and Liam clutch their heads, their faces twisted with pain.)

Lucas (screaming):

"MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!"

(Dakota watches, his expression dark and trembling with rage.)

(His hands clench into fists.)

(And then, with a cold, quiet whisper, he speaks.)

Dakota (muttering, voice venomous):

"Oh, Lisa… I can't wait to meet you again… so I can rip you apart."