Unspoken Truths and Growing Tensions

The air in the house had become suffocating. Even though Felix had returned, his presence was colder than ever. Grace barely spoke, her mood shifting between sadness and frustration. Juan watched her children carefully, suspecting that something deeper was happening, but she didn't push them to talk.

One evening, as Lisa sat in the kitchen drinking tea, Grace entered, looking pale. She hesitated before sitting across from her.

"Lisa… do you think Mom suspects?" Grace asked quietly.

Lisa didn't need to ask what she meant.

"Probably," she admitted.

Grace let out a shaky sigh. "I haven't even taken a test yet, but I… I feel different. I feel sick sometimes. And I lost my job—everything is a mess."

Lisa didn't know what to say. Grace had never been particularly close to her, but right now, she looked vulnerable.

"You need to tell Mom," Lisa finally said.

Grace shook her head quickly. "No. Not yet. She'll be so disappointed."

Before Lisa could respond, Felix walked in. He didn't even spare them a glance as he grabbed a bottle of water.

"Felix, please, can we talk?" Grace tried again.

He ignored her, twisting the bottle cap open.

"Felix—"

"Stop," he snapped. "I have nothing to say to you."

Grace's eyes watered. "I know you're angry, but I—"

Felix slammed the bottle on the counter. "Angry? You don't even understand, do you?"

Joseph, who had been walking by, froze at the sound of Felix's voice. Juan looked up from the couch.

Lisa saw the rage building in Felix's expression and stood up, placing a hand on his arm.

"Felix, stop," she said softly.

For a brief second, he looked at her, and something in his eyes flickered. But then, just as quickly, he pulled away and walked off to his room.

Grace wiped her tears and left as well.

Lisa stood in the empty kitchen, feeling exhausted.

Why does everything feel so wrong?

Lisa tried to focus in class, but her mind kept drifting. Baskhar and Iris sat together a few seats away, whispering and laughing. Lisa forced herself to look away.

I don't love him.

It was something she told herself over and over again. But seeing him with Iris still made something ache inside her.

During lunch, she was walking alone toward the cafeteria when Baskhar caught up to her.

"Lisa, hey. You okay?"

She forced a smile. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

He hesitated. "You've been quiet lately."

Lisa shrugged. "Just dealing with things at home."

Baskhar looked at her for a moment before nodding. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Lisa felt warmth spread in her chest, but it quickly turned to guilt.

"Thanks," she said before walking away.

She wasn't being fair to him. Baskhar liked her, and she had been happy about that at first. But deep down, she knew… she didn't love him.

She loved someone else.

No. I don't.

She shook the thought away.

Lisa had barely taken a seat in the cafeteria when she heard familiar, mocking voices.

"Look who it is," Elsa sneered. "The little poor loser."

Lisa sighed, not even looking up.

"Why are you always alone, Lisa?" Erica added. "Oh wait, I know—because you're a nobody."

Linda smirked. "And even if you weren't, Felix would never waste his time on someone like you."

Lisa felt her stomach tighten.

"Felix doesn't talk to anyone, including you guys," she said calmly.

"Maybe," Elsa said, flipping her hair, "but at least he acknowledges us. With you, he just seems… disgusted."

Lisa's nails dug into her palms.

Before she could say anything, Baskhar's voice cut through the air.

"Lisa, let's go," he said, standing behind her.

The Barbie Girls immediately straightened, their confident smirks faltering.

"Why do you even hang out with her?" Elsa scoffed.

Baskhar's gaze was sharp. "Because she's better than all of you combined."

Lisa's chest tightened.

The Barbie Girls huffed and walked away, whispering amongst themselves.

Lisa looked at Baskhar. "You didn't have to do that."

He shrugged. "I wanted to."

She gave a small smile. "Thanks."

Baskhar smiled back, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.

Later that day, Lisa was sitting outside, watching the sky when Iris found her.

"Hey," Iris said softly.

Lisa nodded. "Hey."

Iris hesitated before sitting down. "I wanted to tell you something."

Lisa glanced at her. "What is it?"

Iris looked nervous. "Baskhar and I… we're going on a date this weekend."

Lisa's heart clenched, but she forced herself to smile.

"That's great, Iris."

Iris studied her. "Are you sure?"

Lisa nodded. "Yeah. You deserve to be happy."

Iris smiled, relieved. "Thanks, Lisa. I really like him."

Lisa swallowed the lump in her throat.

"I know," she said softly.

As Iris walked away, Lisa finally admitted it to herself.

She didn't love Baskhar.

She loved Felix.

And she hated herself for it.