The Reveal

Chapter 3

The message stared back at me, the words blurring slightly as I tried to make sense of them:

"I'm sorry for you finding out that your girlfriend is a cheat that way and for the both of you ending things. Truth be told, she doesn't deserve you. You are so special for someone like her."

My fingers hovered over the keyboard. "Who are you?" I typed quickly. "And how do you even know about this?"

I set the phone down on my desk, sighing as I pulled a fresh shirt from my closet. The morning light filtering through the curtains felt like a slap in the face, far too bright for me

Getting ready felt mechanical—brushing my teeth, splashing cold water on my swollen face, dragging a comb through my hair. I avoided looking in the mirror for too long, afraid I'd see the broken version of myself staring back.

By the time I was dressed and ready, the phone was still silent. No reply.

Grabbing my sunglasses, I slipped them on and took one last look at myself in the mirror. The dark lenses didn't hide everything—the bags under my eyes, the tension in my jaw—but they were a shield, however flimsy. I slung my bag over my shoulder, grabbed my car keys, and reached for the phone just as it buzzed in my hand.

The screen lit up, and there it was again.

No Caller ID.

I swiped it open, my heart pounding faster than I wanted it to.

"The news already spread like wildfire. Almost everyone knows about the breakup, so I just wanted to check on you."

I frowned, reading the message aloud under my breath. "How the hell does everyone already know?" I scoffed, shaking my head.

It wasn't just the words—they felt intrusive, like this person was peeking into my life from the shadows. Whoever they were, they clearly knew too much.

My fingers flew across the screen. "Mind your business and stay out of mine. Focus on your own life instead of sticking your nose in my relationship."

Satisfied, I tossed the phone on silent and shoved it into my bag.

Just as I was about to leave, my mom's voice called out from the kitchen. "Tyler, you're not leaving without eating something!"

I stopped mid-step, groaning internally. "I'm not hungry, Mom. Thanks, though."

She appeared in the hallway, a dish towel draped over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "Don't lie to me. You haven't eaten since yesterday, and I highly doubt you've got any strength left after crying your heart out."

"Mom, I'll grab something at lunch," I muttered, shifting uncomfortably.

"You're eating something," she said firmly, pointing toward the kitchen. "Even if it's just one pancake. You won't make it through the day on an empty stomach."

I hesitated, the frustration bubbling up. "I'll be fine—"

"Tyler." Her voice softened, but the concern was clear. "Please."

I sighed, giving in. She was relentless when it came to stuff like this. "Fine. One pancake."

She smiled faintly as I grabbed the plate she handed me and tore through the pancake as quickly as possible.

"Thanks, Mom," I mumbled, already heading for the door.

"Take care of yourself, sweetheart," she called after me.

I didn't look back.

The drive to school was uneventful, but the knot in my stomach only tightened as I pulled into the parking lot. Even from behind the tinted windows of my car, I could feel the stares.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and stepped out. The whispers started immediately.

"Is that him?"

"Yeah, Tyler. Poor guy."

"Can't believe Alexis cheated on him."

"I heard she dumped him because he cheated first."

"No way! He doesn't seem like that kind of guy."

I clenched my jaw, keeping my head down as I walked toward the entrance.

Inside, it was worse. The whispers turned into full-blown murmurs, and I could feel the weight of every glance, every smirk.

As I passed the lockers, I heard more snippets.

"Alexis said he couldn't keep her satisfied. What does that even mean?"

"She said he cheated. Can you believe that?"

"Doubt it. She was always hanging around Logan, anyway."

"Still, I kinda feel bad for him. He looks wrecked."

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to block it out. But then I saw her.

Alexis.

She was standing at the end of the hall with her group of friends, laughing like nothing had happened.

The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. My feet moved before I could think, carrying me straight toward her.

"Alexis," I called, my voice low but firm.

She glanced at me briefly, then turned back to her friends, dismissing me entirely.

"Alexis," I said again, louder this time.

When she ignored me again, I reached out and lightly touched her arm.

The slap came out of nowhere.

My head whipped to the side, the sting spreading across my cheek. I blinked, stunned, as the hallway went dead silent.

"How dare you touch me?" she hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped, rubbing my cheek.

Her lips curled into a cruel smile, and she raised her voice so everyone could hear. "I told you I was done with you, Tyler. What part of that didn't you understand?"

The crowd grew, students stopping to watch as she continued.

"I'm tired of your constant cheating, your lies, your… pathetic attempts to keep me interested," she said, her tone dripping with venom.

"What are you talking about?" I stammered. "I never cheated on you!"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, please. You couldn't even satisfy me, Tyler. And you had the nerve to cheat? You're a joke."

The laughter that erupted from the crowd felt like knives stabbing into my chest.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but nothing came out.

Alexis smirked, clearly relishing the attention. "Face it, Tyler. You were never good enough for me."

With that, she turned on her heel and strutted away, her friends trailing behind her like loyal pets.

I stood there, frozen, my mind racing. The betrayal, the lies, the humiliation—it was too much.

As the crowd began to disperse, I caught the lingering stares, the whispered comments.

"Man, that was brutal."

"Poor guy didn't even see it coming."

I turned to my locker, my hands trembling as I grabbed my books. The bell rang, saving me from further torment.

In class, I sat at my chair, staring blankly ahead as the teacher droned on.

This breakup—our breakup—wasn't just going to be a passing thing. No, it was already the headline of the day, the gossip that would stretch into weeks, maybe months.

I could already picture it.

Everywhere I would go, people is going to stare. They'd talk behind my back, make up stories, spread rumors.

The whole damn school would know every single detail, whether I liked it or not. And it wasn't like I could escape. There was no hiding from this kind of humiliation.

Hell, I'm already hearing it

Two months, maybe more. That's how long I'd have to endure this. The taunts, the whispers, the eyes following me as if they could see right through me. This wasn't just a breakup—this was going to be a damn ordeal.

And I have no idea how I am going to survive it. I complained inside of me.

Suddenly my phone buzzed in my pocket jolting me off my thought and I hesitated before pulling it out.

Another message from No Caller ID.

"So sorry about what your ex-girlfriend did to you and how she humiliated you. Please meet me at the hidden corner during break. I'd love to reveal myself to you."

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding. Who the hell was this and how is he/she having an update of everything going with me?