Illusion Of Love

Maya never knew what love truly was. She only knew what she saw in movies and read in novels, so she always had high expectations for her Prince Charming. Even though she dated so many boys and was wanted by nearly every guy at Crostwood High, she never found what she was looking for in a partner.

Until she joined the drama group.

That's when she saw him—Vic.

He was tall, handsome, charming, and soft-spoken. The perfect fairytale prince. On top of that, he was on the basketball team. Every girl wanted him, but when Maya set her sights on him, she knew one thing for sure—she had to have him.

For Vic, it was an easy mission. The girl already liked him; he just needed to put in a little effort to spend time with her. And after spending time with her, he understood what she wanted.

So, he became the perfect boyfriend.

He paid attention to every detail—hugging her at the right moments, giving her his jacket when she was cold, showering her with gifts and surprises. He memorized all her favorite book and movie characters and shaped his personality to match them. Maya was blinded by love. Even when Vic made mistakes, she forgave him instantly.

Everyone at school knew Vic was a player, but Maya refused to believe it. To her, he was a changed man. But in reality, he wasn't. He still cheated on her from time to time.

They had been together for nearly a year when things started to shift. Vic had worked hard to build their relationship, but now, he wanted to take things to the next level—an intimate level. Maya, however, wasn't ready.

That night, everything changed.

"I love you, Maya," Vic murmured, his hands trailing down her back as they sat on his bed. "Don't you trust me?"

Maya swallowed, her heart pounding. "I do, but… I'm not ready for that, Vic."

His jaw tensed for a second before he forced a smile. "Come on, babe. We've been together for so long. It's only natural."

She shook her head, pulling away slightly. "I said no."

Silence.

Vic exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, fine. Whatever."

The tension was suffocating. He didn't try to convince her again, but something in his eyes had changed. Something cold. Something distant.

After that night, Vic wasn't the same.

The sweet texts became shorter. The long dates turned into brief meetings between his practices. The random gifts stopped. And the fights? They became constant.

At first, Maya tried to ignore it. Maybe he was just busy. Maybe she was imagining things. But deep down, she knew. That night had created a crack between them, one that couldn't be sealed.

"You're always busy," Maya said one afternoon, crossing her arms. "You never call anymore."

Vic sighed, leaning against his locker. "I have a life outside of you, Maya."

Her stomach twisted. "That's not what I'm saying. You're different."

He scoffed. "Maybe you're just overthinking."

She bit her lip, forcing back the lump in her throat. "Did I do something wrong?"

Vic glanced at her, something unreadable flashing across his face before he shook his head. "No. I just need space."

Space.

That word felt like a slap.

Maya didn't understand what was happening, but she knew their relationship was spiraling downhill. In front of the school, they were still the perfect couple. But behind closed doors? They were strangers.

And yet, she clung to the illusion. Because as long as people saw them as perfect, that's what really mattered… right?

Maybe time could fix everything.

Maybe. Just maybe.

But time didn't fix it.

Days turned into weeks, and the distance between them grew unbearable. Maya found herself waiting for texts that never came, staring at him from across the cafeteria, hoping—praying—he would look at her like he used to. But he never did. He laughed with his teammates, flirted with other girls, and acted as if she didn't exist.

One afternoon, she caught him leaning against a wall, talking to a girl from the cheer squad. The girl giggled, touching his arm, and Vic didn't pull away. Instead, he smirked down at her in that familiar way he used to with Maya.

Maya's heart clenched. She marched up to him, her voice sharp. "Can we talk?"

Vic barely glanced at her. "Not now, Maya."

"Then when?" she snapped. "Because it's been weeks, Vic. Weeks of you avoiding me, acting like I'm some stranger—"

He groaned, rolling his eyes. "God, Maya, do you have to make a scene?"

Her breath hitched. "A scene?"

The cheerleader shifted awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable. Maya didn't care.

"What's wrong with you?" she continued, her voice breaking. "Why are you treating me like this?"

Vic finally looked at her, and for the first time, she saw it clearly—boredom. "Because I don't want to do this anymore."

The words knocked the air from her lungs. "What?"

"You heard me." He crossed his arms. "This relationship isn't working. We're done."

Maya's body went cold. Her ears rang. No. No, this wasn't happening. He was just angry. He didn't mean it. He couldn't mean it.

"You don't mean that," she whispered, gripping his arm. "Vic, please. Just talk to me—"

He pulled away, shaking his head. "I don't want to talk, Maya. I just want to move on."

Move on.

The final nail in the coffin.

Maya felt her vision blur as Vic turned back to the cheerleader, completely dismissing her. The girl shifted uncomfortably, offering Maya an awkward glance before mumbling something to Vic and walking away.

But Maya couldn't move. She stood there, humiliated, heartbroken, and lost. The perfect romance she had clung to, the one she had fought for, was gone. Just like that.

Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of him.

So she lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, and forced a smirk she didn't feel. "Fine," she said. "I hope she's worth it."

Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Her hands were trembling. Her heart was shattered. And yet, as she passed by students whispering and staring, she didn't let them see her break.

Not yet.

She would fall apart later. Alone.

Because that was all she had left now—herself and the illusion of what love should have been.