Chapter 8: Unspoken Battles

Leila's steps faltered the moment she saw Ariana standing outside the library.

For a second, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words, tangled emotions, and the weight of years between them.

Ariana clenched her fists. She had spent the entire night debating whether she should be here. Whether she should just let things go.

But seeing Damien chase after Leila had changed something inside her.

She wasn't going to walk away this time.

Leila sighed. "What do you want, Ariana?"

The sharpness of her voice stung, but Ariana refused to flinch. "We need to talk."

Leila exhaled a bitter laugh. "Talk? Now you want to talk?"

Ariana stepped forward, lowering her voice. "I know I messed up. But you don't have to act like we're strangers."

Leila's jaw tightened. "That's exactly what we are, Ariana. Strangers."

Something inside Ariana twisted painfully.

Leila started to walk away, but Ariana grabbed her wrist without thinking. "Wait—"

Leila's eyes flashed with something unreadable as she yanked her hand away. "Don't do that."

Ariana hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar ache settle in her chest.

"Leila, I—"

"Save it." Leila's voice was cold. "Whatever guilt you're carrying? That's yours to deal with."

And just like that, she was gone.

Ariana stood frozen, watching as the girl who had once been her closest friend walked away without looking back.

—

That evening, the school held an exclusive gala at the city's most luxurious five-star hotel. Only the elite were invited.

Ariana wasn't surprised when Damien Blackwell arrived with his usual arrogance, dressed in an expensive black suit, surrounded by admirers. He was the king of their world, and he knew it.

What did surprise her was the moment he turned, eyes scanning the room—

And landed directly on her.

Ariana stiffened as Damien smirked and made his way toward her.

"Montgomery," he drawled. "You look stunning tonight."

She lifted a brow. "What do you want, Blackwell?"

Damien's smirk widened. "You tell me. You've been watching me all night."

Ariana scoffed. "Get over yourself."

He leaned in slightly. "Or are you watching someone else?"

Ariana's breath hitched.

Because she already knew who he meant.

Leila.

Damien chuckled, eyes gleaming. "Interesting."

Ariana forced herself to remain calm, but deep down, something inside her was unraveling.

She wasn't sure what was happening.

She wasn't sure why it mattered so much.

All she knew was that Leila had slipped through her fingers once.

And she wasn't sure she could handle losing her again.