The Art of Pretending

Chapter 7: The Art of Pretending

Nicole tried to act like things were normal. Like they could still be in each other's lives without everything falling apart.

She smiled when they passed in the hallway, waved when they locked eyes in class. And Erica played along, forcing smiles that never reached her eyes.

But inside, it burned.

It burned when she saw Nicole talking to someone else, laughing like she hadn't once cried over losing Erica. It burned when she sat next to her in biology, their shoulders inches apart but worlds away.

And the worst part?

Nicole still looked at her like she meant something.

Like she regretted everything.

Like maybe, just maybe, she still loved her too.