The Breaking Point

Chapter 18: The Breaking Point

Although Erica wanted to pretend nothing had happened, avoiding Cloud didn't make her feelings disappear.

Since she felt like she was caught in an emotional storm, she didn't know whether she was more angry at Cloud, at Nicole, or at herself. Even though she had spent months trying to move on, she realized that she wasn't as far along as she had believed.

Because Cloud's feelings for Nicole had forced her to confront a truth she had been avoiding—she was still in love with her ex.

When Risha found Erica sitting alone on the bleachers after school, she didn't need to ask what was wrong.

"You good?" Risha asked, even though they both knew the answer.

Erica let out a dry laugh. "No. Not even close."

Although Risha didn't say anything at first, she eventually nudged Erica's shoulder. "Wanna talk about it?"

Erica hesitated before sighing. "I just feel like an idiot," she admitted.

"Why?" Risha asked.

"Because I thought I was okay," Erica muttered. "I thought I had moved on. But the second I hear someone else likes Nicole, I fall apart."

Even though Risha was silent for a moment, she eventually said, "Maybe that just means you're not ready to let her go."

Even though Erica wanted to argue, she knew her friend was right.

But if she wasn't ready now… when would she be?

A cold breeze passed through the field, making Erica tug her jacket tighter around her. Her eyes followed the fading pink of the sunset, but her mind was a mess of memories and questions.

"I hate this," she whispered.

"Hate what?"

"This… feeling. I hate that I still care," she admitted, voice shaking. "I hate that Cloud of all people is the one who made me realize it."

Risha stayed quiet, giving her space.

"I thought I could just bury it. Pretend I was fine. Smile, laugh, hang out with everyone… But when I saw Cloud looking at Nicole the way I used to? It felt like something inside me broke."

Risha nodded slowly. "Because it mattered to you. She mattered to you."

Erica swallowed hard. "She still does."

"Then maybe it's okay that it hurts. Maybe it's okay that you're not ready."

"But I'm tired of hurting," Erica said, finally turning to face Risha. Her eyes were glassy, but no tears fell. "I don't want to be stuck in this place forever."

Risha gave a faint smile. "You won't be. But healing isn't clean, Erica. Sometimes you'll feel okay. Other times it'll hit you like a train."

Erica blinked. "Is this the part where you give me wise advice like a grandma?"

Risha laughed softly. "Nah. I'm just here so you don't sit in silence and pretend you're fine when you're clearly not."

Before Risha could finish her words Angel appeared with a flirty smirk

"Hey Erica where have you been I've been searching for you," Angel walk closer towards Erica

"Speaking of the devil,I think i should go good luck Erica,"

Angel and Erica sat in silence for a moment longer, the sky dimming above them. Erica leaned into the warmth of Angel's presence, allowing herself—just for tonight—not to be okay.

But deep down, something was changing.

She knew she couldn't avoid Cloud forever.

And sooner or later, she'd have to face Nicole, too.

But for now she realised that she don't have to think something like that.

In that moment she noticed that her heart skips a beat and the time had stopped,as if there was a missing piece in her that she can only find when she's with Angel.

Erica was still confused and loosing faith for love....

For now,