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Part 20 – The Aftermath
The morning after Anna's choice spread like wildfire through the halls of St. Mary's Academy.
Whispers followed her everywhere.
"She chose Nick over Ethan?"
"Didn't she kiss Ethan first?"
"Poor Ethan, no one ever expected him to lose…"
Phones buzzed with photos, memes, and rumors. Anna Rosé felt the weight of hundreds of eyes on her as she walked to her locker, her hand tightly clasped in Nick's. He didn't let go once. His presence was like a shield against the storm of gossip.
Nick glanced at her, his voice soft. "Ignore them, Anna. They'll get tired eventually."
But she knew better. High school never let go of its scandals.
When they entered the cafeteria, the chatter dropped into silence. Ethan Carter sat at the far table, his usual crowd of admirers surrounding him. But there was a difference in him now. No smirk, no playful charm—just a cold mask. His piercing eyes locked with Anna's for a fleeting second, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
Nick noticed and pulled her closer, slipping his arm around her shoulders. "He won't bother you anymore," he promised.
But Anna wasn't sure. Ethan Carter wasn't the kind of boy to walk away quietly.
---
That evening, Anna sat on her bed scrolling through her phone. Her Instagram feed was flooded with posts about her. Some were cruel, some jealous, some supportive. But one notification stopped her heart—a new post from Ethan.
It was a black-and-white picture of the two of them from the club weeks ago, their faces close, lips almost touching. The caption read:
"Not all endings are real. Some stories never finish. #MissRosé"
Her phone nearly slipped from her hands.
Within minutes, comments flooded the post.
"She broke his heart."
"He's still in love with her."
"Nick better watch out."
Anna felt torn apart. She had chosen Nick, yes, but Ethan's words were like poison laced with longing. He wasn't letting go.
---
The next day, Ethan confronted them in the library. The room fell silent as he walked straight to their table, his jaw set, his voice low but sharp.
"So that's it? One choice and suddenly you're his?" Ethan's eyes burned into Anna. "Tell me, Anna… do you really love him? Or did you just pick the safe option?"
Nick stood instantly, his voice fierce. "Stay away from her, Ethan. She made her choice. Respect it."
Ethan gave a bitter laugh, stepping closer until their faces were inches apart. "Respect it? Like you ever respected me? You think because she's holding your hand, she doesn't still think about me at night? About the kisses we shared?"
Anna's cheeks flushed with anger and pain. She slammed her book shut, her voice trembling but firm. "Stop it, Ethan! You can't keep dragging me into your games. Yes, I kissed you. Yes, I felt something for you. But that's over. I chose Nick because with him, it's real. With you… it was fire. Beautiful, dangerous, but destructive. I can't burn anymore."
For a second, the mask cracked. Ethan's expression wavered, his eyes glistening with something raw, almost broken. But then the smirk returned, though weaker this time.
"Fine," he whispered, his voice heavy with pain hidden behind pride. "But remember this, Miss Rosé… fires don't die easily. They leave scars."
And with that, he walked out, leaving silence in his wake.
---
That night, Nick found Anna on the school rooftop, staring at the stars. He wrapped his jacket around her shoulders and kissed her forehead gently.
"You're safe with me, Anna," he whispered. "No matter what he says, no matter what anyone says—you're mine. And I'll fight every storm to keep you."
Tears pricked her eyes, but this time they weren't from confusion. They were from relief. She leaned into his chest, his heartbeat steady against her ear.
For the first time in months, Anna felt peace. The storm of Ethan's passion was behind her. And though his shadow still lingered, she knew where she belonged—wrapped in Nick's arms, under the quiet sky, where love was real and safe.
--next part soon 🔜 😁