*Clara's pov*
Two months ago, Raphael gave me a spare key to his apartment. We were serious then. I kept it secret, thinking it was a sweet sign of trust. Today, I decided to pay him that surprise visit, hoping to fix the stupid fight we'd had.
I used the key and pushed the door open quietly. The first things I saw were a lady's handbag sitting right on the entrance table and a pair of tall heels carelessly dropped by the couch. A knot of instant worry formed in my stomach.
Then, I heard it , what I refused to hear and believe , soft, sickening moaning coming from his bedroom.
My heart pounded, and the blood rushed from my face. I moved slowly, following the sounds I hoped I were wrong. When I reached his door, it was slightly ajar. I pushed my eye against the narrow crack.
What I saw stole my breath and broke my world.
There was Raphael, fully naked, moving with a fast, urgent rhythm. And underneath him, matching his every move, was my best friend, Maya.
It was a terrible, vivid picture. I couldn't believe my eyes, but I couldn't look away either. I gasped loudly, a choked, broken sound that echoed the scream inside my head.
I just stood there, completely still. A painful, dry lump blocked my throat, and hot tears instantly welled up. I felt paralyzed, stuck to the ground by the pure, ugly shock of it all.
I stood there long enough for them to realize I was there. Maya's eyes flew wide.
"Clara!" she shouted, grabbing a sheet to cover herself.
Raphael's head snapped toward the door. His eyes were wide, full of panic and guilt. "Clara, what are you doing? Wait… it's not what it looks like, okay?" he tried to quickly defend himself, but the words were weak.
I didn't care what he said. I didn't say a single word. I just stared at the two people who had ruined my life in one moment. I let out a low, quiet laugh that sounded more like I was fighting to breathe.
"Wow," I said softly, finally finding my voice. "I came here to surprise you and resolve our issue. Turns out there was a surprise waiting for me instead. How ironic."
I reached into my pocket, pulled out the apartment key, and threw it hard at them. It clattered loudly on the wooden floor, the sound echoing through the sudden silence.
"Don't bother following me. Don't try to reach out. You've done enough." I turned and stormed out of the apartment, leaving the sight of their shame behind me.
I ended up at Willow's Bar. It was dark and quiet. I chose a corner table and started crying into a glass of very strong alcohol, trying to make the heavy ache in my chest go numb. The alcohol didn't help. I pulled out my phone and called the only person who could help, my roommate, Zael.
Zael answered after two rings. I tried to speak, but all that came out were soft, broken, muffled noises.
"Clara, what's wrong? Where are you?" Zael asked, her voice instantly full of concern.
"At Willow's Bar," I managed to choke out.
She arrived in under twenty minutes. The moment I saw her familiar face at the entrance, every single feeling I had been fighting collapsed. My tears burst out like a broken dam, rushing down my face as if they had been waiting for permission.
Zael rushed over, wrapping her arms tightly around me. I could barely breathe, but I held on. I didn't want to breathe; I just wanted to disappear from the world.
"Don't worry, I got you," she whispered into my ear. "I'm here, Clara. You are safe."
We sat there for a long time. We didn't need to speak. We just had the quiet understanding of two people who know the pain of heartbreak. After I calmed down a little, she helped me walk to my car and drove me home.
I didn't say a word the whole ride back. I just stared out the window, wondering how the love I thought I had could turn into such a brutal betrayal so quickly.
When we arrived home, no one else was awake. Zael took me to my room, tucked me into bed, and had to leave quickly for an emergency.
I lay in bed alone. Why did it have to end like this? I cried to myself. We were together since high school. Four years! He was so sweet to me, most of the time. But cheating on me with Maya, my own best friend? Of all the girls!
I cried myself to sleep. As my eyes finally closed, the orb on my bedside table suddenly began to glow a deep blue light. It seemed to collect all my tears, even the wet spots on my pillow. In the dark room, a shadowy figure briefly flashed into existence, staring down at my sleeping body, before it vanished.
************************************
The next morning, the sun shone brightly through my curtains. My alarm started ringing, pulling me out of a restless sleep. I hesitated to get up, but then I remembered: I couldn't let my parents or siblings see me broken. If they found out about Raphael and Maya, Raphael would be in massive trouble, especially since his parents were family friends.
Motivated by this thought, I sprang out of bed, running a hand through my thick, tangled hair. I made my way downstairs to get myself some much needed coffee.
As I prepared my drink, I tried to convince myself to be strong. After the terrible night I had, I just need to let things go. Things happen for a reason, right? The last thing I need is more drama in my life. I felt like I had been stabbed repeatedly, and the dagger was twisted a lot, but I decided I had to move on from this whole mess. If it hadn't been for Zael's comfort last night, I would still be a mess.
Zael has always been a great friend, almost like a sister. She looked out for me from my first year of college, and we decided to stay roommates until we graduated.
Maya, though, was more complicated. We had been best friends since middle school, but I always noticed a hint of jealousy from her since senior year of high school. She acted like I didn't deserve good things, but I always ignored it, thinking friends sometimes fought. Well, this is the last time I forgive her for one of her silly games.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard footsteps. It was Caleb, coming down the stairs. Great. Just what I needed.
My brother and I locked eyes. He stared at me with pure disgust.
"What are you look…"
"You look disgustingly horrible," he cut me off.
"Shut up. Aren't you supposed to be in school? It's a Monday," I shot back, crossing my arms to remind him who was older.
"First, I can go to school anytime I want, I'm in senior year. Second, seriously, brush your teeth. It smells like something died in here," he said, covering his nose dramatically.
"I'm not in the mood for this. I'm going upstairs." I grabbed my coffee.
"Wait, I'm sorry, okay? But are you actually okay?" He blocked my path.
"It's nothing, Caleb. I just slept really late. Can you move now?"
"You expect me to believe that?" he asked, completely doubtful.
This kid really thinks he can lecture me because he grew a few inches taller.
"I told you, it's nothing! Ugh. Go to school before I tell Dad you're late."
"But I heard you crying last night."
"Oh, so now you're spying on me?"
"No one is spying on you, Clara. Did you forget you're an ugly crier? Even if I was miles away, I would still hear you wailing like a cow."
"You know you're going to be late, right? You'll get in trouble if you don't leave." I tried to change the subject.
"Wait… did something happen between you and Raph?"
"What are you talking about? You know what, I don't have time for this."
"Did he cheat on you?" he asked, ignoring my denial.
"Can you stop guessing and get to school!"
"Oh! So he did cheat on you! Wow, that two-faced jerk."
"Caleb, nothing happened, okay?"
He gave me a stare that said he knew I was lying.
"Fine," I sighed. "He cheated on me. I caught him yesterday. Please, please don't tell anyone."
"I knew it! Wait till China hears about this." He started pulling out his phone.
"No! Stop! Don't tell her! You know China , if she finds out, she'll go to his house and attack him with a crowbar!" I begged him.
"But she's our older sister, Clara. She has to know. Don't you want her to look out for you?"
"No! We shouldn't. You know she's too extreme."
"Fine. But who was it?"
"It was Maya."
Caleb gasped loudly. "That snake! Wow, that's insane. At least those two toxic people found each other."
"Yeah, whatever. Now, go to school before I get blamed for covering for you."
"Okay, fine." He headed out the front door.
I was finally alone at home again, the betrayal still heavy in the air.
End of Chapter