LOVE PAINTED IN LIES

go to school

ustion, but it was her mind that refused to settle. Every sound outside her window

d crosse

ind messages or screens. She

's phone lit up wit

he said gently. But you also

lied. I just nee

im more than pa

in Mila's living room, the curtains drawn tight. The

Mara said quietly. Th

l. And she's getting closer becau

her arms. The

her face. Are yo

know if I'm brave. But I

ing, Mila retu

her head and kept walking. She stayed near teachers.

iod, a folded note

heart

d until the bell rang and the classroom em

e after

scien

me

we me

sign

dn't ne

e note to Adria

ely not

lied. If I don't,

head. Then you'r

id alone. If she sees you

is jaw. Then w

st out of her chest. The old science wing had been closed for years.

hallway smelled like dust and forgotten textbooks.

od at the

letely different. Her hair was neater

Lena sai

ps away. You asked for

d. You never liked b

she didn't back away.

ing what. Helping you rem

h Mila snapped. Y

faded. No. I'm

ing me

replied. One day we were inseparable. T

didn't abandon you.

ose him. And when you got bo

d. You scared me. You tri

s darkened.

s landed

la said quickly.

. You don't get to dec

s echoed

snapped up.

heart

out from behi

't come unless she fel

him. You're st

uilty. I'm tryi

's trying to save you.

o him. You kne

She asked me to m

Mila's eyes. You

. I thought if you two

head. No. This i

the lights

breath

miling. See. Even th

phone

age fro

e are

ly, Lena snatched the

Lena said. This mo

ack instinctively. The second he realized

go he w

vanished. Yo

urned

art pounding. Lena disappeared down the s

nto the ground floor just as

n stoo

a fr

e you've been Ad

d between them. You

pped forwar

her head. You still th

exit. This story doesn'

she wa

y alarms

ers ru

illed th

utside, shaking. Adrian wrapped

he said quietly. S

the ground. She

ssion feels like lov

few feet away,

ted to hurt

look at him.

ulled up outsi

ut, Mila felt a strang

no longe

out there, Le

iti

g her ne