As I stood there, frozen in agony, Sophia finally pulled away from Charles' lips, giggling softly.
Her eyes locked onto mine – and for a split second, I thought I saw guilt, but then her expression changed to surprise...
"SURPRISE, David! Charles was just helping me practice for the school play!"
My brain screamed "LIAR!" –
"Did I hear her say... or is my heart already dead?!" i thought. My eyes narrowed slightly, voice low and even, "Save the script for drama class, Sophia.Charles doesn't kiss like he's rehearsing a brotherly role."
Sophia's smile faltered, Charles took a step back his eyes fixed on me like he knew he was doomed.
Charles spoke up then, foolishly
"Dude whats wrong, sophie and i Just.." he was completely cut off by her.
Sophia tried again, voice softer this time, "David, what's wrong? You've been distant lately..."
My laugh was bitter, "Distant? do you take me for a fool? You've been occupied with HIM!
for two years I thought we shared something real..."
But Sophia just stared at me, her voice barely above whisper:
"David... I can explain..."
My heart screamed "EXPLAIN WHAT – HOW YOU'VE BEEN KISSING MY CLASSMATE BEHIND MY BACK?!"
Sophia grasped my arm, nails digging deep
"DAVID STOP – I NEED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING!
Charles, LEAVE. NOW."
Charles bolted away like his life depended on it
Sophia turned back to me, eyes brimming with tears
"David, I... I was using him to make YOU jealous..."
My mind reeled – JEALOUS –
Did she mean she actually had feelings for ME?!
She took a step closer, voice barely audible
"Because... I've been in love with you for TWO YEARS..."
My expression remained frozen, voice firm
"Two years of friendship – and SECRET feelings...
Why deceive me with Charles – why not just TALK to me?!"
Sophia's tears spilled over, she nodded slowly
"You never saw me that way, David... always just friend...
I feared losing YOU – our everyday laughter – everything"
Her words cut deep, had I been BLIND?!
Sophia's tears stopped abruptly, she wiped them away
"Honesty time, David... I used Charles to make you jealous because I wanted to see if you'd react – but my heart wasn't in it."
She took a deep breath, words slicing through my soul
"Because... my heart belongs to Charles. I'm in love with HIM."
My world crashed AGAIN –
I just stood there stupidly and asked "...WHY DID YOU EVEN BE FRIENDS WITH ME THEN?!"
As I stood there, frozen in heartbreak
I turned to leave, but my feet felt rooted – as if witnessing my heart shatter into pieces was mesmerizing.
Suddenly, my grandmother's words echoed in my mind – "I told you to stay away...
Did she KNOW something about Sophia all along?!"
I stormed back home, heart racing with questions –
"How did you KNOW, Grandma?! What's going on with Sophia?!"
My grandmother stood calmly in the kitchen, watering plants as if our world hadn't imploded –
"I've known Sophia's family for years, David. Her mother and I... were friends once."
Her voice trailed off – filled with ancient pain –
"Sophia's family has a history – a curse, some say – of manipulating hearts for their gain."
I felt like I'd been punched again –
"Sophia manipulated me?! Our whole friendship – our laughs, adventures – ALL FAKE?!"
Grandma nodded slowly