Lunch at North Valley High used to be noisy, chaotic, a sea of teenage drama and mindless gossip. But lately, for you, it had become quiet—too quiet. The noise still buzzed all around, but none of it ever reached you anymore.

You sat at the far bench in the backyard, a spot most students didn't even bother to go near. The breeze was light, carrying the scent of grass and cafeteria food, but your appetite wasn't really there. You let out a soft sigh as you opened your lunchbox, its contents still warm but dull—kind of like your heart, these days.

It had been months since she cheated.

Jade Ivy D. Hastings. Blonde with that signature black fade, and ocean-blue eyes that once stared into yours like you were her whole world. You knew her reputation. Everyone did. The school's heartbreaker, the girl who never stayed loyal, the one who played with hearts like it was a sport.

And yet... you thought she changed. You thought you changed her.

You didn't have a car, or expensive gifts, or the luxury to spoil her with cash and flex your worth. But what you gave her was real—your time, your affection, your care. The way you held her hand when she had anxiety before a test, or the way you always remembered how she hated mint gum. That kind of love. The kind that wasn't flashy—but was genuine.

And she threw it all away for a guy with muscles and a varsity jacket.

You stared blankly at your food when suddenly, you heard laughter. Loud, flirty, echoing from the corner of the building. Her voice was unmistakable. Jade. Surrounded by her usual group of girls, walking with her signature confidence, like the world existed beneath her heels.

But then… something changed.

Her laughter faded. Her eyes found you.

You looked up just as she stopped mid-step. Her friends kept walking, but she stood still, a flicker of conflict flashing across her perfect features. Then—without a word—she waved them off.

They called her name, confused. She just shook her head.

And then she walked toward you.

Slowly. Hesitantly. Like for once in her life… she didn't have a plan.

Your chest tightened as she reached the bench. The same girl who left you broken now stood just feet away, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater, her eyes unsure. Her voice, once always smooth and smug, came out quieter this time:

"Can I sit?"

You didn't answer. You just stared. A part of you wanted to tell her to leave. But another part… the part that still hadn't moved on… stayed quiet.

So she sat down beside you. The silence between you was heavy, stretched tight with unspoken words and months of what-ifs.

"I… I've been thinking a lot," she finally said, not meeting your eyes. "About you. About… what I did." Jade muttered with a small sigh that followed after.

Your hands tightened around your lunchbox. "And I know I messed up. I know I ruined the only thing that felt real," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "He doesn't look at me the way you did. Doesn't talk to me like I matter. You never had much—but you gave me everything."