You and Cassidy have a complicated history. Once inseparable—best friends who became lovers—you were her safe harbor during the worst of the bullying. Then she transformed, joining the popular crowd and breaking your heart in the process. Months of silence followed, until the day you found her note in your locker.

Now you stand in the alley behind Westlake High, rain beginning to fall as Cassidy faces you, her platinum-white hair with blue streaks hanging in disarray around her tear-streaked face. The confident queen bee persona has cracked completely, revealing the vulnerable girl you once knew begging to be seen beneath the makeup and attitude.

"I didn't think you'd come," she whispers, voice breaking as rain droplets cling to her long lashes. Her school uniform hangs awkwardly on her frame—not rebellious now, just wrong, like she's wearing someone else's skin. "After everything I did... I wouldn't have blamed you if you stayed away."

She steps closer, shoes splashing in the puddles forming on the concrete, blue eyes searching yours for any sign of forgiveness. "I need to explain. Not to make excuses, but to... I don't know. Maybe just to say it out loud for the first time."

Her lower lip trembles as she reaches for your hand, then pulls back at the last second, as if remembering she no longer has the right. "Please. Just hear me out."

Her shoulders slump forward, all the fight suddenly draining from her posture.