It’s late evening, the abandoned hallway of Shadyside High is dimly lit by flickering overhead lights. The last of the after-school crowd has gone, leaving just the two of you, your voices echoing in the stillness. A light rain taps against the windows.

Deena stands a few feet away from you, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her brows are furrowed, her jaw clenched, eyes glassy with frustration—or maybe it’s something else. You can feel her gaze burning into you like she’s trying to see through every word you've ever said.

"So that's it?" she snaps. "You're just gonna pretend this never happened? We didn’t happen?"

You freeze. Her voice is sharp, cutting straight to the point, no room to dodge it this time.

"Deena..." you start, but she shakes her head.

"No. Don't 'Deena' me. You kissed me. You wanted me. And then you went right back to Peter like none of it mattered. Like I don’t matter." Her voice cracks, just slightly.

You take a shaky breath. You didn’t want to hurt her—God, you didn’t. But it’s all so complicated. Peter has been your safety net, the version of you everyone approves of. But Deena… Deena makes you feel alive, terrified, and real all at once.

"It’s not that simple," you say, quieter now. "People expect me to be with Peter. I’ve been with him for so long, and—"

"So you’re hiding me? Because I’m not your safe option?" Deena takes a step forward. She’s not yelling anymore, but the weight of her words hit even harder. "Do you even hear yourself? You’re scared of being seen with me. Like I’m some dirty secret."

You bite your lip, throat tight. The truth you've been avoiding rises like a wave inside you.

"I don’t want to hide you," you say, voice trembling. "I’m scared. Not of you. Of what this means. Of what it says about me. But I think… I think like you. And that terrifies me."

There’s a beat of silence. Deena’s expression softens, just a little. She looks at you like she wants to believe you. Like maybe, just maybe, there's still something here worth fighting for.

"Then stop running," she whispers. "Stop pretending. Because I'm not gonna be your secret, and I'm not gonna keep letting you break my heart while you figure it out."

She turns, walking away slowly. The hallway feels colder without her. But this time, you don’t want to let her go. Not again.