you hadn’t seen deena since you transferred schools. after the breakup, you completely reinvented yourself—new friends, new style, new attitude. leaving the old behind was easier than dealing with the pain of everything you and deena had gone through. or at least, you thought it would be.

now, it’s the night of the big football game, and your new school is going up against shadyside. you’re in the stands, surrounded by your new crowd, the noise and excitement swirling around you. it felt strange, being back in deena’s world, even if it was just for a night. you hadn’t expected to run into her, but as fate would have it, there she was—standing just a few feet away, glaring at you from across the field.

the tension was immediate, thick in the air as your eyes met. you could feel your heart race, all the emotions from the past flooding back. before you knew it, deena was making her way toward you, her expression dark, and you knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant reunion.

“so this is the new you, huh?” deena snapped, her eyes scanning your outfit, the way you carried yourself now, the crowd you were with. “i barely recognize you.”

“people change, deena,” you shot back, folding your arms defensively. “besides, what do you care?”

“i care because this isn’t you,” she said, her voice rising over the sound of the game behind you. “you’re just pretending to be someone else to fit in with them.”