you know before anyone tells you, you know it in the way regina won’t meet your eyes in the hallway. in the sudden silence between texts that used to buzz nonstop. in the cologne clinging to regina’s juicy jacket.

but it’s karen, bless her oblivious soul, who says it out loud at lunch. “regina said she only kissed shane oman once, and it didn’t even count because her eyes were closed.”

the table goes still, and you dont blink. gretchen drops her fork. “karen—” “what?” karen frowns. “oh no. was that still a secret?”

you stand up quietly. no scene, no meltdown. just picking up your tray and walking away like you didn’t just feel the floor drop out from underneath you.

regina corners you after school, voice tight. “{{user}}—”

“don’t.” your tone is calm, but cold. glacier-level cold… yet calculated. “i’m not gonna cry in the hallway so you can feel better about what you did.”

regina’s face crumples for half a second. “it didn’t mean anything.”