Chapter 2 Backstory.

A Month Ago

Scottville High School

I opened my locker, heart fluttering in my chest.

Today made one month since Zeke and I started dating.

It still felt unreal Zeke, the guy every girl stared at in the hallway, had picked me. And now, maybe, just maybe, I'd finally get my first real kiss.

I checked my reflection in the locker mirror and sighed. My grey pocket jumpsuit looked plain. My hair wasn't styled. My shoes were dull flats. I didn't have anything glamorous to offer.

But I had a heart full of love and a gift.

I looked down at the small white box in my hands. It wasn't fancy, but I'd saved up for weeks to get him something meaningful. Something special.

"Hey, Rey!"

Kate's voice broke through my thoughts.

She strutted toward me in a black crisscross tank top and a tight leather skirt that barely covered anything. Her blonde hair bounced in perfect curls, her lips glossed, her lashes curled. She was bold, beautiful, and magnetic and my best friend since elementary school.

"Good morning, Katie," I smiled, clutching my books to my chest.

"Guess what?" She dangled a keyring in front of me. "My dad finally got me a car, it's a 2016 Lexus!" I beamed finally.

I gasped. "No way! That's amazing!"

"I know, right?" She twirled her keys. "I just hope your mom gets one for you someday. Well... if she can even afford one for herself."

I froze.

Kate winced as if realizing what she'd said but not enough to take it back.

I gave a tight smile. "Our water got cut off this morning."

Her eyes widened. "For real? Why?"

"Because my mom couldn't pay the bill."

Kate frowned, then shrugged. "Doesn't she work as a babysitter? What's she even doing with the money?"

"She earns barely enough to survive. She covers rent, electricity, food... my school fees. All of it."

She blinked. "Well, can't you get a job?"

"I tried. But I think I look too... off-brand for most places. And my mom keeps saying I should focus on school."

Kate scoffed. "Then start dressing cuter, like me. Not like a mechanic."

"I wear hand-me-downs. Most of my clothes are from Mom's clients."

She eyed my jumpsuit. "So you're wearing that on your one-month anniversary?"

I nodded, embarrassed. "It's all I've got."

She gave me a once-over, then smiled. "Don't worry, as long as he still likes you."

"Thanks, bestie."

---

"Babe!"

I turned and there he was.

Zeke. Tall, confident, messy black fringe falling over those green eyes that made my stomach flip. He wore a green sweatshirt and black sweats, a clean pair of Nikes on his feet.

I ran to him, smiling wide. "Hey, babe."

I leaned in to kiss him. He shifted. My lips caught his cheek instead.

Weird.

"You remember what today is, right?" I asked, heart thumping.

"Our one-month anniversary," he replied, smiling faintly.

"Exactly. So..." I held out the box. "I got you something."

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Lemme guess. A chain?"

I laughed. "Just open it."

He unwrapped it quickly and pulled out a small antique locket pendant, silver-toned, with a photo of us tucked inside.

His face fell.

I watched his silence stretch on.

"So... Do you like it?" I asked, voice small.

He looked at me. But there was no warmth in his eyes. Only boredom.

"Reyna... I think we should break up."

The world stopped.

"What?" I blinked. "Why?"

He stepped back. "Look, you're always insecure. You act weird when we go out. You eat too much. You dress like... this."

I swallowed hard.

"And this gift?" he held up the pendant. "What is this, something from a garage sale?"

I stared at him, stunned.

"I never really liked you," he said. "I just needed help with my finals. That's it."

He tossed the locket at me and it hit my shoulder and dropped to the floor.

Pain surged in my chest. "You used me?"

"Yeah," he said, unbothered. "But thanks. I passed."

I felt the tears coming. "I don't understand... Are you seeing someone else?"

That's when Kate stepped beside me, her hand sliding around Zeke's waist.

I blinked at her, heart plummeting. "Kate?"

She smiled with no guilt, no hesitation and kissed him.

Right in front of me.

---

Everything shattered.

---

Tears blurred my vision as they pulled apart.

"Kate?" I whispered. "How could you do this?"

She shrugged. "I like him more than you do. And honestly? I look better with him."

"How long?"

"How long have you been using me?" I cried in agony and embarrassment.

"Two weeks," Zeke said, smirking.

Two weeks. That whole time she was hugging me. Laughing with me. Helping me pick out gifts for him.

"Kate, we've been friends since we were eight..."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and it's been cute. But Zeke and I have something real."

Zeke laughed. "You really thought someone like me would end up with a girl like you?"

He leaned in, eyes cold. "You're a poor, pathetic loser, Reyna."

Kate joined in. "It's okay, sweetheart. You'll find someone someday... maybe."

They kissed again.

Something in me cracked.

---

I turned and ran.

Tears fell fast, blinding me as I burst into the girls' bathroom. I locked myself in a stall and collapsed onto the toilet seat.

I pulled my knees to my chest.

The pain clawed at my throat.

How could they?

How could she?

I wasn't just humiliated.

I was shattered.

This was the worst day of my life.

---