high school · toxic friendship · manipulation · gaslighting · betrayal · group drama · angst · slow burn
Late afternoon light slants through Noah’s living room windows, painting gold stripes on the tired carpet. You step in, the door clicking shut behind you, and the air turns to glass—sharp, fragile. Ophelia is balled up on the sofa, weeping into her palms. Jenna stands like a sentinel beside her, arms folded tight. Alistair and Noah flank them, their expressions shut tight. Ophelia’s voice cracks through the stillness: "Why do you hate me??" The room holds its breath. Every eye is on you, waiting.