After reading Addie her favorite bedtime stories, I decided to call Amber to catch up. But despite five missed calls, she didn’t answer or return any of them. Frustrated, I sent one last text: "Call me back as soon as you can." I hated feeling like I was the only one putting effort into our friendship.

Amber had been my best friend for years, but sometimes it felt like there was a part of her I hadn’t uncovered. Her unpredictability confused me.

Exhausted, I changed into my bunny onesie, plugged my phone in, and settled under my cozy blanket. I turned off the lamp, letting the darkness envelop me.

---

School had never been dull for me. The thrill of discovery that came with every new lesson kept me going. Solving math problems was like cracking a code, biology revealed the secrets of life, and physics unlocked the universe's hidden patterns. But what truly made learning unforgettable were the moments shared with my closest friends.

Today, my mood was reflected in my outfit: an all-black ensemble consisting of cargo pants, a thermal-lined heart graphic sweatshirt, and my trusty black Taylor Converse. My thick, dark brown wavy hair cascaded down my waist, secured with black pins.

This morning, I gave in to temptation and painted my nails black. The sleek, mysterious color had caught my eye on my mother’s vanity, beckoning me to try it out.

My outfit stood out among the vibrant colors and sun-kissed skin of my classmates. My black Converse sneakers made soft squeaking sounds on the polished floor.

The familiar sounds of lockers slamming and classmates chatting enveloped me as I made my way to my locker. But amidst the chaos, I felt a sense of isolation.

Normally, I'd be laughing with Amber and Lucas, swapping stories about our favorite shows and making plans for the new school year. But today, I walked alone.

The hallway seemed longer than I remembered, each step echoing off the lockers. I passed by clusters of students reuniting with friends, their smiles and hugs emphasizing my solitude.

My locker stood before me, a metal refuge from the unease settling in. I spun the dial, the combination clicking into place with reassuring familiarity. The door swung open, revealing a photo from last year's prom. Amber, Lucas, and I beamed with joy—now a poignant reminder of our fractured bond.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the discomfort as I organized my books and supplies. The faint scent of last year's perfume still lingered on the metal shelf, transporting me back to a time filled with laughter, inside jokes, and late-night conversations.

A pang of disappointment settled in my chest, accompanied by a nagging question: Had Amber forgotten about me, or was I being ghosted? My conversation with Lucas the other day had offered temporary comfort, but the subsequent silence was unsettling. I tried to reassure myself that he was probably preoccupied with football practice, but the uncertainty lingered.

After swapping out books for my first-period class, I closed the locker door and scanned the hallway. That’s when I saw her—Amber, standing across from me, chatting and laughing with Gia and Paige. The sting of her ignored messages hit me anew, and my heart sank. Why was she so carefree with others, yet seemingly oblivious to my attempts to reach out?

I took a deep breath and approached her. "Hey, Amber."

For an instant, Amber's smile faltered, but then her face lit up, and she swept me into a tight hug. "Hey, Corrine!" Her unexpected warmth took me by surprise, reminding me of the closeness we once had.

"I missed you, girl," Amber said, releasing me from the hug. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, and for a moment, our past misunderstandings seemed to melt away.

Amber’s appearance had changed. She now wore makeup, enhancing her natural beauty. A perfect black cat-eye with yellow glitter accentuated her eyes, and mascara defined her lashes, giving them a doll-like quality. Her lips were painted a soft pink, outlined with nude lip liner.

I waved at Gia and Paige, acknowledging their presence but not really knowing them beyond their connection to Amber. As they prepared to leave, Amber promised to catch up soon.

"Me too," I replied, clutching my books to my chest. I glanced over Amber's shoulder, watching as Gia and Paige stopped to chat with another group of friends.

Amber adjusted her backpack, and her platinum blonde hair caught my attention. The loose curls now framed her face in a soft, romantic glow. Her hands, too, revealed a new elegance—pink nails with intricate white flowers, perfectly manicured.

"Well, I can’t say it was bad because you weren’t there, but you would've absolutely loved it!" Amber exclaimed, her smile overly bright, her voice taking on a pitchy tone.

I forced a smile, unsure how to respond. She’d been ignoring me, but now she seemed perfectly carefree.

Amber’s attention shifted, her eyes following Gia and Paige as they chatted with friends down the hall. "What about you?" she asked, her tone casual, almost dismissive.

"It was fine. Learned a lot about farming," I replied, forcing a cheerful tone.

Amber's excitement deflated, replaced by a vacant stare as she watched Gia and Paige. I wondered if she even heard me.

"Amber?" I whispered, trying to get her attention back.

She snapped back to reality, refocusing on me with a faint chuckle. "Oh," she said, her laugh awkward and forced.

The familiarity between us felt fractured. We once shared effortless conversations, but now, an unsettling distance yawned between us. It was as if Amber was deliberately holding back.

"Yeah, sounds great," Amber said, already turning away. "Anyway, see you later. I have math with Sophie and Grace."

My eyebrows shot up in confusion. Who were these new friends?

Amber noticed my curiosity. "I met them at camp. You’ll love them, Corrine."

Her words stung, highlighting the expansion of our once-tight trio. I forced a neutral response. "Uhm, that’s cool."

My mood soured, and the ache in my chest grew.

Amber glanced back, where two girls joined Gia and Paige, inviting her over.

I assumed they were Sophie and Grace—one with shoulder-length golden brown hair, the other with sunny blonde waves.

"Come on, Amber! We’re going to be late!" they chorused.

Amber flashed me an apologetic smile as the bell rang, signaling the start of class. With a hurried wave, she dashed off to join her new friends, leaving me feeling displaced.

I watched her go, feeling left behind and wondering how we got here.

In History class, Lucas's familiar face offered a reprieve from my unease. His messy sandy blonde hair and warm smile stirred a sense of comfort. We exchanged a discreet nod, a silent acknowledgment of our shared understanding.

I sat in class, stealing glances at Lucas. My mind wandered to our friendship. We’d always been close, sharing laughs and secrets, but lately, he’d been distant too. I tried to bridge the gap by visiting him recently, but the connection still felt fragile.

My heart raced at the thought of confessing my feelings to him. What if he didn’t feel the same? Would our friendship survive? The risk of losing him terrified me.

I thought back to our conversation the other day. Had he been preoccupied or just avoiding me like Amber had? I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing both Amber and Lucas—my two closest friends.