Tears pricked my eyes as I pushed open the door. Determination burned through me like a wild fire. The sound of chatter attacked my ears. I shoved through countless students idly conversing while positioning themselves right in the middle of the hallway. My locker was in sight, one of my best friends already leaning against it. As soon as she spotted my slumped and distraught figure, she perked up and rushed over to me.

Christie crushed me in one of her famous hugs, her slightly chubby arms tightly wrapping around my average frame. She smelt like coconuts and cosmetics, per usual. Once she pulled away, her light blue eyes were filled with concern and blazing anger. Slightly fearful, I took a step away from her. She tugged at her lose ponytail, blonde strands spilling down to her waist. As she opened her mouth to speak, she began arranging her hair onto of her head. It was her way of copping, of calming herself in stressful situations. I wasn't sure how she knew, as I was saving today to tell each of my three best friends. I also wasn't sure why her eyes were ablaze with anger that seemed to radiate off her body. Anger and concern seemed to battle for dominance.

"I can't believe she'd do that to you, Connie!" Christie finally exclaimed in one rush of breath. She tied her Scrunchie around her messy bun before letting out a breath. "Really, it's not fair! You're such a great friend and were an amazing girlfriend!"

My eyebrows furrowed as confusion flooded me like a torrential downpour. "She? Friend? What?" I tightly crossed my arms across my chest.

Her own eyebrows peaked up, her eyes widened and mouth forming the shape of a Cheerio. "Y- you didn't know?"

I walked past her to my locker, which I proceeded to yank open. "I know Josh broke up with me, Chris. How on Earth do you?"

My best friend leaned against the locker beside me, hers, with sullen eyes. "Macy told me."

I let out a breath, attempting to calm myself down. "How did she know?"

She squeezed her eyes shut. "Tasha told her."

I stared at the cluttered interior of my locker. Tasha and Macy were always closest to each other, telling each other every dirty little secret. I guess Christie and I were the same way, yet the four of us all claimed to be best friends. "How on Earth did she know?"

Christie let out a nervous breath, her hands twitching as she resisted the urge to mess with her hair. "He broke up with you for Natasha, Con. I'm so sorry."

In an instant, my locker slammed shut with such force it rattled the whole unit. After taking a deep breath, I leaned my head against the cold blue exterior. "You're positive about this?"

"Yes. Con-"

"Connie, are you okay?" Macy hesitantly cut Christie off.

My eyes snapped to her, and finally the traitor beside her. We all had blue eyes, as that's what brought us together. Difference was theirs were all icy while mine were deep sea blue. Macy's light orange hair was wavy and puffy, resting just above her breasts. Tasha's straight inky hair rested below her bum. I could tell why someone would want to date her. A dominant yet sweet girl with looks to die for, her closest friend a shy girl who lives to settle matters peacefully. Pale little Macy was like a spray bottle full of water while Tasha was a bright blaze.

Tasha's hand flew to her hip, eyes wide and lips trembling. "Connie, I'm so sorry! We just really liked each other and- and I begged him to end it with you if he didn't really like you because it was wrong to string you along!" She breathlessly rambled, Macy trembling at her side.

I slipped on a feigned smile, taking a step forward while Tasha stumbled one back. "Tasha, we're all friends here, right?" I tried to convince myself. I knew I probably sounded ominous and evil. Really, I was attempting to keep calm, to not lose my head over something as pity as a boy. "Look, to be blunt, I'm really hurt."

Her icy eyes hit the dusty title beneath her sneakers. "Really, I'm super sorry."

"Then why don't you tell him where to shove his affections?" Christie queried, stepping in front of me and slightly to the left. Her arms twitched at her side, her lips pressed into a thin line as she clasped her manicured hands behind her back.

Tasha's eyes snapped up to meet Christie's. "Christie, I think I'm in love," She gasped, slapping her hand to her heart.

"So you care about a dumb boy more than your friend?" I whispered, a single tear slipped from my eye and running down to my shirt.

She swiftly shook her head. "No! Really, I was hoping you'd be mature about this so we could all be friends! It would be perfect. Plus, he has a hot friend-"

Christie held up a hand to silence Tasha. "Really, you should hear yourself."

"Tasha doesn't mean any harm! She's just following her heart!" Macy piped up, gaze shifting nervously from Christie to me. "What would you guys do in her situation? Be honest!"

Christie was silently fuming with anger, her breathing heavy. "I would tell Josh were to shove-"

"Okay," Macy sighed, "but you're not Tasha. At least she told him not to string Connie along even further."

The warning bell rang, cutting off our argument. After taking a deep breath to calm my pulsing anger, I spun on my heel and headed in the direction of my first period class. I heard Christie's rapid steps behind me, and soon she was right by my side. I kept inhaling deep breaths and spitting them out like they were fire that was burning my lungs. No, I couldn't break down. I didn't want to be that weak little crybaby everyone scoffed at.

"It's okay, Con," Christie whispered calmly, she herself struggling to keep her temper in check as her voice raised an octave. "Take a second to go to the bathroom, settle down, and splash cold water on your face. The teacher will understand."

I shook my head, ambling into my first period class. "No. Class will be a sufficient distraction."

º

I let my mattress cushion my descent, landing on my back as tears streamed down my already moist cheeks. My iPhone was clutched in one hand, a soft tissue in the other. As I finally let my bottled up emotions pour down my face is torrents, I stared up at my white ceiling. Little cracks and swirls decorated the rough surface. My pale pink ceiling fan spun in slow circles, gracing me with a slight breeze. The large square window on the right side of the room let in a surplus of sunshine, my pale pink room mixed with the sunshine greatly contrasting my sour mood.

"Why?" I choked, my voice thick with tears as I sat up and moved to the edge of the queen bed. "Why did he leave me for my best friend?"

I stared into space for quite some time. It felt like my heart was shattering into a million fragments of my once confident self. My legs dangled precariously before I began to idly kick them into the conditioned air. As my eyes darted about, I caught my reflection in the mirror of my vanity. My bottle blonde hair clung to my tear strained face, eyes framed with red. All of that pain because of a boy and a traitorous best friend. Some friend she turned out to be. If only there was a way to make her feel bad for what she did. Nothing serious, like slicing her throat. Something like a puny prank.

My frown twisted into a smirk as I unlocked my phone. Quickly, I tapped the Instagram app and then touched the button to add an account. Promptly, I typed in Josh's username and password, praying he hadn't been smart enough to change it. Of course, he hadn't, granting me access to his photos, feed, and messages. I felt a sense of unease in my stomach but pushed it aside. My finger hovered over his chat with her. His last message was sent last night. My stomach twisted as I pondered if I should read it. Deciding I shouldn't, I swiftly tapped the screen. I averted my eyes to the white sliver at the bottom, grinning as I typed in a few words and hit send.

Me as Josh: I'm breaking up with you.

Seen.

Tasha replied a minute later.

Tasha: Josh, why? What's wrong?

Me as Josh: You're a jerk for hurting Connie! But really, I didn't even like you. Ha ha it was fun to string you along you little b. Now, why don't you go cry to someone who cares.

Seen.

Suddenly, I felt extremely remorseful. How could I send such a vile message? I began to tremble, panic twisting in my gut. Who was I to vent my anger in such a cruel way? Tasha didn't deserve that! As I was about to text her an apology and explain it wasn't really Josh, another message popped up.

Tasha: I'm so sorry I'm not good enough for you, Joshua. No one cares. Connie and Christie hate me :(

Tears pricked at my eyes once again. I might have been furious and seriously hurt, but I couldn't hate her after everything we'd been through. My fingers rapidly flew across the keyboard, guilt stabbing at me like a recently sharpened knife.

Me: No, Tasha, I don't. I'm so, so sorry! This is Connie! I remembered Josh's password. I just had to vent! I feel so guilty!

I stared at the screen for what seemed like forever. Panic rose within me, a tear spilling down my cheek. My vision slightly blurred from staring at the bright screen for so long. The phone shook in my grasp as my arms began to tremble. No response. According to Instagram, she hadn't even viewed my message!

In blind panic, I dialed Christie's number. My fingers were a blur as I dialed the number from memory, too upset to remember her number was saved in my contacts. As I held the warm phone up to my ear, I held my breath. She had to pick up! She always knew how to calm me down, even if she was a hothead herself. She'd help me sort this out and get a hold of Tasha. Everything would be just fine. That was the mantra that constantly replayed inside my mind.

"Hello?" Christie finally answered, letting out a long yawn.

"Chris, I really messed up," I mumbled as I began to sob. My knees sunk to my plush purple carpet, my whole body trembling as my vision became obscured by tears.

"Alright, calm down!" My friend hurriedly exclaimed, a few loud noises echoing through the phone. "Tell me what happened."

I shook my head, forgetting she couldn't see me. My mouth opened and closed like a fish, salty tears seeping in. For a full minute, I didn't move, simply kneeled on my carpet sobbing. Christie kept repeating herself, questioning what was wrong. I couldn't answer her for a while. Finally, I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, gulping in a large breath of air.

"Connie, if you don't reply within the next ten seconds, I'm coming over there!"

Through my breakdown, I managed to roll my eyes. She made it seem like a big deal, yet she lived a block away. "I-I really messed up," I hiccuped, falling onto my bum and spreading my legs in front of me. My back was pressed against my bed, a hard piece of metal cutting into it.

"What did you do?"

"I-I hacked into Josh's Instagram account, "I sniffed as I stared to feel emotionally numb. "Then, I texted Tasha a mean text. I-I realized what I had said too late and tried to apologize. She hasn't even seen it yet!"

She let out a breath. "Alright, let me call her. Actually, I'll go over there. Hold on!"

I heard the whoosh of air as she rushed two doors down. Then, I heard a loud gasp, proceeded by the sound of her phone dropping onto the concrete.

"Christie?" I shouted into my phone. "Chris? What happened?"

Faintly, I heard sirens in the distance.

"Christie?"

"S-she jumped," I heard her sob through the phone. "S-she's dead."

____

Author's Note: Hey guys! So, I had this new idea and typed it up. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks Alyse_BreAnn for allowing me to share this idea with you and helping me sculpt it! Also dedicated to her!

Started: July 10, 2016

PLEASE DON'T BE A SILENT READER.