Hidden truths

VIOLET

“You a fan too?” Luke asked, glancing back at the book I was reading over his shoulder. I gave him a quick nod, keeping my eyes on the page.

“She’s one of my favorite writers,” he continued, a hint of admiration in his voice. “Leah Flores has such a way with words, doesn’t she?”

I let out a frustrated sigh and leaned back. “Luke,” I said, eyeing him pointedly, “you want to know the quickest way to stay alive?”

He blinked, confusion flickering across his face. “What is it?”

“Don’t interrupt a reader mid-sentence,” I warned, lifting the book for emphasis. “Especially if the book’s by Leah Flores.”

He chuckled, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, message received.”

I turned back to the page, trying to sink into the world of Leah Flores and her character, Dallas. I’d just reached the part where Dallas just gave in to an impulsive, intense fling with her boss. The scene was written so vividly that I was completely hooked—Dallas, who was so fearless and unrestrained, who chased after whatever thrill she wanted without a second thought. I admired her in so many ways, but I also envied her. She was everything I wasn’t: daring, confident, and unafraid to leap headfirst into the unknown.

And then,here I was, stuck in a fantasy, reading about a character who embraced her freedom and desires, while I was doing everything possible to avoid even thinking about my own. I couldn’t even admit to myself that one kiss—one impulsive, heart-stopping kiss—had thrown my world into a whirlwind.

My gaze drifted off the page, and before I could stop it, my mind slid back to prom night, to Ryan, and to that damn kiss. The memory played on a loop that I couldn’t break, no matter how hard I tried to escape it. Prom night, Ryan’s intense gaze, and then his lips on mine. Nothing else could interrupt the cycle, not even days of avoiding him, of pretending that kiss hadn’t happened.

I forced my eyes back to the book, determined to lose myself in Dallas’ world instead. But as I read, the words felt hollow. With a frustrated sigh, I finally closed the book, surrendering. Not even Leah Flores’ expertly woven stories could erase the feel of Ryan’s lips on mine or the way it had upended every certainty I thought I had about myself.

“Uhm…I guess you aren't reading again?” Luke asked me

I nodded, slipping it into my bag. “I’ll finish it at home.” After a beat of silence, I found myself blurting, “Why didn’t you come to prom?”

The question was out before I could stop myself, and I bit my lip, feeling a rush of regret. Why did everything I say or think lately seem to loop back to that night?

A heavy silence stretched between us, and then he finally spoke, his voice low and steady. “The only reason I’d want to be anywhere… is because of you.”

His words landed heavily, my heart picking up a beat as I looked at him. His gaze held an intensity that made me shiver, and for a moment, I was caught in it, unsure of what to say. I wanted him to say something more—to break the silence and save me from the obligation of responding first. And he did.

“If you weren’t going as my date, then… I was better off staying home,” he admitted, a pained smile flickering across his face but he was quick to conceal it

Only then did I realize how much my choice to go with Ryan had affected him—something I hadn’t let myself consider before now.

“I… I’m sorry, Luke,” I managed, my voice barely a whisper.

He shook his head, smiling warmly. “Don’t be, Vi. It’s all good.” He managed a grin that I returned, albeit with a touch of guilt.

He took a breath, his usual easygoing tone slipping back in. “ Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” I replied, taking a sip of water from my bottle.

He hesitated, his expression flickering with uncertainty. “Do you… by any chance… like Ryan?”

The question hit me like a jolt, so unexpected that I nearly choked on my water. My eyes widened as I coughed, trying to regain composure.

I sputtered, setting down my bottle and clearing my throat as I tried to gather a response that wouldn’t sound suspicious. "W-what? Ryan? Why would you think..No, Luke, that’s absurd,” I said, forcing a laugh. “I don’t like him like that. He’s my stepbrother! I only like him as… well, you know, like family.”

Luke’s gaze lingered, searching my expression for any sign of a crack in my response. I held my smile, steady and unwavering, hoping he couldn’t see past it. But as I tried to convince him, that nagging voice in the back of my mind stirred, picking apart my words like they were nothing more than flimsy excuses.

Yes, your stepbrother… the one you kissed like you’d been waiting your whole life for that moment. Your stepbrother… and you wished, desperately, that he’d done more than just kiss you. Your stepbrother, the one whose eyes drew you in, who made you feel alive in a way you’d never experienced before. Your stepbrother—and yet here you were, pretending it was nothing.

I mentally slammed the door on the voice, shoving it deep down. This wasn’t a path I could go down. Not here, not with Luke watching me with those all-too-knowing eyes

Luke finally sighed, letting a smile slip back onto his face. “Alright, alright. If you say so, Vi. I just… well, I guess I was curious.”

I nodded, relieved the subject was finally drifting away. “Nothing to be curious about,” I said lightly, trying to shift the mood. “Now, enough about Ryan. Ice cream?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Fine, ice cream it is. Lead the way”

Just as we were about to get up, his phone pinged with a message. He glanced down at it, and in an instant, the light in his eyes dimmed, the easy smile slipping from his face. His expression hardened, jaw clenched, and a flicker of something—anger, maybe?—crossed his features.

“Is something wrong?” I asked gently, noticing the tension in his face.

He quickly shoved the phone back into his pocket, managing a smile. “Y–yeah, sure. Everything’s fine. I just… need to take care of something real quick. Can I catch up with you at the spot?” His brow furrowed as he spoke, and I could tell whatever had come through on his phone wasn’t something he wanted to share.

I let out a small sigh, realizing it was probably best not to push him. “Sure, I'll be waiting,” I replied. Luke flashed me a quick smile before he turned and walked away.

Guess I'm flying solo for now. My so-called “best friend” ditched me for some mysterious plan with well..Ryan. What a traitor.

I’d barely taken a few steps when an unexpected ache twisted through my stomach, a blinding pain that took my breath away. It hit hard, like a serrated blade cutting deep, and I doubled over, clutching my abdomen with a small gasp.

No. No, no, no.

My pulse thundered in my ears as the realization dawned. It was too early—this wasn’t supposed to happen for another two weeks. But as another wave of pain rolled through me, sharp enough to bring tears to my eyes, it was clear that nature didn't give two shits about my schedule.