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Time dragged mercilessly in the nurse's office, every tick of the clock pounding like a relentless reminder of how broken I felt. I sat frozen, eyes locked on the cold tiled floor, desperately trying to hold the shards of myself together before anyone could see me fall apart. That was, until the curtain shifted with a soft rustle.

"Isabella, your parents are here to pick you up," the nurse said gently.

"Thanks," I replied with a small smile, reaching for the dismissal slip in her hand.

"Of course." She handed it over with a kind smile. "Feel better, okay?"

I nodded and quickly exited the nurse's office. After handing my pass to the security guard, he scanned it and waved me through.

The moment I stepped outside, I was wrapped in a pair of warm arms. "Sweetie!" my mom cried, running her hands up and down my back as if afraid I'd vanish. I looked up at my dad for help, but he only shrugged helplessly. I rolled my eyes and tried to calm her.

"Are you okay? The nurse said, you threw up?"

"I'm fine. I promise."

She pulled back, examining my expression closely, her eyes filled with suspicion and worry.

"Isabella Elizabeth Ace... what happened? You look like you've been crying for hours."

I hesitated, my voice catching. "I—I..."

She shot me that look. The kind that made it impossible to lie.

I sighed, defeated. "I wasn't really sick. Thomas broke up with me..."

"Oh, sweetie," she murmured, pulling me into another hug. I blinked, surprised. She wasn't angry?

"Why didn't you say something? If I'd known Thomas would hurt you again, I never would've let you go out with him."

"I don't know..." My voice trembled. I should've seen it coming. I should've seen it for what it was from the start—he was never the one who'd end up broken. I was. Looking back, it was inevitable. I guess karma really is a bitch. "I think I was too stupid to see who he really is."

"No, Isabella." She tilted my chin up, her brown eyes locked with my tearful ones. "Don't you ever say that."

"She's right," Dad added. "It's his loss for letting go of such a bright girl."

I gave a faint smile, nodding. But deep down, I wasn't sure it was his loss. He had Rachel now.

"Let's go home," Mom said, guiding me toward the car.

"Wait—what about my car?" I asked, glancing at my parking spot.

"Already taken care of," she replied over her shoulder. "I'm driving you, and your dad's driving your car home."

"Oh." I tried not to sound disappointed. There was something comforting about driving—the quiet, the sense of control. But there was no arguing with Mom once she made up her mind.

"Just for today," she promised. "Okay?"

I gave in and climbed into the front seat. As I buckled my seatbelt, I instinctively looked in the rear-view mirror, expecting to see Lily hiding in the back like she always did. But she wasn't there.

"Mom? Did Lily stay home?"

"Yeah, she's with John."

"Fuck," I muttered, remembering. John. Ugh. Why do college students have such ridiculously long winter breaks? I groaned, smacking my forehead. Great, now I'd have to deal with his overprotective, interrogating self. Hopefully Mom hadn't told him everything...

As soon as we pulled into the driveway, I rushed inside, taking the stairs two at a time, praying I could avoid John altogether. I didn't need his big-brother-I-told-you-so drama right now.

Almost there.

"Isabella."

Damn, so close.

I froze halfway up the last flight.

"I know you heard me."

Suppressing a sigh, I slowly faced him. "Hey, John." My laugh was brittle, barely hiding the awkwardness. "I didn't notice you."

He studied me for a moment, then said softly, "Funny. What—"

"Actually, I'm exhausted," I interrupted, my voice shaking just enough to betray me. "I'm going to take a nap." Desperation clawed at my chest as I tried to slip past him. But before I could move, his hand landed gently on my shoulder. I startled, a jolt of fear shooting through me.

"Bell... what happened to your face?" His voice dropped, the irritation gone, replaced by raw concern that made my heart ache.

I froze, forcing a laugh that came out too high and too shaky. "Huh? Nothing. I'm just... sick, that's all."

"Bull," he said, dead serious now. His eyes searched mine, unblinking. "What's wrong?"

"I—" I started, but my throat tightened.

"Isabella."

I sighed, my shoulders slumping. There was no way out of this. "Fine... Thomas broke up with me."

"What?" His voice cracked, sharp with disbelief. "When?"

"Today." The word came out like a whisper. "He's... he's back with Rachel."

For a second, he didn't say anything. Just stood there. Then he stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug, pulling me tight against him.

"Oh, Bell..." he murmured, his voice softer now, full of something that made my throat ache even more. "Are you okay?"

"Wait—you're not mad?" I pulled back, blinking at him. The question slipped out before I could stop it.

He looked confused. "Mad? Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because..." I hesitated, swallowing the lump in my throat. "You warned me. You told me this would happen. Aren't you going to say 'I told you so' or 'you should've listened' or something?"

He gave a short, breathy laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, maybe I could say that. But I'm not going to." His eyes softened. "You're my baby sister, Bell. You're already hurting. Why would I make it worse and rub it in when you just got your heart broken by the person you love?"

I stared at him, caught off guard. I hadn't realized how much I'd been bracing myself for a lecture.

"How do you know I... love him?" I asked quietly, almost ashamed to admit it aloud.

John gave me a knowing look, then nodded toward my chest.

"The necklace," he said quietly, eyes fixed on the delicate chain resting against my skin.

Without thinking, I reached up and touched it, fingers trembling slightly.

     "What about it?" I asked softly.

"He gave it to you, didn't he?" His voice was low, almost gentle. I didn't answer, but the silence said enough. I never took it off.

     "Can I see it?"

I hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. But please... be careful." I unclasped the necklace slowly and placed it into his hand, feeling suddenly exposed.

He turned the pendant over, eyes curious. "Why is it so special?"

"It belonged to his mom." My voice caught on the words.

"Oh..." he breathed, the weight of the truth settling between us. "His late mom."

I swallowed hard, my heart tightening. "Do you... know how they died?" The question came out hesitant, fragile. "He never told me, and honestly... I was scared to ask."

John's face darkened, shadowed with something I couldn't quite place. "I do."

My breath hitched, hope sparking in my chest. "Can you tell me?"

He shook his head firmly, regret heavy in his eyes. "No. It's not my story to share."

I nodded slowly, disappointment seeping through me like cold water. "I had to ask."

He closed his hand over mine, the necklace resting between us once more. "Don't lose it."

"I won't." I fastened it back around my neck, tucking it carefully beneath my shirt. Then, before he could walk away, I called softly, "Hey, John?"

He stopped and turned back to me. "Yeah?"

"Thanks... for not freaking out."

He let out a light laugh, eyes twinkling with warmth. "No problem. But don't think that means Thomas is off the hook next time I see him."

I smiled, feeling a small flicker of comfort. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

"Good." He grinned, a fierce protectiveness shining through. "Because I'm not."

I let out a soft giggle and wrapped my arms around him one last time before turning toward my room. The door clicked shut behind me, a fragile barrier between the world and the storm inside me. On the surface, I might've looked okay, but inside, I was anything but.

I sank beneath the covers, tucking them close like a shield against the pain, and breathed out a slow, trembling sigh. With eyes closed, I reached for sleep like a distant shore, hoping its gentle waves would carry me away from the ache. But it never came. Instead, I felt the soft thump of paws on the mattress, followed by a gentle rustle as my puppy climbed over the blanket and nestled against my side. She rested her head on my shoulder with a small huff, her warm breath tickling my neck. Her tiny heartbeat thudded steadily against my arm, a quiet anchor in the storm swirling inside me.

She let out a soft whine when I tensed, nudging my chin with her cold, wet nose as if to say, I'm here. I wrapped an arm around her small body, grateful she was here.

But even her comfort couldn't hold back the flood. Frustrated, I rolled over and saw it: a photo of Thomas and me on my nightstand.

"Thomas..." I whispered, brushing my fingers over the glass. "Why?" My throat tightened. "I thought you really cared. I was going to say it back..."

The puppy let out a low whimper and nudged my arm again, sensing the shift in me. I stroked her fur with trembling fingers as I turned the frame face down and reached for my stereo remote. Maybe music could help. She stayed pressed close, her ears twitching at the first notes. For a little while, the gentle rhythms offered a small refuge, soft enough to drown out the chaos inside my mind.

Until a slow, heart-wrenching song began to play, echoing every ache I felt. I shut it off without hesitation. I couldn't do this anymore. I needed answers.

Why did he break up with me? Why did he ask about me in the nurse's office?

Why did it still feel like he cared?

Adrenaline surged through me. I tossed the covers aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Sweets sat up instantly, watching me with wide, uncertain eyes.

"I'll be back," I whispered, crouching to press a kiss between her ears. "Promise."

She followed me to the top of the stairs, tail wagging uncertainty, but didn't try to stop me.

I jotted a note for my parents, knowing they'd never agree if I gave them the chance to respond.

I had to see him.

I wasn't leaving until I got the truth.

Wait for me, Thomas.

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