The library is tense as Stella, whose face is burning with rage glares at Dove. She clenched her fists, watching Dove with fire burning in her chest. The whispers from the surrounding students pricked at her ears, fueling her anger. She wasn't about to let Dove have the last word.
"Of course, you'd run," Stella called out, her voice sharp enough to make Dove pause in her steps. "That's all you ever do, isn't it? Walk away, pretend like nothing bothers you-like you're untouchable. But let me tell you something: people like you aren't as invincible as you think."
Dove turned slowly, her expression neutral, but Stella could see the faint flicker of irritation in her eyes. Stella stepped closer, lowering her voice but not the venom in her tone.
"You can laugh all you want, Dove," she said, her words measured but pointed. "You can play the 'I don't care' card until you're blue in the face, but you're not fooling anyone. I see right through you. You're just a coward who hides behind sarcasm and indifference because you're too scared to face the mess you left behind."
The words hung in the air, heavy and cutting. Dove tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.
"Are you done?" Dove asked, her voice steady but cold.
"No," Stella snapped, stepping even closer. "I'm not. Because I'm sick of your little act. You might have everyone else fooled, but I'm not buying it. You're nothing but a scared little girl pretending to be untouchable because you can't handle the consequences of your actions."
Dove's eyes darkened, but instead of snapping back, she smiled-a sharp, humourless curve of her lips. "If you're this threatened by me," she said quietly, "maybe you should take a good, long look at your relationship instead of blaming me for its cracks. But hey, what do I know? I'm just the 'coward,' right?"
Before Stella could respond, Dove spoke again. Dove could feel the heat of the situation still lingering, but she refused to back down.
"You're calling me fake? Maybe we should talk about you." She stepped closer, her gaze piercing as she looked directly at Stella.
"You know, the sweet, innocent girl act? The one where you pretend you're just a sweet and devoted christian girl from the countryside, like you're above all this drama.
But don't worry, I see right through that. I see the bitterness, the jealousy, the way you cling to whatever facade gets the most attention because it gets you what you want."
Stella's face flushed with anger, but Dove didn't give her the chance to respond immediately.
"Seriously, Stella. If we're talking about fake personalities, then we should definitely start with you. You've got it down to a science. I mean, everyone's been eating up your 'innocent and sweet countryside girl' act, but you can't hide behind that forever," Dove added, her tone sharp, the words deliberately cutting.
Stella was seething, her hands trembling at her sides. "You don't know anything about me," she spat. "You don't know what it's like to be the one everyone expects to be perfect all the time."
"Oh, I know," Dove responded, her voice flat. "You don't have to pretend, Stella. I've seen it all. The desperate need for validation, the constant insecurity that you're not good enough. It's honestly exhausting, but how would you know? All of this is just an act for you. I live the reality of your act every single day."
Stella opened her mouth to argue, but Dove held up a hand, cutting her off.
"I'm done, Stella," Dove said with a shrug, her tone unbothered.
"You can keep holding on to that image. But don't act like it's all about me, because deep down, you're just trying to hold on to something you don't even know how to control. So you want to talk about fake facades? Maybe start with the one you wear every single day." Dove says before continuing.
"I'm done with this conversation. You can scream all you want, but it won't change the fact that your problems aren't my responsibility."
With that, Dove turned and walked out of the library, her head held high despite the heat of Stella's glare burning into her back.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Dove's
Annoyed. Angry. Burning.
I was feeling it all. It was only a matter of time before I screamed at someone. I stopped in my tracks to pat down
invisible flying strands before taking a long, deep breath and then breathing out. As I walked, I began feeling my calm demeanour begin cracking.
"I need my brownie." I muttered as I looked through my bag and cursed internally when there weren't any. My face began burning, the pent-up anger from the library beginning to show.
I began looking around and gasped when I saw Dae sitting on the outdoor bench. He was about to open a pack of fudge dark chocolate brownies.
"Oh, hey, Dove, I was just about to come return you your book -" He said before to take a bite.
Before he could eat it, I took it from his hand and sat down before stuffing the brownie in my mouth, not caring if my hands were messy with chocolate.
"My brownie!" Dae exclaimed at my behaviour. As I chewed the brownie aggressively, I took out my card from my wallet before handing it to Dae.
"6 brownies and one almond milk. You and I both know what will happen if you don't get up now and get me what I want." I say while still chewing, making him shiver in fear and quickly get up to do what I asked.
"Where is Dae??" I ask myself as I feel my eyes well up with tears when my mind suddenly drifts back to what happened in the library.
"I'm back with the.... brownies and milk!" Dae says, panting as he puts his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
"Why did you take so long?!" I exclaimed before sitting on the bench and covering my face as I began sobbing.
"Dove.... heyy... oh no..." Dae gulped in nervousness, not sure what to do. He began looking around to check if people could see me crying. Noticing how anyone could come at any given time, he decided to sit next to her and raised the front of his jacket, holding it out like a shield between her and the rest of the world.
"Just... ignore the surroundings." he muttered, his voice cracking slightly. His other hand stayed frozen at his side, unsure whether to reach out or not.
I didn't say anything, but I didn't have to. I leaned into the small cocoon of privacy his jacket provided, my tears soaking into the fabric of my sleeve.
Dae swallowed hard, his ears burning. "You'll... be okay," he mumbled, mostly to himself. His heart was racing, but for once, it didn't feel like panic.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Aww, Dae is so sweet!
The slow burn is slow burning (ФÏФ)
Also, did y'all notice the Dongman and Aera (fight for my way) stunt?