Page 13 of Ruthless Court

They don’t need to.

I can see every feeling Ryan pretended to have for me alive on his face when he looks at her.

The restraint makes it more intimate.

They know people are watching.

They know my father might see.

Even while protecting the lie, Ryan cannot hide what is real.

I switch off my phone.

It keeps vibrating inside my hand.

Messages.

Group chats.

Pictures.

People asking why Ryan attended without me.

Someone writes that Brooke and Ryan look cute together, then deletes it before I can decide whether the cruelty was accidental.

I put the phone inside my desk drawer.

The room quiets.

My prom dress hangs across from me, untouched.

The tortoiseshell glasses sit on my nightstand.

I remove them.

The room softens into shadows.

Better.

Monday morning, I take the city bus to school instead of riding with Ryan.

When he waits beside my locker, I tell him I have a test.

At lunch, I sit in the library.

After school, I take a different bus to Dad’s gym and keep my laptop open whenever Ryan enters the lounge.

He notices.

He asks what is wrong.

I tell him I am busy.

He has film to review.

Showcases to attend.

A college future to build.