That stung. More than it should’ve.
“Bullshit.”
He grimaced. “You just can’t stop, can you? Wrecking her. Wrecking everyone. It was never a game for her, Caiden. You just don’t get it.”
“Oh, and you do? What, you’re her whiteknight now?”
He stood up, fast enough that the bench groaned. But I didn’t back down.
“I’m not trying to be anything. I just care about her.” His voice was quiet but made of stone. “I care. That’s more than you ever did.”
I laughed. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” He glared. “I saw how you looked at her. Like you wanted to break her. Maybe you succeeded. But I’m done being part of it.”
I took a step closer, shoulders bunching. “You’re gonna ditch me for her?”
He didn’t move. “Yeah. I am.”
“You’re pathetic.”
“Maybe.” He shook his head, lips pressed thin. “But not as pathetic as you.”
Everything inside me curled tight, ready to blow.
“I should put you through the wall,” I growled.
He just looked at me, tired. “Yeah. Maybe you should.”
But I couldn’t do it. Not really. Not after he said it like that.
He shook his head, shoulders slumping. “We’re not friends anymore, Caiden. Can’t do it. Not after what you did. Not after how you treat her.”
He turned to leave. No hesitation.
I shouted after him. “She’s poison! You’re too fucking blind to see it.”
Dante paused, just for a second, long enough to twist the knife.
“Maybe I’d rather be poisoned than end up like you.”
And then he was gone, footsteps echoing down the cracked sidewalk.
I wanted to scream. Wanted to punch something, anything.
I was alone. Again.
The taste of bitter burned my tongue. Dante, gone. Amelia, everywhere.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, fists tight around my own brokenness.
Fuck them. Fuck everyone.
All I had left was anger.
And it wasn’t nearly enough.
I found her behind the school, where the dumpsters reeked of rot and bleach. Perfect. No one would hear us. No one would care.
