Chapter 1 Graduation.

Betty's POV.

And lastly, the award for best graduating student is... Betty Daniels. The world stopped for a breathless second. Then the whole crowd applauded.

I felt my cheeks turn red from shyness and pride, a warmth I'd never known so deep.

My classmates whistled, some clapped so hard their palms would surely sting tomorrow. From the corner of my eye. I spotted Claire, my best friend, jumping up and down on her feet, her voice loud in the midst of the crowd, "Go, Betty!"

As I stood, I felt my legs trembling as though the floor had softened beneath me.

I walked up to the stage to collect my award.

When the award touched my hands, it was heavier than I expected. I bit down on my lower lip to stop it from trembling.

The plaque shone in my hands, then the principal stepped aside, with a small hand gesture to say something on stage.

My throat went dry for a moment, but I forced the words out.

"Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Claire. I really appreciate you all".

The hall roared again, giving me applause as I went down from the podium.

Then I saw Grandma standing, her eyes shining wet as the crowd stood behind her. She opened her arms before I even reached the floor.

The moment I fell into her warm embrace, the kind that said more than words ever could.

"My Betty," she whispered, voice cracking.

I closed my eyes to feel her.

Then, a familiar voice broke through, interrupting me and Grandma.

Betty!" she cried, practically jumping in her heels as she pulled my arm. "Enough hugging! There's an after-party, remember? You're the star tonight, and I am not letting you miss it!"

I laughed heartily, caught between Grandma's hold and Claire's pulling me away.

Claire, full of energy and excitement, had a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Grandma let out a sigh, shaking her head with a smile. "Go on, but remember your curfew".

Claire gave me a playful wink, already pulling me toward the exit.

"Come on, Best Graduate of the Year, let's party!

I followed her, my heart still beaming with Grandma's pride, but now with bubbling Claire's excitement.

The afternoon party was filled with joy and laughter everywhere.

Music carried everyone into a celebratory mood. I had been immersed in it. Smiling from ear to ear until I noticed Louise was gone.

I searched for him but couldn't find him, and started getting worried.

I brushed through the crowd, the voices and music slowly fading away. Then, I found him backstage.

And he was with Megan.

Their lips pressed together in a kiss.

The sight pierced my heart like a blade.

My breath seized, my chest felt heavy.

I felt as though every happy moment of the day cracked and fell apart right there in front of me.

For a moment, I couldn't move. I felt an excruciating pain. As I turned and left the place in silence.

I stepped out of the party and Claire followed afterwards, the cool evening air brushing against our skin. I thought I had hidden it well, but Claire's sharp eyes caught the strain on my face.

She slowed her steps, bending her head toward me. "Betty... what's wrong?"

For a moment, I wanted to shrug it off and pretend everything was fine. But the slip from my lip whispered, "I saw Louise, Claire... with Megan."

Gasps escaped her lips, her arms wrapping tightly around me.

"Oh Betty, she murmured he doesn't deserve you for one bit".

Listen to me, " don't waste your precious tears on him and try to move on, remember you have Texas ahead of you." she said in a calm and tender voice.

"Betty, you're not going home alone like this," she said firmly, looking at her phone as she booked an Uber for me.

Claire kept checking her phone until she looked up with a small nod. "It's on the way. A few minutes."

We stood together in silence as the car finally pulled up; Claire gently touched my shoulder.

Call me when you get home, OK?

Claire's POV.

When I went in, the party continued as if nothing had happened, but all I could see was Betty's face. The way her smile vanished when I led her out.

Then I saw Louise waiting near the tall windows, in a calm posture as if the staged kiss with Megan hadn't just broken my best friend's heart.

"Louise," I said while approaching him, "Thank you. For doing what I asked."

His mouth curved into a mischievous smile. "She believed it. Just as you planned."

I felt a rush of guilt through me, but I couldn't avoid his gaze. "Better she hurts now than be drawn into what we're facing."