Tearing Us Apart

In the mass of people, I spot her. Hips swaying to The Weeknd’s pulsing beat, eyes half-closed as vibrant lights bounce off her flawless, divine body. I could stand here forever, watching her every movement – so tender, so captivating. It’s not just the way she dances that makes her stand out. It’s the energy she spreads, the way her seductive smile covers everything around her, focusing only on the beauty of her lips. Still dizzy from the flash of Lily’s vision hitting me, I maneuver through the crowd, my eyes never leaving her.” Hey!” Her voice is soft, full of warmth and calm enthusiasm.I grin, leaning in. “How can you be here alone?” I nibble at her earlobe, my arms wrapping around her waist. Her head lifts, revealing the sparkling scenery in her eyes.” You left me alone,” she says, her voice defensive with a hushed, tiny laugh.” Right.” Her gaze flutters between my lips and eyes, and without thinking, I close our proximity, pressing her against my chest with a slight hint of force. Her knuckles brush my palm, and I use my left hand to cup her cheek and admire her symmetrical face. With a soft but deliberate movement, I align our lips, losing her hold of my hand as I grip her hips. The rhythm of the song swells around us, and we melt into a kiss. Deep, slow, and filled with longing. The heat between us is almost unbearable, our breaths coming sharp and uneven. Her hand presses against my chest, but neither of us can pull away.” ¡Hola mis amigos!” Of course, it’s him. Levi. Interrupting one of the most intimate moments of our new lives. I tense, my voice firm and cutting. “What do you want, Levi?” I can feel Lily’s angry scan of me burning into the back of my neck.” Just checking on my sister and her ‘sweetheart.’” Levi’s words drip with condescension. I fight the urge to shove him aside. If I could, I’d beat this guy to the ground just to get him to leave us alone. He still holds a grudge because I crushed him in the basketball championship. Pathetic. He’s the type to manipulate everyone around him, feeding lies and stirring trouble for the gain of his own. For months, he’s been spreading rumors about how I treat women, twisting the truth into something ugly. As if that wasn’t enough, I’m sure he’ll find a way to expose the darker parts of my past—secrets that have long rotted, some of which I can hardly believe are mine, others that I can’t see my reflection in anymore. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll find a way to tear us apart…