As Jake and I entered the Mechanical Technology class, Jake closed the door behind us and turned the lock. My heart raced. I knew something was coming, but I wasn't sure what."Anthony, sit down," he demanded, his voice softer than usual.Reluctantly, I sat at one of the workbenches, keeping my guard up. Jake's behavior was unpredictable, and I wasn't sure what to expect."I'm sorry for punching you," he began, avoiding eye contact. "It wasn't intended."I felt a surge of anger and pain at his words. How many times had I heard this before? I stood up, my frustration boiling over. "You always say this, Jake. You always punch me at every available misunderstanding. If we were to continue dating, is this how you were going to be treating me? You even made your friends join in and beat me. I would not take that."Jake's face twisted in anger. "Don't mention his name here. This is about us, not about him."I met his gaze, unflinching. "It's about us. He has everything to do with us because

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of uneasy tension. Timothy and I eventually got dressed and made our way downstairs, hoping to talk things out with Andrew. However, as soon as we entered the living room, it was clear that the atmosphere had changed drastically.Andrew was seated on the couch, staring intently at the television but clearly not watching it. The moment he saw us, his jaw tightened, and he quickly looked away. Anne was in the kitchen, her eyes flicking between us with concern, and our mother, Ina, was bustling around, preparing breakfast."Morning," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I approached the table. Timothy gave me a supportive nod and followed.Andrew didn't respond. He just continued to stare at the TV, his body language screaming avoidance."Good morning, dear," Mom said, turning to us with a smile. "Did you boys sleep well?""Uh, yeah, we did," I replied, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Mom."I glanced at Andrew again, hoping for any sign that he mig

The next morning, I reluctantly got out of bed, the events of the previous day still heavy on my mind. I knew today wasn't going to be any easier, but I had to face it. I slowly made my way downstairs to the kitchen, where the scent of pancakes and bacon greeted me. Normally, this would lift my spirits, but today the air felt thick with tension.When I entered the kitchen, I saw my family already seated at the table. Andrew was there, his face set in a stony expression, still refusing to meet my gaze. Mom was bustling around, placing dishes on the table, and Dad was sipping his coffee, his brow furrowed in thought."Good morning," I said softly, taking my seat."Morning," Mom replied, but her usual cheeriness was missing. Dad just nodded, and Andrew said nothing.We ate in strained silence, the clinking of cutlery the only sound breaking the heavy quiet. I tried to swallow the food, but it felt like sawdust in my mouth. I kept sneaking glances at Andrew, hoping for some sign of soften

It was just another typical day at school. The sun was high, casting a warm glow over the campus. Students buzzed through the halls, chatting about assignments and weekend plans. For me, Anthony, the day seemed no different than any other, except for the knot of anxiety that had been building in my stomach since the morning. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.After sitting through a grueling math class, I raised my hand to ask for permission to go to the restroom. My teacher nodded, barely glancing up from her papers. I slipped out of the classroom, grateful for the brief escape from the suffocating tension.The hallway was empty, the usual cacophony of student chatter reduced to a distant murmur. I made my way to the restroom at the far end of the building, the one that was usually deserted during class hours. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, letting out a sigh of relief. The cool, sterile air was a welcome contrast to the stifling heat out

When I first arrived at university, I was determined to focus on my studies. The campus was vast and bustling, filled with students who seemed to effortlessly blend in. But I found solace in the quiet corners of the library, where I could lose myself in novels and the endless sea of academic texts.I was always the quiet one, the girl who preferred the company of books over people. The library became my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the noise and chaos of campus life. It wasn’t that I disliked people; I just felt more comfortable in my own world, where stories came alive on the pages of my favorite books.But my peaceful routine was soon disrupted by David. He was one of the popular guys on campus, known for his charm and good looks. Everywhere he went, people seemed to gravitate towards him. I had seen him around, always surrounded by a group of friends, laughing and talking loudly. He was the type of guy who could effortlessly command attention, something I never sought.A