"There are people who are always in love with the sky, no matter the weather. And that day, she found someone who loved her the same way."

Winter was coming.

Faye could almost feel it in the air as she drew her coat closer to herself.

Her eyes ran through the hallways, through the posters that were sticking in the notice board, the poster that she herself, with the whole community had made.

She walked towards it and ran her eyes through the poster, somewhere, proud of herself.

56th Annual Sports Meet

Football cup U-19

Watch the final game of the season, where 'The Lions' and 'The Kings' are going to clash between themselves.

Live on national television.

Scouts from all over America coming for the hunt.

A life changing opportunity for half of those rising players out there.

Get ready, polish yourself.

Senior secretary: Mr. Jacob Zuma

Powered by: Lakeview enterprises.

For further details, connect the following institution or the presidents of the respective schools.

Lakeview preparatory

Students and parents are expected in the venue to encourage and support the players

18 December.

Tomorrow.

The event that everyone has been waiting for.

A smile appeared in Faye's face as she went through the poster again and again.

Things had not been easy.

For the past few weeks, Faye and everyone else had hardly seen each other's face. Each of them had been busy with the preparations of the tournament.

Madeline with cheerleading. Aubree and Kyle with lacrosse, Max with basketball and River along with Zach and others in football.

River.

Even thinking about him makes her cheeks go all red.

A small chuckle escaped from her mouth as she traced her cheeks, feeling the warmness in the tip of her fingers.

He was her haven.

The reason behind the butterflies and elephants in her stomach.

The reason behind her smiles.

He was just always there, like the air.

"They really did make it to the finals. Kyle was right. They are pretty amazing." Faye was dragged out of her thoughts when she heard a very familiar voice.

She knew who it was, of course she did.

Hell, even her presence was enough to make her skin crawl.

The smile on her face was suddenly replaced by a small frown.

"Stacey." Her voice was cold when she faced the girl in front of her.

"Faye, hey." Stacey's voice was hesitant.

Faye's frown deepened and she arched an eyebrow, confusion visible on her face.

Too unlike Stacey.

"I- I need to talk to you." Faye had never seen Stacey becoming nervous. No matter how much she hates her, she knew Stacey has been some of the most well composed persona Faye had ever known.

The Stacey standing in front of her looked tired.

She looked lost.

She looked weak.

She looked harmless.

"What to do you want Stacey? Don't you think you have had enough fun?" Faye's words were venom. And trust me, she did not regret saying them.

She knew it was rude. But, she did not care. She cannot just go all buddy- buddy with someone who made her go through hell.

Stacey met her eyes with a small smile and letting out a shaky breath, she said, "I promise it won't take too much of your time. Please come with me."

Faye could have said no, she wanted to say no. But something inside her begged her to go with Stacey.

Maybe she just wanted to know why Stacey did things, things that hurt her, broke her.

And so, she followed her, followed her to the abandoned music room.

************************************

"I have a meeting in the next twenty minutes. Make it real quick." Faye's voice did not reflect any emotion as she took a seat near the grand piano, running her hands through the keys.

And in front of her stood Stacey, her eyes on the floor.

Clearing her throat, she looked up to face Faye.

And that's when Faye noticed the redness of her orbs, those eyes that were streaming down fat tears.

And she was left stunned, her instinct stopping her from saying anything else.

None of them said anything for moments.

Stacey's eyes screamed apologies, regret. Something that her mouth was unable to say. Her eyes were begging for forgiveness, asking Faye to forgive her for being such a horrible bitch.

And Faye? She was internally asking for a reason, a reason that could explain everything, a reason that could make her forgive Stacey.

"I, I am so sorry." And Stacey was suddenly on both of her knees, hands intertwined together and tears vigorously falling down from her eyes.

She was so sorry for everything that she did.

So sorry.

Faye sat on the floor, next to her and started soothing her back as she sobbed.

It went for minutes and Faye let her cry, cry till she was out of tears.

"I am so sorry Faye. I am so sorry for everything. I am so sorry." Stacey let out, gasping for breath as her sobs turned into hiccups.

Faye nodded her head, helping Stacey to stand up and making her seat on a chair.

And after some moments, Faye asked, "Feeling better?"

Stacey nodded at that, furiously rubbing her eyes from the back of her hand.

Silence.

"Why?" She asked all of sudden, making Stacey look at her.

"Ha?"

"Why did you do everything?"

Even if Stacey had never considered Faye as a friend, she knew her. Hell, Stacey was her best friend at a time.

Faye used to love her.

"I don't know... jealousy? Anger? Hatred? There was too much Faye. There was so much of dirt. You, you, had everything. Since the day we had become friends, you had always been the outgoing and beautiful one from both of us. Charming, always bringing smiles to everyone's face. They, they loved you. And me? I was always in your shade. Loathed, ignored. I hated it Faye, I hated it so much. Things got worse when River, you and I started middle school. You were everyone's favorite as always Faye. But at that time, that didn't matter. River having a crush on you did. I liked him Faye and he, he liked you. Sure, you did not even notice." Stacey scoffed, fidgeting with her fingers.

"But, but you had said you were over your crush on him." Faye frowned.

"I was not Faye... I never was. When he did not confess, I thought he was over you. Years passed high school came. You became the ultimate queen with people always around you. Guys? Guys died for you. And me? I was, like always, the unknown. That geeky friend of the beautiful blondie. I was so fed up of everything. So fed up Faye. And so, I started to sleep with each and every guy you ever dated, to humiliate you, to make people notice me. I never succeeded. I never got River."

"The day I heard about his mother's death, I went to his house. He trusted me as a friend and I? I took advantage of him. Putting drugs in his drink I get him to bed. I made it look like we had sex. Getting him naked and everything. I knew it was the only way to get him. By making him feel guilty. Was it stupid? Yes. Too stupid? Yes. I ruined your ultimate friendship and River was around my fingers. Well, until he was not. River's room had hidden cameras that I was not aware of. He and Zach looked through it and the truth was out. I got insulted in the worst way possible. And soon, I left the town." Stacey sighed, standing up from her seat.

"When I came back, I realised you had a major crush on Kyle. The only guy who used to have interest on me during the sophorme year. I knew I could use him against you and so I did."

"I was so blinded by anger that I never looked through things. I loved the fact that you were struggling with yourself. I enjoyed the tears, the sad looks, breakdowns, everything. It was not until the I figured out things I was never supposed to."

"Things?" Faye asked, curious.

"Kyle." And turning around, Stacey looked at her.

"I found him, someone who really loved me. I have been feeling so guilty for the past months, Faye. And watching Kyle love me like I was a goddess made me sink even more. I fall in love with the guy who don't even know the real me. It was enough. I told him everything and as expected, he walked away. I know I deserve this. Its just, you all should know that I am sorry. That, I will never invade your life, not anymore." Stacey ended, her voice strained.

"Kyle loves you. Please don't be scared to talk it out with him. And I forgive you Stacey. I forgive you for everything." The smile in her face said the same thing.

************************************

@tomboy_16