Chapter 7: Unraveling

Ariel

Ariel woke up the following day feeling she couldn't quite place. A mix of excitement and anxiety swirled inside her as she replayed the events of the previous night. Walking home with Eric had felt like something out of a dream. The way he looked at her under the moonlight—it was different. It wasn't the usual friendly look he always gave her at school. It was something more, something more profound.

Or maybe she was just imagining it.

Pushing the thought away, Ariel threw on her favorite sweater and grabbed her bag, ready for school. But as she walked into the halls, the sight before her made her stomach drop.

Vanessa was standing by Eric's locker, her arms draped around him like she was staking her claim. Ariel's heart clenched as she watched Eric lean in and press a kiss to Vanessa's temple. Just like that, the warmth from last night vanished, replaced by the all-too-familiar ache in her chest.

She tore her gaze away and forced herself to keep walking. Sebastian, as if sensing her distress, suddenly appeared at her side. "Ariel, girl, why do you do this to yourself?" he muttered. "I told you, that boy is tangled up in Vanessa's web. Setting him free will take more than a pretty night walk."

Ariel sighed, hugging her books tighter. "I know. I just... I thought maybe..."

Sebastian gave her a knowing look. "You thought maybe he'd see you differently? He'd wake up and realize Vanessa isn't who he thinks she is?"

She nodded slowly.

"Well, you're not wrong." He smirked. "You just need a little push. And lucky for you, we have the perfect opportunity."

Ariel arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

Sebastian grinned. "The talent show, duh! If there's one thing Vanessa hates, it's competition. And if you get on that stage and show everyone—including Eric—just how amazing you are, she'll crack. And when she cracks, the truth will come out."

Ariel hesitated. "I don't know, Sebastian. I don't want to play games."

"It's not a game, Ariel. It's the truth. Vanessa is hiding something, and I have a feeling it's big. We just need to give her a reason to slip up."

Ariel chewed on her lip, Sebastian's words lingering in her mind. Maybe he was right. It may be time to stop waiting and start taking action.

Eric

Eric couldn't shake the feeling from the night before. Walking with Ariel had been so... effortless. So real. He had spent all night trying to push the thought away, but it was like a song stuck in his head—impossible to ignore.

And now, seeing Vanessa in front of him, smiling like she always did, he felt... nothing. No spark. No pull. Just emptiness.

"Eric?" Vanessa's voice snapped him back to reality. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry. What were you saying?"

She sighed, rolling her eyes. "I was asking if you wanted to skip the talent show and go to that party at Liam's instead. It'll be way more fun."

He frowned. "Wait, why would we skip the talent show? I thought you were excited about it."

Vanessa's smile faltered for a split second before she recovered. "I mean, it's just a school thing. Parties are way better. Besides, I already know I will win, so what's the point?"

Something about her tone made Eric uneasy. "You don't want to see the other performances?"

Vanessa shrugged. "Not really."

That was weird. Vanessa loved attention—why wouldn't she want to watch the show? And, more importantly, why was she trying to get him to miss it?

His thoughts drifted to Ariel. She was performing, wasn't she?

He wasn't sure why, but the idea of missing her performance didn't sit right with him.

"I think I'll pass on the party," he said before he could stop himself. "I want to see the talent show."

Vanessa's eyes darkened, but she forced a sweet smile. "Suit yourself, babe. But don't say I didn't warn you when it turns out to be a snooze-fest."

Eric nodded, but his gut told him otherwise. Something was about to happen.

Something big.