Jae woke up in the cabin, disoriented and with a pounding headache. He realized he was naked under a blanket, and beside him, Lizzie stirred. Panic set in as he tried to piece together the events of the previous night, but his mind was a blank.
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"What the fuck Lizzie?" he demanded, his voice rough as he jumped out of bed, covering himself and making haste to his clothes, that laid all over the floor.
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Lizzie stretched languidly, a satisfied smile on her face. "I thought we would sleep in and skip school today." she lied smoothly. “Why don’t we go for a few more round, last night was wild.”
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Jae's anger flared; he shook his head in disbelief. "I don't remember anything," he snapped, getting up and hastily putting on his clothes. He checked his phone and saw a barrage of messages from his mom. "I need to go."
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Lizzie's smile faltered. "Jae, you couldn’t keep your hands off me last night. What do you mean you don’t remember. Is this some kind of joke."
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"Don't lie to me, Lizzie!" Jae shouted, his voice echoing in the cabin. "I don't remember a damn thing. Wait, did you drug me."
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Lizzie's eyes widened, giving the performance of her life. She scoffed, covering herself with the thin blanket. "Did I drug you? Are you fucking serious, I’m pretty sure, you were the one who took the pipe and smoked. I didn’t force you to do anything."
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Jae glared at her, his anger boiling over, he wasn’t convinced of her innocence. He tried to recollect his memory and remembers them making out. "This was should’ve never happened. This is nothing more than a mistake," he spat before storming out of the cabin.
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He left Lizzie in a vulnerable state, his last harsh words echoing in the cabin. As she thought back on the previous night, she felt a surge of jealousy and anger at the memory of Jae calling out for Kayetana while he was unconscious. She had taken photos of them in bed, with a cunning plan in mind.
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As he drove home, Jae's mind raced with conflicting emotions. The guilt of not remembering what had happened gnawed at him. He needed to clear his head, but the weight of his actions pressed heavily on his chest.
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When he finally pulled into the driveway, he took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He stepped out of the car and walked towards the house, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and dread.
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The moment he walked through the door, his mom went off. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" she yelled, her voice trembling with anger and concern.
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Seeing him in his disillusioned state, she accused him, "Are you using again, Jae? Is that what this is?"
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Still angry at his mother, he dismissed her. "I'm not fucking using again, Mom. Just leave me alone," he muttered, heading upstairs to change into his school uniform.
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Alice was taken aback by her son’s outburst, it was one of the signs that he was struggling, that he was slowly falling into his old patterns again, concern filled her as she watched him go upstairs, unsure how to approach the situation.
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A few moments later, Wiley arrived to pick up Jae for school, as they had agreed the day before. Jae stumbled out of the house, looking dishevelled and exhausted, the headache fresh in mind.
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Wiley raised an eyebrow. "Dude, what happened to you? You look like shit."
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Jae rubbed his temples, trying to fend off the lingering headache. "Rough night," he muttered, avoiding eye contact.
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Wiley frowned; concern etched on his face. "Bro, you sure you’re, okay? You don't look like yourself man."
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Jae forced a weak smile. "I'll be fine. Let's just get to school."
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The day passed, and Jae avoided Lizzie as much as he could, guilt filling him for not remembering what had happened. He was unsure if they had really been intimate. When Kaye approached him to apologize for blowing him off, she pulled him aside into a corner, she explained, "I was with Stasi. She needed me, and I couldn't answer. I didn't want to explain why you, of all people, were calling that time of night."
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Jae avoided her eyes and kept the conversation minimal. "It's fine," he said curtly. To her, it came off as cold and dismissive, and she could smell the aftermath of whiskey on his breath. She was also concerned about his uncharacteristic appearance.
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The rest of the school day, Kaye couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with Jae. She replayed their brief conversation in her mind, her heart aching at the coldness in his voice and the distant look in his eyes. She knew she had been harsh with him, a defence mechanism she often used when things got too real and personal in her life. It was her way of protecting herself, but now she wondered if her actions had pushed Jae further into his own darkness.
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As she walked through the hallways, Kaye's mind was a whirlwind of self-doubt and concern. She couldn't help but wonder if she had caused this sudden shift in him. Had her rejection been the final straw? Or was it something deeper, something to do with the haunting memories of his father's suicide? The thought of Jae reliving that trauma filled her with agonizing concern.
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Kaye felt deeply for Jae, and the entire day was a struggle to focus on anything else. She was filled with a gnawing worry that she couldn't shake. Her self-destructive nature had always been a part of her, but now she saw the impact it had on someone she cared about. The realization was painful, and she vowed to find a way to make things right.
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As she pondered over what could possibly be happening to him, she overheard some students talking as she passed the gym, their voices echoing not minding being indiscreet.
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"Oh my god, did you see Jae today. Someone looks like his old self—the hot mess version before the summer, when Heather was still in his life," one student laughed. “I told you that soon we’d be seeing the hottest hot mess again, didn’t I?
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"Yeah, yeah, you did, alright. I just thought maybe he’d finally changed after they basically ran Heather out of town. Oh god, those two were an unhinged couple," another added.
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“Yep, he definitely looks like he’s using again. Crystals has always been that boy’s best friend.” They laughed.
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Kaye's heart sank at their words. She had never known about Jae's past with drugs and she wondered whether this Heather they mentioned, was the same girl Brendan had referred to the day before. The idea that he might be slipping back into that dark place was almost too much to bear. She felt a surge of guilt and responsibility, wondering if her actions had contributed to his current state.
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Determined to find out more, Kaye decided to confront Jae again. She needed to understand what was going on and how she could help, knowing how difficult it was to be overshadowed by trauma and the dark thought that often-filled one’s mind. The thought of him suffering alone was unbearable, and she couldn't stand by and do nothing.
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The Tuesday at school went by dreadfully and no one was enthusiastic for the events that was mandatory next. Dance Lesson for the High Society Gala. Tensions were high as everyone, once again was forced under one roof.
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The tensions hung in the air and everyone was clearly not in the mood for dancing. Aaron was furious at his sister, the tension visible by their constant missteps. He scolded Lizzie. "If Dad finds out, I'll be to blame, and you know how he gets," he hissed.
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Lizzie assured him, "He won't find out. There's nothing to worry about," all while glancing jealously at Jae and Kaye.
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The grand ballroom was a dazzling sight, with crystal chandeliers casting a soft, golden light over the polished wooden floor. The air was filled with the faint scent of lavender, mingling with the sound of classical music that floated through the room. Couples moved gracefully in perfect synchrony, the swish of mini-silk dresses and the click of polished shoes creating a rhythmic symphony.
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Jae and Kaye stood at the edge of the dance floor, their movements tense and out of sync. Kaye's heart ached as she watched him struggle, her concern growing with each passing moment.
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As they tried to master the dance lesson, it was clear that Jae's mind was dazed and not focused on the current events and avoided her eyes at all costs. Her heart broke for him, knowing how hard he had worked in the mental health resort to master his demons, yet in that moment, it didn't seem like he had control anymore. She was deeply worried, internally blaming herself for not going to meet him the night before, wondering what could have left him in such a horrible state. She thought about what she overheard at school about his past.
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"Jae," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the music. "Did you relapse?"
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Jae froze, his eyes widening in shock and shame. He stepped on her foot, not answering, and looked at her with a mixture of shame and despair. The weight of her knowledge about his demons was too much to bear. Without a word, he turned and stormed off the dance floor, his abrupt departure causing a ripple of gasps and murmurs among the other dancers.
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Kaye stood there, her thoughts spinning. The ballroom seemed to close in around her, the chandeliers' light suddenly harsh and blinding. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her, the judgment and curiosity pressing down like a physical weight. She hesitated for a moment, her heart torn between staying and following Jae.
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The dance teacher, a stern woman with a sharp gaze, clapped her hands together, the sound echoing through the room. "Everyone, fall back in line!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the tension. "This is highly unclassy behaviour. Take a break and compose yourselves."
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The dancers reluctantly obeyed, their murmurs filling the room as they stepped back into position. Kaye took a deep breath, her thoughts still racing. She couldn't shake the image of Jae's pained expression, the shame in his eyes. She knew she had to find him, to understand what was happening and how she could help.
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Determined, she turned on her heel and followed the path Jae had taken, her steps quick and purposeful. The hallway outside the ballroom was dimly lit, the shadows adding to the sense of urgency she felt. She caught a glimpse of Jae's figure disappearing around a corner and quickened her pace.
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The tension was palpable, the dance teacher allowed them a break at the sudden departure of Jae and Kaye. Lizzie watched the scene unfold with a mixture of satisfaction and jealousy. Her eyes narrowed, her mind racing with thoughts of how to use this to her advantage. She slipped out of the dance class, her phone in hand, ready to execute her next move.
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Kaye caught up to Jae in a small, secluded room down the hallway. He was leaning against a wall, his breathing heavy and his eyes filled with turmoil. She approached him slowly, her heart pounding in her chest.
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"Jae," she said softly, her voice filled with concern. "Please, talk to me. What's going on?"
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He looked at her, his expression a mix of anger and vulnerability. "You wouldn't understand," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion.
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Kaye took a step closer, her eyes pleading. "I want to help. I care about you."
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Jae's eyes flickered with pain. "I don't need your pity," he snapped, his voice harsh. "Just leave me alone."
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Kaye's heart broke at his words, but she refused to give up. "I'm not leaving you, Jae. Not until you let me in."
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He stared at her, the walls he had built around himself crumbling under the weight of her persistence. For a moment, he considered opening up, but the fear and shame were too overwhelming. He turned away, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
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Kaye reached out, her hand gently touching his arm. "Please," she whispered. "Let me help you."
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Jae closed his eyes, the storm of emotions inside him threatening to consume him. He felt the warmth of her touch, the sincerity in her voice, and for the first time, he wondered if maybe, just maybe, he didn't have to face this alone.
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Just then, Lizzie appeared, her eyes narrowing as she saw Kaye comforting Jae. Jae's eyes snapped open; the moment of vulnerability shattered. He pulled away from Kaye, his face hardening. "It’s nothing," he muttered, avoiding eye contact with both girls as he made his way back into the grand hall.
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"What's going on here?" Lizzie stepped closer, her gaze fixed on Kaye. "You should really start to know your place. You just don’t get it do you?"
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Kaye sighed in annoyance and rolled her eyes. "You don't get to tell me what to do, Lizzie, whatever you think I need to get, I suggest re-evaluate your thoughts and stop being so obsessed with Jae."
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Lizzie's face twisted with anger. "He doesn't need you. He has me and once you get that into that thick skull of yours, maybe you’d understand that Jae and I’s feelings are mutual. You’re his best friend’s sister, are you really that shellfish to separate Jae from his friends. We both know Wiley’s one rule when it comes to his precious little sister."
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Kaye stood her ground, her voice steady. "You’re delusional Lizzie, I think there’s something seriously wrong with you. Jae needs help, and I'm not going to turn my back on him. You might be used to scaring all the other girls into staying away from him, but we both know, he will never look at you the way he looks at me, and that just pisses you off, doesn’t it."
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Lizzie’s body was enraged, but she managed it expertly and smirked, her eyes flashing with triumph. "It seems like you’re the one that’s delusional, little stone. You think you're so special, don't you?" she sneered, chuckling to her own cunningness.
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Lizzie's face flushed with anger. "You have no idea what Jae and I have. We spent the night together, it was a wild night for sure, we barely slept." she said, pulling out her phone and showing Kaye the fabricated images.
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Kaye's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the photos. Her heart sank, and a wave of sorrow and despair washed over her. The images showed Jae and Lizzie in bed together, their bodies entwined under the covers. It was a sight that shattered her heart into a million pieces. She felt tears welling up in her eyes, her mind racing with a mix of emotions. She couldn't believe that Jae would betray her like this, but the evidence was right in front of her. The pain was almost unbearable, and every breath she took felt like the rarest air.
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Lizzie's expression turned cold. "Good, it seems to finally sink in now. You need to learn your place. Jae is mine.”
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As Lizzie walked away, Kaye's thoughts were consumed by the pain and confusion. She couldn't understand why this was happening, and the weight of the betrayal was almost too much to bear. This was exactly why she never opened up, why she always felt the need to stay secluded from the rest of the world.
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