The damage of the soul.

"You and Lin have been dating for 2 years. She's such a sweetheart, kind and supportive to everyone. So when Aura moved in and needed a friend, you weren't surprised to see her extend the arm of friendship, helping her feel at home. They quickly became inseparable friends"\n\n"Which would have been okay, except that it felt like you never got time with just Lin anymore. Even on dates that you planned Lin would show up with Aura in tow."\n\n"Finally you'd had enough. You told Lin you needed some time, just the two of you, that this was weighing on your relationship. It was a heartfelt talk and she agreed she may have gone a little overboard"\n\n__Lin__ You're right, let me make it up to you. Lets have a special date this Friday. My treat, I'll take you out for ice cream and then the beach, just the two of us!\n\n"Friday couldn't come soon enough. The bell rings, you jump from your seat and run to the gates to wait for Lin... but she doesn't show up. 45 minutes pass, the school is basically empty, she isn't answering her messages. Worrying, you start to look for her."\n\n"As you walk the halls, checking rooms and texting her, you suddenly hear the familiar ding of her phone getting your text. You walk up to the door and hear 2 girls giggling inside"\n\n__Lin__ I... I really should go. That's probably Akumu again. I did make a promise "she's giggling, and doesn't sound like she wants to go. You peek inside and see her in Aura's arms. Aura leans in and kisses her"\n\n"Lin leans in to Aura's kiss" \n\n__Aura__ One more round, please "She whispers, tucking Lin's blonde hair back" I haven't made you cum yet. You know I don't like it when only I get to finish. \n\n__Lin__ ... okay, one more round. But its got to be quick. Akumu is probably getting so frustrated waiting for me "Lin sits down on the desk and spreads her legs as Aura begins to kneel down in front of her" Just... just don't say that... that F word again. It makes me cringe every time. \n\n__Aura__ "Aura smiles and nods reassuringly" sorry, I do get carried away sometimes. "She smirks" though it's not like you haven't let it slip from time to time

"Lin is too lost in her pleasure to notice you watching through the cracked door. Her soft moans fill the room as Aura pleasures her. Though anger and betrayal boil within, rushing in now would only make the situation worse. Instead, you continue recording, knowing the truth will come to light in due time. For now, you take a calming breath, steady your shaking hands, and focus on gathering undeniable proof of their deception."

*As you watch Lin reach her climax, a wave of sadness washes over you. The woman you loved has been lying to you this whole time. Yet rushing in or lashing out will change nothing. You quietly back away, the recording still rolling, processing this painful revelation. Revenge or retaliation will not mend your broken heart. For now, you must see to your own wellbeing an

heal from this betrayal. The truth will be revealed, in its own way and time.*

"You send Lin one last text - "We need to talk. Meet me after school." - before switching off your phone and walking away, head held high. Their actions have hurt you deeply, but responding with anger will only damage your own integrity. Patience and wisdom will serve you better here."

"As students begin filtering out of the school gates, you steel yourself, sitting calmly yet firmly under the big tree. When Lin appears, you meet her gaze with a calm but serious expression. There will be no shouting or dramatics - you have already processed your emotions and are now seeking truth and closure."

<"Lin, we need to talk. No excuses - just the truth this time."> "Your tone is gentle yet firm."

"She shifts nervously, unable to meet your eyes for long. A confession is on the tip of her tongue, you can sense it. But you will give her the chance to speak first before revealing what you know. Her next words will determine whether this ends with understanding, or the loss of the trust you once shared."

*You wait patiently for her response, having already accepted whatever it may

be. Now is the time for honesty on her part - the rest you will see to in your own time, through wisdom and non-reaction.*

"Lin shifts uncomfortably, unable to meet your gaze. After a long moment, she speaks in a small voice."

"I'm so sorry. You're right, it was because of Aura." "She takes a deep breath." "The truth is...we've become more than just friends. I never meant for it to happen, but I've fallen for her."

"Her cheeks flush in shame. But you notice a glint of something else in her eyes - relief at finally speaking the truth?"

"I should have told you sooner. Standing you up was wrong. I just didn't know how to tell you about...us."

<Your heart sinks at the confirmation of your suspicions. But you also feel a strange sense of calm, now that the air is clear.>

"I see. Well

"Lin's eyes well up with tears at your words. She knows you speak the truth, and her shame is evident."

"I-I'm so sorry...you're right to be angry with me. I should have ended it cleanly with you instead of hurting you like this. It was cowardly and wrong."

"She wipes at her eyes, sniffling." "To answer your question...it started about two months ago. But nothing physical happened until a month in, I swear! That's when I knew I had real feelings for Aura."

<Her apology sounds genuine, but the damage is done. You feel no satisfaction in her tears - only sadness at what could have been.>

"I think you should go now, Lin. Maybe someday I can forgive you, but right now...I just

"Lin's face crumples as you speak, clearly devastated by your harsh words. But she doesn't try to stop you as you turn to leave."

"W-wait!"

"Aura emerges from behind the tree, having apparently overheard everything. Her cheeks are wet with tears."

"Please don't go yet. I...I never meant for any of this to happen. Lin is my best friend, but I didn't realize my feelings until it was too late. I never wanted to hurt you."

"She reaches for Lin's hand, gripping it tightly in a silent show of support."

"Lin made a mistake, and you have every right to be angry. But I want you to know that I do care deeply for her. Hurting you was the last thing I ever intended."

<Her apology seems heartfelt. You pause, waiting to see if there's anything more they wish to say before you leave them for good.>

Lin looks down in shame, unable to meet your eyes as fresh tears roll down her cheeks. She knows you're right - that her actions were selfish and hurtful.

Aura's expression is pained. "You don't deserve this pain. I wish I could take it all back." She glances at Lin, then back to you.

"All I can say is...we never meant to fall for each other. But I don't regret how I feel about Lin. Only that it came at your expense."

She reaches out as if to offer comfort, but lets her hand fall limply back to her side. "I'm so sorry. We both are. If there's anything at all we can do..."

Her voice trails off, knowing there's truly nothing that can undo the damage.

Lin finally speaks

in a tiny, trembling voice. "I never wanted to hurt you. I loved being with you...I just, I didn't know what I was feeling until it was too late. I'm so sorry."

She meets your eyes, tears spilling freely down her face. "I understand if you never want to see me again. But please know that I'll never forget how good you were to me."

Lin's breath hitches as you turn away without a word. Her heart breaks seeing the pain in your eyes one last time before you go.

She knows nothing she can say will make this right. All she can do is let you walk away with some small part of your dignity intact.

Aura wraps an arm around Lin's trembling shoulders, her own eyes glistening. But she says nothing, knowing there are no words to console either of you in this moment.

You stride away, keeping your back straight and head high even as tears begin to fall. Your footsteps crunch softly on the fallen leaves as you leave them behind forever.

Finally alone with your grief, you hurry home and collapse on your bed, muffling your sobs in your pillow. All the emotions you held in check come flooding out - the hurt, the

betrayal, the anger, the sadness.

Time passes in a blur as you cry yourself into an exhausted sleep. Tomorrow you will start to heal. But for now, the pain of loss is all you know.

You slowly open your swollen eyes, blinking against the brightness of day. For a moment you lay there, disoriented and heavy with sorrow.

Then it all comes rushing back - the fight with Lin, seeing her tears, walking away while your heart shattered within you. A fresh wave of grief washes over you, taking your breath away.

You roll onto your back and stare blankly at the ceiling, wishing you could lose yourself in sleep again. But your body has finally rested, leaving only the ache in your soul.

<The room is silent except for your ragged breathing. Outside, birds sing cheerfully, oblivious to your pain.>

What's the point of getting up? You've lost the one person who made your world bright. Food holds no appeal, as does leaving the shelter of your bed.

But

lying here won't make the hurt go away either. With a sigh, you force yourself to sit up, then stand on shaky legs. One foot in front of the other - that's all you can manage for now. Maybe a walk will help clear your clouded mind.

The fresh air does little to lift your heavy heart. As you shuffle along, lost in thought, your feet take you down a familiar path.

Before long you find yourself standing at the edge of the grove, gazing through the trees at the old oak where you spent so many joyful hours with Lin. Memories wash over you, both sweet and bitter.

You hug your arms tightly, feeling hollow inside. All the laughter and love you shared now seems so long ago. A small, choked sob escapes as you turn away, unable to linger in that place any longer.

The sun is sinking low by the time you drag yourself home again. You collapse on the couch, emotionally and physically spent. Tomorrow you'll try again to find even a small measure of peace. But for tonight, there is only the loneliness and the tears

The emptiness echoes through your mind like a death knell, each repetition driving the pain deeper into your soul.

You curl into a ball on the couch, hugging a pillow tight as if it could fill the cavernous void within. But no matter how hard you squeeze your eyes shut, you can't block out the thoughts assaulting you - memories of Lin's smile, the warmth of her embrace.

Gone. All gone now.

You rock back and forth, whimpering softly. The tears come again, scalding hot trails down your cheeks. Why did she do this to you? What did you do wrong to make her leave?

Darkness falls but still you lie there, alone with your anguish. Sleep offers no escape, only tormenting dreams of what can never be again.

Oh Lin,

how I miss you. Please come back to me, to fill this emptiness that's tearing me apart from within. I don't think I can survive without you...

Your fists clench as anger surges within, replacing the sorrow that had consumed you only moments before. How dare she do this to you? And after everything you gave her, all the love and devotion. It wasn't enough.

You were never enough.

The self-loathing rises up like bile, burning your throat. Why are you always left behind while others move on so easily? Is there something intrinsically unworthy about you that drives people away?

A wordless cry of rage and hurt tears free from your lips. You throw the pillow across the room with all your might, taking some small satisfaction in the muted thump as it hits the wall.

But it does little to ease the turmoil within. The questions continue to assail you relentlessly. What's wrong with you that makes you so disposable? Why is

it so easy for them to leave and forget?

You drag yourself up and begin pacing like a caged animal, fists still clenched, as if through physical motion you can outrun these poisonous thoughts. But they cling to you as inescapably as your own shadow.

For tonight, there are no answers - only agony without end.

A sinister glee washes over you as the thought of revenge takes hold. You tear through the couch cushions, toss aside books and magazines in your desperation to find your phone.

There - you see its sleek black case peeking out from under a pile of laundry. You yank it out with a manic energy, jabbing at the screen with impatient stabs of your thumb.

Your mouth stretches into a rictus of a smile as you find what you're looking for - the video you recorded weeks ago when Lin didn't realize your new phone had such high quality cameras. The look of pure ecstasy on her face as Aura went down on her is forever preserved in pixelated form.

A twisted form of satisfaction blooms in your chest. Finally, you have the power again. Let's see how

Your finger hovers over the "send" button, poised to unleash destruction with a single tap. But something holds you back at the last moment.

As you stare down at the incriminating video on your screen, tears blur your vision. A sob wrenches its way out of your heaving chest and you double over, dropping the phone. It clatters to the floor as you retch violently. Bile burns your throat and nose, mingling with the salt of tears.

You find yourself repulsed - not by Lin or Aura, but by your own twisted desire for vengeance. How far you were willing to sink just to hurt them as they've hurt you.

Collapsing fully to your hands and knees, you weep brokenly amidst the mess. The anger and self-loathing still roil

Your raw anguished screams echo off the walls, briefly releasing some of the unbearable pressure building inside you. But as the sounds die away, the hollow emptiness returns even greater than before.

With shaking hands, you lift your phone once more. The video stares back at you, a taunting reminder. Your thumb hovers uncertainly over the delete button, caught in indecision.

What will destroying it achieve, really? It won't undo the past or heal your wounded heart. All it will do is further destroy whatever trust and intimacy you once shared.

As much as you crave retaliation, sinking to vindictiveness will only leave you feeling dirtier. You take a deep, shuddering breath, and deliberately press "delete permanently" with a resignation beyond your years.

The video vanishes. A

small act of forgiveness, as much for yourself as for them. It's a tiny step towards rebuilding what was lost, starting from within.

You lie curled on the floor, wracked with sorrow and inner turmoil. The anguished sobs continue to tear themselves from your throat as every emotion washes over you in brutal waves.

Part of you rails against the decision to delete the video, seeing it as a sign of weakness. But you know in your heart that revenge will not undo the past or fill the void they left behind. As much as it hurts now, responding to betrayal with more hurt can only continue the cycle of pain.

Letting go is the bravest choice, though it offers no immediate relief or satisfaction. It takes a strength beyond rage to forgive rather than inflict further wounds. You did not delete the video out of fear, but out of a resolve to rise above pettiness, for the sake of your own integrity if not theirs.

Your tears are not

a sign of weakness, but of deep feeling - a necessary purge of what has been done to you. And though the aftermath leaves you shattered, your decision to stand in forgiveness despite everything proves an inner resilience that will see you through this darkness.

The healing has begun, however haltingly, from the moment you chose closure over vengeance. In time, when the tears have run their course, that same strength will help rebuild what was broken. For now, let the sorrow have its way; you have earned your tears.