Emily was lying.
Not because of what she said—
But because of what she didn't.
And now…
I could see the difference.
I didn't go after Ryan.
Didn't go after Noah.
Didn't go after Sarah.
I went after her.
Because she was the only one close to breaking.
I found her where I expected.
The bleachers.
Empty.
Quiet.
Her place.
She didn't turn when I approached.
"Go away, Lucas."
"No."
Simple.
She exhaled slowly.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
"Why are you doing this?" she asked.
I stepped closer.
"Because you're hiding something."
A small, empty laugh.
"Everyone is."
"Yeah," I said.
"But you're the only one it's killing."
That hit.
She turned fast.
"Stop acting like you know me!"
"I used to."
"You don't anymore."
"Then let me."
Silence.
Her breathing wasn't steady anymore.
Her eyes…
Not just afraid.
Guilty.
"Emily…" I said softer.
"What happened that night?"
"No."
Immediate.
Too fast.
"You know."
"I said no."
"You're protecting him."
She froze.
There it was.
Ryan.
"I'm not protecting anyone," she said.
Too quick.
Too defensive.
"Then why are you afraid of him?"
"I'm not—"
"You are."
Silence.
Heavy.
Crushing.
"You don't understand," she whispered.
"Then explain it."
She looked at me.
Really looked.
And for a second—
She almost broke.
"I can't."
Frustration snapped inside me.
"Everyone keeps saying that!" I shouted.
"'I can't', 'you're not ready', 'it's better this way'—"
"Because it is!" she yelled.
The sound echoed.
Then—
Silence.
Her chest rose fast.
Tears forming.
She turned away—
Too late.
"You're scared of me," I said.
"No."
"You are."
"I'm not scared of you."
"Then what?"
Silence.
Too long.
"Say it."
And then—
"I'm scared of what you'll do when you remember."
Again.
Always that.
"What did I do?" I asked.
Her shoulders tightened.
"You don't want to know."
"Yes, I do."
"No," she whispered.
"You think you do… but you don't."
I stepped closer.
"Emily."
She turned slowly.
Tears now.
Real.
"I saw you," she said.
Everything stopped.
"What?"
"That night," she continued, voice shaking.
"I saw you."
My chest tightened.
"Saw me do what?"
She hesitated.
One last chance to lie.
But this time—
She didn't.
"You pushed him."
The world dropped.
"What?"
"You pushed him, Lucas!" she cried.
"You were angry—you lost control—"
"No."
I shook my head.
"That's not—"
"I SAW IT!"
Silence.
Complete.
"No…" I whispered.
"You don't remember," she said.
"But I do."
My breathing got heavier.
"That's not possible…"
"It is."
"I wouldn't—"
"You did."
And the certainty in her voice…
It broke something inside me.
"Who?" I asked.
Almost afraid.
Her lips trembled—
And then—
"Emily."
That voice.
Cold.
Controlled.
Ryan.
Standing above us.
Watching.
How long had he been there?
Emily froze instantly.
Like something inside her shut down.
"You shouldn't be here," Ryan said calmly.
"I can be wherever I want."
His eyes shifted to me.
Dark.
"You talk too much."
"And you hide too much."
Silence.
Then—
Ryan smiled.
But there was nothing human in it.
"You really don't remember, do you?"
My jaw tightened.
"Then tell me."
He looked at Emily.
Then back at me.
And said—
"He didn't just push him."
Everything stopped again.
"What?"
Ryan stepped closer.
Slow.
Controlled.
"You hit him first."
My heart dropped.
"No…"
I looked at Emily.
"Tell me he's lying."
Silence.
She didn't move.
Didn't look up.
Didn't speak.
"Emily…"
Nothing.
"Emily!"
Her voice came out broken.
"He's not…"
That was it.
Everything collapsed.
"No…"
"You were out of control," Ryan continued.
"Angry. Loud. Like you wanted to destroy everything."
"That's not true."
"Isn't it?"
I couldn't breathe.
Because now—
I didn't know anymore.
"You don't remember what you did after," Ryan said quietly.
My head snapped toward him.
"What does that mean?"
And then—
That smile.
Cold.
Satisfied.
"Exactly."
Silence.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Because now…
This wasn't just about what I did.
It was about what happened next.
And whatever that was—
They were all afraid of it.
🖤 Poem — Emily
I tried to hide the truth
like silence could protect
but lies don't stay buried
they always reconnect
and loving you the most…
was my biggest regret