𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮 ᵖʰⁱˡ ᶠᵒᵈᵉⁿ

𝟬𝟮𝟴

1 STEP FORWARD, 3 STEPS BACK
by olivia rodrigo
◁◁ ▐ ▌ ▷▷
0:22 ───ㅇ─────2:43

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟴
𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴

———

AS MAEVE STOOD alone in the quiet corridor, her chest ached with the weight of harshly spoken words and unresolved emotions. She watched as Phil's figure grew smaller in the distance, each step he took echoing the growing gap between them.

Tears welled up in Maeve's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She wasn't going to let Phil see her cry; she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Instead, she blinked them back, her vision slightly blurred as she replayed their argument in her mind. The memory of his cold and cutting words stung like a fresh wound, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something vital had broken between them.

The quiet corridor felt like an isolated cocoon, trapping her with her thoughts and the gnawing uncertainty of where she and Phil stood now. Maeve's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, and sadness, and she couldn't help but question the choices she had made that had led to this point.

She leaned against the cold wall, feeling its starkness against her back, and took a deep breath to steady herself. She knew that this was far from the end, but in that solitary moment, as she stood alone, it felt like the beginning of a rift that she wasn't sure they ever could bridge.

As Maeve stood alone in the corridor, the weight of the argument with Phil still hung heavily on her shoulders. But she knew that standing there, dwelling on the painful exchange, wouldn't make things better. With a determined sigh, she wiped away the unshed tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. She decided to return to the celebration in an attempt to take her mind off what had just happened.

Re-entering the room, the atmosphere seemed vibrant and alive with laughter and music. Maeve walked over to where Mason sat. She settled down beside her twin brother, who had a knowing look in his eyes, he knew something was wrong with Maeve as since returning her demeanour has completely shifted.

Mason's eyes were filled with concern as he looked at his sister. His voice was soft and gentle as he asked, "Everything alright?" Maeve couldn't help but appreciate her brother's kindness and concern, even though she didn't feel like sharing all the details at that moment. She gave him a small nod, indicating that she was okay but not quite ready to talk about it.

Mason wasn't one to give up easily, especially when it came to his sister. He pressed further, "If something is wrong, you can talk to me, you know." Maeve looked up at her brother, and despite the turmoil in her heart, she managed to muster up a small smile. "I know, Mase," she replied, grateful for his support and understanding. Even if she wasn't ready to open up just yet, having her brother by her side provided some comfort in the midst of the turmoil.

———

THE NEXT DAY dawned, and while the football team were busy in recovery, Maeve found herself in the confines of her hotel room, the events of the previous night weighing heavily on her mind. The atmosphere within the team may have been focused on the upcoming matches and recovery, but for Maeve, the echoes of her argument with Phil reverberated in her thoughts.