The lie between us

The lie between us part 1

The night felt heavy — not because of the rain, but because of Bre's silence.
She'd been on her phone all evening, screen lighting up her face every few minutes. Each time Skyler asked what was so funny, Bre would just shrug and say, "Just memes, babe."

But Skyler could tell. The tone of her voice. The way her laughter faded too quick. The way her thumb hovered over the screen like she was trying to hide something.

Skyler leaned back on the couch, pretending to scroll through TikTok while her chest tightened.
She'd been through this before — years ago, with someone else who swore they'd never hurt her.

Then the phone buzzed again.
And this time, Bre didn't notice it slip out of her pocket.

Skyler's eyes caught the message:

"Last night was worth it. Wish I could see you again."

Her heart stopped.

It felt like everything inside her went quiet, like the air had been sucked out of the room. She stared at the words, hoping she was reading them wrong — hoping this was some stupid joke.

When Bre came back into the room, smiling like nothing had happened, Skyler didn't even look up.
She just whispered, "Who's texting you, Bre?"

Bre froze.
Her lips parted slightly, then curved into a fake smile. "No one. Why?"

Skyler held up the phone — Bre's phone — shaking in her hand.
"Because whoever this is..." her voice cracked, "...they said last night was worth it."

The room went cold.
And in that moment, Skyler realized — she wasn't crazy for feeling distance. She wasn't overthinking. She was being replaced.