Tangled Hearts

Finn's POV

Something's been off with Lily since that movie night at her place a week ago.

It's like a switch flipped, and now she's distant, guarded, like she's built a wall between us. Every time I ask if she's okay, she gives me the same brushed-off response. "I'm fine, Finn," she says with that tight-lipped smile that doesn't reach her eyes. But I know her too well to buy that. There's something she's not telling me, and it's driving me crazy not knowing what it is.

I want to push her to talk, to tell me what's going on, but I also don't want to pressure her into revealing something she's not ready to share.

I walk across campus, the crisp winter air biting at my cheeks. The place is starting to empty out with Christmas break just around the corner. Most people have already headed home, and the usual bustle of students is reduced to a few stragglers hurrying to their last classes or finishing up last-minute errands. I shove my hands into my jacket pockets, my breath visible in front of me with each exhale, my mind still stuck on Lily and the strange distance between us.

"Finn!" I hear someone call my name, pulling me from my thoughts. I turn around to see Rachel hurrying toward me, her expression frantic.

Great. Just what I need right now. I don't even bother acknowledging her and keep moving, hoping she'll take the hint and leave me alone. Shawn mentioned something had been off with her lately, but honestly, I've got my own problems. Besides, Rachel never seems to understand boundaries, and I'm not in the mood to deal with her drama today.

"Finn, please," she begs, her voice shaky.

I stop and turn, ready to tell her to back off, but something in her face makes me pause. She looks terrified—eyes wide, face pale, like she's seen something awful.

"What's going on, Rachel?" I ask, my annoyance giving way to concern. She looks like she's on the verge of breaking down and the fear written all over her face is putting me on edge.

"I... I didn't think he'd take it this far," she stammers, tears welling up in her eyes. Her hands are shaking, and she looks around like she's worried someone's watching us.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I demand, my patience wearing thin. This cryptic shit isn't helping my mood, and the anxiety I've been feeling all week about Lily starts to spike.

Rachel's voice cracks as she continues, "I only needed a space to vent about how you should have been with me and not her, but I never intended for anything this severe."

Every muscle in my body goes rigid. I don't need her to say Lily's name to know exactly who she's talking about. My heart pounds harder, a mixture of fear and anger coursing through me. I grab her by the arms, pulling her closer, my grip tight enough to make her wince.

"Rachel," I growl through clenched teeth, trying to keep my voice low but firm. "What the fuck have you done?"

Her hands tremble as she wipes at her eyes. "I was just venting, you know? I didn't think it would lead to this. I met this guy online, some random guy in a forum. I thought we were just talking ranting, really. I was upset about you, about how you chose Lily over me. I never wanted any of this to happen. I didn't think he'd actually do something."

A chill runs down my spine. This is worse than I thought. "What do you mean, 'do something'?" I ask, my voice low and urgent. "What did you say to him, Rachel?"

Her face crumples, and she starts to cry in earnest now, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I was just angry, okay? I said some things—things I shouldn't have. But he seemed to understand. He said he could help, that he could 'make things right.' I thought he was just talking shit. I didn't know he'd actually—"