Rebel Hearts

Before she met Scarlet, Kelly had always been at the center of attention. She was popular, outgoing, and known for her bright smile and infectious energy. She had a group of friends who followed her lead, and there was never a dull moment in her life. Parties, hangouts, school events—Kelly was always in the thick of things, and she thrived in the social atmosphere.

But everything changed when Sarah, her best friend, betrayed her. It happened in the blink of an eye—Sarah, in a moment of selfishness or jealousy, exposed a photo of Kelly working at the mafia-owned club. The betrayal hit Kelly like a punch to the gut. Sarah knew how much Kelly had kept that part of her life a secret, how much she feared what others would think. But Sarah didn't care. She shared the photo, and the fallout was immediate.

The gossip spread like wildfire, and overnight, Kelly found herself ostracized. Her friends turned on her, the whispers behind her back became louder, and she felt the walls closing in. The once popular, social girl was now a shadow of her former self, walking the halls alone, her every step heavy with the weight of judgment. Still, despite the pain and isolation, Kelly couldn't help but crave connection. She longed to be part of something again, but the wounds ran too deep for her to trust easily.

Scarlet, on the other hand, was an outcast by choice. She could've easily blended in, she was popular in her own right—being the school's DJ granted her a certain level of respect and attention. But she didn't care about any of that. Scarlet didn't need friends; she didn't need anyone to get close enough to see the cracks in her. She had her own reasons for staying distant—reasons that kept her locked behind walls that no one could break down. She didn't trust anybody, and she preferred it that way.

It was that mutual sense of isolation that bound Kelly and Scarlet together, despite their differences. Kelly, desperate for connection, and Scarlet, determined to keep everyone at arm's length, were two sides of the same coin, unknowingly drawn to each other in ways neither could understand.

On Saturday night, Kelly stood outside the pub, breathing in the cool night air. She hadn't dressed up like this in a long time—a blend of her old girly style and the edge she'd adopted more recently. Her black, sweetheart neckline strapless dress clung to her figure in a way that felt bold, even freeing. The dress hinted at the confidence she used to wear so easily, before life had taught her to hide pieces of herself away. Tonight, she wanted to reclaim a bit of that old spark, to feel like the girl she used to be, if only for a few hours.

Her hair was styled in a bouffant, half-up and half-down, with a vintage, ballerina-like elegance that called to mind the glamour of Brigitte Bardot. There was something otherworldly about her appearance, as though she were a figure from another era stepping into the neon-lit present. The look suited her, contrasting with the grungy, edgy exterior she wore during school. Here, in the dim warmth of the pub, she didn't have to worry about whispers or judgment. Here, she could just be Kelly.

Inside, the pub hummed with energy—people laughing, talking over clinking glasses, the warm glow of old-fashioned lights casting a soft haze over everything. Kelly felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she slid onto a barstool and ordered a drink. She'd spent so much time hiding, shrinking from view, that being here in the open felt exhilarating. She sipped her drink, letting the warmth spread through her, and allowed herself to relax, to feel like a girl her age just out to have a good time.

As the evening wore on, a live band started up on the small stage in the corner, and people began drifting toward the music. Kelly found herself tapping her foot along to the beat, letting herself be drawn in. She glanced around, catching glimpses of other people enjoying themselves, completely carefree. For the first time in a while, she felt a spark of that old confidence flare up.