The Secrets We Keep

Louis blinked groggily, rubbing his face as he sat up on the couch. The sunlight streaming through the window stung his eyes. He glanced at the coffee table, spotting his phone lying there. He could've sworn he'd fallen asleep holding it. Something felt off.

Stretching his arms, he tried to shake off the lingering fog in his head. As he reached for his phone, scrolling absentmindedly, he felt an uncomfortable sensation—like someone was watching him. He glanced up and froze. Kensleigh stood in the doorway, her arms crossed tightly, her expression a volatile mix of anger and hurt.

"What the hell, Kensleigh?" Louis snapped, standing abruptly. "What are you doing here? How'd you even get in?"

Kensleigh stepped forward, her voice sharp and unwavering. "It doesn't matter. Spare me the theatrics, Louis. I came because you've been ignoring me for days. And now I know why." She tilted her head, her tone dripping with bitterness. "Imagine my surprise when I found *her* picture on your phone."

Louis's stomach dropped. He felt the color drain from his face. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice edged with both defensiveness and disbelief.

"Oh, don't play dumb," Kensleigh shot back, her tone cutting. "I'm talking about the selfie of Maria. The one you saved. Care to explain why you have it in your gallery?"

Louis's jaw tightened as he processed her words. His voice rose. "You went through my phone? Are you serious right now? That's such a massive violation of privacy! What the hell, Kensleigh?"

Kensleigh didn't flinch, her anger flaring even brighter. "Don't you dare make me the bad guy here! You're the one saving pictures of another girl—*Maria*—and you want me to act like it's no big deal?"

Louis scoffed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "It *isn't* a big deal! Maria's just a friend. That picture? It's nothing. But you? You think it's okay to break into my apartment and snoop through my phone?"

"Friend?" Kensleigh spat, stepping closer. "You don't save photos of just a *friend*, Louis. Do you even hear yourself right now? Why wouldn't you tell me about this if it's so innocent?"

"Because of this," Louis said, his voice rising further. "Because I knew you'd blow up and twist it into something it's not! This is exactly why I don't tell you things, Kensleigh. You make everything a bloody drama!"

Kensleigh's voice rises in anger even more. "Don't put this on me, Louis. You're the one acting shady. If you didn't want this reaction, maybe you should've been honest from the start!"

The tension hung thick in the air, their voices echoing off the walls. Finally, Louis shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh. "You know what? I'm done. I don't have the energy for this anymore. Get out of my apartment."

Kensleigh stared at him, stunned. "You're kicking me out? Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Louis said coldly. "I need space. Leave."

Her eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. "Fine," she hissed, grabbing her purse. She paused at the door, looking back with a venomous glare. "But don't think this is over, Louis. Not by a long shot."

The door slammed behind her, leaving Louis standing in the deafening silence. He ran a hand through his hair, sinking back onto the couch. His mind raced as the weight of the confrontation settled in.

"What a bloody mess," he muttered, staring blankly at the ceiling.