Between Bruises and Butterflies

CUT TO: CLASSROOM — AFTERNOON

The bell rings, echoing through the room like a death knell. Sienna remains seated, fingers trembling around her pencil. The equations on her math worksheet blur as her fever lingers, leaving her body weak and her heart even weaker.

Damien watches her like a storm barely contained. His hands twitch against the desk, leg bouncing anxiously.

When class ends, he doesn't move.

Sienna, fragile as glass, slowly rises. Her legs wobble. She grips the desk to steady herself, face pale, sweat lining her forehead.

Damien notices.

DAMIEN: (quietly, to himself) She's sick...

But before he can approach her, Jayjay is already by her side, wrapping an arm around her to keep her steady.

JAYJAY: (softly) Let's get you home.

Sienna nods weakly, leaning into Jayjay without meaning to. She's so exhausted that her body moves on autopilot.

Damien stands abruptly, chair scraping loudly against the floor.

DAMIEN: (sharp) What the hell is going on?

Jayjay stiffens. Sienna's entire body locks up, her knuckles turning white as she grips her bag strap.

JAYJAY: (quiet but firm) She's not feeling well, man. Let it go.

DAMIEN: (voice rising) Let it go? Are you kidding me?

Students start glancing back, sensing the tension. But Damien doesn't care. His eyes are locked on Sienna — burning with worry, confusion, and barely concealed pain.

DAMIEN: (desperate) Sienna, just talk to me.

Her throat tightens. She bites her lip hard, eyes stinging with unshed tears. She can't do this. She can't look at him, because if she does, her resolve will shatter.

She tries to walk away.

But Damien blocks her path.

DAMIEN: (voice breaking) Please.

That one word is enough to nearly break her.

Jayjay steps between them, voice low but sharp.

JAYJAY: Not now, Damien.

Damien clenches his jaw, fists curling at his sides. But he doesn't fight Jayjay. His gaze stays locked on Sienna, searching for something — anything — in her expression.

She doesn't give him anything.

She lowers her head and lets Jayjay guide her out of the classroom.

And Damien?

He stands there, chest heaving, heart splintering, watching her disappear like she was never his to begin with.

CUT TO: SIENNA'S BEDROOM — NIGHT
Sienna lies in bed, clutching her phone to her chest. She hasn't turned it on since the breakup.

Her fever has worsened, body drenched in sweat, face flushed. Jayjay dozes in a chair beside her, having refused to leave her alone.

She stares at the ceiling, feeling like she's drowning.

SIENNA: (voice cracked) I'm sorry, Damien...

Her fingers twitch around her phone, aching to text him. But she doesn't. She can't.

Because she knows if she opens that door, she won't survive closing it again.

CUT TO: DAMIEN'S ROOM — NIGHT
Damien sits on his bed, head in his hands. His eyes are red, chest rising and falling like he can't catch his breath.

The room is dark, save for the faint glow of his phone screen.

DAMIEN: (whispering) What did I do wrong...?

He scrolls through their old texts again.
His finger hovers over her contact.

But he doesn't call.

Because maybe — just maybe — she really doesn't want him anymore.

And that thought kills him more than anything else ever could.

 TO BE CONTINUED...