Between Bruises and Butterflies

CUT TO: SCHOOL ROOFTOP — AFTERNOON

The wind howls, cold and unforgiving. Sienna sits against the fence, knees pulled to her chest. Her body still feels weak, her head pounding from the lingering fever, but the pain in her heart is worse.

She watches the clouds roll by, the sky an endless stretch of gray.

Her fingers tremble as she digs her nails into her palms, trying to keep herself grounded.

But the ache in her chest only grows.

SIENNA: (softly, to herself) I hate this...

Her voice cracks, barely a whisper.

She hates how empty she feels. How much she misses him. How every part of her screams to run back to him — to tell him the truth, to fall into his arms and pretend none of this ever happened.

But she can't.

Because the chairman's voice echoes in her mind like a curse she can't escape.

CHAIRMAN: (memory) If you love him, let him go.

Her chest tightens, and she buries her face in her knees, biting her lip to stop herself from crying.

It doesn't work.

CUT TO: CLASSROOM — SAME TIME

Damien grips his pencil so hard it snaps in half.

The teacher calls his name, but he doesn't hear it.

All he can focus on is the empty seat where Sienna should be.

She's been disappearing during breaks. Avoiding him like he's poison.

And it's driving him insane.

DAMIEN: (whispering) Why are you doing this...?

His voice trembles with frustration and sadness.

He catches Jayjay glancing at Sienna's empty seat, too.

And something inside him snaps.

CUT TO: SCHOOL ROOFTOP — LATER

Sienna wipes her face, forcing herself to stop crying. She stands up shakily, ready to go back to class and pretend everything is fine.

But the door swings open.

And Damien walks out.

Her heart nearly stops.

SIENNA: (panicked) What are you doing here?

He slams the door shut behind him, breathing hard. His eyes are wild, filled with pain and confusion and something desperate.

DAMIEN: (sharp) What the hell is wrong with you?

Sienna flinches like he hit her.

DAMIEN: (voice breaking) You're avoiding me like I don't exist. You won't talk to me. You look like you're dying, and I don't know what to do anymore.

Her throat tightens, and she steps back, shaking her head.

SIENNA: (weakly) Damien, please...

He takes a step closer.

DAMIEN: (soft, pleading) Please just tell me the truth.

Her heart shatters.

She clenches her fists, digging her nails into her skin so hard they almost draw blood.

Because she wants to tell him.

But she can't.

SIENNA: (whispers) I don't love you anymore.

Damien freezes.

It's like the world stops turning.

The wind dies down. The sound of distant voices fades.

And all that's left is the echo of her words, slicing through him like a blade.

DAMIEN: (barely a whisper) You're lying.

She looks away, her entire body trembling.

SIENNA: (voice cracking) No... I'm not.

He stares at her, chest heaving, tears filling his eyes.

But he doesn't push.

He just nods.

Like her words physically knocked the life out of him.

And then he turns around.

DAMIEN: (brokenly) Take care of yourself, Sienna.

And he walks away.

Leaving her standing there, her hand clamped over her mouth to muffle her sobs.

CUT TO: SCHOOL PARKING LOT — LATER

Damien punches a wall.

His knuckles split, blood smearing against the concrete.

But he doesn't feel the pain.

Because the ache in his chest drowns everything else out.

He leans against the wall, sliding to the ground, tears streaming down his face.

DAMIEN: (choked whisper) Why are you lying to me...?

He buries his face in his hands, body shaking with silent cries.

And somewhere in the distance...

The chairman watches from his car.

Expression cold.

Eyes sharp.

Satisfied.

TO BE CONTINUED...