Chapter 4: Trouble in the Bleachers

Jason was the kind of guy who’d skip detention and smoke behind the bleachers, all sharp jaw and trouble in his eyes. Rumor was he’d been suspended at his last school. He kept to himself, except for the football team and the few who liked to test the rules.

But he was stupidly good-looking—the kind of face that made Rachel fall for him at first sight. Wild, brooding, with a movie-star dangerous smirk.

She went crazy trying to get close. She’d linger by the practice field, pretend to need help with chemistry, ask about games. People noticed. I noticed.

In my previous life, I couldn’t resist her pleas and helped her lie to her parents, letting her sneak out with Jason.

After that, Jason’s name was always on her lips. At first, I thought it was just a phase. Then I realized she meant every word.

"I’ve never met anyone who carries so much sadness."

"He’s so pitiful—lost his mom as a kid, and his dad’s a drunk."

"He said I’m his only light, that I lit up his world."

Hearing this, I felt jealous but helpless. Nothing’s worse than watching your best friend fall for someone who’ll only break her heart.

Rachel slowly drifted away, glued to Jason’s side. Our late-night chats faded, replaced by awkward texts and silence.

She started skipping classes, even missed the first SAT practice for him. I saw her in the hall, eyes shining with reckless excitement.

Until the day I saw the school’s golden girl, hair tangled and lips bruised, clinging to Jason as they slipped out of a run-down roadside motel. My heart bottomed out.

That night, when her parents asked where she was, I finally told them the truth. I tried to sound casual, but my hands shook the whole time.

Rachel’s parents went ballistic, stormed the school, threatened to call the cops. It was the kind of scandal people whisper about for years.

Jason’s father snapped and beat him so badly that the neighbors heard three houses down. No one could stop it.

After that, Jason disappeared. Like he’d been swallowed by the earth.

Everything seemed to return to normal. But it was a hollow, empty normal. I thought we’d all moved on, but I was wrong.