Chapter 7
“First time?” Sienna’s voice was shaking now, but not with sadness with pure rage. “First time at a spa, first time at a birthday party, first time kissing someone… How many fucking ‘first times‘ is she gonna have with my boyfriend?!”
She gestured at the destruction around them. “This was my eighteenth birthday party! My parents planned this for months! And you want me to just smile and say ‘no big deal“?”
Emma couldn’t hold back anymore. “Oh please. You’re eighteen years old, not eight. You know what a dessert wall is – they’re literally designed not to fall over unless you actively try to destroy them. This whole helpless act is getting old.”
Nina’s face went ghost white, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Emma!” Ryan’s voice went ice cold. “Apologize. Now.”
“For what? Telling the truth?”
“Either you apologize,” Ryan said with deadly calm, “or I have my dad pull all Mitchell Foundation funding from your mom’s campaign. See how long she stays mayor without our support.”
The entire party went silent. Even the hired photographers stopped snapping pictures.
Sienna felt like she’d been slapped. He was seriously threatening Emma’s family? Over Nina fucking Park?
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” she yelled. “You want to destroy my best friend’s family because your precious Nina can’t handle being called out?!”
Her voice cracked with fury. “This is MY birthday party! I didn’t even invite her! Emma didn’t do anything wrong, so she’s not apologizing for shit. Nina can either own up to what she did, or get the
hell out!”
Ryan looked between Sienna and the sobbing Nina, clearly torn.
That hesitation was all Nina needed. She covered her face with her hands and ran toward the exit, full–on Lifetime movie dramatics.
“Nina, wait!” Ryan immediately chased after her, completely abandoning Sienna in the middle of her ruined party.
20:13 O
From Best Friends to Data…al. I AL
Chapter 7
In his rush to play hero, he crashed into another display, sending more glass flying.
Sienna watched them disappear, Nina clinging to Ryan like he was the only thing keeping her alive.
Once upon a time, if Sienna had so much as gotten a papercut, Ryan would’ve dropped everything to
take care of her,
Now she was standing in the wreckage of her birthday, and he couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
Emma was practically vibrating with anger. “I’m calling my mom. The Mitchell family just made a very big mistake.”
But Sienna was already kneeling down, picking up broken picture frames from the floor. Photos of her and Ryan through the years – Halloween costumes, prom, random selfies – all covered in cake and champagne.
Just like their relationship. Completely destroyed.
After that night, Sienna completely cut Ryan off.
Her phone kept lighting up with messages:
[Babe don’t be mad]
[I got you something to make up for it]
[Wanna see the new Marvel movie? Already bought tickets]
She left every single one on read.
Three days later, he showed up at her front door looking like he hadn’t slept.
“Okay, enough.” He was doing that frustrated boyfriend thing where he ran his hands through his hair. “How long are you gonna keep this up? I’ve tried apologizing, I’ve tried buying you stuff. What more do you want from me?”
Sienna closed her book and looked at him like he was a stranger. “I never asked you to apologize or buy me anything. If you’re tired of dealing with me, go hang out with Nina. I honestly don’t care anymore.”
Panic flashed across his face. “Are you insane? You’re my girlfriend! Look, I know I’ve been spending time with Nina, and yeah, I gave her my Harvard recommendation…”
20:13
From Dan:
Chapter 7
“But I only did it because she saved my life and she literally has no one else. She’s got nothing,
Sienna. Since you hate it so much, I’ll back off. I’ve probably paid my debt to her anyway. We can go back to how things were.”
She was about to ask if he actually believed his own bullshit when his phone started buzzing.
Nina’s contact photo filled the screen.
“Ryan…” Her voice came through the speaker, thick with tears. “I’m dropping out of Harvard. Going back home to get married like my parents want.”
Ryan’s face went white. “What? Why?”
“Because Sienna hates me and it’s ruining your relationship,” Nina sobbed. “I can’t be the reason you two break up. I’d rather just disappear.”
20:13
