Broken zipper, Broken Heart

Faye’s POV

I stood frozen in front of the mirror, with my arms wrapped tight around my body, and tears burning behind my eyes. I would not cry. Not in front of Thorn. Not in front of Ryan, either, and his stupid phone.

“Thorn, please,” I said, with my shaking voice. “Turn it off. Delete it.”

He didn’t move. That cruel smile stayed on his face. “Why would I do that, Faye? This is too good.”

I lunged forward, reaching for Ryan’s phone. “Give it to me!”

But Thorn stepped in front of me fast, blocking my path with his broad body. His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist hard enough to hurt. “Don’t even try,” he warned, his voice low.

Ryan kept recording and laughing under his breath.

I yanked my arm back, but Thorn didn’t let go right away. His green eyes stared down at me, all cold and amused.

All the years of his teasing flashed through my mind. The names he called me in the hallways at school. The way he tripped me in front of everyone when we were kids. The comments about my weight every time I ate anything in the pack house. He always made me feel small. Worthless. Like the orphan nobody really wanted.

And now this.

“Let go of me,” I whispered.

He released my wrist and stepped back, with his hands up as though he was innocent. “Relax, Faye. It’s just a video.”

Ryan lowered the phone a little, smirking. “Yeah, but I’ll delete it. On one condition.”

Thorn raised an eyebrow. “What condition?”

Ryan licked his lips slowly, with his eyes dragging over my body in the stuck dress. The way he did it made my skin crawl.

And I knew exactly what he meant.

“Are you insane?” I snapped, with my voice finally breaking.

Both of them burst out laughing.

Ryan shrugged. “Come on, Faye. It’s not like anyone would believe I actually wanted you. Imagine me with all that,” he said, gesturing at my curves. “Disgusting. I’d rather die.”

My face burned as shame flooded through every part of me until I could barely breathe.

Thorn joined in. “Exactly. Tomorrow, the whole pack sees this, and they’ll be laughing for weeks. ‘Remember when Faye got stuck in a dress because she’s too fat to fit anything?’ Classic.”

Something inside me snapped.

“I don’t care!” I shouted, my voice raw. “Post it! Show everyone! It’s the same thing I’ve dealt with my whole life anyway! People staring, whispering, and laughing behind my back. You think this is new? You think you’re special because you make me feel like garbage? You’ve been doing it since we were kids, Thorn!”

The words poured out before I could stop them.

“You push me, tease me, and make sure everyone knows I’m the fat orphan your parents felt sorry for. So go ahead. Post the video. I’m used to it!”

For a second, Thorn’s smile faltered.

Ryan whistled. “Oh bro, you’re cooked.”

I pointed at the curtain. “Get out. Both of you. Now.”

Thorn stared at me a moment longer, then shrugged. “Whatever. Have fun getting out of that dress.”

They left, laughing as the curtain swung closed behind them.

I stood there shaking until Rieka came back a few minutes later. She saw my face and froze.

“Faye? What happened?”

“Nothing,” I lied. “Let’s just go.”

The stall keeper came back with pliers and carefully got the dress off without ruining it further. We paid quickly and left. I didn’t speak the whole way home.

That night, the party happened anyway.

Music blasted through the pack house backyard. Lights strung everywhere, the tables were full of food and drinks. Everyone my age showed up.

But no one was looking at me.

All the attention was on Rieka.

She stood in the middle of a big group, laughing loudly, flipping her hair, and telling some story that had everyone hanging on her words. The guys stared at her skinny frame in her tight dress, and the girls copied how she moved.

Ulfa tried to pull me into conversations, but people barely noticed me standing there.

I watched Rieka dance with three different guys in ten minutes, each one competing for her smile.

This was how it always went with her. My “bestfriend” who tagged along everywhere. The one who turned every event into her spotlight. Birthdays, trips, even my Awakening party. She stole the attention without trying, and I faded into the background. I was used to it.

I grabbed a drink and found a quiet corner, sipping slowly, and wishing I could disappear.

Then Leo appeared in front of me, holding a small wrapped box. His glasses slid down his nose as he smiled shyly.

“Hey, Faye. Um… this is for you. For your Awakening.”

My heart warmed. “Leo, you didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” He said as he handed it over.

I opened it carefully. Inside was a silver locket necklace, one half yin, one half yang. It was simple and beautiful.

“It’s perfect,” I whispered.

He blushed. “Here, let me help you put it on.”

He stepped behind me, his gentle fingers brushing my neck as he clasped it. Letting the metal rest cool against my skin.

“Thank you,” I said, turning to face him. “Really.”

He opened his mouth to answer, but a rough voice cut through the air.

“What the hell is this?”

Thorn.

He stormed over, with his eyes locked on Leo. Before I could react, Thorn grabbed Leo by the shoulder and yanked him back hard.

“What did you give her, dork?” Thorn demanded, his voice loud enough to turn heads.

Leo stumbled but didn’t fight back. “It’s just a necklace—”

Thorn reached for my neck, his fingers were rough as he snatched the chain. The clasp snapped and he ripped the locket off and held it up, laughing.

“This cheap thing? Seriously?”

“Thorn, stop!” I cried, reaching out for it.

He ignored me completely, dangling the broken necklace in front of Leo’s face.

“Is this how dork love works? You buy her some junk and think you’ve got a shot?”

People around us stopped talking. Phones came out and everyone watched.

My chest burned with anger and humiliation.

Thorn kept going, smirking at Leo. “Cute. Real cute.”