Chapter 2 – Enemies Born in Fire

The campus was bustling the following morning. Everywhere Eliot went, whispers followed him. Girls looked at him pityingly. There were smirking men behind his back. He was the protagonist in a sad drama, and every classroom and hallway felt like a stage. Individuals were no longer even tactful about it.

"I have heard that Sasha had an affair with the football captain." Are you able to believe it? A girl said close to the library stairs.

Another person responded, "Eliot always acted like he was better than everyone." "I guess karma got back at you."

With his hands in his pockets, Eliot pulled his hoodie over his head in an attempt to drown out the noises. However, they consistently appeared to scuttle into his ears like uncontrollable insects.

Not only was the betrayal painful, but so was the speed with which everyone turned against him.

Sasha didn't conceal anything. With her lip gloss glistening in the sunlight, she walked around campus as if nothing had happened. She laughed with her pals as if she hadn't destroyed his world.

Once she was within earshot, she remarked, "It's likely that the poor guy is crying in his room."

He realised then that she wasn't sorry. Not by any means. What about Jaxon? The idiot smirked as though he owned the place and strolled around like a blasted king. He didn't believe any of the rumours. He was unaffected. Even worse, he appeared proud.

Eliot was at his breaking point. He sent Sasha a message asking her to meet him in the quiet area at the back of the arts building, which is typically empty. She was wearing tight pants and looked pleased when she got there.

"You wanted to speak?" As if nothing had occurred, she said.

Eliot bluntly remarked, "You cheated on me."

Sasha's arms were crossed. "You're exaggerating."

He looked at her in disbelief. "I entered on you. I noticed you with him. Nothing big is going on here!

She rolled her eyes and moaned. Eliot, it was simply an inebriated error. It made no difference that we were all drinking. You're going overboard.

Slowly, he shook his head. "No. You're simply skilled at lying.

"You're exaggerating how serious this is. In college, cheating is common. The world won't end because of it.

With a shaky voice, Eliot yelled, "You disgust me." "You acted as though you loved me."

She responded, "I did love you," but her eyes were vacant. "Just... not how you had hoped."

He didn't respond. He simply turned around and left. Even though the cold air slapped his face, it was nothing in comparison to the frost that had formed inside of him.

His phone buzzed when he was lying in bed that night, gazing up at the ceiling. The unidentified number sent another SMS.

"I informed you. All I wanted was for you to stop squandering your affection.

Eliot blinked. Looked at the message for a while. He felt a slight softening of his fury.

He returned the type, "Who are you?"

No answer.

The days that followed blended. Eliot didn't communicate with anyone. Did not attend a party. Seldom attended class. However, the unidentified number turned into an odd lifeline for him. When he was upset, he started texting it. While he was disoriented. If only he had someone to talk to.

"I despise them."

"I no longer even recognise myself."

"The only person who hasn't lied to me is you."

And the person on the other end always answered.

"You'll rediscover yourself."

"They're not worthy of your suffering."

"You underestimate your strength."

This person seemed to know him. Understood when and how to say the appropriate things. However, the response was consistently the same whenever Eliot inquired about their identities:

"That isn't significant."

"If you knew, you would despise me."

"I just happened to see you."

Eliot eventually dragged himself to his literature class one afternoon. He tried to stealthily slide into the rear seat because the classroom was packed, but Jaxon was there, of course. As if he owned the world, he was seated in the front row.

Jaxon looked over and met Eliot's look. With a sly smile, he turned back to face the professor as if nothing had occurred.

Eliot felt like he was holding back fire the entire time as the speech went on. Then, as everyone started packing up after class, Jaxon passed his desk and bent down.

He said under his breath, close to Eliot's ear, "You looked really cute when you were mad that night."

Eliot's entire body froze. He screamed, "Screw you," but Jaxon was already leaving with a smile on his face.

Eliot felt rage flash in his chest. Out of his pocket, he grabbed his phone and tapped frantically into the anonymous number.

"Are you Jaxon?"

His heart pounded.

A single second. Two.

His phone then buzzed.

"If I were, would anything change?"

Eliot's chest tightened as he looked at the TV. It sounded nothing like a denial. He hesitated over the keyboard, trembling his fingers.

No. It isn't possible. It couldn't be Jaxon. That would imply...

That would imply that the only person keeping him sane was the same person who destroyed his life.

Once more, his phone buzzed.

"Eliot?"

He took a deep swallow.

Anger, perplexity, betrayal, and something more he wasn't quite ready to label all fought within him.

He typed:

"Be honest with me. Are you teasing me?

The dots showed up.

I'm typing...

Then vanished.

Then reappeared.

And lastly:

"I've never told you lies. Not once.

Eliot's throat tightened with breath. He was immobile. Unable to think. The world seemed to have skewed.

He had to know for certain.

Thus, he texted:

"Come see me. This evening. By yourself.

He waited.

A minute went by.

The response followed.

"All right. The same location where you found us.

The bedroom. The party house.

Eliot's heart was racing.

He didn't know what he was getting into.

The door squeaked open as Eliot stood outside the home that night, the chill of the wind against his skin. And there was Jaxon, leaning against the frame with the same snarling grin.

Jaxon said, "No more lies." Only me, as well as you.

With rage and something far more sinister in his look, Eliot took a step forward.

Tell me, then," Eliot urged. "What is it that you truly want from me?"

Jaxon gave him a look.

Then he smiled.

"You."