Semua Bab Built with a Dare, broken by the Truth: Bab 41 - Bab 50

Becky became both a distraction and a weapon.And Carlson, blinded by confusion and pride, let her.At first, it was harmless,small gestures, familiar laughter, the kind of comfort that didn’t demand too much. But slowly, something darker began to take shape, Becky learned the rhythm of his moods, when to speak and when to stay silent, how to appear soft when she needed to, and sharp when she didn’t.Whenever Carlson’s eyes lingered too long on Randy across the courtyard, she’d lean in, whisper something that forced his attention back to her. A touch on the arm, a smile, a perfectly timed laugh.And every time, Randy noticed.He’d pretend he didn’t, but his gaze always faltered for a moment,just enough for Becky to catch it, just enough to make Carlson feel both triumphant and sick.Their group felt the change too.Barry was more irritable than ever, snapping at everyone, skipping practice, and fighting off the hollow space Brian had left behind.Dean was exhausted, stretched thin fro

The hallway was empty when she stepped back into the shadows, breathing shallow and fast the hum of fluorescent lights above her made her pulse thrum in her ears. She should have turned around, gone back to the classroom, pretended she hadn’t seen anything but she couldn’t not yet. Not when the echo of their voices lingered in her chest like a warning.Becky pressed her back against the wall, heart hammering. Carlson’s head was bowed, his hand braced against the wall, and Randy… Randy’s eyes had been so quiet, so steady, that it hurt. It wasn't anger or accusation; it was disappointment, pain, the kind of pain that left marks deeper than anything she’d ever felt. And Carlson had felt it too. She had seen it in his eyes, raw and unguarded, before he’d tried to hide it behind that careful, measured look he always wore around her.A laugh somewhere in the classroom drifted down the hall. The mundane sound should have comforted her, but it felt cruel, reminding her of everything she had

The late morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the campus library, casting a warm, golden glow over the tables where students hunched over books and laptops. Randy walked alongside Brian, his hands shoved into his pockets, heart still heavy from the chaos the blogs had stirred. Every step felt heavier than the last,the thought of facing Sandy and Jayden made him nervous. He wanted to act normal, to glide through the library like nothing had happened, but deep down, he knew it wouldn’t be that simple.As they approached their usual table, they saw Sandy and Jayden already seated, their expressions guarded. The usual warmth and laughter that greeted them was absent. Instead, tension wrapped around the two like a thick fog. Randy’s stomach dropped. Brian gave him a subtle nudge, a reminder that they had to face this.“Hey…” Randy began cautiously, trying to keep his tone casual, “what’s up?”Sandy’s gaze snapped to him, sharp and unyielding. “Now spill it. What did I just see

The campus was quieter than usual as evening settled, the sun lowering the sky into shades of amber and rose. Randy and Brian walked slowly along the path to their dorms, sketchbooks clutched under their arms the events of the past days, the blogs, Sandy and Jayden’s upset, the confessions still weighed on Randy’s chest like a heavy stone. But there was relief too, their friends had forgiven them, they had trust again. For the first time in days, he thought maybe things could be simple, if only for a while.He hadn’t expected the shadow waiting for him near the old fountain.Becky leaned casually against the low stone wall, her camera bag slung across her shoulder, the faintest smirk curving her lips. She didn’t move when she spotted them, just tilted her head, studying Randy as though she were inspecting a painting she intended to modify.“Randy,” she said, her voice smooth and sweet, yet there was a sharp edge beneath it, like a knife carefully hidden behind velvet. “We keep bumping

The night air hung heavy over the campus, the infirmary lights glowing warmly against the darkening sky. Carlson’s footsteps echoed on the pavement as he approached, hesitant yet purposeful, each step brought him closer to the room where Randy lay recovering, the warmth of the lamplight spilling through the half-open door.He stopped at the threshold, taking a deep breath. Inside, Ramson sat beside Randy, gently adjusting the blanket and brushing a loose strand of hair from his friend’s forehead, the senior’s quiet attentiveness made Carlson’s chest tighten with a pang of jealousy so sharp it almost hurt and to make matters worse Randy was really comfortable with him. Randy’s lips curved into a small, tired smile as Ramson’s hand rested lightly on his arm.Carlson’s fists clenched. God… he’s here, why hasn't he he left yet, he can touch him and I’m just standing outside like an idiot.“Hey,” Carlson murmured, his voice barely audible as he stepped closer, careful not to startle the