Third-Person POV
Betty’s mind was a jumble of frustrated thoughts as she walked through the hallway after her conversation with the Unseen. Her teammates’ disappointment was a fresh reminder of how her dad’s grounding was cutting her off from everything she’d worked so hard to build. Her role in the team, the competition, her relationships—everything felt like it was slipping away.
Deep in thought, she turned a corner too quickly and bumped into someone. She looked up, startled, to find herself face-to-face with Marcus.
For a moment, they both froze. Her thoughts flew back to the first time they’d met, back when she’d spilled her drink on him in the cafeteria. That felt like a lifetime ago—back before everything had become so tangled and complicated. Now, they just stood there, unsure of what to say, their usual ease replaced by an uncomfortable silence.
Marcus cleared his throat, breaking the quiet. “Hey… How are you?” His voice was soft, almost hesitant.
Betty forced a small smile, trying to ignore the ache in her chest. “I’ve been better.”
“I tried calling you,” he continued, his eyes searching hers.
She sighed. “I don’t even have my phone anymore. I’m grounded. I’m… not supposed to see or talk to you at all, actually.”
A flicker of frustration crossed Marcus’s face. “Because of Stacey, right? She told your dad we… spent the night together?”
Betty nodded, biting her lip. “Yeah. She made it sound like… well, worse than it was. Now Dad’s not letting me do anything.”
Marcus looked away, clenching his jaw. “I figured as much. She’s been… stirring things up. With Brent, with your dad. She knows exactly how to push buttons, doesn’t she?”
Betty glanced down. “Yeah, she’s got everyone exactly where she wants.” She hesitated, looking back at Marcus. “What about you? I feel like you’ve been avoiding me too.” She reached out instinctively, her hand resting on his arm. “Is everything okay?”
He blinked. “There’s stuff with my dad that I’ve had to handle. He’s divorcing my mom, and… it’s messy. He’s leaving us with nothing. It’s like everything’s falling apart at once.”
Betty’s heart tightened, and she wanted to pull him close, to offer him comfort. But before she could say anything, he stepped back, keeping a physical distance between them that felt like a wall.
“Marcus?” she asked softly, trying to read his expression.
“Betty, I miss you. I miss… us. But right now, I need to focus. I need to get back on my game, and maybe… this is a good time for us to take a break.”
Her heart lurched. “A break from what?”
“You know what I mean. Things are too complicated right now. Maybe we both need space to figure things out.”
“Right,” she said, her voice barely audible. “I guess… I’ll see you around then.”
Marcus hesitated, looking like he wanted to say more, but then he nodded, turning and walking away without another word. Betty felt a wave of cold settle over her. She watched him disappear down the hall. For the first time in a long time, she felt completely alone.