~~~Sydney POV~~~

I went up stairs to my room. I was knee deep thoughts.

I took a breath. I threw the red file on the desk. I reached for the phone

And started texting I will not do it. Do your worst I don't care.

With a shaky hand I pressed send.

Immediately I got a message from yours truly.

okay....

That alone was chilling. It was like a venomous serpent viciously constricting and sinking its fangs deep inside, but I smiled thinking to myself.

I'm freeeeeeeee.

I sat by my window, gazing at the swimming pool below. The sunlight poured in, casting long shadows across the room, each one whispering of moments forever lost.

=======

I drove myself to the coffee cafe to meet Violet.

I walked into the coffee house. There sat the principal, drinking coffee. Our eyes met, a moment heavy with unspoken words, but he broke the connection, retreating behind the newspaper, a barrier of printed words between us.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as I walked in, with a determined look on her face,

I saw Violet and before I could utter a word or take a seat. Then I saw her eyes.Why are they yellow? Are those contacts?

She barked "So you with Alvaro?" Violet asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she leaned forward.

"Well hello to you too." I sang out. As I pulled out a seat. "Why your eyes look like that?"

She waved her hand "Ignore my eyes we got bigger issues. Like what about Zurie?" She asked again. This time gripping her cup of coffee.

I shrugged my shoulders "He left her in an instant and came back to me... again."

Violet took a sip of her coffee, the warm liquid just brushing her tongue when her hand froze mid-air.

A sharp intake of breath escaped her lips, and her fingers tightened around the mug, threatening to spill its contents.

Violet shrugged her shoulders to mimic me. "That's it?"

" What?" I pressed my lips together

"I mean you going to steal her man....again?" She gapped at me. Her eyes were wide as flying saucers.

"How could I have stolen him? He's walking around free as we speak," I exclaimed, frustration lacing my words.

Violet took another sip of her coffee.

"You know exactly what I mean," Violet shot back, her tone sharp with defiance.

"Are you judging me?" I tilted my head.

"I just thought you would have more couth," her voice dripping with disdain., her hand flying to her chest, eyes widening in disbelief, while her body recoiled slightly as if physically wounded by the unexpected remark.

"You talking about couth? You're the one who sided with me instead of your ex-friend Zurie," I barked back, my voice rising defensively. I leaned forward, pointing a finger accusatorily, my jaw clenched and shoulders tense. "Did I steal you too?"

She just took a breath " I didn't mean it like that?" I rolled my eyes "I just didn't think you would circle back to him that's all?"

"Why wouldn't you think we would circle back?" I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion. My head tilted to the side in earnest curiosity.

"Cause you left Alvaro for Branson." She said in a duh-tone of voice

"It's different this time. I think we might work." I took a sip of my coffee.

"I admire your blind optimism." Violet said sarcastically "so you done with Branson?"

"I don't want to be," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes darted away, unable to meet her gaze. "I'm just shocked he didn't choose me. Everyone chooses me." I leaned over the table, my hands gripping the edge tightly.

"You chose me over Zurie," I continued. My breath quickened, and I felt a lump forming in my throat. I straightened up, crossing my arms defensively over my chest. "Why didn't he?"

Violet reached across, the table to hold her hands. I shook her head

"Why is this happening to me?" I whispered, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. But then, another question crept in, one I couldn't shake. "Why did you choose me over Zurie?"

She shrugged her shoulders, a casual gesture that contrasted sharply with my tension. "Who cares about the why?" She said, her tone dismissive as she glanced away, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her glass. "If I never dipped, we wouldn't have this 6-year long friendship."

A smirk crept across my face, the kind that hinted at secrets and power. I leaned back, folding my arms with deliberate calmness.

"Back to the topic. What exactly happened?" Violet asked, her brows furrowing as she tried to make sense of it all.

I punched the table, the sound echoing through the room. "I tried to help that bastard!" I yelled, my voice raw with anger. My fists clenched, knuckles white against the wood, as my whole body trembled with fury.

Violet jerked at my outburst. She quickly looked around the room... I guess to see who heard me.

"Speaking of Branson," Violet said, her voice clipped as she nodded towards the front desk.

There stood Branson in all his glory. He had leather pants. A white shirt. He turned to look at our table. He gave me an awkward smile. Then when he saw Violet he had a pure irritated look on his face. Violet gave him a wink. And my heart broke at the sight of him.

The front door of the bell rung

I didn't pay it, no mind I was fixated on his eyes. It looked so deep and pure.

Please, just come over right now. I need you to say you're sorry—say it like you mean it. Tell me you want me and only me, that I'm all you care about. Spin me around and kiss me, like I'm the only thing that matters to you. I can't stand this anymore.

I felt someone kiss my cheek.

It was Alvaro. Before I could look back at Branson. He kissed my lips

"Hey get away from her" Branson pushed Alvaro away from me. Suddenly Branson was by my side

Alvaro stuffed him back " that's my girl we got back together."

Branson looked at me "that's impossible we broke up last night."

"Yeah that's when we got together. " Alvaro had a smug look on his face.

Branson had a look of pure disgust as he looked at me. Violet just sat there sipping her coffee . While her eyes darted between the 3 if us like a crack addict.

" I meant it when I say. We are done as soon as you walk off that grass." I told him.

The café door jingle. I turned away to break eye contact between Branson and I

"You left me for that slut," Zurie shrieked, her voice cracking with a mixture of pain and fury.

The waitress eyes were fixed on us. "Waitress more coffee please," Violet was trying to get the waitress attention

"Watch your foul mouth, that's my woman now." Alvaro checked her

Branson just looked at Alvaro's hand on my waist My heart yearned for Branson's hand instead...but I need to stand on my word.

The air between us was a stretched wire, taut and ready to snap. That's when it happened.

A sudden hand clamped around my arm, breaking the moment.

"hey I yelled." I turned to look who . My neck nearly snapped off. It was the sheriff.

The sheriff's grim face loomed over me "Silence. Miss Ventura you are arrested for attempted murder. Of Candy Monroe." the sheriff stated. I tasted metallic taste of fear coated my tongue, leaving my mouth dry and parched as I struggled to find my voice amidst the chaos.

My eyes immediately ran around to see Branson's face. It was a fragile porcelain facade.

The color drained from his face.

"Get your hands off her you, guys!" Violet yelled. Violet grabbed the office's arm.

The sheriff barely flinched "Miss, if you don't get your hands off me. I will arrest you too." The sheriff threatened Violet. Branson gently tugged at Violet. Violet shot Branson a nasty glare, while she jerked her arm away from him. Alvaro grabbed her arm

She raised both her hands and then said, "You think I care? Put me next to her, in that cell then officer."

Alvaro tightened his grip on Violet's arm, his knuckles turning white. His eyes, dark with frustration, bore into hers. "Think, Violet," he yelled, his voice trembling with urgency. "You can't help her if you're in jail."

Violet gave him an earth turning eye roll.

Zurie leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms with a smug smile. Her eyes sparkled with malicious glee. "Oh, this is too good," she drawled, shaking her head slowly. "Really, Alvaro? You left me for a jailbird?" She lifted her chin defiantly, her hand sliding into her pocket to retrieve her phone to record me.

Alvaro tried to grab her phone. but Zurie sidestepped him, fluid like a dancer, her laughter bubbling out

The room felt like it had shrunk; the tension thickened, hanging heavily around me

I felt the cold cuffs wrap around my wrists. Everybody in the shop was looking at me. like standing in the center of a spotlight, where every twitch of your facial muscles feels magnified, every emotion laid bare for the world to see.

The police officer pushed me to walk through the store . Then my eyes meet with Branson and pure shame washed over me.

It starts with a tingling sensation, like a thousand tiny pinpricks dancing across your skin as the handcuffs click shut, binding you in a cold embrace.

It's as if the walls of your own skin have become transparent, allowing the judgmental gazes of friends and foes alike to pierce through to your very soul.

I saw fear dance behind her eyes.

"I PROMISE YOU, I'LL GET YOU OUT! EVEN IF I HAVE TO RIP THAT PRISON APART!" Violet screamed, Violet's voice cracking with raw emotion, as I was dragged away in handcuffs.

Through the large front window of the café, my eyes caught movement—a figure lingering at the edge of the chaos outside.

A brown trench coat hung off their frame, blending with the muted colors of the crowd. Their face was hidden—dark shades shielding their eyes, a bandana masking the rest.

They stood unnervingly still, their head tilted slightly in my direction, as if watching only me.

I stumbled, my heart pounding harder than the sheriff's barked orders.

"Keep moving," he snapped, shoving me forward.

I couldn't look away, my breath hitching as I tried to make sense of the figure's presence. But as quickly as they appeared, they turned on their heel, vanishing into the sea of onlookers.

The sight left a hollow ache in my chest, the chill of their gaze lingering long after they were gone.

As the door closed behind me with a loud metallic clang, Violet's words echoed in the air, a vow that hung between them, heavy and unbreakable.

I felt the cold chains around my wrists melt away, but the warmth of relief was quickly eclipsed by the sting of humiliation. The sheriff's grip was unforgiving as he shoved me through the jeering crowd. Their laughter and mocking whispers cut through me like jagged shards of ice, each cruel sound a relentless reminder of my fall from grace.

There was a sugary sweet smile playing on Zurie's lips "well, happy endings do happen." Zurie's voice drifted through the air; her tone laced with a bittersweet edge.

------------------

5 HOURS

LATER

I laid my head on the pillow, my chest heaving as I bawled, hot tears soaking into the fabric. I could barely breathe between sobs, my body shaking with the weight of everything.

"You got a visitor," the police officer barked, his voice harsh and cold as he shoved open the heavy doors.

I lifted my tear-streaked face, too tired to lift my head as I blinked through blurred vision.

The officer's boots echoed down the grey, sterile hall as I was forced to shuffle behind him, each step dragging more than the last. My legs were chained together, the cold metal biting into my skin with every sluggish movement. The walls were a dull, sickly grey, and everything felt suffocating—like the color had drained from the world.

I was led into another grey room, where the air smelled stale, like it hadn't been touched by fresh air in years. The principal sat at a cold, steel table, a white envelope lying on its surface, the paper stark against the dull surroundings.

"Hey," I heard him say, his voice low and mocking as I lifted my eyes from the pillow. His presence in this cold, unforgiving place felt like a punch in the gut.

I couldn't speak. The lump in my throat was too heavy, and the pain in my chest too sharp. My tears still hadn't stopped. I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand, trying to hide my weakness, but I could feel the humiliation crawling up my skin.

"I've got something for you," he sneered, raising the envelope like it was some kind of trophy. He slid it across the table, to me with deliberate slowness, the sound of the paper scraping against the floor making my skin crawl. I just stared at it, my brows furrowing in confusion and dread.

"It's that thing you asked for... your report card." He chuckled, a sickening, condescending laugh that made my stomach churn. "Don't worry, I made sure you did well. Just like I promised."

He leaned back, his smile twisted. "Oh, and I kept my word. Your dad didn't get the edited version. No teachers were threatened. Just as you wanted."

I felt my stomach twist violently, bile rising in my throat as he taunted me with those words. I wanted to scream, to shout at him, but all I could do was sit there, helpless and furious, as he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing off the walls like the countdown to my own undoing.

The officer barked at me to stand. I didn't have the strength to fight it, so I slowly got to my feet, my chains rattling with the effort. I cried all the way back to my room, my sobs a harsh, raw sound in the otherwise silent hall. The weight of everything—of the betrayal, the humiliation, and the dark, suffocating reality of this place—crushed me as I was led back to my cell.

I threw my head on the pillow. As soon as I was let in my cell.

I laid my head on my pillow it was wet from all the tears.

So, I flipped the pillow. There was a baby doll finger with a note inside.

Do you care now

Cause I did not even do my worst

I threw my head on the pillow and started to blink back tears. How did I end up here?

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Author's note

Finally, the chapter is done. I have been changing and adding to this chapter for so long. So, everything in this chapter is initial.

This is part 1 of the season finale.