Before she met Scarlet, Kelly had always been at the center of attention. She was popular, outgoing, and known for her bright smile and infectious energy. She had a group of friends who followed her lead, and there was never a dull moment in her life. Parties, hangouts, school events—Kelly was always in the thick of things, and she thrived in the social atmosphere.

But everything changed when Sarah, her best friend, betrayed her. It happened in the blink of an eye—Sarah, in a moment of selfishness or jealousy, exposed a photo of Kelly working at the mafia-owned club. The betrayal hit Kelly like a punch to the gut. Sarah knew how much Kelly had kept that part of her life a secret, how much she feared what others would think. But Sarah didn't care. She shared the photo, and the fallout was immediate.

The gossip spread like wildfire, and overnight, Kelly found herself ostracized. Her friends turned on her, the whispers behind her back became louder, and she felt the walls closing in. The once popular, social girl was now a shadow of her former self, walking the halls alone, her every step heavy with the weight of judgment. Still, despite the pain and isolation, Kelly couldn't help but crave connection. She longed to be part of something again, but the wounds ran too deep for her to trust easily.

Scarlet, on the other hand, was an outcast by choice. She could've easily blended in, she was popular in her own right—being the school's DJ granted her a certain level of respect and attention. But she didn't care about any of that. Scarlet didn't need friends; she didn't need anyone to get close enough to see the cracks in her. She had her own reasons for staying distant—reasons that kept her locked behind walls that no one could break down. She didn't trust anybody, and she preferred it that way.

It was that mutual sense of isolation that bound Kelly and Scarlet together, despite their differences. Kelly, desperate for connection, and Scarlet, determined to keep everyone at arm's length, were two sides of the same coin, unknowingly drawn to each other in ways neither could understand.

On Saturday night, Kelly stood outside the pub, breathing in the cool night air. She hadn't dressed up like this in a long time—a blend of her old girly style and the edge she'd adopted more recently. Her black, sweetheart neckline strapless dress clung to her figure in a way that felt bold, even freeing. The dress hinted at the confidence she used to wear so easily, before life had taught her to hide pieces of herself away. Tonight, she wanted to reclaim a bit of that old spark, to feel like the girl she used to be, if only for a few hours.

Her hair was styled in a bouffant, half-up and half-down, with a vintage, ballerina-like elegance that called to mind the glamour of Brigitte Bardot. There was something otherworldly about her appearance, as though she were a figure from another era stepping into the neon-lit present. The look suited her, contrasting with the grungy, edgy exterior she wore during school. Here, in the dim warmth of the pub, she didn't have to worry about whispers or judgment. Here, she could just be Kelly.

Inside, the pub hummed with energy—people laughing, talking over clinking glasses, the warm glow of old-fashioned lights casting a soft haze over everything. Kelly felt a weight lift from her shoulders as she slid onto a barstool and ordered a drink. She'd spent so much time hiding, shrinking from view, that being here in the open felt exhilarating. She sipped her drink, letting the warmth spread through her, and allowed herself to relax, to feel like a girl her age just out to have a good time.

As the evening wore on, a live band started up on the small stage in the corner, and people began drifting toward the music. Kelly found herself tapping her foot along to the beat, letting herself be drawn in. She glanced around, catching glimpses of other people enjoying themselves, completely carefree. For the first time in a while, she felt a spark of that old confidence flare up.

The night was going smoothly—until she spotted someone familiar in the crowd. Scarlet.

Kelly's breath caught. She hadn't expected to see Scarlet here, of all places. The dark-haired girl stood near the back of the pub, arms crossed, her gaze cool and detached as she scanned the room. Scarlet looked as she always did—aloof, with an effortless edge that set her apart from everyone else. Dressed in black jeans, a bra tank under her net t shirt, she was both out of place and perfectly in her element.

Kelly felt a strange mix of emotions bubble up. Part of her wanted to hide, to slip away unnoticed. But another part—the part that still craved connection—wanted to say hello, to let Scarlet see this side of her. She'd been so used to keeping herself guarded, but tonight, with the music and the warmth and the feeling of freedom, she wanted to take a chance.

Summoning her courage, Kelly slid off the barstool and made her way toward Scarlet. She could feel her heart pounding, each step a reminder of how little she truly knew about this mysterious girl. But maybe, just maybe, there was a part of Scarlet that would understand her—this girl who walked alone, choosing to keep her own secrets, yet somehow still letting Kelly glimpse behind the walls.

When she finally reached Scarlet, she offered a tentative smile. "Didn't expect to see you here," she said, her voice carrying just enough over the music.

Scarlet's gaze shifted, landing on Kelly. For a moment, her eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, her usual cool demeanor breaking for a split second as she took in Kelly's outfit. The look in her eyes was unreadable, a mix of intrigue and something else—something guarded.

"Well, here I am," Scarlet replied, her voice casual but low. Her gaze roamed over Kelly's dress, her hair, and the subtle confidence she exuded. "Didn't expect to see you like... this."

Kelly felt her cheeks warm, but she held her head high, trying to keep the vulnerability from showing. "Yeah just wanna change a bit," she replied with a small shrug, forcing herself to look Scarlet in the eye.

Scarlet's mouth curved into a faint smirk, as if she could see right through Kelly's bravado. "It suits you," she said, her voice softer, almost sincere. The words hung between them, unexpected and honest, and for a moment, Kelly felt that electric pull between them again, stronger than before.

"So... are you here alone?" Kelly asked, trying to keep her tone casual, though her heart was racing.

Scarlet shrugged, glancing away briefly. "Yeah, just felt like getting out of the house." She paused, her gaze drifting back to Kelly, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Didn't expect to run into you here, though. Thought you'd be... I don't know. Somewhere else."

Kelly laughed softly, the tension easing between them. "Well, maybe we both needed a break," she said, her voice softening. "It's not like either of us has anyone waiting around for us, right?"

Scarlet's gaze darkened for a split second, but she nodded, a hint of understanding passing between them. In the midst of the crowded pub, with the hum of people around them, they shared a quiet, unspoken connection—two girls who carried secrets, who wore their defenses like armor, finding a moment of peace in each other's presence.

"Want to get a drink?" Kelly asked, surprising herself with the invitation.

Scarlet raised an eyebrow, but after a moment, she nodded. "Sure. Why not."

They walked to the bar together, the shared silence between them feeling unexpectedly natural. They each ordered a drink, and after a few minutes, Kelly felt a little bolder, the warmth of the night seeping into her. She glanced at the dance floor, then back at Scarlet, a playful glint in her eye.

"Come on," Kelly said, smiling as she motioned toward the dancers. "Dance with me."

Scarlet scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "Not my thing," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "Go have fun. I'll be here."

Kelly shrugged, undeterred, and made her way to the dance floor alone. The music was loud, the beat pulsing through her as she began to move. She let herself get lost in the rhythm, her movements free and uninhibited. For once, she didn't care who was watching. She felt like her old self again—the girl who was popular, carefree, and full of life. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Scarlet watching her. Although Scarlet had stayed by the bar, her gaze was fixed on Kelly, her expression unreadable.

When Kelly finally took a break, she headed to the bathroom to catch her breath and freshen up. As she stood at the mirror, she turned to see Scarlet's reflection beside her. Startled, she glanced over, surprised to see her there.

"Nice necklace," Kelly murmured, gesturing to the thin, silver chain around Scarlet's neck with a small, dark pendant dangling from it.

Scarlet looked down at it briefly, a faint smirk playing at her lips. "You like it?"

Kelly nodded, focusing on her reflection as she touched up her lipstick. "Yeah. It suits you."

She turned back to the mirror, fixing her hair, but when she turned around again, she nearly jumped. Scarlet was standing close, too close, and her eyes held an intensity that made Kelly's breath hitch.

"Wanna try it on?" Scarlet's voice was soft, her words barely audible over the distant hum of the music. Without waiting for a response, she reached behind her neck, unfastening the clasp. She stepped even closer, lifting the necklace toward Kelly, and before Kelly could react, Scarlet gently brushed her hair aside, her fingers grazing the bare skin of Kelly's shoulders.

Kelly held her breath as Scarlet clasped the necklace around her neck, the cold metal resting just above her collarbone. Her fingers lingered for a moment, adjusting it, and Kelly felt a thrill run through her as she met Scarlet's gaze in the mirror.

"There," Scarlet murmured, her voice a bit softer, almost amused. "Looks better on you."

Kelly's cheeks warmed, and she bit back a smile as she turned to face Scarlet. "Thanks. I... I'll give it back later."

"Keep it for now." Scarlet's eyes softened slightly, her usual guarded expression slipping for just a moment. Then, with her usual nonchalance, she shrugged and turned away, heading back toward the bar. Kelly stood there, touching the pendant at her neck, feeling its weight and the warmth left behind by Scarlet's touch.

As the night wore on, Kelly returned to the bar, finding Scarlet still leaning against the counter, her expression back to its usual detached calm. Despite her words, Kelly couldn't help but sense a quiet pull between them—a connection that, against all odds, had begun to take root. For the first time in a long while, Kelly felt herself hoping that maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something real.

In the days that followed, Kelly found herself glancing at the pendant around her neck more often than she'd like to admit. It felt oddly personal, like a piece of Scarlet she carried with her. As much as she'd expected Scarlet to keep her distance after that night at the pub, something between them had shifted. It was subtle, a quiet understanding that neither of them dared to name yet. But Scarlet, true to form, wasn't exactly warm or friendly. Instead, she continued to hold Kelly at arm's length, as if testing just how persistent she could be.

The next week at school, Kelly caught sight of Scarlet during lunch, leaning against the far wall by herself, headphones on as usual. The rest of the cafeteria buzzed around her, students laughing and talking, but Scarlet looked completely detached, in her own world. Kelly, clutching her lunch tray, hesitated for a moment, watching Scarlet. She could feel the curious stares of her classmates as she made her way over—everyone knew Scarlet wasn't one to be approached, especially by someone like Kelly.

"Mind if I sit here?" Kelly asked, motioning to the empty seat beside Scarlet.

Scarlet glanced up, one eyebrow raised. For a moment, she looked like she might tell Kelly to leave. But instead, she just shrugged, pulling one side of her headphones down. "Feel free."

Kelly took the seat, unpacking her lunch with a soft smile. "Thanks."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Kelly ate quietly, feeling her heartbeat steady as she settled into the calm of Scarlet's presence. It was strange—she'd always been the type who thrived on conversation and laughter, but with Scarlet, she found herself drawn to the quiet. It was almost comforting, knowing she didn't need to fill the air with words.

Finally, Kelly broke the silence. "So... what are you listening to?"

Scarlet glanced at her, then pulled her phone out of her pocket, scrolling to show her the playlist. It was a mix of dark, electronic beats, indie rock, and some classic rock tracks. The titles were unfamiliar to Kelly, but she recognized a few of the artists—edgy, underground musicians she'd only heard of in passing.

"Cool," Kelly said, nodding in appreciation. "I wouldn't have guessed."

Scarlet smirked, the faintest hint of amusement in her eyes. "Yeah? And what did you think I'd be listening to?"

Kelly laughed softly, shrugging. "I don't know. Maybe something angrier. You just... seem like the type."

Scarlet rolled her eyes, but Kelly could tell she wasn't offended. "Guess I'm full of surprises."

As the weeks went by, their quiet lunches became a sort of unspoken routine. They didn't sit together every day, but when they did, Kelly would ask questions here and there, carefully navigating the walls that Scarlet had put up. And slowly, bit by bit, Scarlet began to open up, sharing fragments of herself that felt like small victories to Kelly. She learned that Scarlet's passion for DJing started when she was twelve and stumbled upon her uncle's old vinyl collection. She learned that her tattoos weren't random but held personal meanings she didn't share with anyone.

One Thursday afternoon, they were sitting under a tree in the courtyard when Kelly, fiddling with the pendant Scarlet had given her, asked, "Do you ever wonder if... we were supposed to meet?"

Scarlet looked at her, her expression unreadable. "Why?"

Kelly hesitated, suddenly feeling exposed. "I don't know. It's like... ever since Sarah and I stopped being friends, I've felt like I've been drifting. Like no one really sees me anymore. But then you showed up, and it's like... I don't know. You actually get it."

For a moment, Scarlet didn't say anything, and Kelly wondered if she'd said too much. But then Scarlet sighed, her gaze shifting to the ground. "People don't really 'see' each other. They see what they want to see, what makes them comfortable. Most of the time, they're just scared of anything real."

The words hung between them, raw and honest, and Kelly felt a pang of sadness for the quiet loneliness that lay behind Scarlet's cool exterior.

"Maybe," Kelly murmured, looking down at the grass. "But... I see you, Scarlet."

Scarlet's gaze softened, something in her expression flickering for just a moment. She looked away, swallowing hard, as if wrestling with a response she didn't want to give.

Just then, the bell rang, breaking the moment. Scarlet got up, dusting off her jeans. "Come on," she said, her voice softer than usual. "We're going to be late."

They walked back to class side by side, not saying much, but the silence felt different now, charged with the weight of everything unspoken. And as they parted ways at the classroom door, Scarlet looked at Kelly one last time, her dark eyes unreadable.

"See you tomorrow, Kelly."

That night, Kelly lay in bed, replaying the day's conversations in her mind. For the first time in months, she felt a glimmer of something she'd thought she'd lost—a sense of connection. And maybe...Scarlet felt it too.

The next day, Kelly was making her way to her usual spot in the courtyard, glancing around in hopes of catching sight of Scarlet. She had started to rely on these moments with her, brief as they were, to get through the day. She liked knowing there was someone she could be real around, someone who didn't see her as just a rumor or a betrayal. But as she rounded the corner, she saw a group she'd been hoping to avoid—her old friends.

Sarah was leading the pack, her voice dripping with mock sympathy as she spotted Kelly. "Oh look, it's the star of the club herself," she sneered, her eyes flicking up and down at Kelly's outfit. "Still dressing up for your... 'night job,' I see."

Kelly's cheeks flushed as the other girls laughed, muttering demeaning things about her. She clutched her bag, trying to keep her head high, but their taunts clawed at her, each one reopening old wounds. These were people she used to trust, friends she once laughed and confided in, and now they were using her secrets against her.

One of them leaned in, a sickeningly sweet smile on her face. "Shouldn't you be getting back to work, Kelly? I'm sure there are people waiting to see you... 'perform.'"

Just as Kelly was summoning the courage to turn and walk away, she felt a shadow fall over her. She looked up and saw Scarlet standing just a few steps behind her, arms crossed, her dark eyes flashing with fury.

"Got something to say?" Scarlet's voice cut through the air, cold and deadly, silencing the laughter immediately. She stepped forward, positioning herself between Kelly and the girls. "Because if you're done talking trash, maybe you should get back to your own miserable lives. I'm sure it's hard to manage, seeing as none of you have a shred of a personality to call your own."

Sarah opened her mouth to respond, but Scarlet cut her off with a smirk. "What's wrong? Can't think of anything clever to say? Or is it just easier to talk behind people's backs because you're afraid someone might actually notice how pathetic you are?"

One of the other girls scoffed, trying to laugh it off. "You don't even know us."

"Oh, I know enough," Scarlet replied icily. "I know you're the kind of people who turn on your own just to feel a bit superior. But here's the thing—Kelly's worth a hundred of you, even on her worst day. You? You're just a bunch of cowards hiding behind each other, hoping that if you tear someone else down, it'll make you feel better about yourselves."

The group shifted uncomfortably, and Sarah's bravado faltered under Scarlet's piercing gaze. The sneer on her face faded, replaced by something closer to unease, maybe even fear. The other girls exchanged glances, clearly unsure of how to handle this fierce, unrelenting version of Scarlet.

Finally, one of them muttered, "Let's go," tugging on Sarah's arm. Reluctantly, Sarah gave Kelly one last scathing look before following the others, retreating down the hall in a subdued silence.

As they disappeared around the corner, Kelly let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She turned to Scarlet, her heart still pounding from both the confrontation and the overwhelming gratitude she felt.

"Thank you," Kelly murmured, her voice soft. "I... I didn't think anyone would ever stand up for me like that."

Scarlet shrugged, but there was a softness in her gaze that Kelly hadn't seen before. "People like that—they don't deserve your attention, Kelly. They feed off tearing other people down. Don't give them what they want."

Kelly nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "Still... it meant a lot."

Scarlet looked away, a hint of something vulnerable flickering across her face before she masked it with her usual detached expression. "Well, just don't make a habit of needing rescue. I can't be your hero all the time."

Kelly smiled, a warm feeling settling in her chest. "Noted."

They walked together to their spot under the tree, the silence between them comfortable and steady. For the first time, Kelly felt a sense of peace—not just because Scarlet had defended her, but because, for the first time in a long time, she had someone by her side who genuinely cared.