The Mask Crumbles

For the first time since she’d walked through the door, Jessica’s confidence disintegrated. Her face trembled — the faintest flicker of the teenager she’d once been, the one who’d hurt people to hide her own fear. “Why would you do that?” she whispered, almost angry. Chloe smiled faintly. “Because once upon a time, someone should have done the same for me.” Jessica looked down, her hand clutching the edge of the table. “You remember me, don’t you?” “Every word,” Chloe said quietly. “Every look. Every shove. But I also remember what it taught me — to never be that kind of person.” Jessica’s eyes filled. “I’m sorry,” she said, barely audible.