Behind the Silence

A silent girl with a broken heart meets the boy who refuses to leave her alone. "You're not fine, Gia." Saleem's voice is quiet, but firm. "I see it every time you say you're okay... and I don't believe it for a second." I used to have control. People feared me, respected me, wanted to be me. At this school, power meant everything-and I had it all. But one mistake, one betrayal... And suddenly, I'm the girl everyone whispers about. The one no one defends. Now, I'm silent. Guarded. Emotionless-at least on the outside. Fake friends. Cruel rumors. Lies that ruined me. I trusted the wrong people. And I've been paying for it ever since. Then there's him. Saleem. Too bright. Too kind. Too persistent. He's everything I'm not. Everything I've tried to shut out. But he won't leave. He keeps showing up. He listens. He sees right through me. And no matter how many walls I throw up, he's still there-waiting. The only question is... What happens when he uncovers the truth behind my silence? Because revenge is coming. And this time, I'm not backing down. "Why do you keep pushing me away?" "Because if you get too close, you'll see how broken I really am." ⚠️ Content Warnings: This story contains themes of emotional trauma, bullying, toxic friendships, self-harm (non-graphic), strong language, and scenes that may be triggering to some readers. Please read with care.