Alec had been popular among girls — even seniors — thanks to his looks.
Tall, tanned, a basketball player, and a decent singer too.
Every girl crushed on him.
Melissa never found him particularly attractive — until they were grouped together for a project.
She hated group projects. She hated being paired with boys even more.
But Alec surprised her.
He didn't bail on her. He attended every meeting. Their project was a success.
Melissa had been a happy, normal high schooler — good grades, pretty decent looks, big dreams.
She believed in fairy tales.
She waited for her own love story.
Alec wasn't her type.
She didn't want anything to do with popular kids.
But after the project... she found herself staring.
She attended basketball matches — even though she hated sports.
She snuck glances at him singing in the music room.
Yes... I'm falling in love.
It was a secret, sweet crush. A dream.
She admired him from afar, praying for a happy ending.
The day of the pep rally, Melissa sat in a corner, sneaking glances at Alec as usual.
She looked away for just a second — and when she looked back, he was gone.
A cold hand grabbed her arm.
Alec.
Melissa's heart raced as he pulled her through the corridor.
Suddenly, he shoved her against the wall, pinning her arms above her head.
"Alec... what are you—"
"Do you like me?" he asked, face unreadable.
"I... I don't know," she stammered, furious at herself.
He smirked, tightening his grip. His hand slid down to her waist.
"You don't know?"
He leaned closer.
"I can always tell who's in love with me."
Melissa gulped.
"I... I am—"
She never finished.
Alec crashed his lips against hers.
It was rough. Brutal. Nothing like she imagined.
No soft rain.
No fireworks.
Only the taste of her own blood.
Suddenly, someone yanked her hair, breaking the kiss.
"You bitch!"
It was Amelie — another popular girl.
Before Melissa could speak, a slap echoed through the hall. She crashed to the floor, skirt torn, knees bruised.
Laughter filled the corridor.
"How dare you kiss my boyfriend?" Amelie shrieked.
Melissa stared up at Alec — but he avoided her eyes, smiling at Amelie instead.
"I didn't start—"
"Come on, baby," Alec interrupted, grabbing Amelie's waist, "she didn't know we were dating. That's why I said we should announce it... but you didn't listen."
Amelie huffed, glaring at Melissa.
"Stay away from him, bitch. You're not his type."
Melissa's vision blurred with tears.
Her heart cracked open, bleeding.
Alec's eyes — once kind — were dead.
The smile on his lips broke her completely.
She ran.
Ran and ran until she reached the school ground.
Her body screamed.
Her soul screamed louder.
A hand touched her shoulder.
She turned — it was Alec again.
"Melissa, that wasn't intentional," he said casually, pointing to her bleeding lips.
"But the kiss was intentional."
He smirked.
"See... I wanted Amelie to make our relationship public. She refused. After our project, I realized she hated you... so I used you. Simple."
He scoffed.
"Anyway, you got a kiss from your dream guy, and I got what I wanted. All's good, right? Bye."
He left her standing there, shattered.
Melissa clutched her chest, gasping for breath.
Her first love.
Her first kiss.
Used.
Broken.
Humiliated.