The Undoing Of Us

Anna Carter was tangled in her blanket, hugging her teddy bear like it was a lifeline. The morning sun had already spilled through the thin curtains, but she was far too deep in her dreams to notice. She was sailing somewhere quiet, far from alarm clocks, far from homework, far from her mother's sharp voice—until her door creaked open.

Her mother barged in like a detective storming a suspect's hideout. She didn't knock. She didn't hesitate. She marched to the window, yanked the curtains wide, and let the sunlight flood the room with merciless brightness.

Anna groaned, twisting deeper into the covers. "Mom! Seriously?" she mumbled, clinging to her teddy bear for dear life.

"You've got three minutes," her mother declared, her tone brisk. "And don't think you'll get breakfast if you waste them. Three minutes, Anna!"

Anna cracked one eye open dramatically, throwing her hand across her forehead like an actress on stage. "Oh no! How could you? Threatening me with food? Food, mother?"

Her mother only smirked, arms folded. "Three minutes." And with that, she swept out of the room.

Anna sighed, rolling onto her back. Three minutes. Great. She shoved the teddy aside and launched herself out of bed. What followed was chaos.

With her toothbrush jammed into her mouth, Anna tried yanking her top over her head at the same time. Her hair stuck up in every direction, strands caught in the fabric as she brushed furiously with one hand and tugged down fabric with the other. She hopped across the room, pulling on her skirt while attempting to wrestle a comb through the bird's nest of tangles in her hair.

She nearly toppled over trying to shove one foot into her shoe while wrestling with her skirt zipper. The second shoe slipped halfway on as she stumbled toward the mirror, backpack sliding onto her shoulders.

"Multitasking queen," she muttered around toothpaste foam. She spat into the sink, dragged her brush through her hair one last time, and somehow—miraculously—came out looking halfway presentable.

By the time she thundered down the stairs, she looked like she had wrestled her outfit into submission.

Her mom was already sipping coffee at the kitchen counter. Anna pounced on the toast waiting on a plate, chewing quickly.

"Dad already left for work," her mother said casually. "So don't bother asking me for a ride either. I've got a spa date with the girls."

Anna froze mid-bite, staring at her mother in exaggerated horror. "A spa date? You're choosing your spa date over me?" She clutched her chest dramatically. "This is betrayal. Pure betrayal."

Her mom chuckled, unfazed. "Life is unfair, sweetie. Bye now." She waved her free hand as though dismissing a scene in a play.

Anna shoved the last of her toast into her mouth, slung her bag across her shoulder, and muttered, "That's so unfair. Fine. Bye. Love you too."

She pulled the front door shut behind her and stood on the porch, staring at the road. The walk to school suddenly felt like a marathon she hadn't signed up for. She trudged forward, dragging her feet until she finally gave up at the side of the road. With a groan, she pulled out her phone and called the one person she could always count on.

"Liana?" Anna whined when her friend picked up. "My mom ditched me. Dad's gone. I'm stranded."

There was a pause, then Liana's voice burst through the line with exaggerated drama: "Liana, to the rescue! Stay right where you are, damsel in distress!"

Anna laughed despite herself and waited, leaning against a lamppost as cars whooshed past. After what felt like forever, Liana's little red car pulled up with a screech.

The passenger window rolled down and Leanna stuck her head out, grinning. "Get in, princess. Your chariot awaits."

Anna hopped in with a grin. "You're my hero."

"Obviously," Liana said, flicking her hair dramatically as she pulled back onto the road.

They reached school a little later than they should have, hurrying through the hallways with their bags bouncing against their shoulders. By the time they reached their classroom, their teacher, Mr. Granville, was already inside.

That was the thing about him—he was always early. Always there before the bell. His gray suit was crisp, his glasses perched neatly on his nose, and his sharp gaze was fixed on the papers in front of him.

Anna braced herself for a lecture. They had interrupted his perfect routine, after all. She exchanged a nervous glance with Liana as they slipped quietly through the door, trying to make themselves invisible.

But instead of scolding them, Mr. Granville looked up with a dry expression and said, "Ah, the late duo. I was beginning to think you two had transferred schools."

A ripple of laughter went through the class. Anna blushed, ducking into her seat as Liana whispered, "Well, at least he didn't give us detention."

Anna sighed, slumping into her chair. Somehow, her morning had survived the disaster. Barely.

The rest of the lesson passed without incident, and before she knew it, the bell rang, cutting through the classroom like a release of pressure. Chairs scraped against the floor as students stood up at once, voices rising almost instantly. Anna stretched her arms with a relieved sigh, already half-listening to Liana complain beside her while she shoved her books into her bag.

"I swear if we have another surprise quiz this week, I'm going to lose it," Liana said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. Anna laughed softly, shaking her head as they left the classroom together. "We're barely surviving as it is," she replied, falling into step beside her.

The hallway was already packed with students, loud and chaotic as always. Voices echoed through the corridors, backpacks swung from shoulders, and people squeezed past each other in every direction. Anna walked with Liana, dodging elbows and weaving through the crowd with practiced ease while Liana continued complaining about teachers and their "questionable fashion choices."

Anna was only half-listening, distracted by the movement around her, the noise, and the familiar rhythm of school life. She let herself laugh at something Liana said, turning her head slightly as they moved through the hallway. That was when she turned the corner without looking.

And collided into something solid.

Or rather—someone.

A sharp voice snapped immediately. "Watch where you're going."

Anna stumbled back slightly, blinking in surprise as she quickly steadied herself. "Oh—sorry, that was my fault," she said quickly, brushing herself off. "I wasn't looking."

Her eyes lifted properly this time, and the boy standing in front of her looked annoyed already. His expression was cold, his jaw tight, and his stare made it very clear he was not in the mood for anything.

"Clearly," he said flatly. "Are you blind or just careless?"

Anna paused for a second, taken aback by the harshness in his tone. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at him more properly. "Excuse me?"

He didn't move an inch. "Next time, try using your eyes. That's what they're there for."

Anna let out a short breath through her nose, trying to stay calm even as irritation flickered in her expression. "I said I was sorry. It was an accident."

The boy scoffed lightly, almost amused but not really. "Yeah. Funny. I'm looking at one right now."

That made her pause again, her expression tightening slightly as she processed his words.

Liana stepped forward immediately, placing herself slightly beside Anna. "Okay, relax. She bumped into you—not ran you over."

The boy glanced at Liana briefly, then back at Anna. His expression didn't soften at all, not even slightly. "Whatever," he muttered. "Just watch where you're going next time."

Without waiting for a response, he brushed past them and walked off down the hallway.

For a moment, Anna just stood there, staring after him in disbelief. She let out a slow breath, shaking her head slightly. "...What is his problem?" she muttered under her breath.

Liana exhaled beside her, still watching the direction he left in. "Okay, yes, he's rude."

Anna frowned. "Rude is an understatement."

Liana tilted her head slightly, a small grin forming despite everything. "Yeah... but also kind of—"

"Don't finish that sentence," Anna cut in immediately.

Liana grinned wider anyway. "What? I was going to say kind of interesting."

Anna rolled her eyes, already walking again. "You need help."

They continued down the hallway together, making their way to the parking lot. Anna was surprised to see her father’s car neatly parked at the corner, the sunlight glinting off its polished hood.

“Dad?” she called as he stepped out with a smile.

“Surprise,” he said, jingling his keys. “Figured I’d pick you up today. Thought we could hang out today before heading home.”

Her eyes lit up, “You’re the best.” She turned to Liana with an exaggerated sigh of relief. “I guess today I’m saved from your death–on–wheels driving skills.” Liana gasped in mock offense, clutching her chest. “Oh, Really?” Anna smirked and slipped into the passenger seat of the father’s car.

A short drive later, Anna and her dad were seated at their favorite ice cream shop, ‘Sugar cone’, the air rich with chocolate drizzle. They settled into their corner booth and enjoyed their ice cream as they traded stories about their day.

As Anna and her dad savored their ice cream, Anna’s thoughts wandered back to the brief, sharp encounter with Leo. Though it was not too pleasant, there was something about him that kept him stuck in her mind. She shook it off quickly, shoving the thought aside and concentrated back on her ice cream.

When they stepped out of the ice cream shop after they were done, the sun had set, casting a lilac-blue hue across the sky. The ride home was slow and quiet wrapped in a comfortable silence.

Anna leaned her head against the window as the city lights streaked by in blurred ribbons, her thoughts, drifting once again to Leo. She inhaled sharply, forcing the image of him away. No— she wouldn’t let him take up space in her mind. How could she even be thinking about such a mean, rude boy? She vowed not to let his face slip into her thou ever again — or so she thought.