The days following their confrontation with Mackenzie were anything but normal. While the shattered mirror had stripped her of her immediate power, its destruction had unleashed an unsettling energy that lingered in the air. Nikki, Brandon, and the rest of the group had taken turns keeping an eye on Mackenzie, ensuring she didn’t try to escape or summon the shadows again.

But for Nikki, something else had started gnawing at her—a strange sense of unease whenever she saw Brandon and Mackenzie in the same room.

At first, she thought it was nothing. Mackenzie was manipulative and dangerous, but she’d lost her grip on the supernatural. And Brandon? He was kind, brave, and had been there for Nikki through every twist of their ordeal. She trusted him—or at least, she thought she did.

---

It was a Thursday evening when everything unraveled.

Nikki had stayed late at school, trying to finish an extra-credit art project. She’d poured herself into it as a distraction from the swirling emotions she couldn’t seem to shake. Her feelings for Brandon had grown stronger since their near-death experience, but they were still undefined, hanging in the liminal space between friendship and something more.

She had just finished cleaning up when she heard voices coming from the art room down the hall. Curious, she stepped closer, recognizing one of them instantly: Brandon.

But the second voice froze her in place.

“Brandon, don’t act like you don’t feel it too,” Mackenzie’s voice purred, smooth as silk and dripping with confidence.

Nikki’s heart clenched as she moved closer to the door, careful to stay out of sight.

“This is wrong, Mackenzie,” Brandon said, his voice low. “You know what you did.”

“And yet you’re still here,” Mackenzie countered. “Maybe because you can’t resist me.”

Nikki peered through the small glass window on the door, and what she saw made her blood run cold.

Brandon was standing close to Mackenzie—too close. His hands hovered uncertainly at his sides, but Mackenzie leaned into him, her hand brushing his chest. The tension between them was palpable, and before Nikki could process what was happening, Mackenzie tilted her head up and kissed him.

Time seemed to stop.

Nikki’s breath hitched, her heart shattering into pieces. She wanted to look away, to run, but her feet were rooted to the spot. Brandon didn’t pull away immediately; he hesitated for a brief, agonizing moment before finally stepping back, his expression a mix of guilt and confusion.

“Mackenzie, this… this isn’t right,” he said, his voice strained.

“Why not?” Mackenzie said, her eyes gleaming with a predatory confidence. “You clearly feel something for me, Brandon. You’re just too scared to admit it.”

Brandon shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “This was a mistake.”

Before Mackenzie could respond, Nikki pushed open the door, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the tense silence.

Both of them turned, their eyes widening in shock.

“Nikki,” Brandon started, his voice filled with panic. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

“Oh, really?” Nikki said, her voice trembling with anger and heartbreak. “Because it looks like you were kissing Mackenzie!”

Mackenzie smirked, crossing her arms. “Jealous much, Nikki? Can’t handle a little competition?”

Nikki ignored her, focusing on Brandon. “After everything we’ve been through, after everything she’s done, you’re… you’re with her?”

Brandon stepped toward her, his hands raised defensively. “I’m not with her. She kissed me, okay? I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“You didn’t mean for it to happen?” Nikki repeated, her voice rising. “You didn’t mean to stand there and let her kiss you? Because it sure didn’t look like you were trying to stop her!”

“I was trying to figure out how to handle it,” Brandon said, his tone desperate. “It’s complicated, Nikki!”

“Complicated?” Nikki scoffed, shaking her head. “It’s not complicated, Brandon. It’s simple. You made a choice.”

Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Turning on her heel, she stormed out of the room, ignoring Brandon’s calls for her to stop.

---

The walk home was a blur. Nikki’s mind raced with emotions—anger, sadness, betrayal—all swirling together in a storm she couldn’t control. She felt like a fool for letting herself believe that she and Brandon had something special.

By the time she reached her room, she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. She collapsed onto her bed, clutching her diary like a lifeline.

Writing had always been her escape, but now, the words felt heavy, each one a painful reminder of what she’d lost.

---

The next day at school was unbearable. Nikki avoided Brandon at all costs, refusing to even look in his direction. Chloe and Zoey noticed her distant behavior and tried to ask what was wrong, but Nikki couldn’t bring herself to tell them.

At lunch, she sat at the far end of their table, barely touching her food.

“Nikki, are you okay?” Zoey asked gently.

Nikki shrugged, keeping her eyes down. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine,” Chloe said, concern etched on her face. “Did something happen with Brandon?”

At the mention of his name, Nikki’s throat tightened. She pushed her tray away and stood. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

---

That evening, Brandon showed up at her house.

Nikki stared at him through the window, debating whether to answer the door. She wanted to slam it in his face, to tell him to leave her alone. But part of her also wanted answers—needed them.

Reluctantly, she opened the door, crossing her arms as she faced him.

“What do you want?” she asked coldly.

“Nikki, I need to explain,” Brandon said, his voice pleading. “What you saw… it wasn’t what it looked like.”

“Oh, so you weren’t kissing Mackenzie?” Nikki shot back.

“She kissed me,” he said firmly. “I didn’t want it. I didn’t—”

“But you didn’t stop it, either,” Nikki interrupted, her voice breaking. “You hesitated, Brandon. You let her get to you.”

“I know,” he admitted, his shoulders slumping. “And I’m sorry. I screwed up. But you have to believe me—I don’t have feelings for Mackenzie. I care about you.”

Nikki’s heart ached at his words, but the pain of betrayal still lingered. “How can I believe that, Brandon? How do I know you won’t let her manipulate you again?”

“You’re right to doubt me,” he said quietly. “But I promise, Nikki, I’ll prove to you that I mean it. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.”

Nikki stared at him, her emotions warring within her. Part of her wanted to forgive him, to hold onto the connection they’d built. But another part of her was too hurt to trust him again.

“I need time,” she said finally.

Brandon nodded, his expression filled with regret. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

As he walked away, Nikki felt a flicker of hope amidst the pain. Maybe their bond wasn’t completely broken. But rebuilding it would take more than words—it would take time, trust, and the strength to face whatever darkness still lingered in the shadows.