Heather
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The whole day feels like one long, drawn-out version of torture. We go from this hall to that garden.

Javis is trying, so hard, to be cute. He's touching my arm, brushing my hair behind my ear, doing that thing where he thinks he's being romantic by laughing at his own jokes, the kind of thing you'd see in a rom-com montage.

He's fine, I guess-he's a good guy, but all I can feel is Robin.

Every time I catch a glimpse of her, sitting there, with her damn eyes piercing me, I can't breathe.

She doesn't say a word. She just watches. Her gaze is heavy, like she can see through me, like she can see right through this whole act. And every touch from Javis, every kiss on my cheek, every time he smiles at me, feels... wrong.

It feels fake. I mean, to me yes, but to him, it's all real.

Javis doesn't notice, though. He's too busy being sweet and affectionate, trying to convince me that this all is normal, that I should just relax.

But I can't. Not with Robin there, watching like I'm some sort of performance.

At one point, we meet up with a few of Javis's old friends, and the air shifts. They start talking about the wedding and exchanging numbers, and I can feel the awkwardness settle deeper into my bones.

Javis won't stop parading me to his friends like I'm some sort of a trophy he managed to get. He brags to his friends about how intelligent I am, that in an architect.

It's like I'm just standing here, playing the role of fiancée, when everything about this feels wrong.

I can't do this anymore.

"Stop this," I finally say, my voice hoarse.

Javis's smile falters for just a moment, but he laughs it off. "What? C'mon, I'm just being affectionate." His hand rests on my lower back, his thumb rubbing circles against my spine.

But it doesn't feel affectionate. It feels like a struggle, like a performance I'm forced to be a part of, and I can't breathe.

"I know," I mutter, forcing a smile. "I just... I need a minute."

I look over at Robin again. She's still watching, that unreadable expression on her face, and something inside me snaps.

"I'll be right back," I tell Javis, almost too quickly. I excuse myself and head off, needing to get away from all of it-needing air.

As I walk through the hallways, I don't even know where I'm going, but I can't shake the feeling that Robin's eyes are still on me, like she's waiting, like she's expecting something.

I make it to the ladies' room, and just as I push the door open, I feel her presence behind me.

"Couldn't stay away, huh?" I say, my voice a little shaky, and I'm not sure if it's from the frustration or the fact that my heart is still racing after everything.

Robin doesn't answer right away. She just closes the door behind her with a soft click, and for a moment, we stand there in the silence.

Then she steps closer, so close I can feel the heat radiating off her. I can hear the way she inhales, slow and steady, and it sends a shiver down my spine. I'm trying to act like I'm fine, like this whole thing doesn't matter, but it does.

Everything she does matters.

"Robin," I whisper, my voice breaking as her hands find my waist.

"You're lying," she says softly, her fingers digging into my skin. "This is a lie, and you know it."

I bite my lip, the frustration building up inside me like a storm. "I don't know what you want from me."

I don't deny or accept.

She doesn't answer, just pulls me closer. Her lips hover near my ear, her breath warm against my skin.

"I want you," she whispers, and it feels like everything I've been denying, everything I've been holding back, is suddenly crashing over me.

I'm still trying to hold on, trying to pretend this is just some stupid game, but I'm not sure I can anymore.

Before I can react, her lips are on mine, urgent and demanding, the kiss deepening too quickly for me to even process. Her hands slide up my back, pulling me closer until we're pressed against the sink, and all I can do is let her.

I can't stop myself.

I want this.

But then, just as quickly as she pulled me in, she pushes me back.

"Not here," she says, breathless, eyes wide with some kind of desperation I can't quite place. "We can't-not here."

I can feel her pulse racing beneath my fingertips, her chest heaving, but the room is spinning, and I'm not sure if it's from her or from everything else that's happening.

"You're killing me, you know that?" I hiss, and the words slip out before I can stop them. "You're standing there, looking at me like that, and then you-"

"I know." Robin's voice is quieter now, but the weight of it is heavier. "But this isn't... I'm not going to be that person again. Not now."

"Then what are we doing?" I step back, my head spinning. "You come in here, kiss me, make me want everything, and then just... bail? Is that it?"

Robin presses a hand to her forehead, and I can see the frustration in her eyes, the same storm that's been brewing in me.

"I don't want to be the reason you destroy your life," she mutters, her voice tight. "But you keep pulling me back in, and I-"

I shake my head. "You don't get it, Robin. I'm already destroying my life. You just don't see it because you're too busy watching me like I'm some... some fucking doll. Do you think I want to be here with him? With your brother? Do you think I want to keep pretending? I don't."

She looks like she wants to say something, but I cut her off before she can. "I don't want this anymore. But I don't know what else to do, Robin."

For a moment, we just stand there, the silence between us thick, suffocating. She's shocked, that much shows on her face.

"Then why the fuck are you doing all this?" Robin bursts finally.

The question hangs in the air, and I don't know what to do with it.

It's not like I can answer it without lying some more. I've done enough of that.

I don't know what to do with her.