"Resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die." —Carrie Fisher
Vivian, the captain of the cheerleading squad, was convinced that Dylan had feelings for her. She observed every smile, every courteous gesture he offered, and misread them as signs of interest. She brought him drinks, snacks, small gifts—he always thanked her kindly, never realizing the weight his politeness carried. For Vivian, each small act felt like a confirmation.
Her close friends reinforced the idea. They too believed Dylan was secretly in love with her. Unintentionally, they fanned her hopes while deepening her insecurities. As a result, Vivian began to feel threatened by any girl who interacted with him.
Meanwhile, Ailín continued her volleyball practices, unaware of the growing storm around her. Every time Dylan approached or watched her, she felt an unfamiliar tension inside. Oscurita, the whispering shadow of her fears, seized the opportunity to awaken.
Vivian's jealousy soon turned to discomfort, and her attitude toward Ailín became subtly hostile. A cheerleader once suggested to Vivian that Ailín was trying to get close to Dylan. That insinuation was all it took. Vivian felt betrayed, as if something precious was being taken from her. Discovering that Ailín was the volleyball player who stirred Dylan's attention solidified her resentment.
Blinded by jealousy, Vivian began directing passive-aggressive comments and gestures at Ailín. Though Ailín noticed, she didn't understand why. Oscurita filled the silence with cruel whispers:
"Your presence bothers them. You're not welcome."
One afternoon after practice, as she showered, Ailín had a flashback. A memory from her adolescence surfaced—a girl confronting her with cold words, calling her boring and out of place. The memory cut deep. Perhaps Vivian was right. Perhaps she didn't belong.
But it wasn't just memory. It was Oscurita, rising from the shadows:
"See? You were always imperfect. Why would someone like Dylan even notice you?"
"Take a good look at yourself. Don't you think someone will?"
Dylan, unaware of the tensions unfolding, found himself increasingly drawn to Ailín. He spoke about her often to Andrea and his teammates. They teased him, claiming he had finally found something stronger than his love for basketball.
He began asking questions about Ailín. Curious, eager, hopeful.
When one of his friends told him about Vivian's behavior, Dylan was outraged. The idea that someone might hurt Ailín out of misplaced jealousy filled him with urgency. He would not allow it.
Determined to confront the situation, Dylan spoke directly with Vivian. He told her calmly but firmly that her attitude disappointed him. He confessed his growing interest in Ailín and made it clear he had no romantic feelings toward Vivian. He valued her friendship, but nothing more.
Vivian was stunned. She couldn't comprehend what she was hearing. Her imagined future collapsed in an instant. Left with her friends, she struggled to make sense of it.
Andrea, aware of the situation, kept Ailín longer at practice to avoid a confrontation. When Ailín finally left, she was surprised to find Dylan waiting for her.
He offered to walk her back. She hesitated—but then, something in his expression softened her reluctance. They walked together in silence, words unnecessary.
And for the first time in a long while, Ailín noticed something remarkable: she couldn't hear Oscurita. Only the quiet rhythm of two sets of footsteps.
Something within her shifted. A beginning. A subtle change.
She didn't know if it was friendship or something more… But in his presence, the silence felt safe—and for now, that was enough.
From afar, Vivian watched them. Resentment and sorrow blurred her vision. For the first time, she realized she had lost something—something that had never really been hers.