The operation "Break His Heart" had been ongoing for nearly a month. Axel's willpower and reserved demeanor had delayed its progress. Even if he liked Brianna, he never let it show. Frustrated, Brianna decided to step up the game. She began associating with the people she once mocked as "lowlives," halted public bullying of non-celebrities, and organized charity events for the underprivileged. Her efforts slowly chipped away at Axel's defenses. Finally, he called to ask Brianna out on a date.
The next day, Karina met up with Brianna and nervously brought up the topic.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Brianna asked, eyes narrowing.
"I agreed to Axel's date... on your behalf," Karina said hesitantly, genuinely confused at Brianna's reaction.
Brianna shot up from the couch. "You did what?! Are you insane? You could've said I had a charity event or that I was helping a sick neighbor! Anything but that! Go on a date with that son of poverty? No way!"
Karina stared at her with disbelief. How could someone be so cruel? "I'll... talk to him," she said, barely masking her anger.
As if on cue, Axel walked in. "Hey Karina, how are you doing?"
"All good," she mumbled, forcing a smile.
"Bree, thanks for agreeing to my request. I honestly thought you wouldn't, but I can tell you've changed. Meet me at the restaurant after school, 2:00 p.m., okay?" Axel beamed.
Brianna hesitated. "Sure!" she said through clenched teeth.
"That's not the restaurant where we'll be having the date," Axel chuckled. "I'm taking you somewhere fancy. Somewhere that suits your taste."
He winked and left. Karina's heart twisted as she watched him walk away. She wanted to tell him everything, but she remembered the price of betrayal. She could only finish what she started.
"You've got your damn luck that the relationship improved," Brianna muttered as she stormed off with Drea.
---
Axel rented a car and a proper suit, knowing Brianna disdained his usual clothes. He wanted everything to be perfect.
"Brianna! There you are," Axel called as Brianna stepped out of her SUV.
She rolled her eyes. "You didn't even come pick me up. Public buses aren't that expensive, you know."
"I rented a car," he said proudly, handing her a single rose.
Brianna took it with a forced smile. "Great. Let's go."
---
At the restaurant, Axel did his best to make the evening special.
"I know this isn't what you expected, but our next date will be better," he said, gently taking her hand.
Brianna feigned joy. "Oh Axel, you've outdone yourself. I didn't expect this at all."
Axel smiled, his heart swelling with hope. He walked to the counter to place their order.
"Great. They don't even have waiters," Brianna muttered to herself.
---
Karina called Axel over and over and over again that night, she knew he was very angry. Brianna came back from the date screaming of how disastrous it had been. According to her the place was worse than prison and she barely managed to hold her puke but what shattered the camels back was when a rat ran across her leg. It didn't even run directly on her leg it just ran a few inches before her leg to the other side of the room before it was killed by some workers. Axel started to apologize knowing that it was one of his numerous working places but Brianna didn't care and threw a serious tantrum before leaving but not without cursing the place on how wretched it was.
Karina texted Axel an apology letter before calling him again and this time he finally picked.
"What is it Brianna?" He said coldly.
"I'm very sorry about what happened today it was all Bri.....my fault!" Karina quickly corrected herself
"Well that wasn't what you said at the restaurant"
"I was so stressed then. My Dad finished hosting an event coupled with an emergency family meeting and I just had to attend the date not to disappoint you. I seriously regret what I did today. How can I make it up to you?" Karina lied with a fake sob. She felt bad lying to Axel but ther was no other choice.
Axel's heart softened at her words, "No Bree, it was all my fault. I didn't know that you were stressed if not I wouldn't have asked you to come. I.....I lost my job"
"What! I'm so so sorry. I'll find a new job for you. I promise"
"Thanks for everything Bree. I owe you a lot"
"You owe me nothing. I'm the one who owes you"
"(chuckles) I wish you could be like this every time we meet"
"I don't understand"Karina blushed, "anyway I've got to go. I love you Axel"
"(Pauses and breathes) I love you too Bree with everything I've got" Axel said and a moment of silence was observed before the call ended. Karina felt like Axel was talking to her but she knew it was all a fantasy. saddened, she waited for tomorrow.
---
The next day at School,
"Brianna, he said it! Those three words" Karina reported with her head bowed. She knew what this meant.
"About time" Brianna responsed
---
"Karina," Axel called, his voice echoing faintly in the nearly empty hallway.
Karina turned around, her breath catching in her throat. He looked tired.
He walked up to her. "Have you seen Brianna? I've been looking for her all morning."
Karina froze.
This was it. Her cue.
She stared down at the floor, guilt bubbling in her chest like acid. "She's… she's in the courtyard."
Axel tilted his head. "The courtyard? What's she doing there?"
Karina opened her mouth, then closed it. She couldn't say it. She couldn't tell him that Brianna was already gathering a crowd to humiliate him. That the whole thing had been planned like a show, and she hadn't stopped it.
"I… I don't know," she whispered. "Maybe just go check."
He looked at her for a long moment, as if sensing something off in her tone. "Karina… is something going on?"
She looked up, smiling to remove all doubts. "All good," She said.
There was a pause. Then Axel nodded, brushing it off with a weak smile. "Alright. Thanks."
Karina watched him walk away, her stomach twisting harder with each step. She wanted to scream. To pull him back. To beg him not to go.
But it was too late.
---
By the time Axel stepped into the courtyard, the crowd was already gathered. Students stood in a loose circle, cameras raised, laughter buzzing through the air like static. In the center of it all stood Brianna Connor... confident, cruel, ready.
"There he is," someone whispered as Axel entered. All heads turned.
Brianna's voice rang out, loud and gleaming with venom. "Speak of the devil."
Axel stopped, confused by the attention. "What's going on?"
Brianna smirked. "Oh, Axel. You're just in time. I was telling everyone about you."
The crowd chuckled. Phones pointed at him. He looked around, bewildered.
"Tell me," Brianna began, stepping toward him with mock concern. "Do you still carry that worn-out handkerchief in your bag? You know, the one your mom stitched for you? The one you hold when you cry like a baby?"
Axel stiffened.
A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd.
Brianna continued. "Oh, and those ridiculous superhero comics you collect? What was it… 'Captain Courage'?" She turned to the crowd. "He used to read them out loud in the cafeteria while waiting for me."
More laughter.
Axel clenched his fists. "Brianna… stop."
But she didn't.
"I mean, seriously, you thought you had a chance with me? This thing called a relationship between us is over" she spat. "You're a beggar. A stray. You sweep floors. My dad said you're a parasite clinging to rich girls to feel important."
The word parasite hit harder than a slap.
"I went on one date with you," she added, voice sharpening. "To a place with rats. RATSSSS, people!" she spun around, arms wide like she was performing Shakespeare. "I felt like I was in a horror movie. You thought that was romantic?"
Axel turned to leave, face burning.
"And he's so clingy," Brianna added, her voice cutting like glass. "He keeps texting, calling, acting like we're still together. Can someone please tell this poverty puppy to back off?"
The crowd howled. One student actually barked.
Axel walked away, head down, shame burning in his chest, in his throat, in his soul. His ears rang. His heartbeat drowned everything.
Axel wasn't sure of other emotions he was feeling but he was sure of one...
SHAME!