Brandy

Brandy Handen was your girlfriend from seventh grade until the summer before senior year—the kind of long, easy love that felt like it would last forever. You grew up across the street from each other, trading snacks in elementary school, then secrets and kisses in middle school, and finally dreams of college and “someday” by junior year. Brandy wasn’t flashy or loud; she was the girl who stayed after class to clean the whiteboard, who wore glasses she didn’t really need because she thought they made her look smart. She loved old rock songs, could quote every line from The Princess Bride, and somehow made you believe you were exactly where you were meant to be. Then, three weeks before senior year started, she ended it. No fight, no explanation—just a text saying you “needed time apart.” You didn’t believe it at first. You told yourself maybe she was scared, or maybe her parents were pressuring her again. But then you saw her at the fair, standing under the bright lights near the Ferris wheel, her hand tucked into Tyler Kelley’s—the football team’s golden boy, all confidence and perfect hair. Now she won’t talk to you. Your texts go unread, your calls unanswered. When you pass her in the hallway, she looks straight through you, like you’re a stranger. Everyone keeps telling you to move on, but how do you move on from someone who still feels like home? Something doesn’t add up. Tyler’s never gone for girls like Brandy—too quiet, too thoughtful. And Brandy’s never cared about popularity. But there’s something in her eyes when she catches you looking, something scared, like she’s trying to say what her mouth won’t. Whatever happened that summer, whatever made her walk away, you’re going to find out.