Chapter 4: The Cheat
Four years ago
"Laura? Laura, where are you?"
Leonard's voice echoed through the dimly lit hallway as he pushed past groups of laughing students. The bass from the music in the main hall thumped through the walls, but out here in the corridor, it was quieter, almost peaceful compared to the chaos of the prom night party.
He adjusted his black tuxedo jacket and ran a hand through his dark hair, scanning the faces of students who had spilled out into the hallway to escape the heat and noise of the dance floor. The fifth-year students had really outdone themselves with this prom. The decorations were elegant, the music was perfect, and everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Everyone except Leonard, who couldn't find his girlfriend anywhere.
He'd been dancing with Laura just twenty minutes ago, spinning her around the floor while she laughed and her emerald green dress flowed around her like water. She'd looked absolutely stunning tonight, her dark hair pinned up with small diamonds that caught the light every time she moved. He'd felt so proud to have her on his arm, this beautiful second-year student who somehow chose him over all the other guys who were constantly asking her out.
But then she'd whispered something about needing some air and had disappeared into the crowd. That had been twenty minutes ago, and Leonard was starting to worry.
"Have you seen Laura?" he asked a group of third-year girls who were huddled near the water fountain, giggling about something.
"Laura Robin?" one of them asked, her eyes lighting up with interest. "The pretty one in the green dress? I think I saw her heading toward the east wing a while ago."
"Thanks." Leonard flashed them a grateful smile and headed in the direction they'd indicated.
The east wing was even quieter than the main hallway. Most students stayed close to the party, not wanting to miss any of the excitement. Leonard's footsteps echoed against the polished floors as he walked past empty classrooms and bulletin boards covered with announcements about upcoming exams and club meetings.
"Laura?" he called out again, his voice softer now. Maybe she really had needed some quiet time. Laura sometimes got overwhelmed at big social events, especially when she was surrounded by so many older students. She'd told him once that she still felt like she didn't quite belong, like everyone could tell she was just a second-year trying to fit in with the older crowd.
Leonard smiled to himself, thinking about how silly that was. Laura fit in everywhere she went. She was smart, funny, kind, and so beautiful that half the guys in his year had tried to ask her out before they realized she was with him. She had nothing to worry about.
He was about to turn back toward the main hall when he heard it… a soft sound coming from around the corner, near the old science labs that were rarely used after hours.
Leonard paused, listening more carefully. It sounded like... kissing? That soft, wet sound of lips moving together, accompanied by quiet sighs and whispers.
He shook his head and smiled wryly. "People really have no shame nowadays," he muttered to himself. "Can't even find somewhere private."
He was about to turn around and leave the couple to their privacy when something made him stop. There was something familiar about one of those whispered voices, something that made his stomach clench with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
Slowly, almost against his will, Leonard found himself moving closer to the corner. His heart was beating faster now, though he couldn't say why. It was probably just some random couple from his year, maybe Tom and Sarah, who were always sneaking off to make out somewhere.
But as he got closer, the voices became clearer, and that sick feeling in his stomach grew stronger.
"We shouldn't be doing this," a female voice whispered, breathless and guilty.
"I know," a male voice replied, deep and familiar in a way that made Leonard's blood run cold. "But I can't help it. I've wanted this for so long."
Leonard's feet had stopped moving entirely. He pressed himself against the wall, his heart pounding so hard he was sure they would hear it. That male voice… he knew that voice. He'd heard it every day for the past three years, laughing with him, studying with him, sharing secrets and dreams and plans for the future.
Mike. His best friend Mike.
But that couldn't be right. Mike was supposed to be back at the party, probably hitting on Jennifer from his English class like he'd been talking about all week. Mike wouldn't be out here in the hallway with some girl, not when he knew Leonard was looking for Laura.
"What about Leonard?" the female voice asked, and Leonard's world tilted on its axis.
Because now he recognized that voice too. Sweet, melodic, with just a hint of nervousness that she always got when she was doing something she knew was wrong.
Laura.
"He doesn't have to know," Mike's voice said, and Leonard could hear the smile in it, could picture his best friend's charming grin that had gotten them both out of trouble so many times over the years. "This can just be between us."
"But I love him," Laura whispered, and each word felt like a knife twisting in Leonard's chest.
"Do you?" Mike challenged gently. "Because right now, you're here with me."
Leonard's legs felt like they might give out beneath him. This couldn't be happening. Not Laura. Not Mike. Not the two people he trusted most in the world.
But he had to see for himself. Had to confirm what his heart already knew but his mind refused to accept.
Slowly, carefully, Leonard peered around the corner.
And there they were.
Laura was pressed against the wall between two classroom doors, her emerald dress wrinkled and her hair coming loose from its pins. Her eyes were closed, her face flushed with guilt and desire. And Mike… Mike was kissing her like his life depended on it, his hands tangled in her hair, his body pressed close against hers.
Leonard watched in frozen horror as Mike's mouth moved to Laura's neck, as she gasped and arched against him, as her hands came up to grip his shoulders. He watched as the two people he loved most in the world betrayed him in the most fundamental way possible.
The green dress. The same dress he'd complimented when he picked her up tonight, telling her she looked like an angel. The same dress he'd been looking forward to dancing with her in all evening. Now it was wrinkled and pushed up slightly, revealing more of her legs than Leonard had ever been allowed to see.
"I've wanted this since the day Leonard introduced us," Mike whispered against Laura's throat, and Laura's response was a soft moan that sent ice through Leonard's veins.
He stood there for what felt like hours but was probably only seconds, watching his entire world crumble around him. Every conversation he'd had with Mike about Laura, every time Mike had given him advice about their relationship, every moment when Mike had seemed like the perfect, supportive best friend… all of it had been a lie.
And Laura. His sweet, innocent Laura who blushed when he held her hand in public, who said she wanted to wait before they got too physical because she wanted their relationship to be special. Apparently, she just wanted to wait for the right person.
And that person wasn't him.
Leonard took a step backward, then another, his dress shoes silent on the polished floor. He needed to get away from here, needed to process what he'd just seen before he did something he might regret.
But as he turned to leave, his shoulder
brushed against a trophy case, and the soft clink of glass made both figures freeze.