Vic's gaze was glued to Maya from across the room. She was laughing—laughing with Eddie, her eyes alight in a way he hadn't seen in so long. The sight of them together twisted something deep inside him, a mix of anger and hurt that he couldn't quite shake.
He had to turn away, but it was too late. Jackie had noticed. Her eyes narrowed as she approached him, her lips curling into a thin, annoyed smile.
"You're pathetic, you know that?" she snapped, her voice low and cutting.
Vic blinked, still trying to process the sight of Maya and Eddie. He didn't even hear her approach, but now, her words hit him like a punch. He turned slowly to face her. "What?"
Jackie's face was twisted with frustration. "Are you seriously still staring at her? It's over, Vic. Do you get that?"
Vic tried to turn away, but Jackie grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her. "She's not coming back, you know. She's moved on, completely."
He felt the heat rise in his chest. "What the hell do you want me to say, Jackie? I'm not—"
"No," Jackie interrupted, her voice sharp, "I don't want you to say anything. I want you to stop obsessing over her. It's pathetic. You're with me now, and you're still staring at her like some sad puppy. Can't you see how much of an idiot you're being?"
Vic opened his mouth, but the words died on his tongue. His mind was still on Maya, on her laughter, on the way she seemed so free, so distant now. He didn't even know why he was still fixated on her. But it was like a magnet. Even with Jackie's hand gripping his arm, he couldn't stop himself from glancing back at Maya and Eddie.
Jackie's grip tightened, her nails digging into his skin. "Look at you," she spat, "Just take a good, long look at them. You still think she's doing this for you? You think she's playing some stupid game? She doesn't care about you anymore, Vic. She's over you."
Her words stung, but Jackie wasn't done. "Look at her, Vic. She's with Eddie, of all people. And you? You're just standing here, acting like you're still entitled to her. Newsflash: You're not."
Vic flinched at the harsh truth in her words, but Jackie wasn't giving him room to breathe. "You think she's going to crawl back to you like before? Nah, man. She's moved on, and you're just too damn stubborn to see it. Look at her again. Go on. You can't even stop."
Jackie's voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "She's happy. She doesn't need you anymore. Get used to it. You're not the center of her world anymore, and that's something you'll never fix. It's too late."
The weight of Jackie's words finally seemed to settle on him, and for the first time, Vic realized it wasn't just about Maya being mad at him. It wasn't about her giving him some space to come back. It wasn't a game. She was really done.
Vic looked over at Maya again, but this time, it was different. It wasn't just jealousy or rage that boiled in his chest; it was regret. He felt it now, deep in his bones. The realization was brutal, and it hit him harder than he expected.
Jackie yanked him back to reality with a sharp tug. "You're mine now, Vic. Don't you forget that. So stop acting like a damn fool and stop staring at her. She's gone. I'm right here. Don't keep pretending like you don't see me."
Vic jerked his arm free, a mixture of anger and confusion flooding through him. He didn't even know what to say anymore. Jackie was right. He had to stop. But the image of Maya and Eddie was burned into his mind, impossible to erase.
Jackie scoffed, turning on her heel. "You really are hopeless. Do what you want, but don't expect me to stick around while you're too busy crying over her."
Vic stood there, staring at Maya and Eddie from a distance. His heart was in his throat, his hands trembling. It wasn't just the sight of Maya with someone else that hurt. It was the realization that everything he had thought he knew about her, about them, was a lie.
The final bell rang, and Vic's heart hammered in his chest. He waited in the parking lot, watching as Maya walked toward her car, the distance between them growing with each step. His mind raced—he couldn't let her slip away. Not like this.
When Sally and Luna had gone, Vic seized his chance. He walked briskly toward Maya, blocking her path as she reached her car. She stopped, her eyes meeting his, cold and distant.
"Vic, what do you want?" Maya's voice was steady, but the coldness in her gaze made his stomach turn.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, his voice tight with urgency. "I know I messed up. Please… just don't leave me like this. I was wrong. I'll fix it. I'll do anything. I need you. Just don't walk away."
Maya took a step back, her face hardening. "I don't care if you're sorry ,not anymore ? After everything? You—" she shook her head, clearly trying to escape.
"No," Vic stepped forward, grabbing her wrist, his grip firm. "I'm serious. I'm not letting you go. I can't lose you. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to fix this. Just—please don't leave me like this."
Maya's eyes flashed with anger, her hand pushing against his chest. "Let go of me, Vic."
"I'm not letting you go," he said, voice breaking. "I love you, Maya. I don't know what got through to me ."
Her free hand pushed against him again, harder this time, but he didn't budge. He pulled her into his arms, desperate. "Please… please we have to work things out like the old days ."
Maya stiffened, her breath sharp with fury. "Vic, stop. Let me go."
His arms tightened around her. "I love you. I swear I do . I'm sorry."
With a sudden burst of strength, Maya shoved him back. Without warning, she slapped him hard across the face. The sting of the slap was nothing compared to the pain of her rejection. He stood frozen as she pulled away, her eyes burning with fury.
"What do you take me for ? a fool " she spat. "You think you can just apologize and it'll all be okay? I'm done with you, Vic. Done."
She turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, heart breaking as he realized the truth. He had lost her.