Chapter 7 Just Being Friendly: Really Friendly

• Nyssa was busy unpacking her bag in her room. As she reached into the bottom, her fingers brushed against something small and metallic. She pulled out the engagement ring, glistening in the morning light. She held it up, examining the symbol of a relationship she no longer cared for.
• "Well, isn't this a lovely surprise?" she muttered to herself, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "A ring from a man I despise. What a treasure."
• She rolled her eyes and flicked the ring into the bin with a smirk. "Good riddance. Hope the trash appreciates you more than I did."
• Meanwhile, Ethan was waking up at Alex's house. After washing up, he headed downstairs, whistling a cheerful tune. As he reached the top of the staircase, he froze. There was Lily, sitting at the breakfast table, looking radiant as ever.
• He stared at her, entranced. "Now I know why Liam is such an idiot," he whispered to himself. "I can't stop looking at her."
• Gathering his courage, he descended the stairs and approached Lily, trying to act casual but failing miserably. "Good morning, Lily. Did anyone ever tell you that you make breakfast look like a masterpiece?"
• Lily looked up, slightly startled but amused. "Good morning, Ethan. That's... an interesting compliment."
• Ethan grinned, a little too widely. "I mean, seriously. It's like you brought sunshine into this room. And, uh, I’m not just saying that because the sun is actually shining through the window."
• Lily giggled. "You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?"
• Ethan puffed out his chest, trying to look confident. "Well, I try. I’ve been known to brighten a day or two in my time."
• Suddenly, Alex's voice cut through the room. "Ethan, what are you doing?"
• Ethan's smile froze, and he slowly turned around to see Alex standing there with a deadly glare. "Oh, hey, Alex. Just... having a friendly chat with your sister."
• Alex crossed his arms. "Friendly chat, huh?"
• Ethan nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. Just being friendly. Really friendly."
• Alex stepped closer, his expression darkening. "Remember what I said about my sister?"
• Ethan gulped and gave Alex a sheepish grin. "Loud and clear, buddy. Just... keeping it friendly."
• Lily watched the exchange with amusement. "I think it’s sweet, Alex. Let him be."
• Alex shot Ethan one last warning look before turning away. "Fine. But remember, Ethan, I’m watching you."
• Ethan let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Noted, Alex. Noted."
• As Alex walked away, Ethan turned back to Lily, trying to regain his composure. "So, uh, where were we? Oh right, sunshine and masterpieces."
• Lily laughed, her eyes sparkling. "You’re something else, Ethan."
• Ethan grinned, feeling a bit more at ease. "Just wait. There’s more where that came from."
• Later that morning, Nyssa decided to go out and clear her mind. She walked into a nearby café, hoping for some peace. As she was ordering her drink, she spotted her ex-fiancé, David, sitting with a new girl, giggling and flirting.
• "Of course," she muttered under her breath. "A jerk will always be a jerk."
• She turned to leave, but David saw her reflection in the mirror. A wicked grin spread across his face, and he stood up, marching over to her. "Nyssa! What the hell are you doing here?"
• Nyssa turned to face him, her expression cold and unbothered. "Say it again, David. I dare you."
• David's new girlfriend, a girl with bright pink hair and too much makeup, looked confused. "Who's she, David?"
• David smirked, loud enough for everyone in the café to hear. "This is my ex. She’s stalking me now because I rejected her and broke our engagement. Pathetic, isn’t it?"
• Nyssa raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Stalking you? Oh, please. If I wanted to stalk someone, I’d choose someone worth the effort, not some discount Romeo with an ego problem."
• The girl with pink hair, clearly trying to look tough, chimed in. "Yeah, David said you were crazy. Looks like he was right."
• Nyssa’s eyes glinted with amusement. "Crazy? Sweetheart, you have no idea. But if you’re with David, you’ll find out soon enough."
• David’s face turned red with anger. "You think you’re so smart, don’t you? I dumped you because you’re nothing but a clingy, desperate woman who can’t take a hint."
• Nyssa laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "Dumped me? That’s rich, David. I canceled our engagement because I realized I deserve better than a man who thinks ‘romantic dinner’ means a drive-thru. So why don’t you and your new ‘friend’ enjoy your happy meal and leave me out of your delusions?"
• David’s girlfriend gasped, her face flushed with embarrassment. David, losing his composure, stepped closer. "You’ll regret this, Nyssa."
• Nyssa stepped right up to him, her voice low and dangerous. "The only thing I regret is wasting my time on you. Now, back off before you embarrass yourself even more."
• David, realizing he was outmatched, sputtered a few incoherent words before retreating to his table. Nyssa turned on her heel and walked out of the café, her head held high.
• Nyssa walked into the house, feeling the tension the moment she stepped through the door. Clara was standing in the living room, holding the engagement ring she had found in the bin, her face twisted with anger. Maxine, Nyssa's stepmother, stood beside her, arms crossed and a look of disdain etched on her face.
• "How dare you cancel your engagement without even telling us!" Maxine shouted, her voice echoing through the house. "David is such a nice guy. Your father chose him for you, and look what you've done!"
• Nyssa stared at them, unflinching. "David is a nice guy? That’s a laugh. He’s a manipulative jerk, and you both know it."
• Clara stepped forward, waving the ring in Nyssa’s face. "You threw this in the bin like it’s nothing! Do you have any idea how much this cost?"
• Nyssa smirked. "Yeah, I do. And it’s worth even less now that it’s been on his finger."
• Maxine’s face turned red with rage. "You ungrateful little brat! Your father worked so hard to arrange this match, and you just throw it all away?"
• Nyssa’s eyes narrowed. "My father? You mean the man who abandoned me and left me to fend for myself? The man who left all the responsibilities on my grandfather?"
• Maxine sputtered, unable to come up with a response. Clara jumped in, her voice shrill. "You think you’re so much better than us, don’t you? Always acting high and mighty."
• Nyssa laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Better? No. Just more honest. I see through your little games, Clara. You’re just mad because you’re not the center of attention anymore."
• Clara’s face flushed with anger. "You don’t belong here, Nyssa. You never did."
• Nyssa’s expression hardened. "You’re right. I don’t. And I’ve had enough of this charade."
• She turned and walked up the stairs to her room, leaving Clara and Maxine fuming. She grabbed her bag, stuffing it with clothes and essentials. As she walked back down, she looked at her stepmother and stepsister, who were still glaring at her.
• "If you think you’ve done anything for me, you’re wrong," Nyssa said, her voice steady and firm. "You’ve done nothing but take from me. Every cent I earned, every bit of support I had, came from my grandfather. He paid for my school, my college fees, and everything else."
• Maxine’s face twisted with fury. "How dare you speak to me like that! You owe us everything!"
• Nyssa shook her head. "I owe you nothing. You’ve only ever taken from me. I’ve been nothing but a source of income for you."
• Clara sneered. "Fine, leave then. See how far you get without us."
• Nyssa smirked. "I’ll get a lot farther without you dragging me down."
• She walked towards the door, her bag slung over her shoulder. Maxine made a final attempt to assert control. "You’ll regret this, Nyssa. You’ll come crawling back."
• Nyssa paused at the doorway, turning to face them one last time. "I doubt it. I’ve spent my whole life regretting that I had to live with you. Now, I’m finally free."
• With that, she stepped out of the house, the door slamming shut behind her. As she walked down the driveway, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She was done being manipulated and used by her stepmother and stepsister.
• Nyssa’s phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from Ethan, asking if she was okay. She smiled, feeling a surge of warmth. She had friends who cared about her, who supported her. She wasn’t alone anymore.
• As she walked away from the house, she knew there would be challenges ahead. But she was ready to face them. She was stronger now, and she wouldn’t let anyone drag her down again.