Chapter Five: His Name Was Raymond
Raymond Mendez was the kind of guy every girl at Westgrove High knew—even if they pretended not to care. He was the team captain of the basketball varsity, with that messy but intentional hair, always a little sweaty after practice, and that half-smirk that seemed to break hearts effortlessly.
To Bella, he wasn’t just the MVP of the court—he was the prize. The final accessory to complete her reign.
And the worst part? He played the game well.
He complimented her at parties. Took photos with her at events. Let her cling to his arm at assemblies. But behind the smokescreen of school popularity, everyone could tell—Raymond wasn’t really hers. And that drove Bella mad.
Because lately… Raymond had been looking at someone else.
Someone quieter. Someone new.
Someone who sat by herself during lunch breaks with a guitar case beside her.
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