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Being perfect was the only way Zara Hart knew how to survive. At seventeen, she's the second mother to four siblings, the daughter of a tired, overworked single mom, and the girl who always has a smile-no matter how much it hurts. Her world is held together by a thread, and she keeps pretending it's fine. Her heart? That belongs to Jordan Lane-her childhood crush and the boy she's dreamed of since forever. But Jordan has secrets. And so does everyone else. Like Kai Bennett, the quiet new boy who sees right through her. Like Rico Stone, her brother's reckless best friend who keeps getting under her skin. Like Eli Monroe, the school's golden boy with a perfect mask-and the only one who understands hers. But just when Zara thinks she can't carry any more weight, she discovers that the one person she trusted most-her best friend-has been plotting against her all along. Lies. Secrets. A betrayal that cuts deeper than any heartbreak. Now, torn between four boys and a life full of pressure, Zara must decide: 💔 Who is she when she's no longer perfect? 💔 And who will still love her when she finally breaks?
Chapter 1 The Perfect Girl Bleeds
The house always smelled like overcooked noodles and body spray.
Zahra Hart stood in front of the cracked hallway mirror, adjusting her collar until it was perfectly centered. She tucked a loose curl behind her ear and studied herself.
Flawless.
Or at least, that's what everyone had to believe.
Her dark brown eyes were lined with just enough kohl to distract from the tiredness underneath. Her braids were slicked back into a bun - neat, tight, not a single strand out of place. She always looked like she had it together.
Because falling apart wasn't an option.
"Zahraaaa!"
A loud clatter followed the voice - a cup knocked over, something glass shattering.
She closed her eyes briefly. Another morning disaster.
"In the kitchen!" came the voice again. "Korede spilled the Milo! Again!"
She sighed and grabbed her school bag, slipping into her black sneakers as she made her way down the narrow hallway.
In the kitchen, Tiwa, her 14-year-old sister, was already wiping chocolate powder off the counter, her sleeves rolled up, face shiny with heat. She looked like the spitting image of Zahra - just more playful, with paint under her nails and a chipped smile from biting her pen caps too much.
"Korede, seriously?" Zahra said, spotting their 10-year-old brother standing guiltily beside the spilled tin.
"I just wanted to make some for Sade," Korede muttered, motioning to their little sister, who stood barefoot by the fridge, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
Zahra didn't yell. She never did. She just grabbed a rag, knelt, and began cleaning.
"Thanks," Tiwa said quietly. "Mum already left, by the way."
Of course she had.
Zahra finally made it out of the house after making sure Moyo, the 5-year-old, had her lunchbox, and that Sade's hair was packed into two clean puffballs.
She didn't complain.
Perfect daughters don't.
_______________________________________________
At school, everything was different - and yet exactly the same.
Her name echoed in whispers as she walked through the gates.
"Zahra Hart. Always polished."
"Does she ever look tired?"
"She's like a main character, fr."
She kept her head high. She didn't slow down. She smiled just enough.
And then he appeared.
Leaning lazily against her locker, hoodie up, head bent over his phone - like this wasn't his thing, like he didn't know the way her heart acted stupid around him.
Jordan Lane.
Her first love. Her biggest distraction.
They'd known each other since Primary 5, and even though things had changed - he'd gotten taller, louder, hotter - he still had that same crooked smile that used to make her cheeks burn.
"Still doing the superhero act, Hart?" he said, glancing at her with those dangerously calm eyes.
"Still trying to be mysterious, Lane?" she shot back, lifting her brow.
He chuckled. Her stomach fluttered.
She hated it.
She loved it.
She didn't even know anymore.
Before she could reply, someone brushed past her. Fast. Cold.
Tyler.
The transfer student. Silent. Sharp-eyed. Always watching.
She flinched a little. He didn't even look back.
"Zahraaaaa!" a sugar-coated voice chimed.
Aaliyah practically skipped toward her - curls bouncing, dimples flashing. She wore a pink crop jacket and a glittery phone charm that sparkled in the sun. Everyone said she was adorable. Everyone loved her.
Zahra did too. Or at least, she used to - without second-guessing.
"You okay?" Aaliyah asked, looping an arm through hers. "You look stressed."
"I'm fine," Zahra said, faking a soft laugh.
Aaliyah tilted her head and leaned in.
"Jordan's been texting someone new."
Zahra's chest twisted.
She didn't ask who. She didn't need to.
Aaliyah's grin didn't fade.
By lunchtime, something felt off.
She approached her locker and saw them.
Rose petals. Red ones. Scattered on the floor like a funeral trail.
And a note, taped right to her locker door:
"Even flawless girls crack.
Can't wait to watch you break."
- J
She didn't know which "J" it meant.
Jordan? Jayden?
Or was it just a sick joke?
Her fingers crumpled the note slowly.
Behind her, she heard the softest giggle.
She turned around - but no one looked suspicious. Not even Aaliyah, who was sipping apple juice like nothing happened.
Zahra stared at the note again.
Her heart pounded. Her mask cracked - just a little.
She knew this year wouldn't be normal.
But she never expected it to start like this.
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