Wounded and Bounded

There's something cruel about having your heart broken on what should be the happiest day of your life. I stood at the entrance of the Golden Palace Hotel's ballroom, still wearing my graduation cap, the taste of achievement fresh on my lips. Four years of fighting to maintain my scholarship, four years of proving I belonged here, and four years of loving Derek had led to this moment.

The same Derek who was now wrapped around Amanda Wilson on the dance floor, his fingers trailing down her back like he used to with mine.

"I think I'm going to be sick," I whispered, gripping Lisa's arm so hard she winced.

"Sonia, breathe. Just breathe," Lisa tried pulling me back, but my feet were already moving.

The champagne-soaked air felt thick in my lungs as I pushed through the crowd. My blue sequined dress-bought with my final scholarship stipend-caught the light, throwing sparkles that felt more like accusations now. Around us, our graduating class laughed and celebrated, their expensive perfumes mixing with the scent of success and promises.

"I heard they've been seeing each other for months," someone whispered as I passed. "Ever since Amanda started tutoring him in Advanced Finance."

The words hit me like physical blows. Advanced Finance-the class I'd helped him study for countless nights, holding his hand through every panic attack before exams.

"Derek." My voice carried across the music, and heads turned.

He froze mid-dance, his face draining of color as he met my eyes. Amanda didn't step away. Instead, she pressed closer, her red Valentino dress making my carefully budgeted purchase look like bargain leftovers.

"Sonia?" Derek's voice cracked. "I... we were just-"

"Just what?" The tears burned, but I refused to let them fall. "Just celebrating? Just dancing? Or just making a fool out of me in front of our entire graduating class?"

Amanda's laugh cut through the tension. "Oh honey, you did that all on your own. Following Derek around like a lost puppy for four years, pretending you could ever be part of his world?"

My palm stung before I realized I'd slapped her. The sound echoed through the suddenly silent ballroom.