---- Chapter 5 Feeling completely at ease, I went home, had dinner, and began reviewing my lessons. There were only 20 days till the SATs. At night, just before I went to sleep, I came across an unexpected update on social media. Eliza, who rarely ever posted on social media, had posted an Instagram story. It was a photo of her and Carl attending an event together, both dressed in blue. Someone had taken the photo just as their glasses clinked. They did look like a good match. Paying no mind to it, I turned off my phone, switched off the lights, and went to sleep. The next morning, I received a stiffly worded text from Eliza. "Don't overthink it. My family posted it on my behalf."" ---- What a clumsy excuse that was. I continued to ignore it. When I ran into Eliza in the hallway outside the classroom, I simply turned to the side to avoid her. Out of the corner of my eye, however, I saw the way she stood still and stared at me. She started updating her Instagram stories more. Her relationship with Carl seemed to get even more intimate by the day. Some of our classmates couldn't resist asking me, "Is it true that Carl is going to get engaged to Eliza?" I shrugged and replied nonchalantly, ''Probably. They look like they make a good match." Some also seized this chance to mock me. "Look at you, Matthew. You were such a doormat until you lost all sense of self-worth. No wonder Eliza doesn't want you." I didn't pay any attention to those people. Things went on in this manner until the end of the ---- SATs and the semester as well. Worried about ruining their reputation back home, the Stewarts had me head back to our hometown alone to explain to both our families that Eliza and I were calling off the engagement. When Carl heard about that, he smugly jeered at me. " See? Such old-school traditions should be tossed aside like the trash that they are. It shouldn't be kept around to cause trouble, like a pesky fly that can't be gotten rid of. "However, since you treated Eliza fairly well all this while, I'm willing to invite you to join your engagement party." I simply nodded agreeably. Bearing the rings that our families had used to symbolize our betrothal, I headed back to our families "hometown. Although our hometown was quite rural, we had fairly large extended families. Thus, the cancellation of our betrothal stirred up quite a commotion. In the latest episode of ReelTalk, titled "Queen Bee Meets Queen Bee," the infamous Daniela Couso reunites with Sarah Moliski for a buzzworthy discussion. Dive into the world of these legendary villains as they unveil the realities behind their captivating personas. Exploring themes of power, rivalry, and intrigue, this ongoing romance series delves deep into the complexities of characters like Daniela and Sarah. Witness the clash of two formidable personalities as they navigate love, ambition, and deception in a world where nothing is as it seems. What sets this narrative apart is its intricate character dynamics and the magnetic pull between its leading ladies. Experience the allure of forbidden desires and hidden agendas in a story that promises twists at every turn. Ready to uncover the secrets that bind these queens together? Available to read at CrushReel for those eager to unravel the mysteries within.