Chapter 1 · When He Slapped Me for Her, I Erased Him Forever

Chapter 1

During a heated argument with my childhood friend, he snapped and slapped me across the face—right in front of everyone.

That was the day I deleted every trace of him from my life.

Everyone was stunned. Brian and I had been inseparable since we were kids. For as long as I could remember, I’d looked up to him, following him like a shadow for nine years.

'Why, Gabrielle? Really? Just because of that one slap?'

He sounded so confused, like he couldn’t wrap his head around it.

'Yes. That slap was enough,' I replied firmly, without hesitation.

=====================

When Brian’s hand connected with my face, it took a second for my brain to process what had just happened.

The crack of the slap echoed in the air, and I stumbled back, my head spinning from the impact. At first, my left cheek just felt warm, but then the searing pain set in, spreading like wildfire.

I cradled my face, staring at him in utter disbelief.

Brian Robinson, the boy I’d known since we were toddlers, had just hit me—during a stupid argument with some transfer student—in front of the entire class.

For a split second, he looked as shocked as I was, but then his expression hardened again, anger and frustration twisting his features.

'Can you stop causing drama, Gabrielle? Sit down!' he barked.

A few kids stifled laughs, but most just watched in silence, waiting to see how this would play out.

Mae Parker, standing next to Brian, casually twirled a strand of her perfect chestnut hair and let out a bored sigh.

'Oh, Brian, come on. Can’t you see your little princess is about to burst into tears?'

Brian’s voice turned ice-cold.

'Gabrielle, if you’re gonna cry, do it at home. School’s not the place for your little tantrums.'

Shame, anger, and hurt surged through me, and tears spilled down my cheeks.

Amid the muffled laughter of a few boys, I bolted out of the classroom.

I didn’t know where I was going—I just knew I couldn’t stay in that room, couldn’t face anyone in there.

The truth was, Brian had always had a short fuse when it came to me, but this? This was a whole new level. And it wasn’t just that—it was the first time anyone had ever hit me like that.

Chapter 1

During a heated argument with my childhood friend, he snapped and slapped me across the face—right in front of everyone.

That was the day I deleted every trace of him from my life.

Everyone was stunned. Brian and I had been inseparable since we were kids. For as long as I could remember, I’d looked up to him, following him like a shadow for nine years.

'Why, Gabrielle? Really? Just because of that one slap?'

He sounded so confused, like he couldn’t wrap his head around it.

'Yes. That slap was enough,' I replied firmly, without hesitation.

=====================

When Brian’s hand connected with my face, it took a second for my brain to process what had just happened.

The crack of the slap echoed in the air, and I stumbled back, my head spinning from the impact. At first, my left cheek just felt warm, but then the searing pain set in, spreading like wildfire.

I cradled my face, staring at him in utter disbelief.

Brian Robinson, the boy I’d known since we were toddlers, had just hit me—during a stupid argument with some transfer student—in front of the entire class.

For a split second, he looked as shocked as I was, but then his expression hardened again, anger and frustration twisting his features.

'Can you stop causing drama, Gabrielle? Sit down!' he barked.

A few kids stifled laughs, but most just watched in silence, waiting to see how this would play out.

Mae Parker, standing next to Brian, casually twirled a strand of her perfect chestnut hair and let out a bored sigh.

'Oh, Brian, come on. Can’t you see your little princess is about to burst into tears?'

Brian’s voice turned ice-cold.

'Gabrielle, if you’re gonna cry, do it at home. School’s not the place for your little tantrums.'

Shame, anger, and hurt surged through me, and tears spilled down my cheeks.

Amid the muffled laughter of a few boys, I bolted out of the classroom.

I didn’t know where I was going—I just knew I couldn’t stay in that room, couldn’t face anyone in there.

The truth was, Brian had always had a short fuse when it came to me, but this? This was a whole new level. And it wasn’t just that—it was the first time anyone had ever hit me like that.