You Are Most Beautiful Through the Lens Chapter 5

That night, I got a text from Ethan.

"Hey, how was the dinner today?"

"How did you know?"

"Madison told me." He sent an awkward emoji. "She said the vibe was weird and asked if I posted those photos on purpose."

I paused. "You weren't doing it on purpose?"

"Half and half," he was honest. "The photos were really good, and I wanted to share them. But—"

He paused for a few seconds before sending another message.

"I also wanted certain people to know that you deserve to be treated like that."

My heart suddenly beat faster.

"Certain people?"

"Just that idiot who doesn't know how to cherish you."

I couldn't help but smile.

"By the way," he messaged again. "How's your UCSD interview prep going for next week?"

"Still preparing. A bit nervous."

"Don't be nervous, you'll nail it." He sent a 'fighting' emoji. "I have my interview next week too. Want to practice together?"

"Sure."

For the next week, Ethan and I video chatted almost every night, helping each other prep for interviews.

He was smart and funny, always able to say something to make me relax when I was tense.

Gradually, I found myself looking forward to his calls every night.

As for Tyler—his bombardment of messages went from dozens a day to fewer and fewer, until they stopped completely.

I thought he had finally given up.

Until the night before the interview, Madison called me.

"Skylar, have you checked Instagram?" Her voice was frantic.

"No, why?"

"Sophia posted a story—you better look at it yourself."

I opened Instagram and saw Sophia’s latest post.

A photo of Tyler lying in a hospital bed, his leg in a heavy cast.

Caption: "Some people would risk everything for you. Hope you see this. @SkylarHayes"

The comments section had already exploded.

"Omg, what happened to Tyler?"

"Heard he fell off a mountain trying to take photos for someone."

"Who is 'someone'?"

"Who else? Definitely his ex-girlfriend."

"That's so touching, getting hurt like that for an ex."

Then, someone tagged me directly in the comments: "@SkylarHayes Do you have no conscience?"

My hands started to shake.

Tyler was hurt?

Trying to take photos for me?

Madison's voice came through the phone. "Sophia is saying in the comments that Tyler went up the mountain in the middle of the night to shoot the Orion constellation for you, but he slipped and fell. His leg is fractured, and he might have permanent damage."

"She also said—" Madison paused. "She said Tyler takes birthday photos for you every year. You're turning eighteen this year, and he wanted to give you the most beautiful starry sky as a gift."

Tears suddenly fell from my eyes.

"Skylar, are you okay?"

"I—" My voice trembled. "I need to go see him."

I hung up and immediately booked the earliest flight back.

But just before leaving, I received an anonymous message.

"Don't go. This is Sophia's trap. Tyler is hurt, but not for you. Sophia asked him to go stargazing with her. Tyler didn't want to go, she pretended to twist her ankle, and he fell while trying to help her."

"Sophia is pushing all this onto you now because she wants you to feel guilty. She wants Tyler to hate you."

"Trust me. Don't fall for it."

I stared at the message for a long time.

Sender—Ethan Rivers.