The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat by Amira Sloane Vex
A Birthday Marked by Violence and Humiliation
On the morning of her eighteenth birthday, the narrator—Bev—begins a chapter of her life marked not by celebration but by conflict and cruelty. The setting is her high school, a place that resembles a battlefield more than a place of learning. Students move like spectators at an arena, hungry for drama and conflict, especially when it involves the school’s notorious personalities.
This particular day becomes unforgettable because Arielle Burnett, the infamous new girl known for her striking beauty and venomous personality, chooses to publicly confess her love to Lawrence Guthrie—one of the most respected, feared, and admired boys on campus.
Before the entire school, Arielle boldly hands Lawrence a love letter. The atmosphere turns electric, with everyone waiting for his response.
But Lawrence responds not with kindness or even neutral rejection—he tears her letter apart in front of everyone and coldly declares,
“You’re too filthy to be my girl.”
His words slice through the crowd like a blade.
Humiliated, enraged, and desperate to punish someone, Arielle grabs Bev’s collar and spits venom:
“You think this mute girl you like is better? I’ll make her filthier than me.”
Bev tries to remain steady despite her racing heart, retorting, “Go ahead. Try it.”
But this moment becomes the starting point of a disastrous rivalry—one that spirals out of control and pulls everyone into its destructive orbit.
2. Arielle’s Punishment and the Birth of a Feud
After her humiliating public confrontation, Arielle is punished by the school. She is forced to stand at the flagpole under the scorching sun, a sight that symbolizes her fall from arrogance to disgrace.
But rather than weakening her spirit, it intensifies her hatred—for Lawrence, for Bev, and for the humiliation she suffered.
From that moment, an intense rivalry breaks out between Arielle and Lawrence.
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She taunts Bev to provoke Lawrence.
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Lawrence retaliates harshly, unable to let her attacks slide.
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Their constant clashes become the hottest gossip in the school.
Everyone watches the war unfold, but Bev becomes the unwilling centerpiece of their conflict.
3. The Alleyway Assault and a Shocking Revelation
The feud escalates when Arielle corners Bev in a deserted alley, backed by her group of friends. Their laughter echoes ominously as they tear at Bev’s clothes, capturing everything on their phones. The scene is traumatic—humiliation, violence, and helplessness intertwine.
Before the situation worsens, Lawrence bursts into the alley, his anger burning like wildfire. His fury is protective but frighteningly intense.
He drags Arielle into the boys’ restroom and announces in front of everyone:
“Go ahead and film. You’ve touched every part of my body anyway. Last night you said I could do anything I wanted with her.”
These words crash through Bev’s world. It is the first time she truly hears spoken words clearly since losing her hearing at eight years old. But the meaning behind those words is devastating:
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Lawrence has been intimate with Arielle.
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Arielle willingly allowed him to use her to humiliate Bev.
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Their rivalry might hide a deeper, twisted connection.
In that moment, Bev realizes how little she truly understands about Lawrence’s relationship with Arielle—and where she fits into their destructive dynamic.
4. Hearing Returns with Trauma, Not Joy
Regaining her hearing should have been joyful, but instead, the first words she hears are tied to betrayal, violence, and Lawrence’s entanglement with Arielle.
Bev’s world collapses further when she overhears Arielle mocking Lawrence later:
“Torturing me in bed? You mean making love to me?”
Arielle’s words are flirtatious, mocking, and cruel. She wraps herself around Lawrence’s arm, invading his space. The tension between them feels almost intimate, like lovers caught in a chaotic relationship.
The revelation is painful:
Lawrence’s hatred and Arielle’s obsession are tied together by something darker—desire.
Arielle challenges Bev indirectly:
“This round goes to you, Lawrence. But next time—what should I do to her?”
Lawrence answers coldly: “Whatever.”
His indifference feels like ice.
5. Bev’s Pretend Safety Shatters
When Lawrence approaches Bev afterward and tries to comfort her, she recoils instinctively. His touch, once reassuring, now feels contaminated with lies.
He insists:
“Don’t be scared. I punished her. She won’t dare touch you again.”
But Bev knows better.
His reassurances sound hollow because she now understands the truth:
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Lawrence isn’t protecting her.
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He’s protecting Arielle.
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He’s protecting himself.
As he gently touches her head, Bev flinches—and he notices. For the first time, confusion flickers in his eyes.
6. Their Tragic History: Love, Guilt, and PTSD
The emotional bonds between Bev and Lawrence run deep, rooted in a tragic past.
When Bev Was Ten
Her parents died in a horrific explosion while trying to save Lawrence. That trauma stole her hearing, her sense of safety, and her childhood. She suffered severe PTSD, occasionally losing all her senses—sight, sound, and awareness.
The Guthries’ Guilt
Lawrence’s family felt responsible. They took her in, ensured she received the best treatment, and supported her recovery.
Eventually, Bev regained her sight—and Lawrence, overwhelmed with guilt and affection, learned sign language solely for her.
During those moments:
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He felt like her protector.
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She saw him as her guiding light.
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Their bond seemed unbreakable.
But now she sees it in a new light—maybe it was all duty, not love. Maybe Arielle awakened a side of him Bev never knew existed.
7. The Red Marks: Evidence of a Betrayal
Bev’s gaze catches the fresh red marks along Lawrence’s neck—Arielle’s marks. They confirm her worst fears.
The boy she adored is slipping away from her.
And Arielle is the one consuming him.
8. Bev’s Breaking Point: Defiance and Despair
Determined to fight back, Bev signs with trembling hands:
“I’m calling the police. I’m telling the teachers.”
But Lawrence grabs her arm, his eyes colder than before. His words reveal a complete shift in priorities:
“If Arielle gets expelled, she’ll have nowhere to go. And if this gets public, it’ll hurt you too.”
He no longer sees the world from Bev’s perspective. He sees her as:
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a problem to manage
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a burden
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a pawn between him and Arielle
His tone grows impatient as Bev refuses to sign anything back.
Finally, he snaps:
“I’m doing this for you. I’m only keeping Arielle in check because of you. Enough. Exams are coming up.”
His words cut her deeper than any wound Arielle inflicted.
Bev realizes the truth:
Lawrence isn’t protecting her out of love.
He’s protecting Arielle out of desire.
And Bev?
She’s just the silent girl trapped between them—nothing more.
9. Back to Class: Arielle’s Provocation Continues
In class, the toxic triangle continues.
Arielle makes her provocative entrance after the bell rings, brushing her hand across Lawrence’s shirt as she passes. It’s deliberate—territorial even.
She wants Bev to know exactly who Lawrence belongs to.
Later, during the exam, a folded paper lands at Bev’s feet. Before she can react, Arielle loudly accuses:
“Excuse me, ma’am! Someone’s cheating!”
Bev turns around instinctively, and her eyes meet Lawrence’s across the room.
His expression is unreadable—tension, guilt, anger, fear all mixed together.
Bev realizes she’s trapped in a battlefield where:
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Arielle wants to destroy her,
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Lawrence wants to control her,
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and she has no one left to trust.
10. Themes Explored in Chapter 1
Trauma and Vulnerability
Bev’s PTSD, sensory loss, and childhood tragedy form the core of her emotional struggle.
Toxic Love and Power
Lawrence and Arielle’s relationship is built on desire, sadism, control, and emotional manipulation.
Obsession and Jealousy
Arielle’s hatred stems from rejection and jealousy, while Lawrence’s actions stem from guilt, possessiveness, and a desire he won’t admit.
Betrayal
Bev realizes everyone she trusted—especially Lawrence—has betrayed her in ways she never imagined.
Identity and Conflict
Bev is growing from a silent, protected girl to someone who must fight for her own voice, dignity, and survival.
11. Closing Impact: A Chapter of Transformation
Chapter 1 closes with Bev’s world collapsing:
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Her hearing returns only to bring pain.
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Her protector becomes someone she fears.
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Arielle becomes a relentless tormentor.
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The past she depended on becomes a lie.
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The boy she loved is entangled with the girl who tortures her.
She is thrust into a world of:
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toxic romance
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psychological manipulation
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dangerous rivalry
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emotional betrayal
Chapter 1 sets the stage for Bev’s transformation—from a mute, traumatized girl into someone who must confront the darkness around her and reclaim her stolen voice.
