The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat by Amira Sloane Vex 1 Summary
In the first chapter of “The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat,” the story unfolds on the day of the protagonist’s eighteenth birthday, amidst the chaos of high school life. Arielle Burnett, the new girl known for her boldness, publicly confesses her feelings for Lawrence Guthrie, only to be brutally rejected when he tears her love letter apart. This act of disdain sets off a bitter rivalry between Arielle and Lawrence, which quickly becomes the center of attention among their peers. The emotional turmoil intensifies as Arielle’s anger leads her to confront the protagonist, resulting in a humiliating experience that leaves her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
As tensions rise, Lawrence’s protective instincts emerge, showcasing a complex dynamic between the characters. He intervenes when Arielle corners the protagonist, revealing a darker side to his personality. His words about their past relationship and the implications of Arielle’s taunts create a chilling atmosphere, highlighting the emotional stakes involved. The protagonist grapples with the resurgence of her hearing, a gift that comes with the painful burden of witnessing the cruelty around her, while also questioning Lawrence’s true intentions and feelings.
The chapter delves into the protagonist’s past trauma, including the loss of her parents in a fire, which has left her with PTSD and a complicated relationship with Lawrence. Once a source of comfort, his presence now feels tainted by the rivalry and the emotional games played by Arielle. The protagonist’s struggle to assert herself culminates in a moment of defiance when she threatens to involve the authorities, only to be met with Lawrence’s dismissive attitude, further complicating their relationship.
As the chapter progresses, the rivalry escalates, with Arielle’s provocations becoming more brazen. The protagonist feels increasingly trapped in a web of manipulation and emotional turmoil, questioning her place in this chaotic dynamic. The tension reaches a climax during an exam when Arielle attempts to frame the protagonist for cheating, leading to a moment of eye contact with Lawrence that suggests an unspoken connection amidst the chaos. This chapter sets the stage for a tumultuous exploration of love, rivalry, and the search for identity in a world that feels increasingly hostile.
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**The City That Forgot Its Own Heartbeat by Amira Sloane Vex**
**Chapter 1**
The sun rose on the day I turned eighteen, casting a warm glow over the bustling high school that felt more like a battleground than an institution of learning. It was on this momentous day that Arielle Burnett, the new girl notorious for her sharp tongue and sharper looks, boldly declared her affections for Lawrence Guthrie in front of a sea of students, their eyes wide with anticipation.
With an air of cold indifference, Lawrence ripped her love letter into shreds, the sound of paper tearing echoing in the charged atmosphere. He didn’t even bother to raise his gaze, his expression unyielding. “You’re too filthy to be my girl,” he declared, his voice dripping with disdain.
Arielle, her face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation, lunged forward and grabbed my collar, her grip fierce and possessive. “You think this mute you like is so perfect? I’ll make her even filthier than me!” Her words were a venomous promise, laced with malice.
I stood frozen, my heart racing. “If you’ve got a death wish, go ahead and try,” I shot back, my voice steadier than I felt.
The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly as Arielle was officially reprimanded by the school authorities. They made her stand under the glaring sun at the flagpole, a punishment that seemed almost poetic considering her earlier bravado.
From that moment on, a bitter rivalry ignited between her and Lawrence, an unquenchable fire that would consume us all. She would frequently taunt me, trying to provoke him, and each time, he retaliated with equal fervor. Their feud quickly became the talk of the school, whispered in hallways and exchanged in furtive glances.
Then came the day when Arielle cornered me in a dimly lit alley, flanked by her friends, their laughter ringing out like a death knell. They tore at my clothes, capturing every moment with their phones—photos and videos that would haunt me.
Lawrence, eyes ablaze with a protective fury, stormed in like a tempest, dragging Arielle into the boys’ restroom as if he were possessed by an unseen force. “Go ahead, film all you want. I don’t care,” he spat, his voice low and dangerous. “You’ve seen and touched every inch of my body anyway. Last night when we were in bed, you agreed to let me do whatever I want with her, remember?”
Those words struck me like a knife, a sharp pain echoing in my ears—the first time since I was eight that I had heard voices from the outside world. But the implications of Arielle’s taunts sent a chilling shiver through me, as though I had plunged into an icy abyss.
It became painfully clear that Lawrence had developed feelings for Arielle amidst this twisted game of revenge and retribution.
***
“Arielle, I’m warning you—don’t push your luck!” Lawrence’s voice was a low growl, his fragmented threats spilling into the air, powerless and empty, only eliciting a peal of silvery laughter from her lips.
“Making me suffer? You mean torturing me in bed?” she teased, her tone light and mocking. “Lawrence, you’re such a bad boy. Does your precious Bev ever see this side of you?”
Arielle rose on her toes, wrapping her arms around one of Lawrence’s, her proximity invasive. The air thickened with tension, the moment hanging precariously as the sound of her ragged breathing filled the silence.
After a beat, Arielle’s voice rang out again, playful and taunting. “This round goes to you! Next time—what do you think I should do to her?”
Lawrence’s footsteps echoed as he replied, his tone icy and detached. “Whatever.”
I felt my gaze drop, the world around me blurring into an indistinct haze. I had never anticipated that regaining my hearing would come with such a heavy burden.
As Lawrence reached out to pat my head, as he often did, I instinctively dodged him. His hand halted mid-air, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Don’t be scared. I’ve already punished her. She won’t dare touch you again,” he reassured me, but his words felt hollow.
I’d heard those reassurances countless times before, yet Arielle’s relentless pursuit of revenge never seemed to wane. My thoughts drifted back to the past, to the long, slender fingers of Lawrence as they moved effortlessly through the familiar signs of American Sign Language, his expressions earnest yet distant.
When I was ten, a horrific explosion had shattered my world. In a desperate attempt to save Lawrence, my parents had perished in a fire, and I had witnessed their tragic end, a trauma that left me with severe PTSD. At its worst, I lost all my senses, drowning in a darkness that felt insurmountable.
The Guthrie family, driven by gratitude, sought treatment for me, and eventually, I regained my sight. Lawrence, in his unwavering support, learned sign language just for me. Back then, his devotion felt genuine, a beacon of light in my darkest hours. But now, looking back, it felt like a cruel joke.
All I could see were the fresh red marks on Lawrence’s neck, a stark reminder of the boy I once admired, now seemingly lost to me.
“I’m calling the police. I’m telling the teachers,” I declared defiantly, my hands trembling as I signed in the air, tears spilling down my cheeks.
“Lawrence grabbed my arm as I turned away, his eyes devoid of empathy. “I’ve already taken care of it. If Arielle gets expelled, she’ll have nowhere to go. And if this blows up, it won’t do you any good,” he insisted, his urgency clear but misguided.
I watched his signs, my heart sinking deeper with each word. His impatience grew as I remained silent, and he finally snapped, “I’m doing this for you. I’m only keeping Arielle in check because of you—otherwise, I would have given her a taste of her own medicine long ago! Enough. Stop making a scene. Exams are coming up—we should get back.”
Clenching my fists, I used the pain to ground myself. “Lawrence, you’re not doing this for me. You’re doing it for yourself. For Arielle,” I thought bitterly, feeling like a puppet on strings as he led me back to class.
Arielle sauntered in only after the bell rang, her entrance deliberate and poised. As she passed Lawrence, her fingers brushed against his shirt, almost intentionally, a flirtation that felt unsettling.
Halfway through the exam, a folded note landed at my feet, the suddenness of it jolting me. Arielle’s voice sliced through the air behind me, sharp and clear. “Excuse me, ma’am, someone’s cheating.”
My heart plummeted, instinctively turning to look at her. At that moment, my eyes locked with Lawrence’s across the room, the unspoken tension between us palpable.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the chaos that consumed our lives, I found myself standing at a crossroads, the weight of betrayal and heartache heavy upon my shoulders. Lawrence, once my steadfast protector, had become entangled in a web of manipulation spun by Arielle, his intentions obscured by the very darkness he sought to shield me from. Each confrontation, each taunt, echoed the painful truth that the boy I had once cherished was slipping away, lost to the very games we had vowed to rise above. My heart ached, not just for the boy who had promised to be my sanctuary, but for the innocence that had been stripped away from us both amidst the turmoil of adolescence and unrelenting rivalry.
Yet, as I stood there, trembling with a mix of fear and defiance, I realized that I could no longer allow myself to be a pawn in their destructive game. The time had come to reclaim my voice, to rise from the shadows of my past and confront the demons that haunted me. I would not be silenced by their cruelty or bound by the threads of their rivalry. With newfound resolve, I prepared to stand up for myself, ready to shatter the illusions that had held me captive. In this city that had forgotten its heartbeat, I would find my own rhythm, reclaiming the strength that had been buried beneath layers of pain and betrayal. No longer would I be defined by the scars of my past; I was ready to fight for my future.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension escalates in the aftermath of Arielle’s taunt, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotions and confrontations in the next chapter. With Lawrence’s protective instincts clashing against his growing feelings for Arielle, the delicate balance of their rivalry will be put to the test. Will he finally confront the truth of his feelings, or will the shadows of their past continue to haunt him? The stakes are raised as Arielle’s relentless pursuit of revenge threatens to unravel the fragile peace that Lawrence and the narrator have tried to maintain.
Moreover, the fallout from the exam incident will undoubtedly reverberate throughout the school, igniting whispers and speculation among the students. The narrator’s decision to stand up against Arielle could lead to unforeseen consequences, forcing her to navigate a treacherous social landscape where alliances shift like sand. With Lawrence caught in the crossfire, the dynamics between the trio will deepen, revealing secrets that could change everything. As the chapters unfold, expect heart-pounding confrontations, unexpected betrayals, and a journey toward self-discovery that will challenge the very essence of loyalty and love. The city that forgot its own heartbeat is teetering on the edge of chaos, and the next chapter promises to plunge us deeper into its tumultuous heart.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
