EHEHEHEBFIRST CHAPTERRRRRR (tw violent coughing/flower sickness)

Here it issss: Eplolauge Jadens pov I can remember it clearly like it was yesterday, when I first met her. When I never saw any of this coming. Before I started to cough petals like I was in a horror movie. I remember how Kate would joke around about her being my girlfriend when she wasn’t around. Then, the petals started, and I drifted away. I can’t let anyone see me like this. So I cough into my sleeve, and I force fake happiness. But the story changes when I’m alone. When I’m alone it’s petal after petal, cough after cough. It’s only been a week and I feel like in dying. But I never tell anyone, because I’m afraid. But people are catching on. Ange looks at me different. Kate stopped teasing me. Adam is the only one who hasn’t noticed anything. Ange is sweet about everything, but I know she’s worried, but how do I tell her? She’ll tear herself apart. she’ll blame herself, and I don’t want to do that to her. Ch 1 Jaden's pov…… wtf am I doing Two days later later… picked up the toast and turned it over like it was guilty of betraying me. The bite cracked under my teeth and was dry as stale leaves. Copper bitter on my tongue. Only rose petals could make something taste so... haunting. Ange’s voice drifted across the table. You’re pale. You’re slipping away—let me pull you back. “Jaden… do you feel okay? You’ve been coughing a lot, you’re distant... pale.” My lungs tightened, every inhale a knot. Tell her. Just one word and she’ll see how wrong everything is. But guilt twisted around that impulse—I can’t drag her into this spiral. “It’s just allergies,” I lied, trading truth for the faint curve of a smile. Her brow knit. “It’s winter. You—you don’t get allergies now.” She’s right. Except I know what lives inside me. My chest felt alive with vines squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. “I-I uh it’s-” Her eyes flared, frustration laced with fear. “I’m worried about you, Jaden. Just tell me. i-“ The desperation slipped in corners of her voice. “I-I-Im ok, Im fine.” Air escaped in a sharp rasp. I’m fine. But the words felt foreign, borrowed. I‑I’m ok. I forced my throat to work, voice strangled, hoarse. She stared at me for longer than felt safe. “I want to help... but only if you let me.” She paused, softening. I nodded. She turned, pulled on her coat, left. The door shut softly behind her footsteps. I was alone again—except I never really was. In the mirror, I looked unmasked. Pale. Rings under eyes as deep as crater shadows. Of course she wondered. I look like death. I decided I would keep masking it until someone found out via force (likely Kate). I could still feel the roses in my lungs. I could still feel the pain, it’s getting worse. That was a lot lmk if u want the next chapterrrrrr or explanation of any character bc I deleted the first 4 chapters bc what the wattpad. Uh yea ange is the one Jaden is falling for. Kate is Jaden’s twin sister, and Adam is the magical, logical, bi-in-the-closet best friend. :) it gets more and more depressing so if it’s too much for u no hard feelings it’s rlly sad and a angsty so if u don’t like it I understand :) anyway thx for reading!