Plotting

That sounds nefarious, doesn't it?

I'm trying to work through a major plot point in the new story I'm writing, so any feedback I can get would be AWESOME!  And if not, it helps me to think out loud(ish) anyway.

So basically, my main character is going to face some betrayal.  She's scared and unwilling to trust people, so naturally her greatest fear/weakness is being betrayed by people she cares about.  But I haven't really decided how it goes down.

Scenario 1.

Crush is the betrayer.  She's never really trusted him to start with, and this would confirm all her worst fears, and break the limb that she went out on for him.  Definitely hurtful, but not much of a surprise. Also, this breaks down into subsets:

Scenario 1A

Crush is a MEAN betrayer, and he's playing my MC.  I'm not sure I like this, because I see him as much more likely to do scenario 1B.

Scenario 1B

With a smile an a shrug, crush admits, "This is who you always knew I was.  Can't help me being who i am." and he betrays my MC in a way that's not really MEAN.  It's just a little wicked.  Of course, then there's always....

Scenario 2.

Best friend is the betrayer.  Definitely an oh-no-she-didn't, didn't see it coming (because I didn't see it coming as the WRITER, and I would probably have to retool some of the story for this to work) kind of surprise.  Which, hey, I like shock value.  But I'm debating whether it's too harsh--like if you don't trust someone and then the girl who is supposed to be your best friend betrays you?  Ouch.

The thing I'm hesitating on is that there is a strong kind of sisterhood theme in the story so far, and scenario 2 would kill it.  But it would also establish great conflict for continuing the story later.

But it's so MEAN.

Even as I'm writing this, that oh so famous, iconic saying is creeping into my head: kill your darlings.  Oh, my poor MC, I think I'm about to break your little heart.   And then have your crush steal it back  ;-)