ter

ra's

want to think about him right now. All I want is to sleep. I just need a really, really long nap. My head keeps bang

she walked in, locking the door behind

d, my voice hoarse

ound down. What's wrong? Anyt

's nothing.

it?" she asked gently.

I really don't like seeing you i

or you will always find its way back

ember ever telling her I had feelings

voice from outside just as I was ab

member what I said, okay?" she whis

of him. I'm afraid he'll break the strong wall I've built up. I'm afraid he'l

he keys to the door," I lied

to meet Jennifer..." he said, and I imag

efore quickly covering my mou

t to meet you. I feel different about her. Usually, the girls I date ge

d them..." I repeate

rrow. Let's just go," I heard a voice

aid, and I heard their

.." I heard h

in sobs in the comfort of my room

ly because I hadn't eaten anything before falling asleep. But strangely, I found myself covered with a blanket. The

ss up and get ready. The coffee will help, but please eat something before you leave. Oh, and I d

om

the tablets and headed to the bathroom to freshen up and get dressed fo

me up with his annoying phone calls, which I secretly enjoyed. It made me feel irreplaceable, like I was someone he couldn't start

lready had two unread messages before the one that had just come in. One w

d-to push him out of my heart for good, no matter what it took. Even if it meant I would end up getting hurt in the

Seth's message first, even if my heart was pulling

't dreaming last night when you said yes. I

ot to school-or better yet, talk to him in person. If Xander was going to honor his part of the deal, I su

g up their dinner. I felt a twinge of guilt for not checking in, especially since she was always there for m

orning ☀️ Hope

M

reply, I finally ope

ething happened last night? What if he wasn't able to pick me up? And here I was, answering Seth's mes

I thought, before rea

d reason. Jennifer's parents are out of town, and so I just had to pick her up for school. Bes, please

an

ion. Just one day into their relationship

e. He'd never, ever done that. He always put me first. But Jennifer hadn't even been with him fo

ped, but I was qui

nly just a friend-nothing more. You'll be fine. Dad will take you to school, and that's all. Y

p yet?" I heard D

aid, hugging him whil

, you know. But it's weird that Xander hasn't

I'll just walk to school-or you c

late to pick you up. Did you guys have a

fight. He just... needed

he asked, and that broke the came

t in the car. Let's get going," he said, and I heaved a sigh of relief, prett

ng out of her seat while I explained ever

e off that it was strange to see my dad doing it this particular Wednesday. And by first period, the news of

ed by the rumors that Xander had gotten tired of

e'd been friends since childhood, and he had never, ever chosen anyone else over me. But barely a day into dating

, it feels like he's slowly breaking that bottle. He's slowly m

-please. Someone might hear," I s

t he has no freaking right to treat you like trash, Kierra! Yes, you love him and can't stay mad at him forever, but i

him to forget about Xander, Kierra. If you want to go out with Seth, let it be

? The car has space for more than one person, right? So why couldn't she suggest he pick you up first before her?! Huh?! Seriously, girly, you're too naive. You have to learn to get mad at people. You can't always accept all their shor

st as the bell

ly decisions. You know I'll always look out for what's best for y

, while Maya had class-

ow his schedule for the day. It's not lik

I wouldn't have to avoid Xander later-especially since we usually ate lunch togethe

dragged in..." Ka

class or something?" I asked,

blame her. Normally, I would keep quiet and let her say whatev

ich meant I was free to do anything I wanted.

Too bad Xander had to leave you before

der left you not too long ago. I'm surprised you can still

, I'm surprised you can show your

orning?" I asked befo

in action since Xander was too busy

upposed to mea

ach other at school this morning. Personally, I

appy for him," I said, tr

ght? Like I said, you might have broken us up, but the fact remains he'll always love you as a friend. Kierra, get that into your brain: you're just a friend. So stop ho

he restroom, my

words won't affect you..." I muttered to myself, splashing cold

before stepping out of the restroom just as th

eth said, approach

ng a smile onto my face, hoping to

ve found it really creepy because you didn't reply to my messa

, Seth, you weren't dreaming. I'd love to go o

e party on Friday... I'd love it if you saved me a dance too," h

aid, smiling genuinely f

whenever, I guess. It's a date," he said, smiling as

e with him?" came a co

stant, replaced by a scorn of my own. The flutter of excitement in my stomach twisted into a knot of

storm brewed between us-unspoken words, shattered

e show up

t matter to him who I ch