Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Don't care about anything or anyone. Ignore people's stares. Pretend as if you weren't aware that their eyes were digging holes in your body. Act like a queen.

I kept mumbling those words to myself, wrapping my arms around myself. I was wearing a hoodie. Well, Romeo's hoodie. The one he gave me the other night. I didn't know why I chose to wear it. Perhaps, I just wanted to feel his presence with me. I felt safe like he was with me.

Today was warm yet I still felt cold. It probably has to do with the fact that my mother was pissed off with me. I hated when she is mad. The cold shoulders she was giving me were really depressing.

I have gotten myself a job already. Damn! I really despised working for Freya. Now, I will work for a month.

I bet I should be the saddest person in the world right now.

I noticed two girls behind me staring intensely at me. I should better brace myself for whatever is going to come. Surely, they were about to talk about me and my new relationship with Romeo.

I brought out a mystery novel from my backpack and started reading.

God! I wouldn't be able to read my new books anymore, because of my new job.

"Is that not Romeo's hoodie? So, their relationship is truly official."

I heard one of the girls mutter loud enough for me to hear. Here we go again.

They weren't even scared that I was close to them. Their audacity was giving it all.

"Yes. I can't believe this shit. I'm seriously in pain right now. Can you believe that she's wearing the hoodie I gifted Romeo?" Her partner blurted out, her voice was shaking.

I chewed on my bottom lips, running my hands through my hair. What kind of mess have I gotten into?

I was wearing a hoodie another girl gave my boyfriend. But, I thought he was the owner of the hoodie.

I felt like pulling off the hoodie instantly. But, I was only putting on a bra underneath.

I was glad that the biology teacher, Mrs Jenn, entered the class. I wouldn't be able to listen to their gossip about me and Romeo anymore.

I put the novel inside my bag and focused my attention on what the teacher was saying.

Mrs Jenn cleared her throat, getting rid of the murmurs in the class. "We'll be having practical biology. This time around, you have the right to choose any partner of your choice. I don't want to hear any excuses when you fail your project with your partner. Alright then, find yourself a partner." She announced.

I wish I was a little social. Maybe, it would be easy to choose a partner now.

I didn't know anyone in this class. I wasn't having this class with Romeo. No Xander or Samantha too. Speaking of Xander, it has been a long time since I saw him. I would look for him today.

Well, I was officially stuck. I should better wait till everyone finds their partner. I would surely find an anti-social human being like me.

"I like your hoodie,"

I looked up.

My mouth fell open. Joey. I thought we were still on bad terms with each other.

I glanced at the hoodie, as if it was my first time seeing it. Like I didn't wear the hoodie by myself.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out.

I know that was not nice. That shouldn't be the next thing to say. But, I didn't know how it happened. It just came out of my mouth.

Joey faked a smile, moving closer to me."You're my partner, I guess." She uttered.

My eyebrows furrowed."I didn't choose you," I muttered under my breath.

"You want me, darling." She said, shooting me a wink.

I scoffed. Deep down in my heart, I was happy that Joey volunteered to be my partner. I wouldn't look for an antisocial person like me anymore. It would be better to do the practical with someone I'm comfortable with.

What a relief!

"Y'all should excuse me for a few minutes. I need to talk to the principal. In the meantime, discuss with your partner about the project," Mrs Jenn said and walked out of the class.

As expected, the class became rowdy. I knew they would not talk about the project with their partner, instead they would gist about the school's latest gossip.

"Where can I get a hoodie like yours? I really like it,"Joey's voice jerked me out of my thoughts.

I had forgotten that she was standing in front of me. Oh! She had taken a seat beside me. Joey was definitely up to something.

I sighed."Stop pretending you don't know that this hoodie is not for me. It is Romeo's own. Guess what I discovered? A girl bought this hoodie for Romeo. And here I was, wearing the hoodie with pride bigger than anything." I rambled.

Did all these words just come out of my mouth? I was really pissed off about the fact that I was wearing someone's gift to my boyfriend.

Not that I was jealous or something, but the way the girl said it. I was hurt.

I think It was really stupid to give me a gift from someone.

Romeo sometimes behaves like a maniac. A handsome maniac.

Joey beamed a bright smile at me."Hey Ivy! Chill. Maybe he forgot that the hoodie was a gift. You - "

I interrupted her."I never knew Romeo is such a forgetful person,"

"Chill. Everyone makes mistakes. Romeo is not even perfect or close to perfect. You know what, talk to him about it. You can tell him to apologize to the girl," Joey advised.

I stared at my best friend like she was a completely different person.

I knew what I did. I called Joey "my best friend". Is she not my best friend?

I gave a half shrug. "Wait, when did you become so sensible? This is not the Joey I know." I said sarcastically.

"After I caused a misunderstanding between us. I'm very sorry, Ivy. It's all my fault. Can you forgive me?" Joey asked, her eyes pleading with me.

I chuckled."I think I love this new Joey. You can even admit when you're wrong. Who changed you?"

Her cheeks turned pink."Jake,"

"Lucky you!"

"Shut up. Now, gist me about Romeo. I told you both of you would end up together, didn't I?" She asked, giving me a wink.

I let out a loud hiss, pretending as if I wasn't happy.

"Whatever!" I mumbled.

I was grinning from ear to ear. Finally, I got my best friend. My period of loneliness has ended.

***

"I'm in the gym center. Come over. I have a surprise for you. I love you in case you forget."

I re-read Romeo's text for the umpteenth time as I was walking to the gym center.

I hated that I was going there. I knew that place would be filled with boys, talking about football.

I think it would be kind of cute though. Imagine sitting on my boyfriend's lap with his arms wrapped around my waist, while he was talking about football with his homies. I would be grinning from ear to ear, without knowing what they were talking about.

I thought I hated public displays of affection. What the heck was going on in my mind? Something was definitely wrong with me.

I heard the sound of the school bell, indicating that break was over. Luckily for me, I had eaten lunch with my best friend.

She brought my favorite meal to school. Obviously, she had planned to reconcile with me today.

I got Romeo's text when I was eating lunch. I wished he wouldn't be upset that I came late. Whatever! I was still mad at him about the hoodie drama.

I was disappointed when I got to the gym center and found out that no one was there. Not even a single soul.

I didn't want to think that time freaking Sparks was playing pranks with me.

I've had enough for today.

Lectures were ongoing in the class. But, I was here looking for a handsome jerk who is my boyfriend. My mother must not find out about this one. That would be a disaster. I bet she would punish me. Probably, I will spend the rest of my life working at Freya's restaurant.

I brought out my phone and texted him, asking for his whereabouts. I was beginning to feel frustrated.

"Ivy Young,"

I heard a familiar voice behind me. Not my boyfriend's.

I turned. I smiled nervously when I saw that it was Xander.

This guy was always looking cute. That should be a crime. He should be arrested for having a cute face.

I wasn't simping for Xander, by the way. My boyfriend was cuter.

"Hey Xander," I smiled.

"Looking for your boyfriend?" Xander asked me.

My hands squeezed into fists. The news got to him too. Why was I surprised? Almost everyone in this high school knew about my relationship with Romeo.

I didn't know why but I kinda felt nervous that Xander knew. Maybe it was because he was interested in me.

"Well, yeah." I replied to him.

Xander nibbled on his bottom lip, moving a few inches to me. We were so close to each other, that my breasts were almost touching his chest.

I looked at him, wondering what was on his mind.

"I thought I had a chance to be your boyfriend. I guess I lost to Romeo Sparks again," Xander uttered, picking his words one after the other. His eyes were filled with hurt.

"I.. I don't k.. know," I stuttered.

"Just tell me the relationship is a new dare,"

He was staring into my eyes. I swallowed a gulp down my throat. He was hurt.

I shook my head." It is real,"

Xander took a deep breath. I could see that his hands tightened into fists.

"Forgive me for what I am about to do. I can't help it. It has been on my mind since all these days,"he said.

My brows snapped together. "What?"

Before I could guess what he was about to do, he sealed my lips in a kiss.

Xander Cullen kissed me.