Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Two weeks had passed since my breakup with Romeo, and I was still coming to terms with my new reality. I had come to terms with the fact that we were no longer an item, our history was now a thing of the past.

I was over him. There was no doubt in my mind that I had moved on. Well, I couldn't deny that I still had some feelings for him. He was my first love, and it wasn't easy to let go of the memories and feelings I had for him. But, I was not the Ivy who acts awkward or out of character around him, I had let go of that childish act.

Romeo didn't come to school often, his attendance was inconsistent. When he came to school, he usually kept to himself or trained with the soccer team.

There were a lot of rumors swirling around him. Some people said he had impregnated a woman, and others said he had taken a job. No one knew the real story.

I could sense something was troubling him, but he didn't confide in me before our relationship ended.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, I was thinking about him again. I should be eating, it was lunch break.

"Should I wear a black or red dress to the party, Ivy?" Joey questioned, jerking me out of my train of thoughts.

I lifted my shoulder in a half shrug. "You asked this yesterday, Joey. You know my answer hasn't changed. I think the red dress is better," I replied.

It was Friday, and a big party was going to happen tonight. Students from other schools were even going to be there. Joey had been talking about the party all week. Her boyfriend and I were both tired of hearing about it.

I had decided to go to the party as well. Joey convinced me though.

Well, I even had a date - James asked me to go with him. I figured it would just be as friends. We were just friends.

"Jake suggested the black dress would be sexier," Joey muttered, and then to her boyfriend, pouting her lips. "Should I wear the red dress, my sweetheart? I think it's better."

Jake took a deep breath and forced a smile. He was obviously tired of his girlfriend's frequent questions.

"You look good in anything, baby. But I just thought the black dress would be especially stunning on you. You can just wear whatever you feel most confident in." He said.

Joey's pretty face lit up as she reached for my boyfriend's hand and held it gently.

"You're the best, honey." She cooed.

I also smiled. Joey and Jake were so happy together, it was a beautiful thing to watch. They had certainly faced challenges, but they always stuck together. I hoped their happiness would last forever.

I smirked. "Oh, please. Enough with the lovey - dovey stuff," I said, interrupting their moment.

"Maybe, you should try your luck with your human gôogle," Joey teased, giving me a sly wink. "You two would make a perfect match."

"Nah, we are just good friends." I said, chewing on a mouthful of pancake.

"Just friends don't look at each other the way he looks at you." James chimed in.

I stared at James for a moment. It was amusing to think that, despite my being his friend's ex-girlfriend, he was still comfortable with shipping me with other guys.

The corners of Joey's mouth tugged upwards, giving a big smile."Exactly,

baby," She grinned.

I lifted my shoulder in a shrug."You're both reading too much into things." I muttered under my breath.

I didn't want to consider the possibility that James had romantic feelings for me. Yes, we spent a lot of time together and he was a great friend. But, I thought it was best to keep our relationship that way. At least, for the time being.

Just as we were getting into our conversation, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break. I had a chemistry practical coming up, and I knew it was going to be stressful.

God, school sucks!

Joey hissed."Well, it looks like our lunchtime chit - chat is over. We don't have the same class, I guess we will talk later, Ivy," She uttered.

"That is right. I have a chemistry practical now. I'll see you guys later. Bye!"

I waved at them and headed out of the cafeteria, making my way to the chemistry lab.

The stares and whispers had finally subsided. I was no longer Romeo's girlfriend, so people weren't as interested in my life anymore. It felt good to be able to walk through the halls without the curious stares and whispers. It was a relief to feel like I could just be myself again.

"Ivy, please wait."

I heard a familiar voice call my name and turned to see who it was. My eyebrows furrowed when I realized it was Xander calling my name.

I couldn't even remember the last time we had spoken after what happened between us, it had been months, at least. I wondered why he was talking to me now, after all this time.

Xander approached me, chewing his bottom lip. "I'm really sorry, Ivy. I'm so sorry for everything I said and did. I was wrong." He apologized.

For a moment, I was too stunned to respond. It has been long since he'd spoken to me, I hadn't expected him to apologize.

"What do you want from me?" I blurted out.

His voice was soft, almost pleading."Please, just forgive me. I know I was wrong and I'm so sorry. I want to make things right between us."

I shrugged. "Alright. I forgive you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I forgive you."

The corners of Xander's mouth tugged upwards, as he held out a small box towards me."Please, take this as a sign that I'm sorry. It's a gift to show you that I mean what I say." He rambled.

It all seemed so suspicious to me. Why would he bring me a gift after all this time? It didn't make any sense. I wouldn't accept his presents.

"I think we should continue this conversation later. I have a practical now." I turned and walked away quickly, hoping he wouldn't follow.

"I will send you a private message." Xander yelled after me.

"I won't reply." I almost yelled back.

*

When I arrived at the chemistry lab, the teacher was already there, preparing for the class. As soon as I took my seat, he began explaining the terms we would be working with in the practical today. We were going to be divided into groups and work on the practical with our group members.

The teacher began to split the class into groups. He made me the leader of my group. I was so absorbed in studying the chemistry textbook that I didn't even notice when someone sat down beside me.

I heard a low, deep voice beside me."Are you submitting the chemistry workbook today?"

I recognized that voice immediately, the voice that always made me feel weak in the knees. It sent shivers down my spine and my heart fluttered.

My hands squeezed into tight fists. I tried to ignore the tingling sensation that crept up my spine. I looked up slowly to meet his gaze. As our eyes met, I felt a jolt of electricity between us. His forest green eyes were still as piercing as ever, still making me remember the countless memories between us.

I fluttered my eyelashes rapidly. I was over him. I shouldn't feel this way.

"I don't know yet." I replied to his question.

Romeo nodded his head silently, his eyes breaking from mine and looking elsewhere.

I felt like a creep. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I noticed he kept touching his head and groaning in pain. I felt something was wrong with him.

He groaned again, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Are you okay?"

I didn't even realize I'd spoken until the words slipped out of my lips.

"Do you even care?" He asked back without looking at me.

His words hit me like a slap in the face. So much for caring about him.

I was about to blurt out rude words when he interrupted me.

"I don't think I'm okay. " Romeo murmured.