Chapter 80: Chapter 80

~ IVY ~

Monday mornings were always a source of stress, especially when my timetable had a back-to-back block of math classes - calculus followed by chemistry.

This Monday was even worse, though, since our chemistry teacher was running late. A part of me was relieved, since it meant I could catch my breath after the marathon of mental math that calculus had been. Another part of me was frustrated - I had a lot to cover in chemistry, and I knew the teacher would make up for lost time by moving at a lightning pace.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the noise filling the classroom. I wished the class would quiet down. It was not like everyone's favorite subject, so why were so many people so early? I guess some of them were here to kiss up to the teacher, since she was known for her strict grading.

I put my hand to my forehead, a pounding headache shooting behind my eyes. I thought the aspirin I had taken that morning would do the trick, but it didn't seem to be enough. The headache had started after Romeo dropped me off at home on Saturday. I even told James that I was not feeling well, canceling the date he had planned for us on Sunday.

I had not told my best friend what had happened on Friday night. I didn't want her to yell at me, and tell me how dumb I was for following Romeo to his house.

Apart from the migraine which made me cancel the date with James on Sunday, I was also feeling guilty about what I had done on Friday night. I didn't know how I could face him. I even told him not to come over to check on me when he asked, because I knew that the guilt would be written all over my face. How could I look him in the eye knowing I had gone to the house of the person he had always warned me about?

I was broken out of my thoughts by a chorus of whispered voices buzzing around me. I forced myself to look up and see what everyone was talking about. There he was - Romeo - and I felt my stomach turn.

I quickly turned away before he noticed me, but it was too late. His eyes met mine, and I could feel my skin tingle with his gaze. His eyes flicked to the seat beside me, and I felt my heart sink. I forced myself to look in that direction, and sure enough, it was empty. I shut my eyes, wishing he would not choose that seat. Guess my silent prayers went unanswered, the dickhead decided to sit beside me. I forced myself to look straight ahead. I would just pretend he was not there. It should not be too hard.

I tried to sit still and pretend like Romeo was not beside me, but it was no use.

How could I pretend he was not there when his cologne was filing my nostrils and bringing back memories of the moments we've shared together - especially the intimate ones? How could I pretend not to notice him when his hair was mussed like that? I had to resist the urge to run my fingers through it.

I heaved a sigh of relief when my phone vibrated signaling a new message. At least I would have something else to focus on besides my thoughts, which had been running wild.

I reached for my phone and saw that the message was from James. My heart skipped a beat as I unlocked the screen and opened the message.

His message said: "I'll pick you up after school. I want to take you on a mini date, and I am not taking "No" for an answer. I have missed you,"

I chewed on my bottom lip as I typed a response. "Okay,".

I sent it, then put my phone down.

Just then, the chemistry teacher walked in and started the lesson without a word. Half an hour later, the bell rang for break. I felt relieved when the bell finally rang to signal the end of class. I was so hungry that my stomach was already making silent sounds. I began to tidy up my desk, making sure I had not left anything behind. I joined the stream of students leaving the classroom, heading towards the cafeteria.

I was walking down the hallway, scrolling through my phone when I felt a hand grab my wrist. I could smell his cologne before I even turned around. He didn't speak to me in class, so what did he want now?

I yanked my arm free, whirling around to face him.

"What do you want?" I snapped, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

Romeo bit his bottom lip, raking his fingers through his messy hair. I couldn't help but wonder how he managed to make something as simple as biting his lip look so alluring. And, why did he look so nervous and stressed?

I watched as he extended a white and pink envelope towards me. He still had not said anything. I frowned, looking up at him. My eyes returned to the envelope, and I reached out slowly and took it from him. I held it up to the light, studying the delicate swirls of the printed design, when I heard the sound of his footsteps receding down the hall. I looked up, but he was already gone.

"What is he up to?" I wondered, slipping the envelope into my bag.

People were starting to stare, and I could feel my cheeks getting hot. I hurried down the hall, away from the prying eyes of my fellow students.

As I entered the cafeteria, I saw my best friend already seated at our usual table. I could not figure out why she always arrived so early, but I didn't question it. I simply sat down and started eating.

I knew I should mind my manners, but at that moment, I just didn't care. I chomped down on my food, barely stopping to breathe.

Joey let out a soft chuckle. "Take it easy. You're going to choke if you don't slow down," She teased.

"Don't tell me to take it easy," I grumbled, taking a long sip of orange juice.

When I had finished my food, I looked up and met my friend's gaze. We burst out laughing, and I could not stop. We were laughing so hard that I thought my sides might split, until we were interrupted by a loud voice.

"Who let the hyenas in?" Samantha sneered.

"What do you want, plastic princess?" Joey retorted, glaring at Samantha. "Ivy is no longer with Romeo, so what's the matter?"

I took another long sip of orange juice, hoping that Samantha was not here because of the envelope Romeo gave me.

Samantha gave an evil grin."Ivy is not with Romeo anymore, but she followed him to his house on Friday night, even though she has a boyfriend. Is she that obsessed with Romeo?"

I clenched my hands into fists, my heart pounding as I looked up to meet Joey's gaze. She narrowed her eyes at me, as if she was asking if what Samantha said was the truth.

I dropped my gaze, ashamed of myself. I had betrayed my best friend.