Chapter 22: Chapter 22

BELLA

Jayden stared at me like he has seen a ghost and I felt like the ground will open and swallow me up. If looks could kill, he'd be sprinkling my ashes in the ocean tomorrow morning. I held my clammy hands together. "You know what, forget I say those words. I was kinda stressed out". He kept staring but said nothing. I sighed. I shouldn't have said it. "I will leave," I said and made to leave but he drew me back and before I could say a word, he locked his lips with mine and kissed me passionately. I froze. That was the least I expected from him.

Finger flicked through my face and I blinked back to the presence. It was just an imagination. The kiss wasn't real. I stared at Jayden who had flicked his fingers across my face. He frowned. "I have been talking to and all you could do is smile and say nothing?"

I rolled my eyes. "Sorry". I was sure that wasn't the right word to use but that was the only word that came out of my mouth.

He sighed. "I can't believe I will have to repeat every word I have said". He groaned. "I don't know when you fell in love with me. I don't even care. I don't love you. I can't love you. And I won't love you. This eat-out wasn't because I love you. It was just to tell you I was sorry for what I did. I can't believe you thought it was for love. Bella, you have to kill whatever feeling you have for me. It won't work. It can't work between us". He sighed. "I'm sorry" he said and left me standing.

I batted my lashes. This wasn't what I expected from him. Though I have been heartbroken before, I have never been rejected before. I blinked back the tear threatening to fall. I felt so embarrassed, even when there was nobody close by. I sniffed. I shouldn't have told him how I felt. I told Lucy it was a bad idea. I knew it wouldn't work out but she made me say it. Now I felt so miserable. I couldn't keep waiting by the roadside. People were passing by already and their looks were suspicious. I walked down to the sea be sat on the bench. "Bella, what have you done!!" I screamed as I let out the tears.

I hated myself and couldn't stop crying. I could hear the ocean purl and purr but I wasn't in the mood to listen. On a normal instance. I mean if I was in a good mood, I would have sat on the bench and let the ocean purl and purr while I threw my head back and listen to its murmur. But right now, the purl and purr of the ocean only made me cry more. I wished I listened to my mind, telling me not to read more into the invitation. If I had listened to my heart and not Lucy, I won't be here crying. I sniffed, my eyes were puffy and tired from crying. My headache badly too and I was beginning to catch a cold but I couldn't go home. I couldn't face the shame of telling Lucy he rejected me. I lay on the bench, eyes closed. My phone rang and I opened my eyes. I checked the caller and it was Lucy. I was so tired to pick her call so I dropped the phone. I closed my eyes trying to rest my head. I won't be leaving this place soon.

**

The slice of dull illumination gleamed at me and I opened my eyes. A silver light caught my eyes. My head ached and I groaned. It was almost dawn. I sat up and stretched. I must have slept off here, yesterday. I checked my phone and it was two minutes past 6 am. I groaned. I was shivering and my nose was kinda blocked. I picked my bag and stood up. I was feeling dizzy too. I picked a few steps forward and stopped. My legs were weak. I knew I wouldn't make it home alone. I had to place a call to Lucy. "Hey!!. Bella?"

"Yes, it's me"

"Where have you been?. I looked for you everywhere. I had to call Jayden too"

I sighed. "Can you come to the beach? I need your help"

"Sure. Are you ok?"

"I am. Please you should be fast". The call ended and I returned to the bench. I sat down to wait for Lucy. I was dozing off when I felt a hand touched me. I opened my eyes. "Lucy?"

"Oh, mine. Bella!!. Are you ok?"

I smiled wearily. "I am"

"You don't sound, ok. Bella"

I sighed. "I can we go home. I need some rest"

She nodded. "Sure"

I made to stand up but fell backward. Lucy held me. "Thanks" I muttered. "I am fine"

"You don't look fine. I will take you to the hospital"

"No, just take me home"

She sighed. "Ok"

She helped me to the car and we headed home. Getting home, Lucy helped me made my bath. I changed into a new cloth and sat on the bed while Lucy made chicken soup for me. She got some drugs for me too. "Lucy you should to school. I will be fine"

She rolled her eyes. "I can't leave you here alone"

I sighed. "I promise. I will be fine"

She sighed and stop up. "Promise me you will call me if you need anything"

I smiled. "I promise"

"You will have to tell me what happened yesterday. I was so worried"

I sighed. "Lucy. I don't think I want to talk about it"

She sighed. "If that's what you want. I will let them know you're sick"

I smiled. Thanks, Lucy. You're a lifesaver"

I watched her leave and I sigh. This is going to be a long day.

**

It was past 1 pm and I felt so bored. I was tired of sleeping cause my head hurts badly. My eyes were heavy from sleep and my temperature was higher than usual. I stood up to get something to eat so I could take my drugs. My mind shifted to what has happened between Jayden and me, yesterday. I sniffed. He was so heartless. Even if he doesn't love me, he shouldn't have talked to me that way. I sat on the kitchen stool and sigh. He didn't call to apologize either. It was like he does not feel remorse for what he did. How he had hurt my feelings. I stood up to prepare macaroni and cheese for myself but had a change of plan. I am not strong enough to do that. I return3d to my room and ordered pizza instead. A few minutes later, I had the buzzing of the bell and I stood up to open the door. I batted my lashes.

"W-hat... M-mother?"

She frowned. "What's wrong with you?". She held my face. "Oh, mine. Your temperature is high. You look lean. What have they been giving you to eat?. I am going to sue them to court. They don't know who you are?. Why will they treat you this way!!" My mom yelled.

I rolled my eyes. "Mom, please come in"

She stared at me. "As your sickness made you nicer?. To me especially"

I groaned. "Mom, please come in. I don't want attention been drawn to me". She hissed and walked past me. I peeped outside to make sure nobody saw her. When I was sure nobody was looking, I closed the door and followed her from behind. I can't risk people seeing her. If they do, they will know I am her daughter. I hate to accept the fact that I look more like my mom than my dad. I got my beauty and long hair from her but my kind attitude came from my dad. She suddenly stopped walking. She turned and frowned. "What's wrong, mom?"

Don't tell me you're living here"

I frowned. "Mom, this place is nice. I don't understand why you don't like it"

She hissed. "You're leaving this place"

I frowned. "I am not"

"You're. Except you want me to blow your cover"

I groaned. "You won't do that"

"Dare me"

I sat down. "Mom, please. I can't leave"

She frowned. "Because of that boy"

I batted my lashes. Don't tell me she knows about him. "What boy are you talking about?"

"Your student"

I blinked. How did you find out?"

She hissed. "I have my source. You think I will let you come here alone without having my eyes on you?"

I frowned. "That's not fair"

She hissed. "Thank goodness I did. Look at you?. You look horrible"

I rolled my eyes. "I don't look horrible"

"You do. You always do. Anytime your heart gets broken"

I groaned. "My heart is not broken"

"We will see to that". She stood up. "Get your things ready. We're leaving"

I groaned. "Mom"

"Answer me"

I sighed. There is no way I will make my mom change her mind. I just have to do what she wants.