Chapter 23: Chapter 23

"And why would I listen to you?" I muttered, "I am not Dina, who you can sleep with and order around." It just slipped my mouth in anger, I didn't want to disrespect my ex-friend Dina, but the fact that she was with Steven, had bothered me so much that I have lost my sanity now.

"Wait, what did you say?" He mumbled, shutting his eyes in rage. I noticed his palms turning into a ball of fist and his jaw clenching. There was no shame in admitting that I've messed up.

"You heard me, don't even ac---" I was babbling again to make it seem as I wasn't afraid of him and that's when he interrupted by giving me a loud hush.

"You said it today, I don't want to hear it ever again," he growled, his voice louder and his eyes glaring at me as he would kill me. I was taken aback by his anger; he has never talked to me like that. I was used to hearing harsh words, but coming from Steven, they really hurt me. I get it, I was over the line with all the accusations on his beloved Dina, but I expected him to clear the misconception rather than hushing me.

"I just told the truth." my voice wasn't really commanding anymore, suddenly, I was afraid of him. Lowering my head, I tried to swallow the tears that had just been born.

"She is my friend, and I will never let anyone disrespect her." He continued in a threatening voice. Well, look at him being so defensive for her when he used to defend me before. I stared at his face while zoned out in my imaginary universe where I stood alone and broken. I couldn't believe the guy in front of me is the same person, who cared about me.

Where have you taken yourself Giselle, isn't it all your fault? my mind yelled, but I shut the thoughts immediately.

"UNDERSTOOD?" He yelled, shock hit me as my body startled and shivered beyond my control. I raised my eyes in surprise. A tear escaped my eyes and he saw it. The harshness from his face disappeared, but it was too late, yeah, I get it that everyone is important over me.

"Yeah!" I mumbled and my lip quivered as I tried not to cry. He watched my face in confusion and then lowered his head. He scanned the surroundings, probably thinking what else to say next.

"I didn't mean to ye---," his voice was soft again, but I was hurt, I was looking for a reason to cry after Tucker ditched me to drop Monica and Steven just gave me the reason. Why everyone takes me for granted? Am I doing something wrong? In the process of running after Tucker, have I left everyone far behind?

"It is okay. I understand now." I murmured, feeling miserable and alone and gently scratching the skin off my finger. I turned around, to begin with, my journey again, but my legs seemed to lose their strength with every step I took. I can feel him walking behind me and at this point, I didn't feel like being myself with him as well. His tone had made me act the same as I act with others around me. Maybe Lauren was right! I showed him the bold side of mine, maybe that's why he stopped respecting me. I reached home and didn't say a word to anyone. I was trying to act normal, but the fact that Tucker hasn't been home the whole day made me think if he was still with Monica.

I did my homework and everything, it was 8 pm and Tucker still wasn't home when I received a text from Dina, which I didn't expect but a part of me was scared to open it. The fact that she had texted me the same day I bitched about her character, I knew Steven told her everything. I gulped and opened her text.

Dina: You okay?

Was she really concerned or just laughing at me?

Me: yes! Thanks for asking.

Dina: Elle, listen! I don't know what happened between you and Steven but trust me he cares about you.

My eyes jumped out of their sockets and I re-read her message again. What the hell, is that a girlfriend selling her boyfriend? Didn't he tell her what happened? What did I say about her?

Me: That's nice of him, but I don't even know him.

That was me being very petty and annoyed. It is just like when nobody cares for you and when the only person does, you want more and more from him to satisfy yourself.

Dina: I just told you the truth, believing it is in your hands.

Me: Okay, thanks.

I wanted to ask her how was she doing but I didn't want to hurt or piss off Tucker. So it was good for me to stay away from the people Tucker hates. Besides, Steven had made his stance clear, so all I had left was Tucker, the person who has been my priority since day one.

I spent the night awake and Tucker never came back home. Being worried I was, I typed a text to him.

Me: Hey, is everything alright? Just checking on you.

I waited and waited, the carnival was in two days and even though there were slim chances of Tucker asking me to go with him, I still had high hopes. My cellphone beeped and my heart skipped a beat in enthusiasm.

Tucker: Yep!

What was that yep for? couldn't he write more?

Me: Thank goodness. So where are you?

I didn't wanna seem desperate, but I was literally acting desperate.

Tucker: Not at home.

Yeah, I knew this, but why was he acting like that? There was no point in texting him anymore, what if he gets mad at me for bothering him? Gosh! Why do I have to be so careful around people I know?

I laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, only if he asks me to go with him to this carnival I will be the happiest person alive. Also, I used to have fun with Dina at carnivals, but now that even she was gone, I felt alone. If Tucker doesn't take me with him, I will be alone and bored. Besides, Steven and I had organized the Dj system so it wasn't like we had to be present there while others with the food stalls had to stand in pairs.

....................

Tucker never asked me to go with him, I came alone in the carnival, feeling left out and bored too. After that day, Tucker was his usual self, busy and ignoring me. His mood swings and change of mind was getting to me now. Every day I thought we were finally close enough to be a couple, he took a thousand steps back. I wore simple blue jeans and a black tank top, had my hair opened and pink lipstick on. Regretting the way, I was ready, I looked around and every single girl looked like a Victoria secret model.

I stood in the corner, watching everyone giggling and enjoying. I saw Tucker walking with Monica towards the woods and as much as I wanted to follow them, I didn't. Everything around me went blurry, the only person in focus was Tucker, who never spared me a single stare. I was afraid of the woods and all his friends were spread around, if anyone sees me spying on Tucker, I am done. But why did they go into the woods?

I had slowly started to believe that I will die alone. I did so much for Tucker, left my friends, and changed myself, but he is still not mine. The thought of him being with Monica was twisting my stomach. He has spent too much time with her and he hadn't noticed me for four days.

"Wow! That's a nice idea for spending a good time." I recognized the voice, no need to turn my head around to recognize him. Steven stood by me and waited for my response.

"Yeah!" I answered, after how he reacted, there was no way I was going to be normal with him.

"Hey," he turned his body towards me while I kept looking straight, my eyes were feeling itchy as the tears kept appearing and disappearing with them, "I don't know what took over me that day, but I'm sorry." He apologized, he was known to be stubborn when it came to apologizing to someone. I swiftly swirled my neck to him and watched his face, his damn cheeks were red with cold.

"Don't say something you don't mean it." I retorted and rolled my eyes and looked away. Well, at least someone made me talk, it was nice to hear my voice. His body smelt of fresh breeze, evoking my emotions that I have suppressed.

"Of course I mean it, I know my tone was harsh and I'm apologizing for that only. I still stand with defending Dina and her character. Why would you attack some girl who is not even there to defend herself plus didn't you know her? How can you accuse her without even knowing her side of the story? " He ran over the words, looking around and using all his gestures. I was distracted by the blue of his eyes, but I pretended to be paying attention. The girls passing by were talking about us.

"Yeah, it's nice to see you care so much for her." I was annoyed, he kept talking about her. Why won't he just accept that he is dating Dina and leave me alone? Even in his apology, he brought her up.

What have you become Giselle? My mind snapped, but since when have I listened to my mind before?