Chapter 26: Chapter 26

"They were mad because they saw me with you," I said it and closed my eyes, why was it so easy to talk to him?

"What? What the f***, tell me the name." he kept on insisting, and then when I didn't make eye contact with him, he silenced, staring at me blankly. "are you ashamed of being seen with me?" He whispered, hoping I would say something that will make him feel good but how can I when I was myself so hurt?

My silence gave him a hint and he continued to ask me, "Do you want me to stay away from you?" He inquired in an utter, he sounded hurt too. He was waiting for my answer and I took a minute to answer him.

I felt my throat getting dry, the strength leaving my feet, but I had to do it. I had to answer him. Sid came and stood behind him, he was intrigued about our conversation.

"Yes!" I nodded instantly, taking too much time, but not thinking about how stupid my answer was. I swiftly lifted my face and our eyes met, he was silent, hurt, and disappointed. He lowered his eyes, Sid gritting his teeth and stepping forward to bash me probably, but Steven tapped the back of his hand on Sid's chest, stopping him from proceeding into a debate.

He wasn't the only one hurting, I was too. Even though his care melted my heart, but the family I lived with would never accept me befriending him. Steven turned around and walked away as fast as he could, while Sid shook his head in disgust and followed his friend. I stood there for a few more minutes, thinking about all the stupid decisions I have taken in my life and yet haven't learned from any of them.

I walked to my class and took my place, raising my head a bit to only see Dina and Sid sitting together and whispering into each other's ear. I lowered my eyes and minded my own business for the rest of the period. I will be honest that I wasn't present in the class and every teacher mentioned it too, as I was the topper, they definitely were nice to me, but I couldn't get out of Steven's eyes.

I bet Tucker and his friends saw Steven is getting embarrassed in front of everyone and they were happy about it. What have I done, I should have asked him for some time rather than pushing him away. It was also strange that pushing him away was affecting me this insanely more than Tucker ignores me.

I heard the bell ringing and before anyone would get up, I grabbed my bag and ran out of the class. Marching hastily, I bumped into none other than Tucker, who seemed like had again changed his mind, with a smile on his face, he stared at me.

"I was coming for you," he smiled, knowing Steven was standing a little away from us, of course, watching us from the corner of his eyes. "I feel like we need to put aside our differences and---," Tucker was using his charms again, but as I said, my eyes were at Steven, I interrupted his words.

"Can we talk later, please, I am in a bit hurry," I mumbled, leaving him in a state of disbelief and shock, he definitely never thought I will be having more important things to do than following his orders. Now he wanted to talk? I remember how hurt, he was mentioning Monica and Dina betrayed him to please Steven and now he was happy because I insulted Steven? Steven began walking away and I ran after him to match my pace with him.

"Steven?" I yelled from afar, my voice making him stop pacing. He didn't turn, but I knew Tucker was watching us in shock or whatever he was feeling.

"I didn't mean what I said earlier," I said, regaining my breath and making loud noises as I gasped for air, Sid and Dina slowly approached us, wondering what was going on. "I am not ashamed of talking to you or being seen with you, Steven." I finished and he turned around quickly. His beautiful eyes stared into mine and shine sparked in them.

"You sure?" Steven's smile came back to his lips and satisfaction filled my veins, Dina and Sid smiled and I noticed Sid elbowed Steven playfully.

"Yes, I am," I stated, waiting for his response. Steven lowered his head and ran a hand through his shiny hair while both Sid and Dina began laughing in relief. I saw Tucker getting pissed from the corner of my eyes, but I don't know why I was not ready to let go of Steven even when I was ready to risk everything in the world for Tucker, why couldn't I let go of Steven for him?

Ken patted Tucker's back, who hasn't looked away for a moment, but Tucker shrugged it off angrily.

"Want a ride?" Steven smiled, eyeing at his bike. I know Tucker was expecting me to say no, but I was more than happy to join Steven. I mean earlier in the morning Tucker kicked me out of his car and left me behind on the road and specifically told me to ask Steven for a ride, so he shouldn't get upset.

"Sure!" I smiled and then my eyes averted at Dina, who to my surprise was smiling too. I thought she would be pissed, we all walked together towards Sid and Steven's bike and Dina jumped behind Sid on his bike. It was a weird matching pace with Dina after so much went down between us. I might not show it, but I was guilty of abandoning her when she needed me the most.

"You made the right decision girl." Dina winked and slowly wrapped her arms around Sid's waist. Sid started the bike and they hit the road. I was completely astonished that she was so nice to me. If I was her and had been accused of those things, I would have never been nice to her. Yup, I wasn't her, I would just pretend to be this nice and forgiving person while she had those qualities in real.

"They are you know," Steven smirked and shook his head, I raised my brow to hear him say the rest, but he was busy in mending his jacket, "kind of a couple, taking it slow you know." Steven finished and sat on his bike. What? Dina and Sid, so what about Dina and Steven? There was surprise after surprise.

"You coming?" Steven smiled again, it was so comforting when I was with him, I didn't have to pretend to be someone. I passed back a smile and perched behind him. He dropped me at my home and stepping inside I found the surprise of my life in the name of Ivory. Of course, she had to ruin my mood. Every time I was seen by Steven, this devilish girl had to poke her nose.

"Stop using him." She stated, I was confused who did she meant by him, her brother, or Steven? But why was she so concerned about Steven. It's not like Steven belonged to her, they have never even talked before.

"Okay, I will." I shrugged my shoulders and climbed the stairs to my room. I knew she was agitated at my response, but Steven has that impact on me. Every time I am with Steven, I act like myself, savage, and even stupid, but someone with dignity and self-esteem. Wow! It felt good.

Being with Steven gave me so much confidence and so many friends, I didn't have to be insecure or walk on eggshells around the orphans, most importantly around Steven.

It was all fine till midnight when I heard my stomach rumbling like a hungry beast. I walked downstairs and grabbed a sandwich, walking back towards my room when I saw Tucker sitting on the stairs with his cell phone.

"Umm ehm!" I cleared my throat to get his attention, he was blocking my way. He extended his leg to the one stair above me and I jumped, taking a step down.

"Tuck!" I stated, he was doing it on purpose. I was about to drop my sandwich because of him.

"Tucker!" He corrected me, so he was pissed. He had his veins visible and his jaw clenching. Not gonna lie, he looked good, but I've been in this place before. He had always led me on and then left me in the midway.

"Can you please move aside, I need to get to my room," I said very humbly, trying not to mess with him at this time when he was looking for an excuse to spit his anger on me.

"I did in the school," he gritted his teeth and raised his face, his eyes were red with tears. He was teary because I chose to talk to Steven over him or because it hurt his ego?

"I am sorry for that, but right now I need to go to my room." I looked down, it was still hard to see him like that, why was my heart doing this to me? I thought Steven's friendship was all I wanted, but looking at Tucker, my feelings had started to drive me crazy.

It was just this unachievable desire to be with him. I have always dreamt of it, I wondered how amazing it would feel to be his girl. Keeping my feelings aside, I remembered how he treated me and only rushed to talk to me when I slammed Steven away.

"You didn't even approach me later; you didn't hear what I was about to say." He demanded eye contact and it was this moment that I realized he was not okay, he wasn't here to talk only, but his plans were a little different.