Ava's POV
I couldn't focus in class at all. My mind kept wandering and l didn't even notice until Kylie leaned closer and whispered,
" Hey… are you with us?"
"Huh?" I blinked, shaking our of my thoughts.
" Why are you so absent minded? Or…are you still thinking about that bastard?". She asked, raising a brow.
" No", I replied firmly.
" Then why aren't you paying attention?" Her voice softened with worry.
" Well…uhhh, it's nothing ", I mumble.
" Is something bothering you that you're not tell me?" She asked again.
" What is there to hide?" I snapped without thinking.
" Really?"she said,her expression tightening with concern.
" So tell me…how do you know that guy?
Zane?"she asked,this time whispering like it was a secret.
My palms instantly went sweaty. My throat felt dry. I didn't know what to say.
What if she judges me? What if she called me names?
What if she saw me the same way Edward and Hailey did as the villain?
I completely forgot l was supposed to answer.
"Ava…is there something you're are not telling me?" Kylie's tone was different now serious,like someone's depended on it.
" You don't see me as your friend anymore?
You know l'd support you no matter what".
I bit my lip, unsure what to say. " Can we talk about this during break?".
"Ava, we're friends, right?"she asked again,but this time her voice cracked a little. Her eyes were glassy.
" Maybe we're not anymore", she added softly.
I hated how she was putting me on the spot. I wasn't ready for this conversation. But l didn't want to hurt her either.
" Look", I whispered, " I'll tell you everything but let's just focus on class first, okay?".
She gave me a pitiful look like a lot puppy and said quietly," l hope you do".
Then she turned her attention back to the teacher.
One hour later,it was break time. We decided to grab a coffee at the other side of the road.
" So..are you going to tell me now?" Kylie teased, nudging me.
" Relax. Let's get to the shop first. We can't be talking about this in the hallway", l said .
"Okay, okay! I don't know why you're nagging so much", she said , rolling her eyes.
" I'm not", I fired back with a little smirk.
We were still chatting when we reached the school's entrance.
And that when l heard a voice l haven't heard in a long time .
She was here.
Hailey.
And just like that,she stepped in front of us, wearing that usual smug look.
"Look who we have here", she sneered.
" Coping well, sweet cousin?"
What are you talking about?" I asked sharply.
" Oh please, don't act like clueless", she said , tossing her hands in my face.
Kylie immediately stepped in, "What? You thought she'd end up in a mental hospital cause she couldn't live without that jerk? Or maybe beg him to come back?"
Hailey glanced at her. " I wasn't talking to you",
"And l didn't ask for your drama", Kylie clapped back. But l get it ,you are the dog chasing after anything that shines".
Hailey's eyes darkened. " I wast her to answer.
Not you", she pointed,then winked mockingly.
" I might be a dog", Kylie shot back, "but at least I don't steal others boyfriends. And you know what's funny? You got the guy and still, you're here trying to check on the girl you hurt. Or maybe…you're after something else. Her charm? Her identity?
"Stup up!" Hailey shouted,her voice louder than necessary. People turned to look .
" Oh? Did l hit a nerve? My bad", Kylie said with a wicked smile "Maybe you should protect yourself before walking into the enemy territory".
With that, Hailey turned and stormed off.
Kylie just stared after her. " The audacity she has…."
And that's when l broked down.
I thought l was okay. I thought was over them.
But the truth was…I was still broken.
"It's okay", Kylie whispered, wrapping her arms around me.
And just when l thought things couldn't get worse,my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
Hey, it's Zane . Wanna grab some coffee?
I stared at the screen.
Where did he get my number?
Why does he want to meet?
We're strangers. This isn't right.
What does he want now?