I was curious and all but suspicious as to who leaked Alex's life-long story to Courtney. Nevermind that, who knew it in as much detail as I did in the first place?
Alex said he never told anyone and I believe that wholeheartedly. However, there is a very good chance that he may have slipped up sometime and not remembered it. The question then is who did he slip up to?
All these thoughts were running around in my mind since Sunday night. Now that Alex and I sorted things out between us, I needed to focus on the bigger picture. On the one question that nobody has the answer to.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I asked Nina to meet me at my locker early on Tuesday morning. I told Alex that I needed to do something and although he was curious, he didn't ask me. I didn't really want to tell him what I was doing since the topic of the whole school finding out his history is still a bit sensitive.
The minute we arrive at school, I kiss Alex goodbye and sprint to my locker where she's already waiting for me. The minute she looks up she gives me a wicked grin and gets up from where she's leaning against the locker.
"You ready?" I ask and she laughs, her head falling backwards.
"Damn straight."
I rub my clammy hands on my jeans and let out a nervous sigh.
"Relax, Sophie. She's not going to find out." Nina says, giving my shoulder a squeeze and a reassuring smile. I nod shakily, realising we need to get this over with.
"Alright," I start, both of us making our way to where Courtney's locker is. "When you bump into her make sure it's hard enough to make her drop her stuff. Speak to her long enough for me to swipe her phone and then we'll be out." I recap and she nods.
"What makes you so sure that there's something on her phone anyway?" She asks me. I don't really have an answer to that. Courtney wouldn't be dumb enough to discuss something like that over the phone, and if she was, she wouldn't leave the proof on her phone anyway. She'd delete it.
But maybe, just maybe, there's something else on her phone that she'd rather keep to herself and I honestly want to get my hands on that. I need to know.
"There's no guarantee but it's worth a shot." I answer just as we round the corner to where we need to be. My gaze zeroes in in the girl in black heels and a stylish shirt and skirt. I stop and grip Nina's arm. She gives me a devislish smile before she walks away and bumps directly into Courtney making her bag fall to the floor, the items inside sent scattering.
It all happens so fast and before I can even think of it, I run and swipe her phone that's lying on the floor beside her foot as she yells at Nina.
"Fuck off, Smith. People are allowed to make mistakes." Nina rolls her eyes as I move back to the other hallway, safely away from Courtney.
"Like your father and mother," I heard her respond before Nina spits at her shoes.
I make my way to the library where Nina and I agreed to meet after I got hold of the phone. I stand at the back in a dusty corner where nobody purposely wants to sit by. I look at the phone in my hands and admire how fancy and sophisticated it looks. The latest iPhone that not many people have been able to get their hands on is resting in my hands. I guess that's what you get when your daddy is a big business man.
I press the home button and it lights up the screen to a picture of a beach. It looks oddly familiar to the one she showed us when she came back from her exchange student program in Spain. I roll my eyes and prepare to go to her messages only when I realize I can't move further than the lock screen. Because of course she has a password.
How did I forget that?
I let out a load groan just as Nina rocks up beside me. "So?" She asks, coming to my side. I sigh and lean against the bookshelf.
"She has a password."
Nina looks at me incredulously.
"Well, duh. Why would she not?"
I groan and again and Nina lets out a laugh of disbelief.
"You didn't think of that now did you?" She asks and I shake my head.
"Her phone is basically useless without the password. We can't see anything."
"Maybe we could cut her finger off and use it to unlock her phone?" Nina suggests and I snort.
"We don't know which finger she uses. Knowing her it wouldn't be her thumb."
Nina laughs, "True."
I look at the useless device in my hand and internally kick myself for not planning this out better. We got so far and now we can't go any further all because I left out such an important detail. How could I forget about her password?
"Well this is of no use to us," I say.
Nina nods. "I'd put that away if I were you because once she finds out her phone is missing, she'll use that tracking app."
I sigh and nod, leaving it on one of the shelves since she'll be able to track it down.
We begin walking out of the passage when a 'ping' can be heard from the phone I just left behind. Nina and I both pause before I walk back to the phone and lift up, the screen now presenting a new message.
Unknown Number: I'll see you later. Love you.
My eyebrows raise in surprise as I squint at the screen. "What?" Nina asks me, walking up to my side and looking over my shoulder at the message.
"Woah. Who is the message from?" Nina asks and I shake my head, completely and utterly clueless.
"I have no idea."
Why is Courtney receiving messages from an unknown number? Who is the unknown number, anyway? By the sound of the message, Courtney obviously knows this person rather personally and clearly has some sort of relationship with them so why wouldn't she have their number saved? The one reason popping into my mind is that maybe she doesn't want that person saved on her phone.
"You don't think she's cheating on Logan, right?" Nina asks and I purse my lips.
"I don't know."
I take a picture of the message with my phone and then leave Courtney's phone back on the shelf before Nina and I shuffle out of the library.
If Courtney were to be cheating on Logan, I'm pretty sure that Logan would've found out about it. Who knows? Maybe this is just a long lost relative she's recently reconnected with.
"Courtney is a sneaky bitch." Nina mutters, the school starting to fill up. I nod, already having known this for quite some time now. Just as we reach the Rebels, I stop Nina in her tracks and give her a stoic look.
"Don't mention anything about this to anyone, okay? Not even the Rebels." I say and she frowns.
"Why?"
I purse my lips. "They'll ask too many questions."
She looks at me strangely before agreeing with my decision and keeping the discovery or speculation to herself. When we reach the Rebels they all cast us curious looks.
"Where were you guys?" Martin asks, just as Alex wraps his arms around my waist and pecks my nose.
"Solving mysteries," Nina says in a spooky voice although I can't help but laugh because really, that's exactly what we were doing.
****
I rest my head on my palm miserably as the Rebels all talk around me. The class before lunch was Chemistry and I got that test I didn't study for back. I failed.
"Cheer up," Alex says to me. "It's one bad grade."
I lean back with a sigh.
"My mom is going to kill me." I mumble and he kisses my cheek sweetly.
"She won't and you know that." He says. I sigh again and nod my head. Alex is right. My mom won't be happy but I don't think she'll kill me.
"I like this colour on you," I say and he looks down at his red shirt, a boyish grin making its way onto his face.
"I should wear it more often then, huh?"
I lean in closer to him, our breaths mixing. "You should," I mumble and he leans in closer, our lips inches apart.
"Keep it PG, please!" Christina calls out and Alex looks over to her with a smirk.
"What if I like it R-rated?"
"Then we're breaking up," I pitch in, my face scrunched up in disgust.
He gives me a look of disbelief just as the others cackle. "That backfired," Martin comments and I check the time on my phone. Lunch is nearly over and I decide that now would be a good time to use the bathroom.
"I'm going to the bathroom. I'll see you in sixth lesson." I tell Alex, quickly pecking his lips although he's still pouting.
"See you guys later," I call out to the Rebels as I head out the cafeteria and to the bathroom.
After peeing in the empty room I hear the bell, signaling the end of lunch, ring. I walk out the stall and wash my hands in the sink. When I look at my reflection, I notice my lipstick has smudged.
Why did nobody tell me?
I hate it when somebody does that; you have a piece of spinach in your teeth but they don't say anything. Instead, they watch you publicly humiliate yourself all the while you could have prevented it.
I wet a paper towel and dab at my cheek, trying to wipe the smudge alway although since it's a dark purple, it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I let out another groan just as the door to the bathroom opens and Courtney and Megan sashay in. They don't spare me a glance as they fix their makeup in the mirror. I try to ignore their presence although it's a little difficult to.
I try and hurry up, already being five minutes late for class, and eventually get most of the stain off my face. Only if you scrutinize my cheek can you really see a dash of purple. I'm about to dry my cheek when Courtney finally talks to me.
And damn I wish she didn't.
"You and Alex seem to be going strong," she comments, not looking at me as she applies a layer of lipgloss. I freeze.
"Oh, you thought we'd breakup after spilling his secret to the school?" I hiss incredulously. She shrugs, closing the cap of her lipgloss and giving me a fake smile through the mirror.
"I guess you're meant for each other." She says as we just stare at each other for a second.
"I would say thank you but since you don't mean it, whatever." I say and throw away the paper towels before clutching my backpack and making a move to leave the bathroom. However, she steps in front of me and blocks my way. I sigh.
"I don't blame you for liking Alex though," she says, going back to the mirror, clearing the way to the exit. The difference is that now I'm curious. Why does that simple sentence make my stomach knot in unease?
I raise an eyebrow at her in the mirror and cross my arms over my chest. "What do you mean?" I ask.
She giggles, as if she's innocent, and Megan shakes her head with a smile at me.
"He's a good guy. And I mean, he is great in bed. Amazing actually." She says and my blood runs cold.
"I would know and so would Megan," she adds and suddenly my face drops. My tongue feels like lead and my hands drop to my side.
"And Ashleigh," Megan pitches in. Courtney throws her bed back in laughter.
"Oh, and Ash. Gosh, I remember that night like it happened yesterday. Definitely one to remember. " She shakes her head, smiling as if reminiscing over the memory.
I didn't know what it would feel like having to listen to a girl brag about having sex with your boyfriend, but now that I do I really wish I didn't.
She closes her purse and turns around giving me a smile while Megan smirks at me.
"He's our leftovers, Sophie, but since you seem to like second-best so enjoy." She shrugs, walking away with Megan trailing after her while I stand in the bathroom, drowning in different emotions.
He slept with them.
He slept with the Elite.
He doesn't care about me.
I'm just another bang.
The same feelings that overwhelmed me in our last argument make a reoccurrence. The only difference is that this time I don't feel guilt. Not even a pinch of it. But anger? Well... that has surely made up for the guilt.
I walk out of the bathroom, my mind reeling in the discovery, my heart aching in hurt and my veins pulsing in anger. I don't know whether to cry or scream, maybe both. All I do know is that if Alex thinks I'm just going to be another one of his girls, he's dead wrong.
If I have to let him go to protect myself, I will. No matter how much it will hurt.
A stray tear slips down my cheek as I slip into class and suddenly it feels like the world is on my shoulders, crumbling.
****
I've experienced anger numerous times in my life. Like when Zoe would pull my hair or tease me, when my dad left, when my mom would try and force me to wear pigtails to school and when the Elite would use, mock or criticize me. But none, none, quite compared to this.
How dare Alex? Who the hell does he think he is?
Who the hell does he think I am?
His bubblegum flavour of the week? So that once he's bored of my flavour he can spit me out? That also confused me. Why has he being with me for so long then if all he wants is to get into my pants? He sure is desperate and adamant to score with me in bed.
All of these thoughts and emotions were what made me ignore him in sixth period. He tried talking to me but I didn't answer much and when class ended, I sprinted out of that place. That also lead to me telling him, over text of course, that I'd meet him at Sunny Smiles since I needed to discuss my Chemistry mark with that idiot. Of course this was a lie. I merely just wanted to avoid having to sit with him in the car, even for fifteen minutes, and have to pretend that everything is okay. Because it's not. It's so fucking far from okay right now.
It would have been easier to ignore him in general but no matter how hurt or mad I at him, I wouldn't do that simply because the last time he did that to me, I only broke more.
I also need time to think. Time to wrap my head around thid. I want to confront him and let him know I know about everything but I'm quite sure that if I do, I will be able to keep a lid on my emotions. I rub the upcoming headache from my temples as I sit at a round table in the library. The exact table where Thalia and I spoke decently for the first time.
I hear a ping go off from my phone and I read the message quickly, the anger and hurt I've being trying to suppress making an appearance again.
Alex: Are you sure you don't want me to wait, Princess? ;)
Usually I would swoon at his way of endearment but today it actually makes me feel sick to my stomach. It makes me hang my head in shame that I actually thought Alex was different; that he was different for me.
Me: Yes.
I put my phone back down just as another ping resonates through the room.
Alex: Are you okay?
Me: I'm fine.
He doesn't say anything after that. Maybe he realised I didn't want to talk or maybe he didn't actually genuinely care, and he just asked to make it seem real. That's what he has been doing the whole time, right? Everything felt real though. Maybe Alex will become an actor one day. He's certainly good at it.
Every moment up until now has seemed so real and genuine. It was like I had finally found someone worth my time and then I get to find out he's just playing me.
By the time I realize I need to go, I am positive I have a migraine brewing if I don't have one already.
I walk to Sunny Smiles, my shoulders slumped and my hair tossed into a ponytail in frustration. My heart is racing in anticipation of what is going to happen when I see Alex but I'm also trying to keep all the emotions that are swarming within me at bay.
When I enter the parking lot, I see Alex casually leaning against his car. When he sees me, he gets up from it and walks beside me as we make our way to the entrance of the children's home. I don't say anything and Alex doesn't either. But he keeps glancing at me.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"Nothing." I say through gritted teeth. He sighs before pulling me back by my wrist and sending me a disbelieving look. Suddenly, I am reminded of the day we had our first argument. Where we nearly broke up and moved on. Maybe we should've done that.
"Stop lying to me, Sophie. What's up with you?" He asks and I shrug.
"I said nothing. Why would I be upset?" I answer. I internally scoff at myself. He gives me an incredulous look.
"You've being avoiding me."
I scoff. "At least I haven't being using you," I mumble.
"Using you? What are you going on about?" He asks. Suddenly it's like he's flipped a switch in my brain and I just can't keep quiet anymore.
"I just want to know," I start sarcastically. "were they good?"
"Were who good?"
"You're fucking crazy if you think that doing all of this," I say, my hands gesturing to the space between us "is going to get me in bed with you." I snarl and all I can see on his face is confusion.
"What are you going on about?" He asks.
"I know what you're doing Alex!" I exclaim, my voice breaking.
"What exactly is that?"
"You just wanted to get with me. You don't really care!" I shout. Hurt flashes through his eyes but I cannot focus on that. I'm the one who actually has the right to be hurt.
"I'm not with you for that. I actually care about you, Sophie."
He makes a move to grab my hand but I step away.
I don't want him to touch me.
"Did you say that to the rest of the Elite?"
His face falls and he cocks his head to the side.
"Wha-"
"I know you slept with them, Alex. I know." I confess, chewing on my lip. I can already feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Alex's Adam's apple bops up and down and he purses his lips. I inhale a sharp intake of air. I always thought that girls in romance movies exaggerated when they cried about a boy. I was wrong. Because this hurts. Like an absolute bitch.
"Tell me it's not true, Alex. Tell me that they were lying!" I cry out.
"I can't!" He exclaims, his eyes burning in frustration. He sighs.
"Not unless you want me to lie to you,"
I laugh. "Like you haven't done that already." Before he can say anything I continue, the emotions overbearing. "I'm so stupid! So, so stupid!" I yell, shaking my head and pinching the bridge of my nose. "I can't believe I thought you actually cared. I can't believe I actually thought you changed for me!"
"I have!"
"No, you haven't! You're a player Alex! I should have known!" I scorn.
Anger flashes through his eyes.
"You're not the only one who's trying to break the label given to them, y'know. You want people to stop labeling you and yet here you are labeling me!" He shakes his head in disbelief.
"At least I never lied about my feelings towards you!" I quip.
"I didn't lie!"
"Yes! You did! You just wanted to get laid!"
He tugs at his hair in frustration.
"I care about you, Sophie! It's not the same with you!"
"How is it not the same? How, Alex? Tell me how!" I yell, my voice going softer as I feel the tears I've being trying to control, slip down my cheeks. I'm tired of yelling with so much anger.
"How?" I mumble, much softer this time.
As he looks at me cry, pain is evident on his face. Almost as if watching me cry causes him pain.
This time, however, is his fault I'm crying and I hope he feels guilty about it. Everything between us was a lie, a beautiful yet gut wrenching lie that he used to hopefully coax me into bed.
He groans and looks up to the sky while he tugs some more at his hair. I watch him, waiting for an answer. Any answer.
"I didn't love them!" He finally exclaims, his voice shaky.
"How is that of any use to me?!" I jeer in frustration at his useless answer.
"Because I love you!" He looks directly at me, his face blank.
"I didn't care if I broke their heart. I didn't love them, Sophie. But with you, damnit, with you I do! I love you, okay? I wouldn't want to hurt you."
It feels like someone punched me in the gut and I'm trying to grasp onto any air I can find. My mind is frozen and it's like the whole world has stopped spinning. Time is no longer existing and all that matters is the three words he just told me.
I love you.
It's a short sentence with a huge impact. Love. He loves me.
I stare at him, my tears no longer flowing and my mouth agape in shock. He stares at me for a moment before his eyes widen and, as if realising what he just confessed, he runs a hand over his face.
"Shit," He curses under his breath, shaking his head at himself before he turns around and tilts his head to the sky while resting his hand on his forehead. His back is now facing me and I can see how tense it is.
I scratch my mind for some coherent sentence but come out with nothing. I'm completely and utterly speechless. The atmosphere is filled with electricity but it feels heavy, dense and thick. I lick my chapped lips, my mouth extremely dry and I manage to croak out a few words.
"Do you mean it?" I ask and Alex freezes once more before he looks over his shoulder and then turns around to face me. He looks so vulnerable like this. He nods at me before looking at the ground and playing with some loose rocks with his shoe.
I gulp. "Well, I definitely love you more." I say, trying to sound humorous despite my emotional state. He pauses, his foot no longer pushing the rocks before he snaps his head up to look at me.
I was wrong. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I know how Courtney can manipulate and I fell for her tricks. I should have given Alex a chance to explain.
"What?" He asks, his eyes staring at me intensely.
"I said," I start. "I," I scratch the side of my arm "I love you too."
In two long strides, Alex is in front of me and cupping my cheek. His eyes travel all along my face and he smiles before I return the gesture. In a matter of seconds he's pressing his lips against mine, his one arm around my waist and the other cupping my cheek while I grip his shirt and pull him closer.
It's like a bunch of fireworks are going off in my stomach.
This is love. This is what love feels like.
The kiss is urgent, desperate, like he needs to kiss me in order to survive. It's not as gentle as usual as it's filled with a different type of passion yet it's still beautiful all the same.
I smile against his lips and he pulls back, "I would never do that, Sophie. I promise you," He whispers, his eyes searching my own to make sure I believe him.
"I know," I nod with a small smile. "I'm sorry,"
He smiles, "It's fine. I got to hear the most amazing three words anyway."
I chuckle. "What were they again?"
He smirks, moving closer to my mouth. "I... love... you."
I pull him in for another kiss and although I know that we're late for our shift, I can't help but laugh and giggle and kiss him some more because, well, I love him.
And he loves me.
For starters, how was that? Gosh, I think imma be single forever *sobs uncontrollably*
But to all those of you who are saying "they can't fall in love so quickly" please remember that they have liked each other for longer than they have been aware of so it's only natural for their feelings to grow. Also, I'm a sucker for romance so I couldn't not do this.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.
Quick Q: How do you feel about finding out he had flings with Ashleigh, Courtney and Megan?
By the way, we only have 8 chapters left. Excuse me while I sob.
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