Chapter four
Kierra's POV
I headed upstairs to freshen up and maybe grab something to eat before working on my projects I really don't even want to think about him right all I want right now is to sleep i just need a really really long nap,my head keeps banging as a result of too much crying I can't even play anymore because I'm pretty sure I'll only end up crying some more
"Honey you home... I heard mum say walking in locking the door behind her dropping the keys on the couch
Hey mum... I said my voice hoarse from too much crying
"Sweetie you okay you sound down what's wrong anything happen at school today
"No mum it's nothing I'II be fine
"Don't wanna talk about it... She said as I nodded my head in affirmation
"That's okay dear but remember I really don't like seeing you in pain dear... She said as I moved to hug her
"It'll be okay dear what's meant for you will always find its way back to you no matter what.. She added as I stared at her in shock because I don't remember ever telling her that I had feelings for Xander or anyone at that
"Kierra you home... I heard Xander's voice from outside as I was about to ask mum what she meant by that
*'I'II leave you two to talk now remember what said okay... She said before heading up the
Stairs
I really don't want to see him right now in afraid I'II break down in front of him I'm afraid he'll break the strong walk I've built up I'm afraid he'll see behind the smile and this whole facade I put up I can't see him right now
"Umm Xander I can't find the keys to the door... I lied talking through the door
"Ugh that's too bad I really wanted you to )meet Jennifer... He said as I imagined him smiling sheepishly while | sniffled
"Jennifer's here...I said before placing a hand over my lips as my body trembled in sobs
"Yeah she's in the car I've told her all about you and she can't wait to meet you I feel different about her usually the girls I would date would get jealous but Jennifer here is simply dying to meet you so please find the keys.
"Xander I can't find them... I said before shaking
"Xanderr I'm tired we'll see her tomorrow let's just go... I heard a voice from outside which sounded like that of an angel
"OK bye Bes... He said as I heard retreating steps
"Bye Kierra... heard her voice say before running up the stairs breaking out in sobs in the comfort of my room as my whole being trembled in pain The sun rays hit me hard and I realised I slept in the same clothes yesterday as my stomach rumbled probably because I wasn't able to eat anything as I slept off but strangely I found myself covered with a blanket the scent of sweet coffee hit my nostrils and when I looked to my bed side table I found a hot cup of coffee and a note
"I pray it's warm when you're up and if it is it means you're not late to school so get up your ass and get ready the coffee would help but please eat something before you leave oh and I dropped some tablets for the headache you might have courtesy of your bad day yesterday Love you"
Momma
"Love you too mum... muttered before sipping the coffee before taking my tablets then heading to the bathroom to freshen up and get dressed for school trying as much as I could to put yesterday's event behind me
It felt weird that Xander hadn't called to pick me up or at least asked me if I was ready. Usually, he would be the first one to wake me up with his annoying phone calls, which I secretly enjoyed. It made me feel irreplaceable, like I was someone he couldn't start his day without. But today, there was only silence, and that unnerving stillness made me reflect on things I had tried to avoid. I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my phone beep. It seemed I already had two unread messages before the one that had just come in. One was from Seth, the other from Maya, and the most recent one was from Xander.
Last night, in the midst of my tears, I had promised myself that I would try as hard as I could to erase him from my mind, to push him out of my heart for good, no matter what it took. Even if it meant I would end up getting hurt in the process, at least he'd be happy, and at least I would stop feeling this constant ache in my heart every single day. So right now, the smart choice would be to answer Seth's message first, even if my heart was pulling me in a different direction. I just had to do it.
"Good morning, Kierra. I really hope I wasn't dreaming last night when you said yes. If I wasn't, I promise you won't regret it," read Seth's message. A little smile made its way to my cheeks as I read the text, and I made a mental note to reply to him when I got to school. Better yet, I could talk to him in person. If Xander was going to honor his part of the deal, I supposed I should honor mine too. Besides, Seth seemed like a genuinely nice guy, so why not give it a chance?
Now, regarding Maya's message, it completely slipped my mind to talk to her yesterday. I had simply left after setting up their dinner. I felt a twinge of guilt for not checking in with her, especially since she was always there for me. I needed to make it up to her. After all, friends like Maya were hard to come by, and I didn't want to take her for granted. As I considered my options, I realized that this might be the perfect opportunity to reconnect with her and strengthen our friendship, something that had taken a backseat lately due to my emotional turmoil. Life was complicated, but I had to keep moving forward, focusing on the positives, even if they felt distant at the moment.
| Hey girly Morning * Hope you slept well
Maya
Sending her a quick reply I made to open up
Xander's message I wonder why his car hasn't honked at me to rush down the stairs or some thing and then it hit me what if something happened last night which is why he wasn't able to pick me up this morning and here I was answering Seth message first because of my stupidity when something could have occurred and my best friend needs me damn how stupid am I... I thought before opening up his message
"Hey Bes Umm I'm really sorry I can't pick you up for school today don't murder me yet I have a good reason for it you see Jennifer parents are out of town and so I just have to pick her up for school Bes please I swear it's only for today it won't happen ever I'll explain more in eschool I'm so so so sorry
Xander
I read out loud with teary eyes just a day that they've started dating and he's already picking her over me Tch.. He was right she's different I can't remember the last time Xander picked a girl over me he's never ever done that he always puts me first but Jennifer hasn't even been with him for a day and he's already had dinner with her kissed her and now he's taking her to school... I thought as a little tear drop made to fall but I was quick to wipe it off
No Kierra no more crying you're not gonna she'd any tear for him ever again you're only just a friend nothing more you'll be fine dad would take you to school that's all you get over him no matter what you'll stop loving him that's a promise... I said to myself
'Baby girl you up yet... heard dad say behind me "Morning dad... I said hugging him. While grabbing my backpack
Morning baby girl mum said to eat something you know but it's weird that
Xander hasn't come for you yet ....He said as my heart raced
"Umm Xander's not coming today I'll just walk to school or you can drop me off dad it'll be fine
"For nearly a year now Xander never comes late to pick you up did you guys have a fight awhy would he suddenly stop coming
'No dad we didn't have a fight he just needed to pick someone else today
Someone more important than you... He asked as he broke the camels back as I felt my walls crumbling
"You know what dear it's alright common I packed something for you to eat in the cat let's get going... He said as I heaved a sigh of relief pretty sure that I would have completely broken down if he asked any further questions
"Xander did what... Maya said jumping out of her seat while I explained everything during recess before lunch
By the time I got to school today all eyes were practically on me they were all used to Kander dropping me off so it was strange that my dad had dropped me this particular Wednesday and by first period the news of Xander and Jennifer had spread like wide fire everyone was talking about the girl who
Xander was so smitten over
Outside I pretended like I was affected by the rumors that Xander has gotten tired of me but inside I was broken and torn apart by him
I avoided him like he was a terrible plague because I was sure I would scream at him for choosing someone else over me we've been friends since childhood and he's never ever done that but barely a day they're dating he has gotten tired of me just like they said I can't bare to talk to him right now I just can't kept all my feelings bottled up all these years but lately it seems like he's slowly breaking that bottle he's slowly making me want to scream to the world that I'M IN LOVE WITH HIM
"Shhh Maya keep your voice down please
• someone might hear... I said making her sit down
"How can you expect me to keep calm after what he did to you how dare him yes he's your best friend I get it but he has no freeking right to treat you like trash kierra yes you love him and you can't stay mad at him he after this if you dare talk to him today I'll slap you silly across the face and knock some sense ihto you and Seth seems like a nice guy but seriously I really don't think it's fair to use him to forget about Xander kierra If you want to go out with Seth let it be because you want to not because Xander Thompson needs to get out of your head girly speaking of Xander no one is going to talk me out of this I swear I'm gonna kill him when I see him he has no right to leave you like that and who the hell does Jennifer think she is the car has space for more than one person right so why couldn't she suggest he pick you first before her Huh seriously girly you're too naive you have to learn to get mad at people you can't always accept all their shortcomings because after what he did today you better not be thinking of forgiving him so easily you better make him work for it or else I'lI make sure you get a really tight slap maybe then Your brain would be back to factory reset...She finished as I heard the bell for class
"Bye girly think hard about what I said and don't make any silly decisions you know I'II always look out for what's best for you muahh... She said blowing me a kiss before heading to class....
I had free period right now while Maya had a class same as Seth and Xander don't get me wrong I just happened to know his schedule for the day it wasn't like I was checking up on him or anything
I felt a bit pressed so I decided to head to the rest room before lunch then I won't be able to avoid Xander for any reason seeing as we eat together only this time I was pretty sure his little girlfriend would be at the table
*Look what the cat dragged in... Kate said behind me
• "Aren't you supposed to be in class or something... I said as she gasped in shock surprised at my outburst
I really don't blame her usually I would keep quiet and let her molest me and all rain curses on me all because of Xander but not this time because now they were not together anymore which means I was free to ado anything I want which means I can stand up for myself
"Wow you've grown balls I see too bad
Xander had to leave you before that is no surprise there
'That's funny you know because if I remember clearly Xander left you not quite long ago am surprised you can still show your face at school you know
"After what happened this morning am surprised you can still show your face at all..
She said smirking
"What happened this morning... I said before I could stop myself
Oh that's right you were missing in action since Xander was too busy with his new girlfriend I guess
"What's that supposed to me
"You should have seen the way they were all over each other at school. This morning
personally I think he's in love with her you know...
.. She said grinning
Oh that's good then I'm happy for him... I said trying to sound convincing
"You know what, Kierra, I really don't get why you hide your feelings for him. Oh, I know, maybe because you know that he'll never love an ugly duckling like you, right? Like I said, you might have broken us up, but the fact remains he'll always love you as a friend. Kierra, get that into your brain: you're just a friend, so stop hoping for something that isn't meant to be. You and Xander are not meant to be. Bye-bye now, have fun..." She said, walking away, swaying her hips as she went, while I walked into the restroom.
"Calm down, Kierra, you don't care; you really don't care. Her words won't affect you..." I muttered to myself, splashing some water on my face to wash away the remnants of her cruel comments. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself before exiting the restroom just as the bell rang, signaling the start of lunch break.
"Hey, Kierra..." Seth said, approaching me from behind.
"Oh, hey, Seth..." I replied, forcing a smile onto my face, hoping to shake off the heaviness that had settled in my chest.
"I knew I was dreaming last night when you said yes. You must have found it really, really creepy because of my messages this morning, which you didn't reply to..." he said, his disappointment evident in his tone.
"Oh right, I was kinda late; that's why. And no, Seth, you're not dreaming! I'd love to go on a date with you. Saturday night it is, right?" I responded, trying to inject some excitement into my voice.
"Seriously? Yeah, yeah, of course, it's a date! And about the party on Friday, I'd love it if you saved me a dance too..." he said, looking at me with those pleading eyes that made my heart flutter.
"I'd love to, Seth..." I said, grinning widely, feeling a surge of happiness replace some of the negativity that had threatened to consume me.
"Alright then, I'll leave you to it. I'll see you, umm, whenever I guess. It's a date..." I said, smiling once more as he walked away, leaving me buzzing with anticipation.
"You're going on a date with him..." I heard a cold voice behind me. Slowly, I turned to meet an angry Xander, and in an instant, the smile on my face vanished, replaced by a scorn of my own. The flutter of excitement in my stomach turned into a knot of anxiety. His piercing gaze felt like it was searching for answers that I wasn't ready to provide. The tension in the air was thick, and I could feel my heart racing as I processed the whirlwind of emotions swirling around us both. How dare he show up like this? And why did it suddenly matter to him who I chose to spend my time with?