20| lie

A N G E L O

It's been an hour and she had not answered.

Delivered but not read.

"You keep checking phone... expecting someone?" I look up to the source of the voice and sigh when I do. "She hasn't answered?" I shake my head, tiredly.

"She's probably busy," My eyes lock with hers. Not believing what had just come out of her mouth. Instead of her trying to drag her name into the mud, she was doing the opposite. This must be some joke. "Look I won't pretend that I like her. We all know that's true but I am a girl at the end of the day. Don't worry about it,"

"And since when have you sided with her?"

"Oh no trust me, I'm not siding with her. I'm just trying to ease your mind a bit," I arch my brow at this. "Why?"

She shrugs. "I don't know exactly but Angelo," her voice goes softer. "I'm not as bad as you think I am. I have feelings too."

"I'm only human,"

***

I feel uneasy as I see myself in front of the foyer. There's something in me that doesn't want to knock but I can't help but feel like it's no big deal. Yet the feeling inside of me says something different. Like something's off.

Have some respect!

What if her father is here? Then why am I even here?

Almost turning back, I remember why I came here in the first place. I wasn't wrong. I was only checking up on her. Just to see if she was okay or not. Was she though? I hoped so.

I raised my hand. Despite all the unanswered questions running inside head. The palm on my right hand is slightly sweating because of how I'm uneasy for no reason at all.

But it doesn't feel like nothing, my heart beats faster. I ring the door bell and just wait. If it were up to me, I'd be inside already.

It's like I'm expecting something. But what is it? Why can't I rest easy? Why am I reacting this way? Kelly's voice then runs in my head for the hundredth time.

"She hasn't answered?"

"She's probably busy."

Busy.. yes. She's probably busy and I'm over here being paranoid outside her door. Besides, she'd let me know. Whether it was sooner or later. I shake my head, preparing to leave once again but the door opens.

"Oh goody, look who it is," I catch a glimpse of Serine behind him. Shock and guilt all at the same time. She clearly wasn't expecting to see me like I wasn't expecting Alexander to be the one at the door.

A stranger feeling stirred up inside of me but I pushed it down, ignoring it.

That look, that was the look she had every time she had done something.

No, trust her.

Trust Angelo.

"Your little boyfriend,"

"Why the hell are you here?" I glare at him. "What, you don't know?"

"Alex, stop." Now it was her that I looked in the eyes.

Alex?

And what's worse is that she was trying to stop him from saying something. What though?

She avoids eye contact but I'm sure she can feel my eyes on her every move. She throws his bag to him and says he should leave. Alexander smirks, brushing hardly against my shoulder as he makes his way out.

Once the door is shut, silence falls. "Nothing happened," she says while packing away the books. "I didn't ask." I shrug, staring at her.

"Okay, I was just letting you know," an awkward silent then falls.

"Why didn't you tell me?" My voice is low but I made sure she could here. She pauses, carrying the two books in her hands. "I just- I didn't want to make a big deal about it,"

"C'mere," I hold her cold hands and she dropped the books onto the couch. "I'm sorry," she chokes out, looking down. "Its okay," I wrap my arms around her and she wraps her arms tightly around me like she didn't want to let go. Like there was more to it.

"Its okay," I whisper once again, securing her in my arms, hoping I'd never lose her.

***

S E R I N E

It wasn't okay.

All night I was busy thinking of what had happened. What should I do about this whole situation?

I'm on my bathroom floor, with the mirror showing my tragic reflection. I looked so miserable in the middle of the night. It seemed like I was trying too hard.

I didn't have to lie but I just didn't have it in myself to look him in the eyes, and told him I kissed another guy that wasn't him.

Or that he kissed me. Why justify myself? Would it save me?

How could I?

How could I have already hurt him without him knowing? How could I have let him kiss me? How could I have let him win with one kiss that Angelo might've witnessed.

Why did I let him have that moment?

Why didn't I slap him? Why hadn't I yelled at him? Had I gone weak?

Was I now a coward?

How could I have betrayed the only guy who loved me the way I wanted to be loved?

The answer was just that, I did it. I just did it.

The door opens but I don't even bother looking up. I ignore everything else around me. Arms warp around me and I cry internally.

I couldn't stand being me any longer, the situations and all my problems. A relationship that was pure in every way, to be ruined by one person I promised myself would not ruin anything, did it. With just a small thing. Already ruining a relationship I fell in love with.

I didn't deserve this type of comfort, especially from him.

Why Serine? Why did you have to ruin anything?

Now I had to confess.