It feels like my world is ending at an excruciatingly slow pace. I’m watching my universe implode into a thousand fragments one frame at a time, leaving nothing but embers and destruction behind. I think I hear someone call my name, but I don’t stop, making a beeline for the exit. I’m halfway to the door when a warm hand clamps around mine, holding me back.
“Aveena, wait!” a husky voice blurts.
I pivot to see Xav staring at me, blue eyes gleaming with a mix of rage and pain I’ve never seen before. I study the vicinity. Students of all grades are fully immersed in the confessions, passing the copies amongst themselves like it’s Hollywood gossip.
Laughing at the absolute worst moments of my life.
No one is looking our way, not that Xavier seems to give a flying fuck about people catching us holding hands. Seeing him standing there with his eyes full of regret…
I can’t keep the floodgates closed any longer.
Yesterday, I was living a fairy tale. This morning, I was a girl who’d finally gotten the guts to kiss the guy she likes. A lone tear rolls down my cheek, and Xavier winces, dabbing the tear away with his thumb.
“Vee, I…” He opens his mouth to speak, his voice breaking, but no apology could ever make up for what’s befallen us.
The damage is done.
We both know it.
So, I give him one last look, take back my hand, and do what I should’ve done from the first time he answered my letter…
Run.