“Adaline, can you stay after class please?” Mr Khalid’s voice slices into my thoughts and I look up and just nod, disoriented.
When the bell rings, I make my way towards him after everyone else has left the class. His eyebrows are furrowed in concern, a pen twiddling in between his fingers.
He waits for a moment before he asks, “Are you okay?”
The question throws me off guard for a moment. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
His eyes narrow in disbelief. “You’ve been completely spaced out this whole lesson. It’s completely unlike you.”
“I’m fine, I’m just tired,” I repeat, trying to make my tired tone sound more normal.
He nods, but it doesn’t seem like he believes me. Well I just thought I should let you know I’ve sent your letter off and I attached a request to make you top priority when receiving an answer.” He turns his laptop around showing me the email. “So, expect a letter of acceptance in the next month tops.”
“Or a rejection letter,” I counter tiredly and the shock on his face is palpable.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I ignore his question. “Why did you send my letter off early? I thought you were waiting for the final exams?”
I mean, he made a whole big deal about me having to tutor Juliette until final exams, it’s the whole reason I’m in this mess in the first place.
A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I was always going to send the letter off Adaline, regardless of if Juliette passed or not.”
“So you lied?” I ask, confused and maybe slightly angry.
“Did I do anything wrong? Juliette is passing biology for the first time in five years, I have no doubt she’ll pass her final exams too.” His smug face is annoying, but I can’t blame him, he got what he wanted after all.
“Bye sir.” I turn on my feet ready to walk out before he calls out my name.
“Adaline.”
“Yeah?” I turn around, not even hiding my distaste.
“Did you learn anything about each other? Or was it just completely hell to tutor her?”
I smile a little before answering, “Complete hell …”and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
My hands run through my locks, trying my best to keep my tired eyes open as I walk down the hallway. It's the end of the day, I already told my friends I didn't want to hang out today. They've been worried about me all week, but I've tried my best to forget about Juliette and calm down. I didn't even tell them anything that went down with us and they've been polite enough to not dwell on it.
I just want to go home, get into my bed, and read a book—something sad—so I can wallow in whatever this feeling is.
That is, until I look up and see Alex hovering over his locker while pulling his belongings out. I wouldn't have even noticed him, but his locker is two lockers away from my own. Come to think of it, I haven't heard much from him this week either, although I texted him an apology a day after the party.
I was honest. I told him I liked someone else and I was using him to annoy that person. He didn't respond to the messages and I felt guilty, of course I did.
I stalk towards him and he's still too preoccupied emptying his locker. “Hey.”
He turns to me with a deep sigh. “Adaline.” comes his curt greeting.
“I just wanted to say…I'm sorry for—”
“I got your message. I know how sorry you are.” He slams his locker door shut. “There's no need to be sorry.”
There is. There absolutely is a reason to be apologetic. I led him on. Even if I went through with the threesome, I would have regretted it—I know that deep down I only wanted to piss Juliette off and when it worked…I didn't think about Alex ever again.
“I shouldn't have led you on,” I say, taking note of the fake apathy in his eyes.
He nods. “You shouldn't have, but it's fine. I've got bigger problems right now anyway.”
