Chapter 124 Why?

Chapter 124 Why?
Jasmine’s POV

I stare at the phone, my hands sweaty and clammy while I struggle to believe what is on the screen.

After blinking repeatedly, and trying to catch my breath, I look at Xavier’s face to be sure he’s seeing what I’m seeing, and he is.

Because his face is all scrunched in disgust, and what looks like anger.

I take a deep breath before re-reading the first text to myself.

Don’t you think Jasmine doesn’t really belong to your league?

For her to send a message like this as far back as many months ago, that means the friendship never meant a thing to her.

I have always been deluded into thinking we were best friends, sisters from different mothers.

You aren’t really her type, Xavier. Don’t waste your time.

The second text reads.

A huge lump forms in my throat, and I swallow hard, skeptical about continuing, but I do anyway.

The third one was sent a few days after the previous two.

Figured you didn’t check my text, you must be really busy. Anyways, was just pulling your leg.

Did she really think anyone would fall for that? That anyone would believe what she said earlier was a joke?

The next text is a photo, and I instantly raise a brow. Why is she sending him a photo?

I click on it, and it’s one secretly taken of me. My hair was really messy, and I looked drained, with a little caption beneath it that says,

You seriously fell for this?

Now that I have painstakingly gone through half the texts, I look up for a breather.

Oddly, I’m not disappointed, or surprised, but I won’t deny that I never expected this from her.

We already had our falling out, and she shocked me with the things she said, but texting this to my boyfriend while we were still on good terms is what I can’t wrap my head around.

What exactly was the aim?

Did she even consider that if Xavier had seen these texts and shown me, our friendship would have ended right then?

Or was that the goal all along?

The fact that she didn’t even ease into it, instead going straight for the words.

Just how much resentment had she harbored for me? And why exactly?

“Are you sure you want to continue reading?” Xav asks, his tone soft and careful.

I nod in response, tapping on the screen to look at the photo one last time, before continuing.

The fifth text came a month after the fourth, like she simply refused to take the hint and stop.

Can we see? Jasmine doesn’t have to know.

What exactly gave her the audacity to invite someone who was clearly ignoring her texts?

Replacing Chloe with Jasmine is a dumb move, by the way.

Now she’s texting like a high schooler. Is this really Bella?

I run my hand through my hair before smoothing it down, like the gesture would calm my racing nerves.

My hand hovers over the seventh one while I read it word for word.

Fine. I like you. Can we see?

Something shifts inside me after reading that one.

Have I been so blind not to notice? Or does she just perform so well?

“What the fuck.” Xavier mutters behind me. I’m guessing he just read it too. “How were you even friends with this girl?”

I don’t answer, and I try to ignore my pounding heart while I read the last one.

I get it. It’s always going to be her. Goodbye, Xavier, and tell her I said sorry in advance.

This one was sent a week before the final exhibition, and for a short moment, the world goes silent.

Then it finally dawns on me, the truth I’ve been trying so hard not to believe.

Her final text was a warning before she destroyed my painting.

I gulp, my chest tightening and burning immensely.

“Princess…” Xavier starts, tilting my face until I’m looking at him. Worry dances in his eyes, and I hate that I have been the reason that look has been on his face for a week.

“It’s fine, okay?” He assures, and I nod.

“Now tell me that you will be okay.”

“I will be.” I breathe out, clenching and unclenching my hands. “Here you go.” I say, handing him back the phone.

“I’m sorry I didn’t check these texts sooner.” He renders, his hand tracing my cheek. “A lot could have been avoided if I had.”

“It’s not your fault.” I clear my throat, trying to find my voice. “I’m glad things turned out this way.”

A look of surprise flashes through his features and I smile.

“What is the guarantee that I would have gotten signed even after submitting the previous painting?” I ask, more to myself. “What if this was part of the greater picture?”

Now I sound like Xavier. His optimism must have finally rubbed off on me.

“Everything I went through made this worthwhile.”

I don’t care if it looks like I’m giving a speech right now, but I truly want him to believe that I’m okay, because I actually am.

Before I can say anything else, Xavier pulls me into a hug once again, and I can’t help but inhale every bit of his scent.

Graduation is in two weeks. I might as well act like she isn’t there.

And honestly, I don’t feel like asking her my thousand whys anymore. All I have to think about right now is how to explain everything to my mom without hurting her.

She really loved Bella, and trusted her so much.

But I guess if I can go through this and make it out, then she should be able to as well.

Other than that, I want to know how the interrogation turned out.