Chapter 160

Chapter 160
Chapter 160

Cold morning

Alex pov

Why?That has been what had been in my head for the past twenty minutes. I had woken up from my restless sleep.I had woken to the cold reality of what had happened yesterday night.Luke was a cheater. And not just that, he was a liar.Everything was a lie. The moments and the words and concerns. It was just a way to accomplish his unknown goal. And to my surprise, I didn't feel the pain I felt last night. The sting was there, but it was like a scar of an old wound.It was almost like I was not bothered again. Not bothered with anything called love. And it kind of scared me a bit.My phone rang.Linda was calling, but I didn’t have the strength to pick, nor did I pick the calls of Luke that was persistently calling me throughout last night. I can't believe that he still have the guts to call me.I just wanted to go to sleep again. The thought of school was far away from me. But I didn’t have time to get the sleep I so much wanted.A knock came knocking on my door for the hundredth time throughout last night.“Go away mum” I shouted, my voice muffled by the duvet covering me. knowing fully well it was her at the door.“Alex, it's Linda, your friend is here to see you”I softened a bit, hearing that Linda was here. I opened the door to Linda, who immediately engulfed me in a hug.“You can let go” I tapped her, when the surroundings became awkward.My mother was still standing by the door, with a lot of things to say.“Mum, don't worry, I am fine”“Alex, don't lie to me,” she said, still standing at the doorway.“Mum, I am okay, at night I wasn't but now, I am fine.”And that was not a lie. Strangely this morning, I was okay. Just anger that had replaced the pain. Anger to punch Luke in the face.After much arguing and convincing. Even promising to eat in the morning, my mother left me. But I actually know that it hasn't ended there.“Young man, you are not fine, and I give you two seconds to start spitting everything out” Linda said immediately, my door closed.I rolled my eyes, st her drama. I already know that I can't keep the truth away from her. She would just get it out of me by force.I narrated to her everything that had happened yesterday. But making sure to leave the part of the music prodigy out. I don't know why, but I felt like it's not yet time to tell her.“Luke said those things?” She asked wide eyes,“Not really, but it was obvious, Linda, his face showed it all”“That bastard.” Her hands clenched into fists. I could see her anger simmering just beneath.“He did this to you, and now they all had the guts to laugh about it like it’s some kind of sick joke?”I let out a humorless chuckle. “I guess that is what I am. A joke. A big one.”Linda turned to me sharply. “Don’t say that.”“It’s the truth.” I looked down at my hands. “I tried to give love a go. I tried to open my heart to love.Not after my first encounter. And he…, ” my voice cracked. “He never cared.”Linda took my hand, squeezing it. “You deserve better than him. He’s a liar, a cheater, and an absolute piece of…” She stopped herself, exhaling sharply. “I just… I hate that you had to go through this.”I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”Her grip tightened. “It does matter. You’re allowed to be hurt, Alex.”I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”Linda’s brows furrowed. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”I shrugged, lying back on the bed. “And who says I am pretending.”She sighed, lying beside me, staring up at the ceiling. “I think you should take a break.”I turned my head toward her. “What?”“like school and everything.” She hesitated. “Maybe you should take a few days off…you know, just to clear your head.”I sat up, shaking my head. “No.”“Alex…”“I have to go. I think that is what I actually need.”She sat up too, looking at me carefully. “Wh?, i didn't exactly say that.”“Because if I stay here, I’ll just keep thinking about it. About him. About everything I lost.” I exhaled shakily. “I need to move on.”Linda looked torn. She bit her lip, glancing away, a habit I have known her for when she is upset.“What?” I asked, watching her carefully.She hesitated. “Nothing.”I frowned. “Linda.”She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It's just…” She trailed off, then shook her head. “Never mind.”Something about her expression made my stomach twist.“Linda,” I said more firmly. “What is it?”She met my gaze, and for a moment, I thought she was going to tell me. But then she shook her head again, plastering on a small smile.“It’s nothing. Just… promise me you’ll be careful today, in school, okay?”I frowned but nodded. “I will.”But something about the way she looked at me made me wonder…What wasn’t she telling me?It didn't take long for me to realise what it was she tried to hide from me.The moment I stepped into the school gates, I felt it. The stares. The whispers. The laughter.Everyone was consistently looking at their phones while pointing in my direction. Linda had a guilty expression.They weren’t even trying to be discreet.I understood why she didn't want me to come to school today. Every whisper, every chuckle and gossip was like a cold knife under my neck, revealing the cold reality of what had happened.“The love struck fool.”“An idiot, attention sucker.”“I am sorry, Alex. I don't know how, but the video has gone viral” she said softly.“Is this why you tried to prevent me from coming to school?” I asked,She nodded, looking down. “I could have just told you.”“It's not your fault, Linda. I am not angry that you didn't tell me. It was my decision to come to school”.I turned to go to my locker but on reaching there, everything. What I saw made me pause.Insults and photos of my crying face were plastered all around my locker.Words like faggot, and lover struck idiot, cock suckered etc was used to design my locker.My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms. My vision was blinded with pure rage this time. Whoever had done this would pay.I turned determination etched on my face.Then I saw them. The perpetrators.Luke and june.