chapter 29

Love Me Again - John Newman

This chapter is dedicated to Marzzeee99 for all of the votes. Thanks!

Walking back down Wellington High's corridors was not fun, to say the least. After a magnificent week away, I dreaded coming back to school. I didn't want the week in London to end.

The trip was full of surprises that I thoroughly loved. The biggest surprise being me kissing Xavier.

I still can't believe I did that. Me, the girl who vowed to not go after a player, lost her first kiss to one.

It was worth breaking the vow though.The kiss was blissful. Our lips had molded perfectly together and sparks practically flew around our heads. It still feels like his hand is gripping my waist as I fisted a chunk of his dark hair.

We had kissed slowly and passionately but with urgency. Eventually, we had to break apart for oxygen.

He had pressed his forehead against mine as we both savored the moment.

After the kiss, Xavier had taken me home; we had spent the last days in London sightseeing with my parents. However, introducing Xavier to my dad probably wasn't the best idea. My dad was very hostile towards Xavier, openly showing his dislike towards him.

On the other hand, my mom was very welcoming. Showing her happiness that I had met a guy. It was honestly embarrassing.

Every time I made eye contact with Xavier, my cheeks would turn a deep scarlet color after recalling the kiss. So, when we departed ways on Saturday evening, I was grateful that I could at least spent the whole of Sunday with normal colored cheeks.

And now its Monday again, which means school. I haven't spoken to Ren and Cora since they told me Xavier bunked off of school. At least now I know why he wasn't in school.

He was on a plane, coming to me.

I also haven't seen Xavier since Saturday. I don't have his number so I have no way of contacting him.

A part of me is excited to see Xavier again but another is a bit hesitant. After kissing, we didn't talk about it or show any more advances. I have no idea if he still feels whatever he feels for me.

So seeing him at school, I don't know if I have to go back to me hating him or do I continue with how we were acting in London?

If we acted closer, I'm afraid of what Stacy would do. She clearly wouldn't like it, at all.

Sighing mentally, I go to my locker. I should probably find Cora and Ren first; tell them all about the trip. I'm sure their dying to know more about Jules. Telling them about Xavier may be a problem though. Their reaction would be exciting, especially when I tell them that we kissed.

I put the books I don't need yet in my locker and put the ones I need in my bag.

"Anna, thank god." Ren breathes out, startling me. She literally just appeared next to me.

"Hey." I smile at her. But when I look at Ren's worried expression, my face turns to one of concern. "What's wrong?"

"Its Cora." Ren briefly answers and I frown. What's wrong with Cora? When we video chatted, she seemed fine and happy.

"What's wrong with Cora?" I hurriedly ask her, anxious for my best friend.

"She— " Ren cuts herself off, biting her lip. "Its better if Cora tells you, I'll take you to her."

With that, Ren grabs my hand and drags me through the busy corridors. The whole time, my heart is pounding in apprehension.

She leads me to the girl's bathrooms and slams the door open. Pulling me in, I'm met with a  teary—eyed Cora.

Her once bright red hair looks dull as it's messily been put into a bun. Her blue eyes now look lifeless, her eyes puffy from the crying. I have never seen Cora like this before, not even when her dad died.

My heart breaks for her.

I rush over to her and engulf her in a hug. Right now, she needs to be comforted, no matter what she says. Ren joins us in the hug as Cora silently cries, her shoulders shaking.

We stay like that for a few minutes, until calms down a bit. She's the first to break the hug, rubbing her eyes.

"What-what happened?" I reluctantly whisper. I don't want to upset her more by having to explain her state but I terrified for her. I have to know what's going on.

"D—Derek ." Cora stutters, a sob escaping her. I wrap an arm around her shoulder and give it a full squeeze, letting her know that I'm here for her.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to Cora. Just know I'm here for you." I mummer.

"I—I want to." She sniffles. "Derek and I went on a date Friday night and it was great. T—then on Saturday, he asked me if I wanted to go to a party but I declined. Telling him I had to go out with my parents. Anyways, he went to the party without me. A—and..."

She pauses, tears streaming down her face again.

"Somebody filmed him making out with another girl and then going to a room with her. I—I thought he wanted me. The date went so well and he even asked me for a second one! And for what? So that he could go after another girl behind my back?"

She angrily wipes her tears away as I purse my lips. Derek cheated on her? How could he do that to my best friend? It looked like he had a thing for her.

It doesn't make sense. Every time I saw them together, Derek would look at her with longing.

Nonetheless, Derek has to pay for what he did. He hurt my best friend who took a leap of faith with him. She promised herself she'd never date at school and when she decides to break it or a guy she likes, he breaks her heart!

My best friend doesn't deserve this. She doesn't deserve to feel heartbroken, not when she went for something good. And now she'll never trust a guy again.

"Did he say anything to you?" I ask Cora.

She shakes her head. "Yes, he apologized through text messages when I found out and begged to explain what happened. I haven't replied to them."

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. I need to find Derek and tell him to leave my best friend alone. He's already done enough damage, begging for forgiveness isn't going to help his case.

"This was Stacy." Ren blurts out.

My head whips around to her as I incoherently say 'what?'

"I said, this was Stacy. A friend who is a friend of Stacy said she heard Stacy planning out a bit of revenge on Cora. She got one of her clones to get Derek drunk and then got another one to film it. This was to get to you, Annabella." Ren explains as my mouth opens agape.

Would Stacy really break my best friends heart to get to me? Of course she would, she's Stacy.

"That, evil, conniving, wicked witch. I'm going— "

Ren cuts me off from my cursing, raising an eyebrow at me.

I shrug my shoulders. "What? She's a bitch who hurt my best friend."

Ren nods her head in agreement. Nobody messes with one of us.

"I'm going to confront her," I announce, stomping over to the bathroom door.

"Wait, what?" Ren says, alarmed.

"I said I'm going to confront her now. I need to end this." I repeat, opening the door.

Without a word, I storm out, with Ren and Cora hot on my tail. My mind blanks everybody out as I search for Stacy.

I'm a woman on a mission.

We pass many students who give me annoyed looks as I barge pass them. I pass Xavier, not sparing a glance as I continue.

When my eyes zero in on Stacy's smug face by her locker, I march over to her. This is going to end, now.

"Stacy," I say, narrowing my eyes at her. Pupils stop to watch the fight that's about to go down, forming a circle around us.

"Yes?" She innocently says, batting her eyelashes.

"This has to end now," I state, pursing my lips as her grin widens.

"I agree." She nods her head. "How about a competition?"

A competition? She wants to compete? By the way she's grinning, this can't be good.

"A competition?" I question and she nods.

"The both of us compete for different things. If I win, you have to leave Xavier and every other boy here alone. But if you win, I will leave you alone. I will never disturb you again." She explains, a smirk on her face.

Confidence rolls off of her in waves. She's so confident she'll win, she thinks she's untouchable. I want to wipe her smirk off of her face.

However, I have to think this through rationally. If she wins, I'll never be able to talk to Xavier again. I will never be able to feel the sparks that I feel. But if I win, I can and she'll leave me alone.

There's a 50—50 chance I'll win but the question is, is it worth it? Is it worth risking never speaking to Xavier again? I just got used to him, I like hanging around with him. Hell, I like the guy. Do I want to give it up?

Glancing at Xavier, I see him shaking his head. His eyes pleading with me not to agree. He doesn't want me to lose.

He thinks I'll lose.

Thanks for the confidence Xavier.

Looking away from him, my eyes go to Cora who still looks deeply upset. I don't want to see her or Ren be upset like this again.

It has to stop.

Sighing, I look back at Stacy. "Challenge accepted."

Stacy gives me a sly smirk, her eyes flashing with mischief. "Good, the challenge is a dance challenge. Tomorrow, after school, both of us will perform a routine. The winner will be chosen by our coach."

A dance battle? Oh god.

Taking a deep breath, I nod then walk off. I'm going to have to come up with one hell of a dance to win this.

I can do this. I chant.

I can win.

Word count: 1786

Hi! What do you think? Do you think Annabella can win this dance battle?

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Next update: 8th February