I'm not a popular girl | ✔️

Twenty-Six - Forgive Me?

Carden

Zoë hadn't even glanced at Carden after that stunt of her kissing Dean. Anytime he tried to talk to her, she'd sprint the other way or completely blow him off. And honestly, it was killing him.

He missed her bright, perfect smile. Her light laugh that made his heart flutter. The raised eyebrow when she was confused. The way she twirled a strand of her chocolate brown hair around her left pointer finger when she was bored. Her beautiful eyes and the way they rolled when he said something stupid. The natural blush that was always on her cheeks.

But she'd moved on. She didn't need him anymore cause he'd screwed up big time.

"Dude, are you okay?" Derek asked quietly as he followed Carden's gaze to a table across the room where a light, cheerful laugh was coming from.

Zoë sat next to her boyfriend, Dean, and laughed at something Chloe had said. Yeah, Chloe had released the reigns she held on Clarkston High and Cora took her place as Queen of the School. Now she spent her time with Zoë and Amber and the three of them were practically inseparable.

The newest addition to their group, besides Chloe, was Cam. He still supported Carden but after what he'd done, Cam went to Team Zoë. He spent his time flirting with Amber and there was hope they'd be a couple soon enough. He was the reason Carden knew so much about Zoë's group.

"Dude," Derek repeated impatiently.

"Hmm?" He turned to face Derek but the dizziness, the thing that caused the constant nausea, that had held Carden captive for a long time contorted Derek's face.

He could see Derek's green eyes blink quickly and the cheesy smile he always wore dropping quickly. "You good?"

Carden forced a nod. "Yup. I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick."

Derek didn't stop him as Carden stood quickly and speed walked out of the cafeteria. When he walked past Zoë's table, Cam waved and called his name, along with Amber. But as Chloe had said so long ago, he needed to stay away from Zoë. She didn't need him around. She was okay living a life that didn't include Carden Ash.

Plus if he looked at her, he might pass out. The guilt had been chewing at him for so long that it was becoming unbearable.

He quickly walked into the bathroom and splashed water onto his pale face. When he looked into the mirror, the ghost of the boy he used to be stared back. His eyes that were usually so bright were dull and seemed to pop out of his head and his light brown hair was disheveled. He hadn't looked this bad since Jared's death. Since he'd lost a part of himself.

But then again, he did lose a part of himself. The part of himself that had love. Someone that made his life wonderful. Made it...life.

The door opened and Cam walked in, making Carden jump, with a concerned expression. "Hey dude, what's up?"

"Nothing."

Cam's eyes scanned Carden skeptically. "Well, you look like, um, absolute trash." He paused for a moment. "Oh, no offense by the way."

Carden waved a hand. "None taken." He desperately needed a subject change before the tears rushed back again. "So how's it going with your friend group? You guys look pretty happy."

"It's fine. It would be a lot more fun if you hung out with us. Things are getting pretty boring without you around."

He clutched the side of the counter. "You know I can't." The words were more for Carden than for Cam. She is happy. She is happy. She is happy.