Before You Say Goodbye

CHP 37: RETICENT VOID

As hours passed by, the morning sun  brought rays of sunlight but still, for Cheryl, things seemed dull. Though it was a pleasant day filled with brightness and fresh scent of the morning, there were also gloomy thoughts wandering in her mind. There was a peaceful silence, but when the mind is sad, everything seems dull and lonely.
Due to the all nighter and extreme hangover, our entire group woke up quite late the next day. After getting up at their own time and eating breakfast according to their schedules, everyone left for their homes. Jennifer and Oliver were the last ones to wake up and by the time they got up and went for breakfast, everyone else had already left. Oliver tried calling Cheryl a couple times, but she ignored them, obviously.
The next two-three days were quite silent and no one really spoke of that night as much. As for Oliver, he was very confused and was wondering why he was getting the silent treatment from Cheryl and why the others were not behaving normally with him. But then he thought that it must be the fatigue and tiredness of partying so hard and that everyone would be back to their own selves by Monday. On Monday, the High School resumed, everything was back to speed yet, somewhat slow.
"Hey guys" Michel greeted Cheryl and Felix who were sitting alone in the Canteen hall, having a visibly serious discussion.
"Hey Mike!"
"Hi"
"Looks like y'all are making a corporate deal! Why so solemn? And what on earth are y'all discussing that's made you this serious?" asked Michel curiously.
"Haha! Yeah you wish...Nothing much really, just about the upcoming Internships and stuff" lied Cheryl since she didn't want to get Michel involved in emotional things again, especially after he was just getting back to normal.
"Right...now that all the fun is over, back to work we go" added Felix, following Cheryl's lead with a long sigh.
"Tch...yup..Anyways, I'm going to the library! You two wanna join in? Either of you?" Asked Michel.
"Not me, Sorry!"
"I have something else to do, so sorry."
"But I surely will" said Kate appearing out of nowhere and giving a loud pat on Michel's shoulder.
"Let's go bruh!" she continued with an elated tone.
"Yo easy there..'let's go BRUH' come on" replied Michel in the same accent.
Both Michel and Kate left for the library after waving Felix and Cheryl goodbye.
As they left,  Cheryl received a text from Oliver. "Hey Cher? Where ARE you girl? What's up with you? All good? And please text back asap".
Cheryl's anxiety level rose rapidly as she saw Oliver's text and she got completely perplexed, not able to figure out how to reply.
"Fe? Felix! What the hell should I say to him? I mean I don't wanna sound rude but I don't wanna talk to him either...I mean facing him would be darn tough, especially after him n Jen...uh...umm..you know.." stuttered Cheryl. "Calm down Cheryl, relax. I'm here. Let me handle it" soothed Felix, placing his hand on her shoulder.
Felix took Cheryl's phone and started texting Oliver, "Hey.. I'm in the canteen with Felix right now. Just done with the lunch and would be leaving for home with him soon. We'll meet tomorrow..Bye!"
As Oliver received this text, he was almost sure that Cheryl was avoiding him. She was acting weird for days now. After the Prom dance and kiss, Oliver noticed that Cheryl had started to maintain a distance from him. He started to get anxious. "Does Cheryl not like me back? Was the kiss too soon? Aah! What was I thinking...I'm such an idiot! I completely messed it up. Crap!!".
Despite this sea of emotions in his mind,  Oliver managed to find an equilibrium and texted back saying, "Yeah sure..no prob! See you tomorrow".
As Cheryl saw Oliver's reply, she let out a sigh of relief and then, they left high school and went to a garden nearby; where there was a serene silence. Cheryl then said to Felix, "Fe... You know everything about me, everything I like, everything I don't, every person I like or admire...you have been my closest friend alongside Cat. You guys know everything since the beginning, then why is He doing this now? Was that Prom night fake? Were all the moments we shared fake? Was his love nothing but a phony!? His poems, flowers, his gestures towards me, was all that a LIE? Why does this happen to me, always...Any person I feel will be there with me forever, just leaves. My mom, dad, Cat....now even Oliver doesn't want me.. Am I that unlucky, unlikable or what!" roared Cheryl with tears welling up in her eyes.