An untold story

Chapter 10 - You belong with someone else

Ian smiles at me as I enter the classroom, letting me know that he has acknowledged me. He goes back to chatting with his friends later.

I drop my bag to the floor and sit down next to him as Mr. Brewer comes inside.

I've already handed out all the invitations Samantha gave me yesterday except Ian's.

What am I going to tell him when I hand him his invitation and his shirt? Of course the shirt is the issue. I decide to push it to the back of my head for now.

I know I'll have to give it to him eventually but I don't want to ruin the mood by bringing up his one-night-stand with Samantha which, by the looks of it, it's clearly what happened.

I spend most of the class just writing down notes. Ian seems to be concentrated, seeing as he hasn't spoken to me once.

I'm glad he hasn't. That gives me time to put my emotions in order, to think of what to tell him when I confront him.

Should I just play it off? Or should I show how I really feel?

I decide against the latter, seeing as he has no interest in me, whatsoever.

I suddenly hear my name and my head snaps up. Mr. Brewer is looking at me directly in the eyes and I offer him a confused look.

"Ms. Brown, you've been paired up with Mr. Copperman for the next project," he informs me and I instantly panic.

"But I always pair up with Emma for all the projects," I protest. Emma and I always do chemistry together, we're a team.

"I'm aware, Miss Brown but there's been a change of plans. You're working with a different partner this time," he tells me, not giving me any information as to why the sudden change of plans.

He can't be serious. He has to be kidding.

"Is there any particular reason?" I ask. There's a certain tone in my voice that gives away the fact that I'm peacefully demanding an explanation.

"Well, given the fact that you are one of our best students and Mr. Copperman is new here, I think it's best if you work together," he tells me, calmly but I can see that he's annoyed.

I don't argue any further. I look at Emma, apologetically and she shrugs, popping her bottom lip out before I mirror her expression.

The bell rings before I realize it and class is dismissed.

Ian goes to his locker and I go to my own. I open the locker and the first thing I see is his shirt.

I stuffed it inside earlier.

I will have to face him sooner or later. I know I shouldn't be making a big deal out of this but I just really don't know what to say and I don't want the situation to get uncomfortably awkward.

I head to his locker with his shirt in my bag and his invitation in my hand.

"Hi," I call his attention, standing behind his locker's door.

"Hey. So when do you wanna meet?" He pays me his full attention, closing his locker's door.

"What?" I ask, confused. Meet for what?

"The project. It's due to Monday," he explains.

Of course. It seems rare working with someone else that's not Emma. We were used to doing chemistry together, we had our schedule and everything.

"Oh, right."

"Is Thursday okay with you?" He asks.

"Mike's leaving that day. I'm taking him to the airport," I say softly, sadness tugging at my heart. "What about Friday?" I add, recovering from my sad tone to my usual one.

"Yeah, Friday's fine," he agrees.

"Here," I hand him the invitation. "It's the invitation for Samantha's cocktail party next Saturday," I add, handing him the envelope, which formally reads "Ian Copperman" in thick gold letters.

"Thanks," he says, accepting the invitation.

"There's something more," I brace myself, "Samantha told me to give this back to you," I say, getting his shirt out of my bag.

My heart aches as Samantha's signature perfume hits my nostrils from the shirt, which I clutch hard against my chest.

Ian's face pales as he sees it and he swallows. He looks... nervous?

"She said she didn't like keeping someone else's things, although you told her to keep it." I try to play it off like I don't care but I really do.

There's a hint of regret that flashes through his eyes but I can't bring myself to think what could he possibly regret.

"Beautiful, I can explain-" he stars before I cut him off.

"You don't have to," I smile my best fake smile, "I mean, why would you have to? We're just friends," I remind him.

"I know, but-" he insists and I cut him off again.

I'm utterly curios to know what excuse he would use if I accepted his explanation but I think it's better if things stay this way. He really doesn't need to explain.

"It's okay, really," I reassure him, trying to get rid of the drama. He looks at me with disbelieve, clearly not believing that it's okay...

That I am okay.

Am I that bad of an actress?

I push the shirt further, signaling for him to grab it. He takes it away from my hands and throws it in his bag.

"Thank you," he says. He seems pissed as if he thinks I'm forming thousands of ideas in my head about what happened.

"Anytime." I bite my bottom lip and walk away with my head down.

I care for him. I really do. That's why I don't push the issue any further. I would like an explanation but he doesn't owe me one. He's not my boyfriend. I have no right in questioning him.

Let's face it. I will never be like Samantha. I don't have her perfect smile or her perfect hair or even her boobs.

She's funny and easygoing... she enjoys life.

I can't ever be like her. I will never be like her.

I shouldn't feel hurt but that's something I can't stop.

--------------------------------

Author's note:

Hey! 😁

This is a such a short chapter, I know. But I wanted to update quickly, so here you go.

I'll try to make the next chapter a bit longer and more interesting.

Next chapter will be about Melissa meeting Ian's parents and Mike leaving 😭 (I want to cry).

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Please comment and/or vote❤️ That would make my night!