Paul & Moi

Chapter 31

Are you sure you're okay?"

"For the forty-fifth time Jena, yes I'm fine."

"You don't seem to be doing well."

"It's because I'm a little upset but it's nothing."

"He's a bastard anyway, he doesn't deserve you."

"You are right. I think we were just not made to be together."

I close my locker and we go to our classroom.

In the lobby, everyone stares at me. The girls laugh in their corner and stare at me from top to bottom while the guys smile at me and wink at me. Rumors are spreading very quickly and the whole sideboard is surely aware that Paul and I are over. Besides, I didn't meet him this morning and he's not at his usual corner. As for Hillary, she doesn't want to tell me anything, we must believe that our friendship was worth nothing...

Once the morning is over and still no Paul in the area, I go to the cafeteria with Jena. We sat at a table away from the world. And we eat our lunch quietly.

"So all you know is that he has drug problems? Does he have an addiction or something?" Jena asks me.

"I don't know anything," I confess to him.

"And did you break up with him for that?"

"No! I broke up with him because he wasn't able to be honest with me. He just lied to me and I don't trust him anymore."

I see Jena understanding but thoughtful.

"What are you thinking about? "I ask him.

"It's just that in your place, I would like explanations. You're not interested in knowing the why and how? All this drug story should intrigue you anyway!"

"But how can I get answers? No one wants to tell me the truth! Not even Hillary my so-called ex-best friend."

"You're an intelligent girl, I'm sure you can find a way! Find a way to discover his secret and then take revenge!"

What Jena offers me is totally true! I shouldn't stay in my corner to act like nothing happened! I want to know what Paul is hiding. And not being with it anymore can be an advantage! He can no longer monitor me or control my slightest actions. I have to discover his secret!

"Thank you Jena! I didn't see things from this angle."

"No worries, I'm here to open your eyes!"

We eat quietly when Amy arrives from nowhere.

"Hey Nina, I heard that you and Paul are done," she told me with a big smile on her face.

I want to put my fist in his mouth at this plague!

"And then?" I answer indifferently.

"I always knew that you were not his level. He finally realized that you weren't good enough for him."

"Hey shut up!" Intervenes Jena.

"At least I was more than a blow of one night," I reply.

"And where is your boyfriend? Oh yes, it's true! He's no longer your guy! He left you like a bleed."

"She is the one who has already left him! So now you take your clicks and your clac and you break yourself" Jena defends me.

"Jena..." I intervene.

"She? It's impossible! It's surely he who broke up and she doesn't assume that's all."

"Okay, then break up before I disfigure you" Jena gets up ready to fight.

I get up and get in between, facing Amy.

"Do you want to fuck Paul? Go ahead! No one is on your way! But what's the point of coming to break our heads?" I ask him.

"You are right! You're not worth it anyway. He will surely call me tonight."

She leaves, always with her petty smile on her lips.

"This plague! If she looks for me, she will find me this one!" Jena is getting angry.

"Thank you Jena. But if you get caught fighting with someone, you'll get fired from the team. Don't worry about me, I can defend myself."

"I can't do anything about it. She pissed me off and I couldn't hold back."

I look at the time and realize that Jena has to go to her training.

"Well, I'm going to go," I say as I get up.

"Me too," she said, looking at the time on her phone.

We greet each other and I go to the parking lot to go home.

It's true that now, the only thing I have in mind is to clarify this whole story.

But who should I turn to for more information? Paul? I doubt he's telling me the truth and then I don't prefer to see him at the moment. I could try with Amanda but I don't have her number. I have to force Hillary to tell me this whole story.

My phone starts ringing and interrupts me with all my thoughts.

It's Derek! I pick up quickly.

"Hey Nina! How are you?"

"It can be okay and you?"

"Good. I'll call you to hear from you."

"It's super nice. Listen, right now I have a little head elsewhere, would you like to see each other in the week after class to discuss?" I kindly suggest it to him.

"No worries! You just have to send me a message whenever you want, I'll be there. Well, I'm not going to bother you anymore, I'll leave you soon!"

"Bisous"

I spend my afternoon doing my homework and then I leave home, determined to get answers.

I arrive in front of his house. The lights are on, it's a good sign! I knock on the door. I hear someone going down the stairs.

"I know you're here! I heard you!" I scream to be heard on the other side.

The door opens.

"What do you want?"

"Answers."

"I don't think I'm the best person to answer your questions."

"Come on Hillary! Please! Please! You are the only person who can help me! Paul will surely not tell me anything."

"I can't be sorry," she told me as she closed the door.

I jam the door with my foot.

"Why? We've known each other since we were little, you can't do that to me! I need you!" I beg her.

I see a moment of hesitation in his eyes. She ends up giving in and lets me go home.