The Bet

Chapter 18

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples. -Mother Teresa

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Will the burn marks last forever or will they fade with time?

Those questions still replay in my mind. Because no one know how long the invisible burn marks will last. No one can see the future to tell. Today was our finals, most students are going to be partying the next few days away. Some of the early graduates will be packing up their belongings once their scores hit their Student Dax. Student Dax is a program every student has. No one can see what's on your's. Teachers can email or send out your grades to you. They can also send out make up work and other information. Once the early graduates have gotten the confirmation that they passed, they'll load up their shit and head home. They'll return for graduation in the spring time. Next week students can stay in the dorms during break or they can leave and go home for the break. I don't know what Devin has picked but I know what I have. I tuck the envelope on my nightstand and head towards my brothers room. I make it to his door, instead of entering... I slide the envelope under his dorm door and walk away. Someone in there will hand the envelope to the correct owner. If he reads it, he reads it. If he doesn't than do he it. I am not holding my breath in this deep water. I'm not going to drown in this abyss. I will simply float like I'm meant to. I round the corner and bump into a sturdy body.

"Watch it!" His voice is deep and rough.

"Sorry." I whisper as I walk around him.

"Why are you always around. Why can't you disappear or better yet stick to your fucking floor?!" Noah snaps at me. All I do is shrug my shoulders and continue to walk back towards my floor. I make it to my room without having a melt down. I didn't shed a single tear. On shaky legs, I make it to my bed. I felt like a newborn deer. I see my things piled in neat boxes reminding me of my decision.

Only a few more days Ari. You got this.

Dinner time comes around as I walk to the Book Cafe. Daniel already has my drink ready. It's like clock work; I come here three times a day at the exact same times. I order the same thing every morning, every afternoon, and every evening. So it doesn't shock me that he knows my drinks or my foods. The bell rings, signaling the doors opening. I glance up and see Noah, Devin, and everyone else walking in. I silently groan in frustration at the sight of one person.

"Can't I go a day without seeing you? It's like you're my annoying fucking shadow." Noah growls lowly.

"I was here first. Thank you very much." I snap back in frustration. Daniel returns and places my food down on my table and walks away.

"You're such a heartless bitch. That's why I can't stand the sight of you." Noah grumbles out.

"Not all fairytales have a happy ending. Some crash and burn. Just look at ours." I sass back

"Yeah and who's faults that? If you don't change your ways, you'll end up alone forever." He fires back.

"Maybe I prefer to be the crazy cat lady." I yell at him. His words cut me more than I usually let them. I grab my wallet and shove my chair back with a lot of force. As I walk away from my uneaten food, I turn around to face the crowd.

"You're no better than I am. Make sure when you look in the mirror, you like what you see. If I remember correctly, you also were placed in a predicament... If you could take my virginity.... I mean you did so someone won a lot of money on it. Have a nice night hypocrite." I softly say into the crowded Cafe.

"Only difference, I knew it was wrong and didn't take part in the bet. You however, didn't give a shit." Noah's voice roars.

"I had my reasons. You'll find out soon." I say as I walk out the door. The door slams behind me as I pause in my tracks. I glance through the window and spot Noah through the crowd.

"Once you read what I had written you." I whisper out into the cold chilly night.

For the first time in a while, his words have hit me straight to my heart. Slowly I build myself back up and like a mad man with an ax, Noah comes through and smashes the small bits I built back down to the ground.

This is by far the hardest rebuilt I have ever done. Is it even worth it in the end?

: ¨·.·¨ :
' ·. 🦋
╱|、
(˚ˎ 。7
|、˜〵
じしˍ,)ノ