Chapter 16 (Pt.2)

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Playlist - I'll never love again by Lady Gaga

Astoria

I had a bad feeling festering inside my head. It had everything to do with Charlotte Richards who stood in front of me with almost mechanical precision.

"Hi, Astoria." Her golden eyes were wide and lacked light in them.

My lips were sealed shut. I took in her appearance which oddly reminded me of my own. Her light brown hair were dyed black which replicated mine and her light blue cardigan and overalls looked like something that would belong in my closet. Definitely not hers.

I knew Charlotte would never dress down and even attempt to look unsophisticated. Let alone have everyone see her in that manner. She had her own baggage to carry.

I moved back which she noticed, a smirk drawing on her lips. It unnerved me. She had never attempted to put me at ease before, but something about her was disturbing. I felt the need to be as far away from her as possible.

"Oh, not so fast."

I heard her say it when I evaded her and got out of the coffee shop. I had parked my bike outside the shop, but it wasn't there anymore.

"Searching for your ride?" I turned to face Charlotte.

"Is this your doing?" I asked her, frustrated.

"I did?" She feigned being appalled. "How rude of you to think I would do something to your bike. It was a limited edition electric bike, wasn't it? An expensive model which you certainly can't afford. I wonder how you got it?" She pouted.

"Charlotte, what's wrong with you?" I demanded, straightening my back. I couldn't let her believe that she was getting on my nerves. "I shouldn't be a thought in your head. Why are you here?"

The hardening of her eyesight told me what I needed to know.

"You." She pointed an accusatory finger at me. "I hate you." I flinched at the harsh, vehemently worded tone of hers. "I hate you so much. So much that I want to drown you in a river."

She meant every single word of hers. Her eyes held enough conviction that if given the opportunity, she would indeed harm my life.

My feets worked on their accord. I heard Charlotte call my name out, but I could only focus on getting away from her. I was sprinting out on the pavement. Either I was too slow or she was fast because she got the hold of hair and when she did, I was thrown on the ground.

"You spoiled everything the day you came here." I didn't realize that she slapped me until I felt the razor like sharp sting on my cheek. I tasted the metallic liquid in my mouth at the impact.

Anger welled up inside me. I knew she was unwell, but I couldn't let her abuse me. The next time, I saw the slap coming at me and quickly rolled her on her back, restraining her wrist.

"Let go." She screamed in my face. "You bitch. I hate you."

"Why do you hate me?" I screamed back. "Does it have to do with Axel?"

"Don't take his name from your mouth." She clenched her teeth. "He's mine. Not yours. My man."

"Keep him for all I care. He and I are done."

"Stop lying to me. I am not stupid enough—"

I clamped her mouth shut, "It's the truth. We are done. Get it through your thick head. If you want to hate someone then Axel for stringing you along and leaving you in a hitch."

She said incoherent words which I didn't care to understand. She bit my hand which made me pull it away.

"He left me because you. It's always you. I hate that it was always you for him and never me."

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