Dirty Little Secret

Chapter Sixteen - You look beautiful today

ARDEN INES

He kisses her for a long time. Well not really a few seconds but that's equivalent to eternity right now.

How can he do this to me?

No. He owes me nothing. 

I can't help but think this is how it's always going to be. He gives and tells me what I want to hear and takes it back the second he thinks I'm not looking.

It's embarrassing. Letting him treat me like this. 

It feels like I'm in the middle of a desert and he offers me water but it's just a sip and I can see that he has a whole gallon. The he offers me more the. drinks the rest right in front of me with a laugh.

I sigh and turn around to face Sara and Olivia. 

I put on a facade remembering Olivia doesn't know anything that's happened. 

Sara gives me a look of pity and I immediately look away. 

I don't want anyone's pity.

____________

Colton texts me in the middle of first period. 

"You look beautiful today." 

I stare at the message for longer than I need too. It hurts. 

He's offering me more water. Is the only thing that keeps running through my head until math.

I walk in to find him already sitting down. I can't help my eyes wondering to him.

He smiles at me. The smile that usually melts my heart. 

He's looking for a reaction. Something to tell him that I still need him. 

I give him nothing. No reaction and I don't miss his eyebrows coming together as I look away without my own smile. 

I know he seen that I left him on read. But I'm not in the mood to be humiliated. Maybe tomorrow but not today. Not right now.

I can feel his eyes like normal, but I don't feel happy that he's paying attention to me. I feel uncomfortable. I hate that he treats me like this...I hate that he knows I'm okay with it.

Once the bell rings I don't wait on him. I grab my bag and walk straight out. 

That doesn't stop him from trying though. 

"Arden." he says from behind me. 

I give an annoyed sigh. but don't turn around. I just keep walking.

"Arden? Why won't you talk to me?" he says his voice sad.

I can't help it. Maybe one day I'll be stronger and resist but today is not that day.

"What?" I face him. 

"Why aren't you talking to me?" he repeats his question.

I huff at his stupidity and turn to walk away. 

He grabs my shoulder gently and turns me to face him before I can get too far. 

"Don't walk away from me. Please don't walk away from me." 

I curse myself for letting him get to me. 

Colton has always affected me. But now that he shows that he likes me slightly I'd do anything to keep him that way.

"I thought...after last night we were good?" he says, question in his tone.

I sigh again, "I thought we were too." I say and walk away. This time he doesn't stop me.

____________

Don't hate him. Please.

See you in chapter seventeen!!

<3