Heart Stealer

Chapter 11 Happy Thanksgiving

You'd think that by now, I'd have learned to expect Monday morning drama, especially after a wild party that ended abruptly due to a fight between two golden boys. But no, I walked into school completely oblivious to the gossip that circled around school like wildfire.

My mind was still on Matteo, wondering whether he would talk to me or not. He hadn't called or texted all weekend and I was getting worried. Was he going to break up with me? Did I push him to that point when I left him that night? I swallowed, unable to imagine that. Maybe I should apologize first. Hopefully, then he won't be too mad at me.

Jules and I arrived at school chatting about Saturday (at least she was, and it was mostly about her date with Tom) and I listened in silence, glad to get a chance to not think up answers to what happened over the weekend. But that peace was short-lived because as soon as I reached my locker, a swarm of students hounded me like blood-thirsty wolves.

"Thea! Thea Gardener! Is it true that you and Matteo are over? Are you breaking up with him for Pierce?" Oh no. Blood drained from my face.

"I—"

"Rumor has it you're the mystery girl in Pierce's life! Are you the girl from the article? Did you make-out with Pierce on the second floor staircase? Do you deny these statements?" What are they, the freaking paparazzi?! A lump formed in my throat and I was tongue tied—that statement about making out with Pierce gave me a jolt. If people started suspecting that Pierce and I were together while I was dating Matteo, that would be the end of everything! I'd lose Matteo and be forever known as the girl who cheated on her boyfriend! My legs began to shake.

"What the heck is wrong with you people?! Shoo! Get out of here! Go bother someone else!" Jules defended me, flapping them away. But the president of the news club, Stacy Truscott weaved her way through the crowd, holding up her phone.

"Stacy Truscott here! Thea Gardener, do you have a statement for the school newspaper? Everybody's dying to hear it straight from the source! What's your take on this whole 'love triangle' situation?"

"L-love triangle?" I asked, feeling rattled. She held her phone in front of me and I saw that she was vlogging the whole thing—live. Which meant the whole school was watching.

"This is your chance to give an exclusive interview concerning the golden boys! Is it splitsville for you and Matteo? How does it feel to be the girl who ripped the golden boys apart?" Stacy's rapid-fire incriminating questions made me feel dizzy. I staggered back against my locker. I wished I could sink through the floor and disappear.

"Tell us! Do you plan to drop Matteo for Pierce?" Stacy pressed me. Words failed me and I was feeling panicky, on the verge of hyperventilating. The stress was about to choke my air supply. Oh, please, somebody help—

"Leave her alone!" A voice bellowed through the hallway. Everybody turned and backed away from me on seeing Matteo march up to me with an outraged look on his face. I sighed in relief; I've never been more glad to see him in my life!

"If anyone has any questions, ask me! I don't want to catch any of you harassing my girlfriend! And just so you know, my relationship with Thea is none of your damn business! Last time I checked, I didn't sign up to have my private life publicized!" He sounded so fierce that everyone shrank back and scrambled off. Stacy looked disappointed but slowly backed away. Soon it was just me, Jules and Matteo left standing in the hallway.

"Phew! You saved the day, Sterling! They were about to devour us whole if you hadn't shown up!" Jules said, blowing out her cheeks.

"Yes, well, do you mind giving me and Thea a moment alone, Julie?" He asked her.