Bubble Tea

emotional collision

Song for the chapter: Cry for Love by Baekhyun

Audrey's POV:

The moment I hung up the phone, I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. Andres had confessed it all: the kiss with Nicoli, the betrayal, the confusion. My heart felt like it was in pieces, shattered by the weight of his words. I sank onto my bed, tears streaming down my face. I felt so alone, so hurt. I needed to talk to someone, and there was only one person who came to mind.

"Stella," I whispered to myself, reaching for my iPad. My fingers trembled as I opened FaceTime and called her. The screen rang a few times before her familiar face appeared. She was in her dorm room, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, and she was wearing one of her usual oversized sweaters.

"Audrey? What's going on?" Stella asked immediately, her eyes widening in concern. "Why do you look like you're about to cry?"

Seeing her face, hearing her voice-it was too much. I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I burst into sobs, clutching the iPad as if it were a lifeline.

"Audrey, hey, hey, what's wrong? Talk to me," Stella urged, her voice filled with worry.

Between sobs, I managed to get the words out. "Stella, it's Andres. He... he kissed Nicoli. At that party. He confessed everything to me just now, and... and I feel so betrayed."

Stella's expression shifted from concern to shock, and then to a fierce protective anger. "He what? That bastard kissed Nicoli? How could he do that to you?"

I nodded, trying to catch my breath. "I don't know, Stella. I don't know. He said he was confused, that he messed up. But it doesn't change how I feel. It doesn't change the fact that he betrayed me."

Stella's eyes softened with empathy. "Oh, Audrey, I'm so sorry. I wish I could be there with you right now."

"Me too," I said, wiping my tears. "I feel so lost without you."

"Hey, you're not lost. You're just... hurt. And that's completely understandable. This is a lot to take in," she said, her voice soothing. "Tell me everything. Start from the beginning."

So I did. I told her about the party, about seeing Andres and Nicoli together, about the kiss and the confession. I poured my heart out, and Stella listened, her face a mixture of sympathy and rage on my behalf.

"And now, I don't know what to do," I finished, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I can't trust him anymore."

Stella took a deep breath. "Audrey, it's okay to feel that way. Trust is something that's built over time, and it can be shattered in an instant. But you don't have to make any decisions right now. Take your time. Feel your feelings. And remember, you don't have to go through this alone. I'm here for you, no matter what."

"Thanks, Stella," I said, my voice cracking. "I just... I thought he was different. I thought he cared about me."

"I know, sweetheart. I know," she said softly. "And maybe he does. But he's human, and humans make mistakes. Big, stupid, hurtful mistakes. It's up to you to decide if you can forgive him, if you even want to try."

I nodded, taking her words to heart. "I just need time to think. To figure out what I want."

"Of course. And while you're doing that, I'm going to be here, supporting you. Just because I'm not physically there doesn't mean I'm not with you," Stella said firmly. "You're strong, Audrey. Stronger than you realize."

I gave her a weak smile. "I hope so. I feel so weak right now."

"That's because you're hurting. But pain doesn't define you. How you get through it, how you rise above it-that's what defines you," Stella said, her eyes full of love and determination. "And I know you can rise above this."