Pieces Of Grace

Chapter 13

The days following my confrontation with Kyle were a blur. Whispers and glances followed me through the hallways, and it felt like everyone had something to say about my life. Alya was by my side, but even her presence couldn't shield me from the relentless drama.

In biology class, I sat at my usual table, trying to focus on the lecture. My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen to see another text from Tom.

Tom: You never answered me. Are you free this weekend?

Before I could respond, a shadow fell over my desk. I looked up to see Lily, her expression smug. "I heard you and Kyle had a little fight."

I clenched my jaw, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. "None of your business, Lily."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You know, Kyle deserves someone who's not afraid to show they care. Someone like me."

I felt my blood boil, but before I could retort, the teacher's voice interrupted. "Lily, take your seat."

Lily shot me a final smirk before sauntering back to her desk. I exhaled, trying to regain my composure. The rest of the class passed in a haze, my thoughts consumed by Lily's taunts and Tom's persistent texts.

After class, I hurried to my locker, eager to avoid further confrontation. As I stuffed my books inside, I heard a familiar voice.

"Alice."

I turned to see Kyle, his face a mix of determination and anxiety. "Can we talk? Please?"

I hesitated, my heart pounding. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Us. What happened. I need to explain."

Before I could respond, Tom appeared beside me, his arm casually draped over my locker. "Hey, Alice. Ready for that hangout this weekend?"

Kyle's eyes narrowed, and I could see the jealousy burning behind them. "She's busy."

Tom raised an eyebrow, his smile never wavering. "I think Alice can decide for herself, can't you?"

I glanced between them, feeling the tension crackle in the air. "Tom, now's not a good time."

Tom's smile faltered, and he gave a small nod. "Alright, but let me know if you change your mind."

He walked away, leaving me alone with Kyle. The silence between us was thick, and I could see the hurt in Kyle's eyes. "Alice, I need you to understand. I don't care about my social status. I care about you."

"Then why were you with Lily?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I wasn't with her. She cornered me, and I tried to be polite. But I told her I wasn't interested. I told her I love someone else."

His words echoed in my mind, but the doubt remained. "And what about Tom? You're jealous of him, but he's just a friend."

Kyle stepped closer, his eyes locking onto mine. "I'm not just jealous, Alice. I'm scared. Scared that you don't believe me. Scared that I'll lose you to someone else."

Before I could respond, Alya appeared, her eyes wide with excitement. "Alice, I need to tell you something!"

She glanced at Kyle, then back at me. "In private."

I nodded, and we walked a few steps away. "What is it?"

"I heard Kyle talking to his friends. He admitted he's in love with you, Alice. He's serious."

My heart skipped a beat, but the confusion lingered. "Then why does it feel so complicated?"

"Because it is," Alya said softly. "But you need to trust him. Trust what you feel."

Before I could process her words, a commotion erupted down the hall. Lily was storming towards us, her face red with anger. "You think you can just reject me, Kyle? After everything?"

Kyle stepped in front of me, his voice calm but firm. "Lily, I told you. I'm not interested."

Lily's eyes blazed with fury. "You think you can just walk away? I'm not done with you."

She lunged forward, and Alya moved to intercept her. "Back off, Lily. He's not yours to claim."

Lily sneered, her gaze shifting to me. "You think you're better than me, Alice? You're just a nobody."

Alya bristled, ready to defend me, but Kyle's voice cut through the tension. "Enough. Leave Alice alone, Lily. She doesn't deserve this."

Lily's face twisted with rage, and she turned on her heel, storming away. The hallway fell silent, and I felt the weight of everyone's eyes on us. Kyle turned to me, his expression softening. "Alice, please. Give me a chance to prove how much you mean to me."

I opened my mouth to respond, but my phone buzzed again. Another text from Tom.

Tom: I'm serious, Alice. Let's hang out. I want to get to know you better.

Kyle saw the message, his jaw tightening. "You need to decide, Alice. Do you trust me or not?"

The pressure of the decision loomed over me, and I felt tears prick at my eyes. "I don't know, Kyle. Everything is so confusing."

Alya stepped forward, her hand gently squeezing my shoulder. "Take your time, Alice. But remember, you deserve to be happy."

I nodded, the uncertainty swirling in my mind. As I looked into Kyle's eyes, I saw the sincerity and pain there. But the doubts and fears remained, and I knew this was a decision only I could make.

The school bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. As we dispersed to our next classes, the weight of the unresolved drama hung heavy in the air. I knew that whatever choice I made, it would change everything. And I wasn't sure I was ready for the consequences.

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NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

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So, guys, I'm really happy because this book just hit 139 views, and 13 votes/stars. Thanks, everyone, it means a lot to me!! Also, big question, do you guys want to see Kyle/Alya/Tom/Lily povs? Or do you want me to write a different book where you can see their povs? If so, do you want me to write about their vision in this story, what happens next, or what happened before this book? Luv y'all!

           -A.J. Rifle <3