What the Heart Wants

Chapter Nineteen

All too suddenly Alex shot up from his chair and stormed out of the canteen. I wanted to chase after him so bad, but I knew he needed to be alone right now. I watched as he made his way to the large double doors at the other end of the large hall and it took everything I had to not jump up after him. I had to put him first. I forced myself to tear my eyes away from where he’d just stormed out and instead turned to face the she devil that was Cassie. I gave her what I hope was my best death glare but she seemed completely oblivious to it. Everyone else around the table was also looking at her with a mixture of shock and disgust but she seemed equally unaware of that too. Instead of making any effort to redeem herself she just carried on making jokes and cackling for a good few minutes before she realised no one else was laughing along with her.

“Why are you all so quiet all of a sudden?” she asked looking slightly bewildered.

“How could you?” I hissed through gritted teeth. “How can you be so heartless?”

“Oh don’t be so dramatic,” she replied while giggling slightly. No one else was even slightly amused.

“I don’t know how you sleep at night,” I spat before getting up and storming off.

I heard Brian following after me but right now I couldn’t care less. I was honestly disgusted. Was she serious? She was not only a slut but a heartless bitch. How could she not tell Alex the baby wasn’t his? And then just casually slip into a conversation months later as if it meant nothing to her? I continued to march down the hallway until I made it to my locker. I wrenched it open and began yanking my books out. I was panting with pure rage. However, Brian soon came up behind me and placed a calming hand on my shoulder. He gave it a reassuring squeeze and I slowly turned around to face him.

“You okay?” he asked his voice full of genuine concern.

“Yea, I’m just a little mad. I mean who does she think she is?! She can’t just walk in here, acting like she owns the place and anything she wants, not caring who gets hurt!” I said practically screaming by the end.

“Wow, calm down babe. I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm. Cassie’s always been like that. She doesn’t tend to think before she speaks,” he said while rubbing his hands up and down my arms in an attempt to calm me down but I pushed them off and stepped out of his reach.

“Why are you sticking up for that whore? What could she possibly mean to you?” I yelled accusingly.

“Lucy…”

“Don’t,” I quickly cut him off, “Don’t ‘Lucy’ me! That filthy slut hurt your supposed best friend and you’re actually taking her side? Unbelievable.”

“It’s not like that…” Brian began to protest but I didn’t want to listen. I was already walking off in the other direction.

“Don’t waste your breath, Brian. I’m going to be late for class. I’ll see you later,” and with that I walked off.

*************************

I was in my last class of the day. Maths. I love maths. I understand it. Plus, I’m actually good at it. Sitting in my corner at the back of the classroom and listening to Mrs Moon babble on about all the different equations and formulas usually relaxed me, but today my mind was elsewhere. I hadn’t seen Alex or Brian since lunch. Was I too harsh on Brian? What Cassie said was bang out but can I really be mad at Brian for sticking up for her? After all he would probably stick up for anyone, that’s just the type of person he is. Besides, I have no right to be jealous seeing as I’m the one that’s cheating on him with his best friend… Speaking of which, I wonder how Alex is holding up. I can’t even imagine how he’s feeling right now. God, I really needed to see him. I checked my watch and was relieved to see that the bell would be ringing in just under seventeen minutes. I tried to tune in and really focus on what Mrs Moon was saying for the rest of the lesson but that wasn’t really working for me so instead I just did what I do best: daydream.