The Competition

Yelena

Somehow I always seem to be there at the wrong time. I don't know where I'm going, but I don't want to be in there with those two. This time I wasn't drunk. Viktor, with Sofia, kissing. My heart feels like it's been ripped out of my chest. Hurt and jealousy swirl inside me, making it hard to breathe. I need to get away, to think. I turn and rush down the hall, ignoring Viktor's call behind me. Each step echoes in the empty hallway, adding to my confusion and pain. How could he do this? We were just starting to open up to one another. The memory of our kiss, the warmth and connection, now feels like a cruel joke. I find an empty corner and lean against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart. Tears blur my vision, but I refuse to let them fall. Why am I surprised? Viktor's past, his problems - I knew all of that. But every time I see him with Sofia, it's like a dagger to my soul. What am I going to do? I can't confront him. I can't face the awkward looks and whispers. I have to collect myself. I have to figure out how to move forward. But for now, all I can do is slide down the wall, hug my knees to my chest, and try to breathe through the pain. I have to get through this. I have to be stronger than this jealousy and this sorrow. But it's so damn hard when the one person you fall in love with deceives you in the worst possible way. I pull out my phone and dial my butler's number as usual. "I'm calling in sick, come get me," I tell him and he hangs up. "Yelena, you can't just go home after what you've seen! Just give me a chance to explain!" he shouts from the back. "I can't? Watch me." "Then go home. Run away from our problems like you always do, that's one thing I fucking despise about you!" he yells at me. He fucking yells at me. "What is it with you and Sofia anyway? You always act so loving when you are with me. And the moment I turn my back, you go back to her. What the fuck do you want after all?" I yell, tears blurring my vision.
"It's not like it's just me and Sofia..."
"Spare me your explanation Viktor. Just go back to Van der Berg, will you? It's not like we were anything to begin with," I look him in the eyes, tears soaking my cheeks. I walk past Viktor and down to the main hall. I bow to Ms. Rodriguez and go outside where I find Mr. Shuji waiting by the car.

-❦-❦-❦-

By the time we got home it was probably lunchtime. Instead of going home we went to do the errands and after that I went to my room. Suddenly my phone rings and I look at the screen. Natalia. "What?" "Can I come over after school?" Wait, what? I have never had any of them over to my place before. "Yeah sure, I'll text you my address."