Falling for the Bad Boy

Chapter 13

Alyssa
      

       My palms felt clammy and beads of sweat lined my forehead. It was weird, because the room was well ventilated, and I could feel the chill of the AC hitting me from all angles. I needed to calm down.

“Calm down, Alyssa. Calm down.” But no matter how many times I chanted the words to myself, it did nothing to help my situation. If anything, I felt like I was getting worse.

Shit.

My heartbeat picked up its pace immediately and I pressed my eyes shut. I didn't need all of this. I wasn't sure what was happening, but this was the last thing I needed.

Imagine passing out in the cafeteria? What would the other students say? If I did happen to pass out, then there would be no redemption for me. It would be the end. Literally.

“Hey.” I jerked up to the sound of someone calling out to me. I relaxed when I realized it was none other than Vivian, taking her seat again with our orders in two different trays. “I'm back. I'm sorry I took so long. Try balancing these trays together and you'd understand. But in here now, and…..” 

Vivian trailed off, just to add a worried “Alyssa? Are you okay? Alyssa?”

“What?” I called out slowly. My voice was tiny, like I had no control over it anymore. “What?”

“Are you okay?” Vivian asked again, her eyebrows knitting together. “You don't look too good. You look like you're going to pass out.”

“Me?!” I let out in a high shriek, and regretted it immediately. Even if I'd wanted to try to convince her that I was fine, I'd just ruined it for myself. “No, no way.”

I snatched one of the bottles waters from the the tray, not minding whose I'd taken. Maybe if I got some water into my system, it would help me feel better.

I was wrong. Again

“Alyssa.” Vivian's hard four mine the moment I dropped the bottle. “I know something's wrong. What is it? You can tell me.”

“Vivi…”

“I know you think you still can't trust me yet.” My heart broke at her words. “But I'm still going to try help in any way I can. Please tell me what's wrong.”

I pulled my hands out of her grip, just in time to witness the hurt flash on her face. Before she could read any meaning into what I'd just done, I opened the text from Bennett, before sliding my phone across the table.

With a gentle nod, I told her to check.

“No.” Was Vivian's first answer the moment she was done reading. Like she was trying to convince me, she shook her head before adding. “No way, Alyssa.”

“What??” I echoed. For some strange reason, her answer wasn't what I was expecting. “What do you mean Vivian?”

“What do I mean?” She gave a small snort, before pushing the phone back to me. “I should be asking you that question. Don't tell me you're seriously thinking about going to see him”

“Actually, I…” I trailed off, allowing the silence that followed to complete my statement for me.

“You can't be serious.” Vivian shook her head furiously.  “You really can't. You're not going.”

“But, he sent me a text.” Didn't she see it? That was the whole point of showing her my phone. “ He wants to see me ….”

“Why?” My best friend cut me off. “What does he want to tell you? What do you think he wants to say? I'm no mind reader, but I can bet my life it has something to do with giving you a shit apology. He doesn't even want to be seen with you in public,and now he's asking for you to meet up? It's a trap.”