Lovesick.

XXVIII. Tearing Me Apart

ARIANA'S POV

"Thanks for the ride. Do you live around here?" I ask Jen from inside her car. We just pulled up to the campus, and I'm dreading going in.

"I live in Tallahassee, but I'm thinking about transferring to this school next year." She informs me.

"Oh. Well, you should. If you need anything, I'm your girl." I give her a small smile, climbing out of the car afterwards.

"Good to know. And by the way, you're working that ombré." Jen sends me a wink.

"Thanks." I giggle, flipping my no longer all blonde hair over my shoulder. It's dark brown at the roots, then it gets lighter at the ends.

"Catch you later." She waves goodbye as I shut the door before the vehicle speeds off.

I take a deep breath, and head towards the dorms. I look down at my phone, and find a sea of unread messages waiting for me:

Nicki: Ari, where are you? Please talk to me.

Iggy: A, answer your phone. I need to know you're okay.

Jessie: Ari, pick up the damn phone!

Taylor: Ariana, where did you run off to? Please call.

Meghan: Ariana, please. A call, text, word, letter, emoji. Just send something to let us know where you are.

Justin: A, I heard what happened. Are you okay?

Nicki: Just give me an address please.

Meghan: Please don't do anything stupid.

Nicki: Ariana, do I need to call your dad?

Jessie: If you don't pick up soon, I'm gonna call the police.

Nicki: Are you hurt?

Taylor: Say something.

I feel terrible about making my friends worry about me, but I had to get away. I read through the texts, my breath hitching when a certain message catches my eye:

Harry: We need to talk.

I huff out a breath, and trudge into the dorm building.

"Ariana!" Someone calls out to me, and I turn to see Demi.

Lord Jesus, I don't need this right now.

I cross my arms over my chest. "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to say that maybe if you weren't such a whore, you wouldn't have had that happen to you." She fakes a pout, and shrugs her shoulders before walking off with her flock of bitches. Honestly, it's a relief.

I can already imagine all the pitiful stares I'm going to receive in the near future, so to have someone still acting the same--even if it is Demi being her stone cold self-- might just be what helps me keep my sanity throughout this day.

I walk into the dorm building, sending Ms. Ro a small smile, which she returns--though her's has an underlying sadness.

Once I approach my dorm room, I pause. I take a deep breath, and open the door to find.....

Nothing.

No one's in here. Although it's strange, I know they'll be back soon. This is good. This gives me time to collect myself before I'm bombarded with questions.