Treacherous

Chapter 12: No Matter What

I wiped away my tears as I finished telling Amanda about the break up between Connor and I.

"Oh, Val, you didn't deserve this. He is an asshole to leave you. You deserve someone so much better." Amanda said, giving me a comforting hug.

"Come on. Let's go and buy some ice-cream. There is no heartbreak that ice-cream can't cure." I giggled at her and nodded. We both stood up, grabbed our purses and phones and headed out.

Amanda and I sat in my car and we both drove off to our favourite ice-cream parlour, Sugary Delight. We both arrived at the small building with a huge ice-cream statue stuck over it - we were finally here.

The few past days were horrible. I couldn't get Connor off my mind even though I was the one to break it off. I didn't think that he had a big role in my life. I missed him, a lot. But I knew better.

Amanda was right.

I deserved better.

Maybe you should give Zander a chance.

Maybe. But I don't want to get my heart broken again. I don't think I'll be able to survive it once more. I'm not ready to get in a relationship. Not in this circumstance, that's for sure.

But for now, my main goal was to do everything in my power to get over Connor Bradley.

"Earth to Valentine." I heard Amanda say. I gave her an apologetic smile and said, "Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I was just suggesting you should bunk school tomorrow. Take a day off. Rest. And cure your heartbreak."

No I won't take a day off. I have had many days to rest and to get rid of my heartbreak (but that didn't work, of course).

I'm not giving Connor the satisfaction, knowing that this was killing me.

Never in a million years.

I quickly shook my head and said, "No. I'm going to school. Start the day as if it was the first day of school. I will ignore Connor and get over that conceited jerk." Amanda gave an immediate thumbs up and nodded.

We both got out of my car and headed toward Sugary Delight. As soon as we both got in, a plump woman wearing a white frock with black polka dots, greeted us.

"Hey girls! How are y'all? It's been a long time since I've seen such pretty faces!" Amy chirped. Amanda and I laughed at her cuteness. Amy was a great friend of mine. She was basically like a mother to me. She was in her 40s and her husband died during his army days. But she was so strong. I loved her.

"Amy, I'm sorry! School was being a pain in the butt! We're fine. You tell me, how are you?" I said. I lied about the first part. I was anything but fine.

"Okay. Enough of talking! What are you both lovely ladies ordering?" Amy asked.

"Our usual." Amanda replied. Amy gave a nod and walked away. We both looked around for an empty table and finally we did find. We quickly went and sat down.

"Hey you're okay right?" Amanda asked me. I looked down and nervously fumbled my fingers. "I-I... Honestly Amanda, I am not sure. I miss him so much. I don't think it'll be as easy to get over him as I thought it would be."

"Listen to me," Amanda said as she held my hands firmly with a soft gaze. "Connor is stupid to not realize that he let such an amazing girl slip away from his grasp. You are my best friend and I'm not going to see you get upset over that jerk face anymore. I am going to help you move on from him." Amanda ended with a determined face. I gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand and said, "I'll try."

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"Do you know about the road trip? Andrew told me about it." I looked up at her in confusion and said, "What road trip?" Amanda's eyes widened and she said, "You don't know? Anyway, Zander and Andrew both are going to Zander's cabin and he has invited us." I mumbled an okay in response and continued flipping through my magazine. This road trip would certainly be a good run away from all my drama and maybe this trio would play a huge play in getting over Connor. Amanda and I were at my house and we were doing absolutely nothing. She was eyeing a shirtless picture of Zac Efron while I was reading a magazine (of which I didn't know the name of).

"I told him that we both are going." Amanda said with a smirk. I gave her a disbelieving look and said, "Without asking me?" Amanda's smirk widened and said, "As if you'd say no." at hearing this I grabbed the nearest pillow and chucked it at her, hitting her square in the face. I laughed at her as she fell from the bed. "You are so going down!" Amanda shrieked as she grabbed a pillow. I did the same and I let out a cry signalling that it was on.

Later that day, Amanda helped me pack for the road trip. Summer break was in two days, so sooner the better. Amanda left after few minutes after we were done packing. Throughout the day I tried to not think about Connor and occupied myself with something or the other.

My thoughts were broken when I heard a knock on my window. I quickly looked through my window and saw Zander looking up at me with an unreadable expression. Zander and I were close, very close. For the past few days, he was always around. He was patient, as if he was waiting for me. Giving me time. Things between us were okay. More than okay. I was scared, no, terrified about the thought of dating Zander. I am tired of getting hurt every time. I know Zander wants something more, I don't need to be a genius to guess that. He has certainly changed and I am glad but for now, I want him to be nothing but a friend to me. I need to think about myself first and not about a relationship.

I slid open the window and whispered-yelled, "What are you doing here?" Zander flashed me his famous smirk and said, "I wanted to see you." I blushed and shook my head. "There is a front door Zander. Come in." He shook his head and said, "I'm trying to be romantic here." This caused me to laugh.

Romantic.

"Zander, I think we need to talk."

~~~~~

"What did you wanted to talk about?" Zander asked me as he sat beside me on the sofa. I nervously bit my lip and contemplated whether I'm going to say the right thing or wrong.

"Zander you are an amazing guy and I know that you are trying to change your ways. And I appreciate it. But I don't think that I can handle another heartbreak. I don't want to be just another girl for you. I want something real and you certainly don't believe in something as pure as true love. What I'm trying to say is, I want to think about myself now. I know I am being selfish but getting your heartbroken twice does this to you. I am asking for time and patience, can you give me that?" I asked him and looked up. He had an unreadable expression on his face. He slowly leaned in and cupped my face gently as if I would break.

"I'll wait. I'll wait forever, if that's how long it takes. No matter how long, I will always be here. I know it won't be easy, it's going to be fucking difficult but I'm willing to try. I will wait for you. No matter what." Zander finished and he closed the gap between us until we were mere inches apart.

"No matter what? "I whispered, our lips brushing gently. "No matter what." And after that, he kissed me gently on my lips. No tongue, no teeth. Just lips on lips. He was promising me through this kiss. And I knew that no matter what happens, he would wait for me.

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Hey guys! I hope you liked this chapter. This one is my favorite chapter from this book because it tells us that getting the guy isn't always necessary. It tells us about what true love is. And specially, the Zander and Valentine moment.

Let me know what you think in the comment section and please please vote!

See you later!

Much love xo