And That's How It Happened

Chapter 9 | Day 10 | I Thought You Didn't Believe In Love

Song of the Chapter: Ghost of You by Selena Gomez

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When I wake up, my pillow is soaked. I spent nearly the entire night crying into my pillow, sobs shaking my body. I don't know why his words hurt so much.

Because you like him.

Not anymore. He hurt me. I actually started to trust him. Then he broke it.

Looking at the clock, I see that it's seven thirty. For the first time, I curse my inability to sleep in. Why? Why can't I sleep in? That way I can avoid thinking about what happened? I stay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Getting up with a sigh, I pad to the bathroom. I look terrible. My eyes are red and puffy, my hair's a mess, and I can feel more tears come on as I think about last night. My chest feels hollow and my neck feels bare without the necklace. I only had it for a couple minutes, but I loved it so much. I step into the shower to try to wash off the memories of last night, but it doesn't work.

When I get out, my eyes are slightly less puffy and I feel kind of refreshed. Putting on my glasses, I hope they blur the puffiness and sadness in my eyes. I twist my hair into my usual French braid and take the elevator downstairs to get breakfast for myself. I really don't feel like taking food up to the room right now.

When I sit down with my plate and a cup of coffee at a small table in the corner of the breakfast area, a magazine special is slapped down next to me. Jumping slightly, I spill the piercing hot coffee on my jeans. Wincing, I dab at the growing stain. Looking up, I see Kylanerr glaring at me.

"What is this?" He demands.

Looking down at the magazine, I widen my eyes at the title. Mystery Girl Captures the Heart of Grantire's Biggest Playboy. There's a picture of Adrenor and I walking out of the hotel, hand in hand.

Looking up at Kylanerr, I stumble over my words in my haste to defend myself.

"No, Kylanerr, it's not what you think. Adrenor asked me to go as a friend. That's all, I swear! I don't even like him! You're the only guy I like," I say in a rush.

The tension leaves his body and I see him visibly relax. He gives me a small smile and I smile back tentatively. Then he walks off. What? Confused, I turn back to my food, reading the article as I eat. It talks about us being secretly engaged, that's why I've stuck around so long. I chuckle as I think of the absurdity of that idea. There isn't  enough money in the world that would make me marry him. I hate him. Hate him. He hurt me.

Didn't I tell you that? Now look at you. Moping in a table in the corner and reading a magazine about a future that could never happen. You started to like him and now look at what's happened. You got hurt. Didn't I tell you over and ov-

I slam the door on the voice and turn back to my food. I don't really feel like feeling worse than I do right now. When I finish my food, I start to head back upstairs to the warmth of my bed and a book. Then I see him. Ducking behind a pillar, I peek out and see Adrenor talking to a girl. Still moving as fast as ever. They walk to the elevator and I have to wait for them to get on it and disappear before I can go. But I walk out too quickly and Adrenor spots me from between the closing door and I see something flicker in his eyes. Happiness? Before I can place it, I turn away, looking at him is too painful.

I push the button and another elevator comes with Krycyand on it.

"Hey!" I greet.

She ignores me and shoves past me, but not before shoving something in my hand. Looking down, I see the same magazine article that Kylanerr gave me earlier, except this one has one question on a sticky note slapped on the front. Why?