Next To Love [Book 2]

Chapter 15 : Love Me, Love Me Not *

Melanie

It's been four days since all those incidents. Vitani and I weren't exactly on speaking terms. I felt too awkward to approach her first and I guess she felt the same way because she hasn't bothered to talk, call or even text me. In fact, she went bold by moving seats in art class and sit next to another student.

Yovann noticed our distance and he decided to ask me about it. I told him the truth, there was no point in hiding it, we're all friends... at least I hoped we still were.

Now was my chance to ask Yovann about whom I had saw him with. I've been procrastinating on asking him, but I think now is about to time I should bring it up, if their relationship is the way I think it is I don't want Yovann getting hurt. I just need to figure out how to approach the situation without being too blunt or brutal.

"So... this date, you never told me who it was with?" I nudge him with my elbow lightly, dipping my paintbrush into the bucket of water.

He blushes just a bit as he is focused on his painting. "It's nobody, really." He shrugs.

"You know you can tell me anything right?" I pout.

He nods. "Yeah, I know," he sets down his paintbrush and turns to me with a playful scowl. "It's Marcus."

"Oh," I pretend to be surprised even though I already knew. "Is he nice to you?"

To be honest, I would never taken Marcus to be gay (or bi/pansexual). He seemed pretty straight last I remember. I guess people can fool you by they way they act or how they look.

"Yeah, he's nice. He's nice to look at too." He chuckles, making me laugh lightly too. I've never seen Yovann happy about anyone, and it's quite enlightening. He isn't the type of guy who fusses about not being in a relationship, but seeming like this could be an upcoming one the least I could do is be happy for him.

"Nice."

Maybe I should give Marcus a chance to prove himself. I know Marcus wasn't a good person, completely capable of raping me for money, but perhaps he has changed. I hoped he has his life together now and at least had a decent job for a twenty-one year old. All I could do is pray for the best.

Classes passed me by swiftly and next thing I know I'm walking towards my dorm room door, my head hanging low as I search for the keys within my tote bag.

"Mel."

I jumped back in fright before looking up. I place a hand over my frantically beating heart when I noticed the familiar face I hadn't spoken to in a few days.

"Can we please talk?" Leo scratches the nape of his neck as he cringes thinking I wouldn't oblige.

I ignore him for a quick second, unlocking my door first and stepping into my dorm which Leo follows me into, closing the door behind us.

I let out an exasperated huff as I set my large bag down that carries my school materials before I decide to finally focus my attention on Leo.

"What is that you want to talk about?"

"About the way I acted when I was drunk. I can only remember it faintly, but all I remember after I passed out was that you got angry at me meaning I must've done something to upset you. And... and I-I'm sorry." He gives me a look of sympathy, his words seemed sincere, but his eyes were dull, appearing to lack emotion.