My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 6: All boys are the same

I slipped into the girls' bathroom, needing somewhere to hide. Somewhere Stephen couldn't find me. I wasn't ready to talk to him. Not yet. Maybe not at all.

I leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection.
I barely recognized the girl looking back at me.

Had I really changed that much? Or was Stephen right... had I just been lying to myself all this time?

Voices drifted in from outside, and panic flickered through me. I quickly ducked into one of the stalls, pulling the door shut just as two girls entered.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe Andrew finally asked me out," Layla squealed. "It's going to be amazing."

Andrew, one of Stephen's friends.

I rolled my eyes silently.
She had no idea. Guys like him... they didn't stay. They didn't care. They left broken hearts behind like footprints.

And suddenly a thought stabbed at me — sharp and unwelcome.

Was Stephen any different?
Did he actually like me... or was I just another distraction?

Jealousy prickled under my skin as Maddie's voice filled the room.

"I wish Stephen and I were dating. Seriously. He's so handsome. I swear his looks are hypnotizing."

"You wish," Layla laughed. "Didn't you hear he just broke up with Patricia?"

"Yeah... so?"

I clenched my jaw. That was enough.

I pushed the stall door open and stepped out, irritation burning through me.

"Gossips," I muttered loudly as I passed them and walked out.

"Did she just call us that?!" Layla snapped behind me.

I didn't bother looking back.

*********

School finally ended, and I headed to the library to meet Bella and Helen so we could go home together. I prayed silently that Stephen wouldn't appear again today.

"Aren't we leaving?" I asked as I approached.

They turned toward me.

"Yeah, we were just about to," Bella replied.

Helen held up a book, eyes glowing. "There are so many romantic novels here. You should get one."

I laughed lightly. "You'll never stop reading romance, will you? One day you might turn out worse than the rest of us. Maybe I'll try one when I have time."

"You have time," Helen insisted. "I might even sleep over at your place tonight. Bella, you can come too."

"I'll try," Bella said. "Not sure yet."

"Let's go before something else dramatic happens today," I said.

Bella gave me a look. "What about Stephen?"

My face tightened. "What about him?"

"You still haven't explained what actually happened."

Helen perked up instantly. "Wait. Something happened again?"

Bella gestured animatedly. "They had another moment."

"It was nothing," I said quickly. "A mistake."

Bella's expression hardened. "Yes. Another mistake. And you haven't forgotten Patricia is your friend, right?"

"I know."

"Then wake up, Sharon. Don't drag yourself into trouble. She'll destroy you if she thinks you're messing with him."

Helen nodded. "She's terrifying. Remember what she did to Mara when she found out Stephen was secretly seeing her? 'No one dates my boyfriend except me,'" she mimicked dramatically.

I sighed. "I know she's crazy. I'm trying to avoid him... but he keeps coming after me."

Bella softened. "You'll figure it out. Come on — let's go."

********

We reached downstairs when realization struck me.

"My biology textbook!" I gasped. "I left it in the hall."

Bella groaned playfully. "Go get it. Don't take forever."

"I won't," I said, hurrying back inside, my footsteps echoing as I retraced my path.

And despite telling myself otherwise...

I couldn't shake the feeling that I might run into Stephen again.