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Chapter 46 - he's like, stalking me

Juliet:

"I can't believe your brother was a fighter!" Bella said as she took a seat on Juliet's bed.

With Sophie out at a party, Juliet had needed some company other than her draining and bossy parents. Therefore, she had invited Bella over and since she had been here, the topic had focused explicitly on Brad, Andrew, the fight and nothing else.

"Me neither... it all still seems so crazy."

Taking a seat beside her, Juliet looked over at her wall where a picture of herself, Sophie and Andrew was placed. It was her favourite photo of the three of them yet it was a memory she could not recollect. She'd been told about the day when it was taken but she had no real collection of the events. Juliet had been young when he passed away but it wasn't even that, the lack of memories was more to do with her brain deciding to block out every single part of her life before Andrew had passed.

"Has Sophie told you much more than what that guy said?"

"No." Juliet shook her head as she turned her attention to Bella. "She's told me the basics and that's it. I know she's hiding something from me."

"Like what?" Bella asked through curiosity.

She would have just taken Sophie's word for what it was however, Juliet knew her sister better than that and could tell when she was lying or holding back.

"I don't know; I just know there is more to it. I want to go and speak to Andrew's old trainer at some point."

"Are you serious? You're going to go to the gym and just... approach him?"

Although it probably would have been a nice idea to catch him when he was least expecting it, Juliet did not quite have the confidence to go strolling in the fighting gym. To add to that, Aaron spent the majority of his time there so it would be impossible to do without him seeing her.

"Soph said I can go with her to Aaron's big fight in a couple of weeks... I'm going to find him then." Juliet explained, considering she already had it all planned out.

Sophie hated her going to the fights, especially because she was underage. However, considering Aaron's next fight was an extremely important one and Sophie had softened to the idea of attending herself now, she had agreed for Juliet to go with her. Therefore, she had planned to jump at the opportunity and spend the time she was there to sneak off and find Toni for herself.

She hoped he would fill her in and tell her more details than she knew right now. She currently felt like she was trying to put together a huge puzzle yet with a great deal of pieces missing. It was impossible.

"You have to take me with you!" Bella beamed as she jumped to her feet, clearly showing pure excitement for what she saw as a bit of an adventure. "I hope Brad's there too so we can shove Aaron's fighting in his face even more."

As Juliet began laughing at the idea of that and how pleasing it sounded, Bella's screeching voice immediately startled her. She was stood over by Juliet's laptop with her hands covering her mouth.

"What?" Juliet quickly jumped to her feet and rushed over to her side to see what the big deal was about.

"Cute guy alert! Someone just messaged you."

"What?" Juliet frowned as she peered over Bella's shoulder. "Who?"

"Someone who goes by the name of Matt Russle..."

As Bella slid the mouse over to open up the chat, Juliet instantly panicked as she didn't recognise the name but she did know the face in the picture.

"No, wait!" She yelled yet it was too late. Bella had already pulled it up and just signalled to him that Juliet had now read his message. She could no longer get out of replying.

You missed your session today - were the words she read across the screen, only causing Bella to look around at her in question.

"What does he mean and who is this? He's gorgeous!"

"I don't know Bella. He's just some guy I saw outside the counselling office."

"Ah! So he knows you didn't go today... which also means he was looking out for you!"

Bella's excitable squeals were not being appreciated by Juliet, as she did not quite see the same excitement. While her best friend was buzzing and already planning the wedding guest list, she was stood in more confusion at why he was even messaging her.

"Say something back! You can't leave him waiting."

"No, Bella. Ignore it. It's weird... he's like, stalking me."

Although she was shrugging it off as though she didn't care, deep down Juliet did want to message him back. She felt a thrill at the fact that he had been looking out for her today and actually noticed when she had missed her session. They had barely even spoken.

"I'll reply for you then!" Bella insisted and before Juliet could stop her, she had already typed something out and hit send.

I couldn't make it... missed seeing your face though! X

In that moment, Juliet felt like being swallowed up by the ground, as she didn't want this mysterious, cute guy thinking she had responded with something like that. Therefore, when the three dots appeared to signal he was replying her heart began physically thumping against her chest.

Who is this?

Bella looked at Juliet with a frown across her face before turning back to the laptop and typing.

Juliet? Of course!

...

...

Doesn't sound like it. Are you her friend?

"Shit. Caught red handed." Bella cursed, throwing her arms over her chest in frustration causing Juliet to chuckle, more in relief than anything.

Is Juliet there?

...

...

Looking at the messages in front of her, Juliet was fighting every urge to write back to him and she finally gave in the moment Bella was about to do it for her, once again.

I'll be at the next one :)

...

Cool. I'll see you there then

...

Without that arse brad, right?