B I T T E R

C H A P T E R TWENTY THREE

Lying in my hospital bed, with all the tubes stuck in my body, I started to cry. My room was full of my friends and family, but I didn't want to talk to them. I let the tears silently flow.

"Charlotte? Are you awake?" my mom whispered. She was holding my hand. My father was standing over her. When the girls heard her, they surrounded my bed.

I only blinked, staring into her eyes. 

This was the first time I was speechless. It was the first time I was sympathetic for my actions. For all I'd done to Caitlyn, I deserved to be in that bed. For all I'd done to Ace, I deserved to be have been shot in the stomach.

The doctor entered the room with two detectives behind him.

"Charlotte is awake! This is good." The doctor smiled. I stared at him and his smile faltered. I should've been dead.

"Please speak, Charlotte." Riley cooed. She would be a great mother one day.

"Where is Ace?" I asked.

"He's currently in jail." The detective spoke up.

"He's awaiting trial." The other one said.

"Please tell him I'm sorry." I said. My voice was hoarse.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." My dad rubbed my hand. He didn't understand. Only the girls understood why I said that.

"We just want you to tell us what happened." The first detective pulled out his notepad.

"I'm not ready, yet." I shook my head. I didn't know what to say. "I just want to speak with the girls right now."

"Oh, Charlotte," my mom started to say.

"Mom, please." I cut her off. She sighed in frustration and led the way out the room. The other reluctantly left.

"Don't tell them the truth, Charlotte." Havoc instructed. They already knew what I was going to ask them.

"This is punishment enough, I suppose." I frowned.

"He doesn't deserve the truth to be told anymore." Riley said.

Spencer nodded in agreement.

I would continue to lie because that was what was easiest for me. I felt guilty and like it was right for me to be there, so I guess that was good enough.

"Next time, don't get so obsessed." Riley advised.

"Until Aidan, I'm done with boys." I promised.

My relationship with Ace was a competition to see who could hurt the other more. It started well and it just fizzled from there. I was used to winning and getting what I wanted, but Ace took the trophy with this one.

He changed me a lot this year.

Ace turned me bitter.

THE END