Loyal

Chapter 18

Vera's POV

            "Holy fucking shit," Leah huffs. We're both perched on the living room couch in our apartment. I'm on the corner of the couch, curled up under a blanket, eyes blood shot red from crying.

            "So all of that happened?" Leah's eyes are wide in disbelief at everything I just told her. She shakes her head.

            "Vera, I knew he liked you. I knew it all along. But, man... Lauren! Skank ass bitch," Leah hits her hand against the couch. "I will sock that bitch in the face next time I see her," Leah snaps. I shake my head.

            "I don't care Leah, things aren't gonna work out," I sniffle. "I can't deal with all of this. You know I can't deal with all of this," I say finally. I don't just mean the drama with Lauren. But the drama that comes with being involved romantically with a football star. How many other girls are there? How will I ever know if he's telling the truth? It's all too much to handle.

            "So you're just going to stay away from him?" Leah asks.

                        "Yes, I think that's best. I want to clear my head and think without him clouding my judgment," I say.

            "Wow, he really got to you Vera.." Leah says softly. "I mean you've always been so guarded against every other guy that's tried to get at you.."

            "I know Leah! You're making me feel worse!" I put my face into the blanket.

            "I didn't mean to make you feel bad! I'm just shocked," Leah says, rubbing my shoulder.

            She's right. I always avoided guys for this exact reason. I hate getting hurt!

            "Look, V, we have the whole weekend for you to just rest and think about what you want to do, okay?" I nod at Leah's words. A girl's weekend-much needed.

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            Monday morning comes too fast and I'm more tired than I was before I went to sleep. I sit up among empty boxes of poptarts and a bag of hot Cheetos. The sun is shining with a vengeance through my blinds, a symbol of new beginnings.  

            "Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes." Leah states, standing in my doorway with a toothbrush in her mouth. I rub my eyes.

            "Up before me, that's a first!" I laugh. Leah rolls her eyes and checks her phone.

            "Hellerrrr, don't you remember I have summer orientation, and then I start school early?" she asks. I totally forgot about USF. I lie back onto my bed.

            "I totally forgot. Did you need me to drop you off, or what?" I ask.

            "I'll be good, you have to go to the stadium anyway, Aunty Becks said she needs you there today," Leah says, leaving the doorway.

            The thought of going back to Levi Stadium made my stomach churn. I found myself wishing I had never started volunteering to help there in the first place. I roll over onto the bag of hot Cheetos to reach for my phone. Yup, Leah was right. Rebecca had texted me an hour ago asking me to head down to the stadium. I sigh before getting out of bed. Today I will do everything in my power to make sure I don't run into Colin.

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            "I have a surprise for you!!!!" Rebecca squeals, opening the door to the office I've been working in with her. I step in to find the once crowded office immaculately clean. There are two desks: hers, and the another neatly pushed to the side near the window.