My first crush (COMPLETED)√

PART 2: CHAPTER 75: Facing the bitch

I woke on Monday morning with an unfamiliar sense of relief spreading warmly through my chest. Sunlight filtered through the curtains in soft golden streaks, casting gentle patterns across the walls. For the first time in what felt like ages — especially after everything with Stephen — my mind wasn't weighed down.

I lingered beneath the sheets, unwilling to move. The past month had been exhausting, emotionally and physically, and my body welcomed the comfort of stillness.

Turning my head to the right, I blinked sleep from my eyes and found breakfast waiting on the bedside table — neatly arranged — and Stephen sitting nearby, watching me with quiet amusement. The sight pulled a smile across my face before I could stop it.

He really could be so thoughtful.

"Morning," he greeted, his voice warm, lips curved into an easy smile.

"Stephen..." I groaned softly, rubbing my eyes. "Come on. I told you to stop doing this. You make me feel lazy."

He shrugged lightly. "I like it that way. Besides, it's not like you hate it... or I can just take it away."
He reached for the sandwich as if to remove it.

"Wait!" I shot upright, stretching toward him. "That's not what I meant. Bring it back — I'm starving."

He chuckled, handing it over. "Thought you'd keep pretending. Eat fast — we're already late for class."

He slipped out of the room while I devoured the sandwich, answering through a mouthful,
"I will!"

⸻

After eating, I hurried through my routine — shower steam fogging the mirror, the cool tiles under my feet, toothbrush clattering against porcelain as I rushed. Remembering I'd left some of my clothes at his place, I grabbed one of his shirts and pulled it on. It smelled faintly of his cologne, comforting in a strange way.

The bedroom door opened quietly. I sensed Stephen leaning there before I even turned.

"You ready?" he asked, keys dangling between his fingers.

"Yeah." I exhaled, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

We left together, stepping into the crisp morning air.

⸻

Lecture dragged on endlessly. The professor's voice blurred into background noise while I scanned the room. Faces came and went, but not the one I was looking for.

Aaron.

That jerk.
Where the hell is he?

"I told you to forget about him," Stephen murmured close to my ear, his breath brushing my skin. He'd noticed my wandering eyes.

"What?" I straightened immediately. "I don't know what you're talking about."

His brow lifted knowingly.
"Aaron. Guess he didn't have the nerve to show. Come on — let's head home. You don't want to be late."

He reached for my hand, but I didn't move.

"Stephen..." I hesitated. "I need to see him. I know you told me to stay away, but I have to face him. I need answers — why he did what he did."

He groaned softly, running a hand over his face.
"Girls..." he muttered, already knowing I wouldn't back down. "Fine. I'm coming with you. No arguments."

"Okay — but this is between me and him. You wait in the car," I insisted.

He tilted his head, unconvinced.
"Uh... I'll try."

"Deal," I said, giving him a small smile.