A Break Apart

CHAPTER 46. Trap

Abel answered the door when I knocked. He looked like someone else, lacking that excessive positive spirit.

"Hey," I said in a cheerful tone, in hopes to revive him, but I only managed to get a small smile, almost forced, as he let me in.

He locked the door and turned to me. "I really didn't want to bother you, but the situation is kind of like a girl's thing, and you obviously can handle it better."

I folded my arms across my chest. "Are you done?" I said, and he smiled a little. "Who else would you have bothered?" I asked a rhetorical question that made him cringe while scratching the back of his head. "You both were there for me at the time I needed it, and it's only reasonable that I do the same. I'm actually glad you called. Because I feel important. Worthy," I teased, and he served me another small portion of a smile, as though he was being mindful not to run out of the little quantity he had.

"So, how's Sandra?"

He sighed. "She's been in her room since morning, she didn't even come down for breakfast."

"Let me check on her." I headed for the stairs, but then I stopped and looked back. "And please put a real smile on that face, you look ugly."

He chuckled, barely manageable.

"I guess I'll have to fall on my knees to get a real one."

He laughed this time. "You're just the clown Sandra needs right now."

I held out my crossed fingers with a cringed face, hoping for luck as I proceeded upstairs.

I stood before the door to her room, then I braced myself and knocked, loud enough for her to hear, and quiet enough to not be a nuisance.

"Abel, I want to be alone!"

I jolted at her high-pitched voice, which came with a force capable of pushing me down the stairs.

"It's Nadine," I cringed. The atmosphere went still, then I heard the sound of footsteps, and then the unlocking sound of the door.

"Hey!" She wiped what I suppose were tears from her eyes. "What a surprise visit, and congratulations, you're now a graduate!" she flashed me a plastic grin, and I couldn't help the pity smile I returned.

"Thanks, but I'm not here for a visit. Abel asked me to come, so quit the act. How are you?"

She sighed as she turned around and started walking to her bed. I stepped in, closed the door and followed suit.

She sat on her bed, yoga style, but with slouched shoulders, and I sat in front of her.

"What's the matter?"

Her eyes blurred at my question. "He cheated on me, Nadine"-My face fell-"He cheated on me..." she said again, then broke down in tears.

"Hey, it's alright." I pulled her in for a hug, and she held on tight, crying nonstop. "It's okay. He's not worth it, Sandra," I said, rubbing her back.

She slowly pulled away, wiping tears from her eyes. "What hurts me the most is how the whole thing happened," she said between sobs.

"How did it happen?" I asked.

She cleaned her eyes with her palms for the hundredth time. "Okay, so school ended, and our department organised a party for the session. I told him I couldn't make it because I was leaving school with Abel that day. And I left worrying about this crazy Sonia girl that's been chasing him. We spoke on the phone after the party and he promised me nothing happened between them. Then last night I got a call from a coursemate asking if Nelson and I were still together. I was confused because we were, and I told her that. She then asked me to check our group chat. You won't believe what I saw, Nadine." Fresh tears fell out of her eyes and she wiped them off.