Bitches Shred In Pieces

08: Chats With Joseph Are The Best

During lunch, Michelle speeds towards Tony's table where he is sitting next to his "new" boyfriend, even though they've been having something since quite a while. She couldn't resist hearing the discussion given by all Katerina teachers in first period about not running away or hang out with strangers. All of this because of Karen's disappearance. It has the entire school in shock now that they realize it's serious and not some teenage-drama prank. She feels the need to talk to Tony and Lena about how they're going to deal with all that is happening right now, including the last note Michelle got from XOXO. They never actually talked—or went—at Lena's house the time they planned it, so why not now?

  As she's about to reach for Tony's black t-shirt, someone grabs her wrist. The warmth and softness of that hand gives her familiar chills.

  "How about we sit together today?" Joseph asks, giving her the baby-face with those forest-green eyes that still drive her crazy.

  "Actually—"

  "Please," he begs, gripping his hand harder around her wrist. "I need someone to talk to about Karen."

  As if Michelle is the right person to talk about her. But she can't leave Joseph alone when he's suffering. Is he though? Did he truly care about Karen, after all?

  Michelle looks at Tony one last time, as if he might turn around and separate her from Joseph's conversation about the dead girl. Sadly, he doesn't.

  "Ok," Michelle mutters.

  Joseph takes her outside the school building where she meets the warm sun and the sound of busy Katerina town. Students that skip lunch to have more free time are here, chatting or playing sports. He stops under one of the maple trees and sits underneath the nice shade.

  Michelle takes a seat next to him, folding her hands in her lap. "So?"

  Joseph takes a deep breath and starts, "I hope this conversation doesn't bother you."

  It hella does, she wants to say. "No. Go ahead," Michelle insists, actually hoping that he wouldn't take long.

  "Alright. The truth is... Karen and I had something going on," he confesses, staring at the green grass on front of him.

  "Oh." Michelle can't help but feel a sudden hollowness in her stomach.

  "I really wanted to start a new relationship with her. She's been so sweet to me these past days and it hurts to know she's gone." He glances at Michelle with his head still lowered, twisting the corner of his mouth to the side.

  Michelle simply nods, not capable of responding without hiding her jealousy.

  "About two weeks ago, we both decided to go to the lake outside of a town near Ackerville. We stayed there until night, when the moon was the only thing shining. That's where she kissed me, and I must admit it was beautiful," he explains, facing Michelle again. He's grinning with glowing eyes.

  Michelle doesn't hear the rest coming out of his mouth. The only words popping in her head are: She kissed me, and I must admit it was beautiful. Her stomach doesn't feel empty anymore, it's about to explode with rage. The stinging pain in her chest overcomes the other emotions. Karen stole those magical moments with Joseph from her, but Michelle took something more valuable.

  Her life.

  Joseph notices Michelle's flaming, red face. "Michelle, what is wrong?"

  "Why did you bring me here to talk about her? You know I dislike Karen so much! Also, did you forget that we dated?" Joseph frowns as Michelle speaks loud and clear. "What kind of guy talks to her ex-girlfriend, who still loves him, about another girl?"

  She shuts her mouth before she blurts out secrets she might regret yelling. Not looking at him, Michelle runs back inside the building and into the restrooms. Luckily for her, no one is inside. She throws her backpack on the floor and walks to the mirror. In the reflection on front of her, she can see the tears streaming from her hazel-colored eyes.

  If only Karen wouldn't have come to Katerina again, she would've still be alive and Michelle and Joseph could've been back together. Who knows what else could've happened? And even if Michelle denies it from the outside, as she recalls Joseph's words, there is a glint in her that is glad that Karen is gone—forever.

~

A\N: Michelle can't help but still love Joseph. Like and comment!💋