Foreign

Chapter 27

For a moment there is complete silence. Not even the birds make a sound. I can't tell what's going through my head. Anger, hurt, sadness, disappointment... I feel them all but none of them really describes the feeling that's clawing its way through my body. Betrayal. That's the word. I feel so betrayed by Hero. It's the final straw, the last drop. I can't even cry. I must be in shock. I look at Scott and for some reason, he looks hurt. Like really, really hurt. For a second I wonder why but I can't concentrate on that. I need to focus. I need to get out of here. Melany looks very pleased with herself and all kinds of feelings show on Hero's face. He looks scared now.

"Charlotte.." It's a mere whisper because of the lump in his throat.

"Is it true?" Scott whispers too. For some reason he's not looking at Hero, or me but he's stating at Melany.

"Yes." She triumphantly says.

"NO!" Hero yells. It startles me after the whispering and the silence. Suddenly the world comes back to life and the hurt and betrayal hits me. I still don't feel any tears. I'm over that. I've cried enough over this boy. The anger that's rushing through my veins makes the world foggy. I'll probably attack one of them. I take a few deep breaths.

"Of course it is." I'm surprised by how calm my voice sounds. There's no hurt, no anger. I sound numb. I sound as if I don't care.

"No! I didn't have sex with her! You have to believe me! I just told you what happened!" Hero is panicking. Why is that? Is it because he knows he's about to lose me forever? Probably not. He's probably freaking out about the baby. Not ready to be a father yet.

"Why would I believe you? How can I?" My voice still has that weird numbness.

"I would NEVER do that to you! You know that! I love you!"

"Do you, Hero? I mean, this feels very familiar. I feel like we're walking in circles. We always end up here. Fighting over Melany."

"There is nothing between us! I swear!"

"Then why are we having the same fight over and over? You can't let her go. I know you felt so bad for her these last couple of weeks. I know you wanted to include her. Why is that? After all she did? Why do you still want to be her friend?"

Silence. He doesn't know what to say. He knows I'm right.

"Nothing happened." He sounds so fragile. But it's all an act. He's such a great actor.

"YOU KISSED HER!" Suddenly I can't take it anymore. This needs to end. Now. I'm breaking the wheel.

"No! I did not!"

"I fucking saw you!" Scott suddenly says. I forgot all about him.

"SHE kissed me. I pushed her away! I told you!"

"No, you left that out of your story. You didn't tell me."

"I... It didn't mean anything so I didn't want to worry you. I swear we didn't have sex."

"A pregnancy test doesn't lie."

"WHY AREN'T YOU LISTENING TO ME!" He's losing it too. I know we've attracted a crowd because I hear the mumbling.

He takes a step towards me and tries taking my arm.

"Back off. Don't touch me. Don't you ever touch me again! I HATE YOU! I FUCKING HATE YOU!"

He stumbles backwards as if I pushed him. The hurt in his green eyes is too much. I look away.

"You don't mean that." He whispers.

"Oh I do. I mean it, stay away from me Hero!" I stare in his eyes and I try to make him understand how much I hate him. How much I need him to stay away from me before he completely destroys me. I don't even look at Melany or Scott anymore. I give Hero one last piercing look before I walk away. I'm over this. No more crying, all I want is to forget. This pain needs to go away.

Josh, Isabella and Brody are waiting for me by the steps.

"Charlotte?" Isabella asks with an insecure voice. "Are you okay?"

"Diego told us what happened." Brody adds.

Great, now everyone knows Melany is carrying Hero's baby.

"Can we go out tonight?" I ask. "I need to forget."

They look at each other and they all come to the conclusion it's not a good idea. I just know.

"Please." I hate that I'm begging and I hate that I sound so weak.

"Okay, we'll go out." Josh decides. "We'll take you to a bar in town."

(Hi! I just want to thank everyone for their continuous support! I love reading all your comments! Some of you have been with me since Abroad, which I started nearly a year ago, so thank you so much! I hope you all keep following Hero and Charlotte's story. Please keep posting comments & likes! You're what's driving me to keep writing. V.)