SOLACE

seven

Henry left the park first. I became too focused on reading I didn't realize he was done sketching already. He stood up in front of me, waiting for me to look back.

He clears his throat that made me look up to him, "Hey, I have to go already. Is it okay?"

I chuckle at him, he really didn't have to ask me. I was fine being alone and him leaving.

"Yes, no worries. Take care." I softly say. Remembering the last time he said that to me.

"Okay then, I'll see you around, Adeline." He smiles at me and gives a small wave before turning his back on me.

The next week, I went to school with me hearing from people that I cheated on Eli. Why is he becoming this childish and petty? No one knew my side besides my friends and he tells all the people that I'm not even close with that I'm the one cheating? Where did that come from?

The amount of people judging me who I don't even know. Fuck. Where does he get the audacity? I've done nothing but cry but I remained silent and he starts this fucking rumors.

He's going way below the belt for someone who broke up the relationship. What did I ever do to him? I calmed myself when I could feel the tears pooling in my eyes.

"Don't do anything yet. He's really just doing this on purpose but I don't know why." Cali says as we walk out of the class. Franco following behind texting someone, probably his fling or something.

"I just want some fucking peace of mind. Why can't he just give me that?" I sighed.

"He's obviously being an ass. Probably because he hasn't been getting laid ever since you left." Franco says as he laughs. I rolled my eyes at him.

We passed by the gym when someone caught my eye. It was Henry, playing basketball.

My eyebrows raised with my mouth gaped as I watch him do his drills, stopping from my tracks. I didn't know he played basketball.

"Semi-finals are coming up," Cali says as she stands beside me while I watch Henry.

I shook my head realizing I've been staring at him when Henry looked at our direction.

"When's the game?" I asked as we walked away. I bit my lip, stopping myself from thinking of Henry being sweaty and good-looking.

"You're going to watch? Since when did that happen?" Franco arched his brows at me with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Am I not allowed to do that?" I scoffed at him and looked at my phone when a notification popped up.

"I'll let you know when. We'll watch together." Cali giggles as she hooks her arm on mine.

I stopped walking when the message that came was from Dacre saying he was outside. I froze in my spot thinking if I should tell them but before I could decide, Franco went to my phone wondering why I froze.

"You and Dacre?" Franco says as he covers his mouth shocked. He laughs and shakes Cali

"Can't your voice be any louder?" I rolled my eyes at him as I walked forward the exit.

"You guys are a thing now?" Cali clings to me to fish some answers and as soon as she pushed the door open, I could see Dacre from a distance, waiting beside his car.