Her

Chapter Thirteen

*Erika's POV*

         "Finally we're done with our exams and now we can properly prepare for prom" Liz said as we were packing our textbooks and stuff from class.

         We had just written our final papers and they were quite stressful, was were just glad it was over. All everyone could talk about now was prom. Liz's brother had a lot of girls lining up to go with him( which wasn't a surprise), and Liz and I were going together as a couple( of course). I was really excited for it because I've never been to prom before so this one was special.

          "Yeah and lucky for me I have a beautiful girlfriend by my side as my prom date" I said.

          "And I have a gorgeous sweet girlfriend as my date" she replied.

          We were about to kiss when we were interrupted by one of our classmates.

          "Sorry to interrupt your corny ass conversation but Erika, the art teacher wants to see you" she said.

          "What could he want to see you for?" Liz asked.

          "I don't know, maybe he wants to congratulate me for finishing my exams I guess, you know I'm his favorite student" I said smiling.

           " Okay then, I guess I'll see you soon then" She said and kissed me on my lips.

          I actually had an idea why he wanted to see me. Before the break he took some of my paintings to apply for a scholarship in an art school in France. It was one of the best art schools in the world and it was very hard to get in. That way why I didn't mention it to Liz because my chances of getting in was very low and I didn't want to get Liz worried. It was a good thing I kept it from her cos be was probably calling me to tell me I had been rejected.

When I got to the teacher's office, he welcomed me smiling and told me to take a seat.

          "Firstly I want to congratulate you on completing your exams and more importantly for getting the scholarship to study in France." He said smiling.

          I was so shocked. I didn't except to get in at all. I knew my portfolio was quite impressive but I didn't feel it would be enough. Liz and I had already gotten into the same college and we had made so much plans for our future together. I felt horrible cos I didn't even mention the France scholarship to her at all.

          "Can I think about it?" I asked.

        "What's there to think about?" He asked. "This is the best opportunity you can ever get in your career and there's no better school for you to explore your talent, they have the best teachers and resources for you".

          He was right. It was a once in a life time opportunity and I'd be a fool to throw away my dream.

          " Besides you have to send in your acceptance letter this week or else your slot would be given to another person. The session starts next month so you don't have much time anymore. I would advice you to choose wisely though, you're the most talented student I've had in my 30 years of teaching art and I wouldn't like such a rare and exceptional talent like yours go to waste" He said.

          I thanked him and left. On my way to the hostel I thought about Liz and our plans, i didn't want to leave her. She was the first person to see through me and the only person in the world that really gets me. I just couldn't leave her like that,  but on the other hand this was my life, my passion, my dream, I was so torn.

          "Could I convince her to come with me to France?, she could live with me and apply for a college there, would she leave her dream college here and go to a country where she knows no one and start over with me" I thought.

          I was practicing my speech to liz as I walked into our room. But what I saw stopped me in my tracks.

*Liz*

          With Erika off to see the teacher I was left to take all our stuff to the hostel by myself and it was quite a lot.

          "You look like you could use a hand" someone said collecting a bag of books from me. It was Susan, she was still into me and didn't hide it. I always avoided her but this time I really needed the extra hand so I gave her the bag and thanked her.

          "So how are you preparing for prom?" she asked as we walked to the hostel. She was trying to make small talk but I wasn't really interested. I just grunted in reply.

          "Okay" she replied unfazed. "What are you gift are you giving Ella then?"

          "Her name is Erika and I don't think it's any of your business" I answered. The truth was that I had been too occupied with my exams and preparations for prom that I didn't think of a gift for my girlfriend.

          We had gotten to my room already and I collected my bag from her.

          "Thanks for your help Susan, my girlfriend would be here any minute so you should be on your way" I said.

          "I think a necklace would be a perfect choice, with matching earrings and maybe a bracket" she said. "It'll go well with her dress and she'll look absolutely gorgeous.

          "Okay Susan, thanks for the advice" I said. It actually didn't sound like a bad idea.

          She then sat down on my bed and proceeded to show my samples of jewelry sets on her phone. I joined her to look at them cos I needed to find something for Erika as soon as possible.

          After about a minute of looking through necklaces and bracelets, Susan all of a sudden leaned in and kissed me. It was so unexpected that it took me a few seconds to process. I pushed her off me and looked up to see Erika.

*Erika*

          I saw Liz in our bed locking lips with Susan, the same girl from that night. My head was spinning, I couldn't believe my eyes. I walked/ran out of there. My mind was racing with different thoughts. Have I been lied to all this time? Have they had something all along? So I've been deceived all this while?

            "Erika wait!!!!" Liz called coming after me. "It's not what you think I swear"

            "What's there to explain?...i saw it with my own eyes...Do you think I'm a fool?...I can't believe I almost threw way my whole life because of you" I said with tears streaming down my face.

          "What do you mean?" She asked. "Don't you trust me?..After everything we've been through together do you think I'd cheat on you?.....I had nothing with her I swear"

          "I've always been cheated on all my life and the first time I actually fall in love she decides to kiss other people. It's always been her right?... I'm done living for other people Liz, my parents, you, I'm living for myself now. I'm going to leave tonight and you won't have to see me again" I said.

         I went back inside, still and tears and started throwing everything blindly inside my box. I would go to my mum's and travel from there. And put all this behind me. forget Liz ever existed and move on with my life.