Sparks Fly

Chapter 22

"So, it's your first date with your boyfriend after high school," Yvette teased.

I giggled, nodding. It's been a few days since we graduated and I now have a high school diploma. It feels great to know that I've achieved something great in life. Life was cruel to me when I was a child but it seems to be compensating me now.

I have a wonderful boyfriend, a clear direction in life and I even met my idol! It's as if life is apologising for treating me so badly in my early years.

"You need to wear something beautiful. This is a new phase of your life!" Yvette exclaimed. "Let's see. What should you wear? Oh, why do you only have two dresses in your wardrobe? And Jace has already seen you in both of them."

I rolled my eyes and patted her shoulders. "Come on, it's just a date. There's no need for dresses," I muttered. "I think I'll look very cool in this T-shirt!" I picked up a random plain white shirt from my wardrobe. "I think it'll go well with a pair of jeans."

She shrugged. "Suit yourself."

I changed into them, much to Yvette's dismay. What can I say? I hate wearing dresses and I avoid them as much as I can. I looked at the mirror. The white T-shirt shows off my tanned skin. "I look cool, don't I?"

"Yeah, kind of," she murmured, tapping on her chin. Her forehead was creased slightly. "It doesn't matter. You look good in anything."

"Thanks," I laughed.

Clutching my phone and purse to my abdominal area, I took the subway to Times Square. Since it's the place we went to on our first date, it would be apt to have our first date after high school here, right?

As I got up to the street level, I checked the time. I was fifteen minutes early. Was I a little too excited? Wandering around Times Square, I waited for Jace. However, he was nowhere to be seen. I spotted a bench and took a seat.

After some time, he was still not here. I looked at the time on my phone and frowned. He's twenty minutes late. I can't believe I've already waited for thirty-five minutes! What's taking him so long? Is he okay?

I kept my phone in my pocket and crossed my right leg over the left. Leaning my left elbow on my knee, I rested my head on my hand. Just then, I felt a vibration in my pocket. I took out my phone and swiped on the notification. It was a message from Jace.

I'm sorry, Belle. I can't do this anymore. Let's break up.

My heart skipped a beat. My eyes widened in horror. My breath hitched. What? I shook my head and laughed to calm myself down. I replied: April Fools' Day is three months ago, Jace. This is not funny at all.

He didn't reply. I bit my lip. Was it something I said? Was it something I did? I heaved a deep sigh. I muttered under my breath, "Maybe he's trying to scare me. How childish! We've already graduated from high school and he's still playing such lame pranks!"

However, another half hour passed and there was still no sign of Jace Leighton. Just then, another message came through. It read: I'm really very sorry.

"What?" I accidentally said aloud. I looked at the message again to make sure that I didn't read it wrong. Stop lying to yourself, Belinda. That was when I finally accepted that he had meant what he had sent.

I locked my phone, stood up and stomped towards the subway. I can't believe he just stood me up and broke up with me on the phone! He didn't even bother to call! He just texted me! What a coward! What an asshole!

I immediately unlocked my phone and opened the phone app. I blocked him. I opened Instagram and blocked him. I opened Twitter and blocked him. I opened WhatsApp and blocked him. I opened Telegram and blocked him.