CHAPTER FOUR
1025 Words
When Vincent finally left my house that evening, the silence that followed felt heavier than I expected. I stood by the door for a while, staring at nothing in particular, replaying every word he had said, every look on his face. I didn’t know what unsettled me more the apology itself or the fact that I had accepted it.
I reached for my phone and called my bestie almost immediately.
Before I could even speak, she blurted out, “Before you kill me, please hear me out.”
I laughed despite myself. “Go on.”
“He was really desperate, Crown,” she said quickly. “He wouldn’t stop asking for your house address. I tried to refuse, I swear. But he looked genuinely remorseful, and I just… I couldn’t say no. Please don’t be angry with me.”
I sighed softly. “I’m not entirely happy with you,” I admitted, “but I can’t stay mad at you either. You were just being a good friend. And besides… he’s not all that bad.”
She gasped dramatically. “I knew it! Looks like you’ll have to thank me properly by taking me out.”
I chuckled. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
We both laughed, and the tension dissolved easily between us. I told her about everything, his apology, the video, the flowers, and how he had asked for a second chance. She listened carefully and then warned me to be cautious.
“People don’t change overnight,” she said gently. “Just… guard your heart, okay?”
I thanked her and ended the call.
Later that night, I went online and started watching reels, trying to distract myself. That was when his message popped up.
How are you doing, pretty?
I laughed and replied, Pretty? followed by a confused emoji.
Sorry, he replied quickly. I just got carried away.
It’s fine, I typed back. Don’t be so scared.
We started chatting, and to my surprise, it was… nice. Easy. He wasn’t arrogant or annoying. He asked about my day, my interests, my plans after high school. Then he asked if he could video call me.
I declined.
He kept asking.
Politely at first. Then persistently.
I went offline immediately.
“He’s pushing too far,” I muttered to myself. “I haven’t even fully forgiven him, and he’s already acting like we’re close.”
With that thought, I fell asleep.
Morning came faster than I wanted it to. I got up and started preparing for school when my phone rang. I frowned. The only person who usually called me was my bestie and I knew it wasn’t her.
The name on the screen read: Vincent the Jerk.
I hesitated, then picked up.
“Good morning,” his voice came through. “How was your night?”
I was taken aback but composed myself. “Why are you calling me?”
“I’m sorry if you don’t like it,” he said quickly. “I was just checking on you.”
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t,” I replied, ending the call immediately.
I sighed deeply. Why was he suddenly acting so nice? It felt unnatural almost suspicious. I shook my head and hurried to school, determined not to overthink it.
Unknown to me at the time, Vincent was battling his own thoughts. Guilt clung to him constantly. He couldn’t stop thinking about how childish and cruel he had been, how easily he had humiliated me in front of everyone. For reasons he couldn’t fully explain, he wanted to make things right. He wanted to be better for me.
After about a week, I realized something important: staying angry wasn’t helping me heal. It only kept the wound open. So I let it go.
Vincent noticed immediately and he was visibly happy.
We started hanging out at school almost every day. It began innocently, short conversations, shared lunches, studying together. But soon enough, people started talking. Whispers followed us wherever we went, especially from his class and mine.
One day during recess, a classmate walked up to me.
“So you’re hanging out with Vincent now?” she sneered. “I don’t blame you. You don’t really have friends. Just that one best friend who’s way too popular for you. Honestly, I don’t even know why she hangs out with you. And Vincent? He’s too popular for you too.”
I looked up at her, said nothing, and stood up to walk away.
That angered her.
She pushed me to the floor. “You think because you’re hanging out with the popular kid you’re something?” she scoffed. “Dream on. You’ll never be one of them.”
She walked away, leaving me sitting there, humiliated and shaking. I picked myself up slowly and left without saying a word.
Later that day, Vincent came to find me. One look at my face and he knew something was wrong.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
He didn’t believe me. He kept pressing until the words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Do you think I’m boring and lame?” I asked, sadness heavy in my eyes.
He looked stunned. It took him a moment to respond.
“No,” he said firmly. “I think you’re amazing. Sweet. Kind. A big baby sometimes,” he added with a small smile. “A troublemaker in your own way. And… very cute.”
I smiled despite myself and felt my cheeks heat up. Then I told him everything, the girl, the insult, the shove.
He sighed. “My classmates have been asking me the same thing. What I’m doing being friends with a ‘loser.’ I shut them down immediately. Told them to mind their business. You’re not a loser.”
Relief washed over me.
Without thinking, I hugged him. “Thank you,” I whispered. “For standing up for me. And for not being the jerk you used to be.”
He hugged me back, smiling.
And for the first time, I wondered maybe this second chance would change everything.
- Writer
