A Best Friend's Betrayal

Chapter 4: Letting Go

Farewell ball finally came. Everyone was so pretty and all dolled up and even guys are well groomed. Obviously, everyone prepared and are excited for this day. Even the school cultural center was well decorated. The loud music echoes around the whole stadium and everyone can were in a party mood. Some are bragging about their expensive clothes, their brand new shoes, parlors where they went just to be beautiful and even expensive perfumes they never wore. It is indeed a once in a lifetime experience for teenagers.

Meanwhile, Ann was sitting on once of the benches inside, feeling almost irritated already even though the program hasn't even started. She was fixing her little cute white dress when someone suddenly approached her.

"Hi."

She looked at the person who was already seated next to her and wondered why the hell is Kristel talking to her.

"Hi." Ann greeted as well. She hates her but at least she knows the word respect.

"Can I talk to you?"

Ann just nodded.

"Okay so how are you?"

'Really now?' Ann said to herself. This girl had the audacity to ask Ann how is she when she knew that she was the main reason why she and Clark's friendship got messed up.

"I'm fine, thanks." Ann answered coldly.

"Well, I'm sorry about what happened to you and Clark. You see, it was so obvious from the very beginning that Clark will eventually choose me over you because well maybe because you're too boring to be with."

Ann felt heat all over her body but managed herself to clam down. What is with this girl? Did she came here just to annoy me? She said to herself.

"You know what? You should not have put your hopes up in the first place. You should have known that you are not the type of girl Clark wanted. I mean, you know what I mean right?"

Ann did not respond and just took a sip of her juice.

"Okay well I actually want to talk to you and share with you about me and Clark's plans after graduation. After all, I guess you still have the right to know as you were his best friend before few weeks ago. So Clark and I decided to go to the US and live there. He will be going first with his family since he is first to graduate and then eventually, after my graduation next year, I'll follow him there."

Ann was shocked to hear the news. Not because of Kristel being included in Clark's migrating plan, but because of the fact the Clark is moving out without even telling Ann. Did he really forget and totally ignore Ann and their friendship?

"Aww, don't be sad," Kristel seems like having fun teasing Ann. " The good part there is that, he asked me a favor if maybe I could ask you if you could give him a chance to talk to you again. He thought maybe if I do, you would change your mind. I mean, I really don't want to do this but because I love him, I have no choice."

"No."

"Huh?"

"No I don't want to talk to him. Still. And can you just please leave?" Ann said firmly. Kristel just shrugged her shoulder, faking a sad face but obviously having fun with the look on her face, just stood up and walked away.

Clark never told her about his plans atleast even before the chaos came between them, so she would not give him a chance as well to make amend with him. She was hurt even more to know that was so easy for Clark to just leave everything behind and forget, when she is having so much pain and it's all because of him. Maybe that's how it's going to end for both of them.

After hours of waiting, all participants were called to form into position at the center aisle. The cotillion dance is just about to start. All pairs lined up and we're on their designated positions, getting ready for the dance.

"Are you ready?" Ford asked her partner, Ann.

"Ready for what? Your both left feet?" Ann jokingly said. Ford laughed.

"No way! I'm talking about the changing of partners later."

Oh snap! Ann remembered. There's a part in the cotillion dance where the girls have to be spinned and rotate and be partnered on the boys next to their lines until they return back to their original partners. And yes, she will eventually be paired up to Clark for few minutes. She have always attended their practice but Clark never did so she was never be able to dance with him during rehearsals. She wondered how will he dance today without practice but she shouldn't be bothered and care at all.

The music started to play and so is their dance. It was a slow and sweet dance for the first part.

"You know what? I think it's about time you talk to him." Ford said, while both are dancing.

"I'm not ready."

"When are you going to be ready? He is leaving in two to three days."

"That would be better."

"Better? Than why am I seeing a sad face?"

"Sad? Haha!" Ann laughed forcibly,. "I'm not sad at all."

"Crazy. But seriously couz, if I were you, I'd grab the chance to atleast ear things up between the two of you. So just before you let each other go, you'll be able to lessen the burden I. your hearts."

"I'm fine, don't worry about me."

The music continued and so is their dance. After a few minutes, the music changed to the most awaited part- the exchanging of partners. Ann spinned and the first few partners she got was all familiar faces and she is fine with that. And then after another few spins, she got paired up with Macky, one of Ford and Clark's classmate.

"Yo!" he greeted coolly.

"Yo."

"You look good today."

"Thanks. You as well."

"You know what? I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"About what happened to you and Clark."

"You knew? And why are you apologizing?"

"Of course! All of us knew. And all of us were honestly sad about the both of you. Because we all thought you're going to end up together."

Ann smiled from what Macky had said. She finds it comforting to hear that there are people who understands and feels the same way as hers.

"We didn't know and we were shocked as well, when we heard that he and Kristel were ready dating. And then he hide it from you. You're like our little sister, Ann so we really feel for you."

Since Ann and Clark are best friends, there are times where she spend time with Clark and with his classmates that they too became close. Ann felt sad as well, knowing that, these close friends she had, these kuyas and ates are going to leave the school already.

It's about time to change partner again. Ann is slowly feeling all dizzy because of the spins. She is not used to dancing so this is one of the things that annoys here most. She just want to get over and done with this program.

After another few turns and spins, she didn't notice that the next partner she will have is no other than Clark.

"H-hi." Clark is stuttering and is feeling shy and nervous.

"Hi." Ann greeted coldly, looking away from Clark.

That whole part part of dancing with each other, they were just so quiet and awkward. Just in time when the music stopped and changed into another song, Clark was suppose to let go and spin Ann to another partner. But then he suddenly held Ann's wrist tight, not wanting to let go. Ann got confused all of a sudden.

"Clark, it hurts." she said, referring to her wrist.

"I wanted to talk to you so many times. I want to tell you everything. I wanted to explain."

Ann noticed Clark's serious and pale face. She was not sure if it was because of his make up or not.

"You don't have to do that. It was already over- ouch!" she cringe again as Clark's hands got a bit tighter holding hers.

"No!" Clark suddenly shouted. Is he mad? Ann was shocked, as well as other students who were near them. The cotillion had stopped because of the situation. Ann was feeling embarrassed as she knows they're the cause of all the commotion. But Clark doesn't care at all.

"Clark, stop this."

"Ann, I didn't do it on purpose. It was not my intention at all to lie and hide to you. You know I never wanted to hurt you."

Clark's eyes were all focused on Ann. It looks so sad and in pain and guilty. Ann somehow, could feel all that. The more she could feel pain as well.

"Clark,"

Someone suddenly whistled. Perhaps one of their teacher signaling to continue the dance and change partners now. Ann was about to let go of Clark but then the more Clark held tight on Ann.

"Clark we have to change partners now!"

"No! You listen!"

"Clark, what's going on?" Kristel came together with some of her friends. She tried to stop and let Clark calm down but he just ignored her.

"I'm sorry Ann. I'm sorry that you're suffering because of me. I'm sorry that you're in pain and hurting all because of me. I'm sorry that I left you alone suddenly,"

Ann looked away at Clark and begged once again, but this time, getting pissed.

"Let me go."

"Ann listen. I'm leaving and migrating to the US. I don't want us to be like this. I don't want to leave like this!"

Ann had enough of his drama so she herself removed her hands from Clark's, she felt a little pain from the force but her hands immediately landed over Clark's face, once again. "I told you to let me go!" she shouted angrily.

"You wanted me to listen to you yet you never listened to me! You wanted me to forgive you? You think from what you're doing now, I can forgive you?! You're just adding fuel to the fire Clark! You don't want to hurt me but then you almost break my wrist! I never asked for your explanation Clark! From the very start I never asked for your explanation because it won't change everything! Wake up Clark! You never wanted this? Then so am I!" and then she ran away from the cultural center, exited the school and kept running as far as she could with tears in her eyes, just to be far away from that very awkward situation. She felt guilty that they were the reason why the cotillion was all messed up. They made a scene on the senior's special night and it was not a very good scene. She felt sorry for their teachers and staffs and schoolmates so she thought leaving the venue would atleast lessen the tension inside.