Betrayal
1165 Words
Bella’s vision becomes blurry as the shock of the moment registers in her mind. She sniffles, tears pooling in her eyes. How could he do this to her? His lips were about to touch Kylie’s. Bella needs no other explanations to understand what is going on.
However, her mind is flooded with so many questions. Had Kylie always hated her so much that she would get with her boyfriend? Friends wouldn’t do that to their friends.
Connor’s gaze turns to Bella, his eyes taunting her as he gently places his lips on Kylie’s. Kylie’s shoulders relax into his touch. She cups his jaw and pulls him into herself to further deepen the kiss. Bella trembles in her seat as her breath is caught in her throat. She feels a hand grasp her arm, steadying her and she jumps lightly in surprise.
“Bella, are you okay?" a concerned voice whispers. Bella turns to face her classmate, Emily.
“What...what's going on?" Bella stutters.
Emily looks up at the duo snuggled up together on the other side of the room. She gazes down at Bella with soft eyes, sighing deeply. She has been watching Bella break down from afar and feels sympathy for her. Bella has fallen victim to Connor. Just like herself.
"I think Connor and Kylie have been seeing each other behind your back.", she states as a matter of fact.
Bella's heart shatters into a million pieces. She doesn’t want to face the reality of his betrayal. Hearing someone else say it makes her blood boil. Maybe she’s just living a nightmare and needs to wake up.
Meanwhile, the auditorium suddenly erupts into applause as the graduation ceremony begins. Bella's gaze doesn’t leave Connor and Kylie. Each time, Connor would make sure that each touch, each glance would leave an impact. Bella’s heart would pick up its pace, threatening to break out of her rib cage.
Her brain completely tunes out everything around her as she’s sucked into her own world. She’s too focused on finding reasons for Connor’s actions. How could he do this to her? Had their entire relationship been a lie?
Before long, the principal starts calling out the graduates' names. However, Bella's fiery gaze is set on Kylie and Connor, their laughter and giggles irking her further.
“Connor Fitch!”
Connor’s name echoes throughout the auditorium as he’s called up on stage. He strides confidently onto the stage, a smirk playing on his lips. As he receives his award, he locks eyes with Bella. Connor shakes his head with a mocking smile and exits the stage. His smile grows wider as he notices the frustration etched on Bella’s face.
“Bella Bale!”, Bella is called up to the stage.
With the last bit of strength in her body, she mechanically walked onto the stage to collect her diploma. She accepts her diploma and is about to leave the stage when the principal stops her.
“And, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to announce that Bella has achieved the highest academic standing in the class. She’s the Valedictorian of the class!”, the applause and cheers ring distantly in her ears.
However, Bella is numb, the principal’s congratulatory smile and handshake barely registering in her head. Then came the unexpected request.
“Bella, would you like to say a few words to your fellow graduates?”, Bella takes a few steps back.
Speak? Now? She looks on at the expectant crowd, her lips quivering in anxiety. She hesitates for a moment, but the crowd’s encouraging applause prompts her to drag herself forward.
Her lips part, as she inhales deeply into the microphone. The device picks up the rush of her voice.
“Uh….I—“
Her eyes lock on Connor and Kylie, as she tears up a bit. She pauses, collecting her thoughts as Connor’s smug smile plays in her mind. Her voice, though shaky, begins to fill the silence.
“I stand here today, honored and humbled to be your valedictorian”, she starts.
Bella’s words trail off as her stomach lurches. A wave of nausea washes over her. Her head starts to spin and the world blurs around her.
She scrunches her eyebrows in confusion, her eyes darting around wildly. She struggles to find a point to steady herself. Everyone’s faces suddenly turn into a very distorted mosaic.
Bella’s grip on the microphone tightens, turning her knuckles white. She feels herself swaying slightly from side to side. The sound system cackles, making the audience wince in response.
“Excuse me….”, she says, her voice barely audible.
Emily’s concerned gaze follows Bella as she hastens away. Her exit is abrupt and shocks everyone in the room, including the principal who looks just as lost as everyone.
Kylie and her two other friends follow suit. It’s unclear what their intentions are but Emily guesses that since they’re related, Kylie is probably going to check on her. Emily turns away, helpless and not wanting to get involved in the drama.
The principal clears his throat, apologizing for the disruption in the event. “It seems like our Valedictorian has a case of cold feet. Let’s move on”
It takes a while but eventually, the loud murmurs die down and the event continues as planned. Meanwhile, Bella stumbles into the bathroom, the door swinging shut behind her. She leans against the sink, her reflection staring back at her. Her skin is pale and her cheeks are sunken.
Bella’s hands tremble as she turns on the faucet. Cold water rushes out and soothes her flushed skin. She takes in deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
Bella’s head snap towards them, her eyes widening as Kylie pushes forward and eventually invades her personal space. She recoils, her weak body trembling under Kylie’s burning eyes.
“You’re so f*****g useless”, she laughs, turning the faucet off.
“You f*****g slut! You really think that he likes you?!”, she spits, seething with anger.
Bella’s gorge rises and she gulps down the bile forming in her throat. Her stomach continues to churn and her expression is twisted in discomfort. Kylie’s hand closes around Bella’s jaw, forcing her to look up at her.
“Cat got your tongue? You f*****g retard?”, she taunts.
“Pl—please, l—let me g—go”, Bella pleads, her voice cracking.
Kylie laughs hard in her face. But before Kylie can respond, Bella lurches forward. She vomits all over the girl’s face and clothes. Kylie’s shock gives way to a deafening screech as the stench of fresh vomit hits her nostrils. Her friends watch in disgust as she staggers back, still in disbelief.
The trio hastily exits the bathroom, leaving the sick girl by herself. Bella slides to the floor, her whole body giving out under her. As exhaustion sets in, she closes her eyes and loses consciousness.
- Writer
