The space between us

Chapter 13:The betrayal

Stacy POV

A month later

Friendship with Cole felt like a gift from heaven.He was always looking out for me,gifting me,and trust me I thought I fell hard or so…..

Until I found out the truth

The voice room is supposed to be soundproof. It’s not.

I was heading to the bathroom to grab my bag before debate club. Black hoodie up. Earphones in,the music I was playing had just ended. I was practically conscious of everything.

Then I heard a strange sound,no conversation..

The door’s cracked open.

Inside:Cole. And Trent from baseball,even Sheila the petty cheerleader who I thinks and knows hates me for no damn reason.Maybe…..because I beat her in chem class and the teacher told her to emulate me instead of cheerleading all the time.

Since then the witch has been probably enraged by me.

She even started a rumor that I had a crush on bald headed Mr Ken,the geography teacher .Although it was later condemned by the principal and the witch Sheila was given detention.

*Cole*: “I’m telling you, it’s done.It’s a month now I think or I have already stolen her heart. She’ll show up today then I’ll make the big move.”

*Trent*: “No way. Nerdy stacy? The ghost? You got her talking?”

*Cole, laughing*: “Yeah.But she sat for 27 days straight.Sheila, pay up.”

My feet stopped. Bastards.

*Shelia*: “Wait. $100? For real? You said that was a joke.I didn’t know you’d take it serious m.”

*Cole*: “It started as a joke, bro. ‘Bet you can’t make Stacy laugh in a month.’ Easy money. She doesn’t notice anything. She’s always in her own head.And of course we were right.”

*Trent*: “Dude, that’s low.”

*Cole*: “Nah. She won’t know. She doesn’t care about anyone and trust me I’ll tell you how she tastes.”

Click.

I didn’t move. My chest did. Like someone hit it.

*Sheila*: “Cole. Stop.Lower your voice.”

*Cole*: “Why? It’s over now. I won. She’s obsessed with me. $100 is mine.”

I stepped back. One step. My bag strap slipped off my shoulder.

The door creaked.

All three of them looked up.

Sheila saw me first. Eyes wide. Phone still in her hand. Recording light on.

Then Trent cursed under his breath.

The Bastard actually froze. Mouth open. No comeback. No grin.

For 2 seconds, nobody spoke.

Then I did.

“How much did you bet?”

“Stacy, I can explain….”

“How. Much.”

“It wasn’t…it’s not about the money anymore. I kept showing up because…”

“Cole, shut up!”

“$100.” I said it flat. “That’s what I’m worth.”

I turned.

“Stacy,wait!” Footsteps behind me.

I walked faster. Down the hall. Past the bathroom. Didn’t go in.

“It started as a bet! But two weeks ago, I stopped counting!”

I hit the stairwell door. Pushed it open.

“Stacy, please talk to me!”

I didn’t.

I got to the bottom floor. Stairwell was empty. Cold concrete.

That’s when it hit.

Not tears. Rage first. Hot. Then the other thing. The thing from freshman year. The thing Jonah said he’d “protect me from.”

I slid down the wall. Bag hit the ground.

And I cried.

No sound. Just shaking. Shoulders, hands, everything.

Footsteps retreating.

Then quiet.

A shadow in the stairwell doorway.

“Stacy?”

I didn’t look up.

The bastard still has the nerves to explain.

“I’m sorry. It was a stupid bet. Two weeks ago. Before I knew you. Before…..”

“Before you what?”

He didn’t answer.

“Leave.”

“No.”

“I said leave.”

He didn’t.

I finally looked up. Eyes red. Hoodie sleeves wet.

“You don’t get to stay. Not after that.”

He stared at me. No baseball star. No cocky. Just a Bastard who messed up my life.

“Then tell me how to fix it.”

I stood up. Wiped my face with my sleeve.

“You can’t..I’m a fool for trusting an animal like you.”

I walked past him. Up the stairs. Out.

Didn’t look back.

Guys,I felt stupid for trusting one again..