Chapter 4
1098 Words
Tiara’s POV
When I arrived home, I was exhausted. I stood by my door and exhaled.
The house was quiet as usual.
I opened the door and jumped at the sight of him.
Jeff.
He sat on the couch calmly. He didn’t look angry. He seemed too calm.
“Babe,” Jeff said, walking up to me. “Thought you were with Sofia.”
“I was,” I replied cautiously. “She had to go see someone.”
Jeff nodded and took my bag, searching it like it was his.
He opened my purse and took the cash I had left.
“You ignored my messages this morning,” Jeff noted
My heart skipped a beat. I thought he was going to let it go.”I wasn’t ignoring, I just—
“Needed space from me?” Jeff asked with a smile.
I shook my head in fear.
There was a pause. Heavy. And then Jeff did what he always did.
He switched his tone and became soft-sounding hurt.
I was always the problem.
“Ti, you know I care about you, and I get worried when I can’t reach you. You’ve been acting distant. You are not talking to me anymore. You are talking to strangers who don’t care about you like I do.”
I hated the way he felt it was all right to call me—Ti
“Am I not allowed to talk to other people?” I asked
“I never said that. I’m just saying—“ Jeff’s voice dropped lower like he was about to cry. “I know what’s best for you.”
That sentence echoed. Jeff had said it countless times, and now it stuck.
,
“You look tired,” Jeff said, softly holding my cheeks. You should get some sleep.”
“No, I’m not sleepy.”
Jeff frowned.
His hand moved to my waist, and he held it tightly.
“I’m sure you don’t want me getting the wrong idea.”
“Jeff, I—
“You seem like an ungrateful girlfriend who doesn’t listen to her man.”
The air changed.
I immediately regretted my choice of words. I should have agreed with him.
“I see you are growing wings; you’ve been getting much attention lately, right? From that guy, what is his name again? Nathan”
I froze.
How did Jeff know I spoke to Nathan today?
Jeff’s fingers flexed around my waist.
“Look at me,” he snapped
“You are mine, and I do not share.”
That was it.
I had had enough of it.
With a fierce look, I took a step back. “I am not a thing.”
Jeff burst into laughter, and I could see the anger building, but he covered it up almost immediately.
“I didn’t mean it like that, babe. God, you are too sensitive. Twisting my words like that.”
I gasped in shock.
“Time to sleep, babe,” Jeff said gently, and I knew better than to argue. “Text me when you are back to your senses.”
Jeff kissed me roughly and walked away whistling.
I went to class the following day, determined to ignore Nathan. I didn’t want any trouble. Jeff could be watching from anywhere.
His words were ringing in my ear.
I glanced over and saw Nathan from a distance.
He smiled at me with his warm, quiet eyes.
The way he looked at me was like a dream—too soft to be real.
As soon as class ended, I made myself scarce. I didn’t bother to wait for Sofia; I slipped behind the admin block, where no one went in unless they were skipping lectures or smoking.
I needed air and time to think.
My phone buzzed.
Jeff.
Where are you?
It sounded to me like he yelled over text.
My stomach twisted, and my thumb hovered over the reply button.
“Tiara,” a voice called to me.
I looked around fearfully.
There was no one.
I dropped the phone in my bag and turned to leave.
My phone buzzed again.
I sighed and picked it up.
It was from Lucy.
Lucy had texted me; it was like a dream.
Chill with me. I got snacks.
It was the first time Lucy would ask me to hang out.
The only time she spoke to me was when she wanted to invite me to the party.
Later that evening, I stood outside Lucy’s house, hand half-raised to knock.
I didn’t want to go. Not really, but I didn’t want to refuse Lucy’s invitation. I knocked.
Lucy opened the door looking like she was just in a fashion show— perfect lipstick, skimpy dress hugging her boobs perfectly.
“Tiara!” Lucy screeched, hugging me tightly. “Come in, come in. I’ve got goodies for us.”
I faked a smile and stepped into the house.
Lucy took me into the room, and I sat on her perfectly laid bed.
I tried to relax. Tried.
Lucy began to talk about different things that happened in school, one story after another.
“So…I see you’ve caught Nathan’s attention,” Lucy said, still smiling.
“What?” I blinked fast.
Lucy giggled, hitting me playfully.”Nathan barely talks to girls, and you show up, and he is nice to you.”
I became uncomfortable. “We’ve only talked like twice.”
Lucy leaned forward with a cocky smile. “Be careful around him; he’s nice but quiet guys like that? You never really know what they are thinking. He might be dangerous, you know?”
I froze.
It pissed me off, I wanted to defend him and chastise Lucy.
I could sense jealousy in the tone she used.
Something about the way she said it felt off.
Lucy wanted me to back off.
I smiled. “Thanks for looking out for me, but I can handle a conversation.”
Lucy frowned.
I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t want any trouble.
“If you think so, I'm not going to say anything,” Lucy replied with a fake smile.
The air was tense.
It was my cue to leave.
I yawned, pretending to be tired. “I think I need to sleep now; I’ll text you later.”
Lucy shrugged, refusing to walk me to the door.
Well, I guess I expected too much from Lucy.
I stared at the ceiling back in my room. So many things didn’t add up.
Nathan’s strange warmth. Jeff’s controlling attitude. Lucy’s sudden fake-friend energy.
- Writer
