Chapter 3

Selena's Pov 

We lay tangled in his sheets, silent, neither of us daring to speak. His hand rested on my back, my head on his shoulder.

I wasn’t thinking about Jake or everything that happened. Instead, I was feeling… different. Finally.

“Are you okay?” Cullen’s voice was soft, his fingers brushing through my hair slowly.

I nodded. “Yeah… I am. Are you?”

“Yeah.”

I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze. He was staring down at me, and the sudden weight of reality hit me hard. We had just made out—crossed a line we couldn’t uncross. But deep down, I knew this didn’t mean anything. For us both.

“This doesn’t change anything,” I whispered, my voice low, my chest tightening.

His jaw tensed, and he shut his eyes for a brief second before opening them again. “I know.”

“We’re still just… whatever this is,” I mumbled, hoping he’d understand.

“I get it,” Cullen said quietly, not pushing further.

I slipped out of bed, got dressed, and left without looking back. I didn’t want to give him, or anyone else, the impression that I was throwing myself at the hockey captain just because I’d been dumped.

But deep down, I couldn’t believe I’d given my virginity to Cullen… just to get back at Jake. The thought made me feel so stupid—except it also felt so good, though I didn’t dare admit it.

There were no dates. No deep connection between us. Just one night.

And the worst part? I didn’t tell him.

I could have said something. Right there, after it happened. I could’ve looked him in the eye and told him it was my first time. But I didn’t.

Maybe I was scared he’d treat me differently.

Or worse… that he wouldn’t care at all.

But Cullen wasn’t the problem here. I was.

I gave away something I’d been holding onto for so long… so easily. And I wasn’t even sure why. Maybe I just didn’t want to feel broken anymore.

But maybe, in trying to prove I was fine… I made everything worse.

I reached my dorm and paused outside the door. Light seeped out from underneath. Someone was awake.

I sighed and pushed the door open.

Ava sat cross-legged on my bed, arms folded tightly.

“There you are,” she said, standing quickly. “Do you even check your phone?”

I blinked. “I… forgot to charge it.”

Her stare told me she didn’t believe me for a second. “Where have you been all day? When I woke up, you were gone. We’ve been searching for you!”

“We?” I asked.

The bathroom door opened, and Nia stepped out, tying her hair up. “Oh my God, finally! Do you even know how worried we were?”

I inhaled sharply. I hadn’t told Ava where I was going that morning. What would I even say? Hey Ava, I’m going over to Cullen’s dorm so he can fuck me? Yeah, right.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered.

Nia stepped closer, her face softening with concern. “I heard what happened. Are you okay?” she asked gently.

I forced a small smile. “I am. And I’m sorry for keeping it from you guys—it wasn’t my intention,” I admitted.

Nia snorted. “Of course it wasn’t. That bastard Jake probably pressured you into keeping your relationship a secret. And what did he do? Cheat behind your back! That fucking asshole!” She gritted her teeth, her fists balling.

Ava nudged her, and Nia froze, realizing she’d said too much. She clamped her mouth shut and muttered, “I’m sorry.”

I grinned faintly. “It’s fine. Honestly, I’m glad I found out sooner. Who knows how long he’s been doing this behind my back.”

“Forget about him,” Ava hissed, fuming. “He’s not worth it. And Jasmine? Let that cheap, slutty bitch rot in hell.”

“And you—” Nia pointed at me, narrowing her eyes. “Let this be the last time you ever hide something from us, okay? We’re your friends. Friends tell each other everything.”

Her words stung, and Cullen’s face flashed in my head. Another secret. Another thing I couldn’t tell them.

I swallowed hard, feeling like the worst friend ever. “Okay,” I said softly, giving a weak smile.

I collapsed on the bed with a sigh, exhaustion washing over me. None of us spoke after that. The silence wasn’t awkward—it was the heavy kind, where everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

After a few minutes, Ava nudged me. “Have you eaten?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m not hungry.”

“Bullshit.” She frowned. “You haven’t eaten since last night, and you expect me to believe you’re not hungry?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Nia grabbed my hand. “If you’re really okay with everything that happened,” she said softly, “then let’s go out together.”

I sighed, but eventually nodded.

We left the dorm and walked toward the street near campus, where food trucks lined up along the block. The warm smell of grilled food filled the air, and for a second, I almost felt normal again.

But then I saw Cullen.

He was walking toward us from the other side, hands shoved deep into his hoodie pockets. His expression was unreadable, calm as always—but when his gaze met mine, his steps slowed, just slightly.

I froze. My heart slammed against my ribs. Everything from earlier came rushing back.

His touch. His kisses. His thrusts.

Our eyes locked for a moment before he quickly looked away.

Ava noticed him instantly. “Hey, Cullen!” she called out with a wave.

He gave her a small smile and walked over.

“Big game tonight?” she asked brightly.

“Yeah,” he said. “We’ve been prepping all week. Should be interesting.”

Ava grinned. “We’ll be watching. Crush them, please.”

“We’ll try,” he replied, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Hopefully the other team puts up a fight before they lose.”

The tension between us was suffocating. He glanced at me once, just briefly, then looked away again. Ava didn’t notice—or maybe she chose not to.

“Well, we’ll let you go,” she said with a smile. “Good luck tonight. We’ll be cheering for you.”

“Thanks.” He hesitated for half a second before walking past me without a word.

I didn’t say anything either.

I watched him go, my chest tightening with something I couldn’t name.

“Well,” Nia muttered, watching him disappear, “I’m surprised he even stopped to talk. The Cullen I know wouldn’t do that.”

Ava nodded. “I know, right?”

After we ate, we walked back to our dorm. I tried to shove the memories away, but seeing him again made it impossible.

I wondered if he knew. If he had any idea what he’d taken from me… and how much it had changed me.

But deep down, I knew it wasn’t his fault.

I gave it willingly.

I just didn’t expect to feel this lost afterward.

Night came fast. Students were dressing up for the big game, painting their faces in school colors. Groups were already heading out, laughing and shouting about our team’s chances.

I had no intention of going. I curled up in bed, pretending to read, trying to distract myself. I didn’t trust myself to face everyone. By now, the entire campus probably knew about Jake, and I wasn’t ready for the stares or whispers.

A knock came, and before I could answer, Ava burst in. “Get up.”

I frowned. “What? No.”

“Yes,” she said firmly, pulling open my closet. “Put on something decent. We’re going to the hockey game. No arguments.”

“I’m not in the mood,” I muttered, flipping a page in the book I wasn’t even reading.

“Too bad,” she shot back, snatching the book away.

“I’m serious, Ava,” I groaned.

“And I’m serious,” she countered. “You’ve been moping all day.”

“I’m not moping.” I buried my face in the pillow.

A moment later, another voice chimed in. “Come on, don’t make me dress you,” Nia said as she walked in.

“Oh God,” I muttered. Just when I thought I’d escaped, here she was.

“I know why you don’t want to go out,” Nia said softly. “That’s exactly why you need to. Show them you don’t care. It was Jake’s loss, not yours. Why hide?”

I hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Ava and Nia exchanged quick smiles of victory before helping me pick something to wear.

The stadium lights were blindingly bright, the crowd louder than I’d imagined. Students, families, and alumni filled the seats, buzzing with excitement.

It was the last home game of the season, and the energy was electric.

A few students threw curious glances my way, whispering behind their hands, but I ignored them, holding my head high.

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I turned—and came face-to-face with Jake.

Anger flared instantly, burning hot in my chest.

“We need to talk,” he said quietly, before turning away, leaving me no choice but to follow.

Fine, I thought bitterly.

Let’s end this once and for all.