Chapter 6

Selena’s POV

Cullen’s last words kept ringing in my head. “I'm willing to let you use me Selena.” Was he serious? 

I have been lied to enough by Jake to believe anything that comes out of a boy’s mouth. I didn't think I was in the position to use someone. That would just prove that I am not different from Jake. 

I didn’t want to be that person. Moreover, Cullen had been everything but bad to me, I would die of guilt if I ever toyed with his feelings the way Jake toyed with mine. 

I swallowed a gulp, unable to look him in the eye when I realized the discussion that brought us here. 

“I need to go.” I scrambled, awkwardly walking away from him. 

“Selena...” He called out as my hands slipped from his. I turned back, daring myself to look him in the eye. 

“I don’t–” I started, unable to complete my sentence when I saw a little flash of anger in his eyes. Was he mad at me? I couldn’t help but wonder. 

They weren’t exactly looking at me, It seemed like they were directed at someone far away. I could feel the anger burning from his eyes to his veins through our touch. I moved my hands from him in shock as his gaze locked on me wondering what had come over me. 

His face moved from anger to concern as he looked at me and looked at his hand which was formerly intertwined with mine. 

We didn’t say anything but our eyes held a lot of unsaid words. 

“Sel-e-” He started.  

“I can’t do this.” I cut him off abruptly, moving away from him.

I could see the pain in his eyes as I walked away. His eyes were practically pleading for me to come back. 

“I need to go back to my dorm,” I backed away as he came closer. 

I ran towards my room, not looking back. The door to my hostel was ajar and I could already see Nia and Ava pacing the room. 

“Where else do you think she will be?” Ava asked Nia looking so confused, I figured they must have checked everywhere on the campus for me. 

“Here?” I answered them with a sly smile on my face. Even though my effort to give them a smile was completely futile. It looked like I was suffering from Bell's palsy. 

“Selena,” Ava came to hug me, a blend of excitement and relief written on her face. She patted my back in comfort. 

Nia, on the other hand, walked slowly towards me. “That girl is a bitch. You didn't deserve that humiliation.” She started. 

“It's okay Nia.” I told her. 

“It's not. We have to deal with her.” She objected. “If we don't, she'll just go about bitching on you and we can no longer live with that.” She stated, fuming in anger.

“As much as we hate to admit it, Jasmine is the strongest female youth in this park.” Ava reminded her.

“We could join forces and…” she started but trailed off as her eyes turned from anger to pain. 

Ava nodded in agreement to the fact that she didn't finish her sentence. I ignored both of them and thought about Cullen instead.

Should I tell them what's going on with us? I couldn't. 

“We are sorry Selena, we just stood there…” Ava started, pain evident in her voice.

“It won't happen again, I promise.” Nia concluded for her, looking very confident with a sly smile across her face. That meant one thing. She had a silly idea to deal with Jasmine.

“I know that smile,” I said weakly.

“Well girl, let's get you comfortable enough to listen to the idea we've come up with so far. Also, I just got a new one.” Ava smiled at me sheepishly while moving to my bed to set it up. 

“I knew it.” I stated as I walked towards my bed, Ava never leaving my side.

“She slapped my face not my legs Ava, I'm not paralyzed,” I tried to warm up the atmosphere as she walked me to my bed. 

“I'm sorry,” she stated and moved away. I felt bad for joking like that. She still seemed shaken by the whole experience. 

If there was anything I loved about Ava, it was her empathy. I wonder how she couldn't see sarcasm in all of this like the rest of us.

I sat on my bed as Nia poured me a cup of water. Our doorbell rang and I looked at them in surprise. We weren't expecting anyone. Were we? 

“Are we expecting anyone?” I asked them.

“I ordered pizza,” Nia answered. 

“Figured none of us will be able to cook tonight,” she added as she walked to the door to pick up our pizza. 

“Three boxes?” Ava asked her, surprised. 

“Big appetite. Figured we could use a little more food,” she stated. 

“I don't think I'm hungry,” I responded dismissively, and watched as her shoulders sagged in defeat, giving me a disappointed look.

“Nah, you're eating because you need the strength,” she objected. 

“Strength for?” I asked in confusion. 

“Eat,” she insisted, her eyes glinting in mischief. I wondered what mischievous plan she had in mind this time. 

“Fine.” I shrugged. I know if I just did all her bidding, she will let me go to sleep as I want, or so I hope. 

Thankfully, she didn't pressure me into knowing where I have been so that's something I was lucky about. 

“Cullen…” Ava said as soon as we started to eat. My pizza got stuck in my throat and I started to cough. 

“Take it easy Selene,” she said as she handed me a cup of orange juice. I gulped it in to forcefully push the pizza down. 

Nia was looking at me with utmost concern, the pizza had helped me distract them. Guess it was a blessing in disguise.

I was wrong. It only made Ava suspect me more. Her eyes were all over me in scrutiny. 

“Selena, are you okay?” She asked. 

“Sure,” I gulped, avoiding her eyes.

“I think Cullen likes you,” she blurted this time, almost causing me to choke on my orange juice. 

“He was just being kind,” I said, rolling my eyes, somehow hating myself for pretending. 

“If you say so.” Ava shrugged. 

“Now to our plan for the night…” Nia started. 

“Of the night? I just want to sleep please,” I stated.

“You should at least hear me out first...” she pouted.

“No Nia, we are not taking any revenge.” I lied. 

I wanted to take revenge, but I didn't want them in it. I wouldn't want Jasmine to also pick on them the same way she is picking on me.

“I knew you'd say that.” Her shoulders sagged in defeat. 

I looked at Ava and she just stared at me with concern or scrutiny or both. I couldn't place it at the moment. I just wanted a moment to myself to think of what transpired this night and come up with a plan against Jasmine.