Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Ana

I scan the apartment one last time before I put my bags in my car. I think I have it all. Courtney texts me and lets me know that she is all set. I put the car key under a rotten plant on the porch and walk to college. Someone will pick it up for me. I only live around 15 minutes’ walk from campus, so I easily can get over there. It’s a nice day, even though I feel awful. My heart is breaking. I never cry but yesterday I cried my heart out, and today I’m numb. 

As I strut down the street, I keep my head held up despite all the stares and whispers that follow me as I move. Not one person gets a response from me – not even those who greet me. My outfit today consists of tight black leather pants, knee-high boots, and a slim white top that displays my silhouette flawlessly. While my ex would often comment on how shapely my body is, today I feel especially confident in showing off my curves. With my hair draped across my shoulders and smoky eyeshadow paired with mascara, I look hot as hell.

The last year I have been hiding in sweat pants and oversized shirts. Somehow that made me always believe that Alex took a liking to me because of my personality and not just the body. He has never actually seen me in anything else. His loss. 

I'm running a bit behind, but I don't mind. I have somewhere important to be. As I approach the economics building on campus, I can sense all of the guys trying to ogle me. I almost smile at their efforts. After my mother's passing 18 months ago, I withdrew into myself and moved away from my family in search of a new start in a place where nobody knew me. But today, I've come to realize that while I need to make some changes, what I really need is time with my family. Now it's coming full circle as they need me and I'm ready to go back home.

 

I first need to take this Economics exam before then transitioning over to e-learning so that I can continue studying from the comfort of my own home.

My home with my family. With my pack.

The door is closed, meaning the exam is about to start, so I quickly slam the door open before I march in. I scan the room and look over at my usual spot. There they are. My so-called friends. They all look a bit surprised seeing I dressed like this. Alex raised his hand, motiones for me to come and sit next to him as usual, and smiled warmly towards me. What. The. Actual. F*ck. 

I look at Shauna that is very obviously glazing at my outfit. She has a smug grin and knows why I’m not walking towards them. Gills look guilty and can’t look me in the eyes—Brad alternate between looking at Alex and me. Alex looks confused but also a bit guilty. He stands up and tries to make his way to me, but I quickly walk to the other side of the classroom and take a seat next to Dylan. What Alex and the rest don’t know is Dylan and I go way back. He is considered the hottest guy on campus, and he knows it. He will return with me. But neither of my former friends and ex-boyfriend knows this.

I sit down next to Dylan and whispers something to him, primarily for show. In seconds I get a text:

Alex: Babe, you look hot today ;)

I ignore him.

Alex: I’m sorry I missed your birthday on Saturday. Did you have a good time? I will make it up to you ;). I had some business to attend to so I couldn’t make it in time.

Me: Yeah, I heard you very busy hooking up with Shauna. It all over the internet.

I quickly turn to watch his reaction when he reads my answer, and I swear he looks surprised. He looks up from his phone and meets my eyes. He looks over to Brad that whispers something, and guilt transfers over his face. Then chock. Then sadness. 

My face is stoic, and I show no emotion. I turn around and focus on the professor. The exam begins, and I focus on my exam; and after the teacher gets all the tests, I lean towards Dylan and whisper something to him. 

Dylan responds and throws his arm behind me, and strokes my hair before he smells it. I don’t look back, but I can feel Alex starring holes in my head. But I’m done—no guy ever deserves a second chance.

When the class ends, I kiss Dylan on his cheek and ask him to wait outside for me. I stand up and turn around to see them all sitting there. The chock on Alex's face is still evident, but Shauna is smirking. I put on my fakest smile and make sure to sway my hips seductively as I walk towards them. 

“So, I guess I wanted to know why you would treat someone as badly as you did.”

Gills are studying the floor, and Brad nervously glances between Alex and me. But Alex says nothing. Such a coward.

Shauna smirks and says: Well, you are just not our type of people, I guess. We thought making a statement this way would be easier, you know. We don’t want you hanging around us anymore. We are not some charity workers that attend to the poor people. Isn't that right, Alex.” She looks over at Alex. Shauna is the typical blond posh bimbo: fake tits, fake tan, and designer clothes. 

“Is that right, Alex?” I ask him. I feel so goddnamn hurt. I mean, I did feel a connection to him, and I’m sure he felt it too. It couldn’t be fake. 

“Ana… I... I didn’t mean to. It sort of just happened.” He looks at me with a pained expression. “I- I don’t know what to say. It meant nothing.”

Shauna snorts at his comment. 

I can feel my heart shattering once more, but I'm determined not to show any vulnerability to this fool. “Yeah, I guess you settled for what you could get since there weren't a lot of choices from the start.”

Shauna tries to argue back, but one look at me silences her. I am practically seething with rage. Alex attempts to take my hand, but I step away from him. 

“Let me guess, Shauna; he only calls when he's drunk and leaves in the morning before you wake up.”

She winces as I hit the nail on the head. 

“Yeah, that's what I thought. Let me let you in on a secret: he doesn't really care about you.” 

“Well, it's obvious he doesn't care about you either," she retorts with a smirk. “You know what? All men who can't keep it in their pants aren't worth your time or effort. When I speak again, I maintain eye contact with Alex, and I can see the realization dawn on him—he knows that he has lost me, and that he'll regret it forever.

“Oh, and one more thing Shauna….” I clench my fist and hit her straight to her nose.

She screams and falls of the chair. She is holding her nose and trying to stop the bleeding. I hear Gills gasp, and Brad looks nervous.

I lock eyes with Alex,

“Please, babe, just let me explain. It meant nothing. I cant even remember it happening. Just give me a chance to explain. “

“Were done, Alex. I wish you a fucking miserable life. Go to hell.”

And you know what, Gills: You do have a fat ass. And then I turn around and walk towards the door where Dylan is grinning towards me.

Alex calls out for me: “I’m not giving up on you; I will prove to you this was all a misunderstanding.”

I flip him off, and then I walk to Dylan and kiss his neck before I lock eyes with Alex again. I can see his hurt but guess what he hurt me first. Dylan nips my neck a gently squeezes my ass before whispering, “Let me show you how good I can make you feel. I can make you forget him in a heartbeat.”

“Please, Dylan, you know dad will kill you, and don’t forget about Max. I smirk, and we leave the classroom. I know it should feel better, but I don’t really. I’m going home, and nothing can change that.