Chapter 3

Leona's POV…

My face was a literal bucket of tears as I gauged the reaction of the students watching the video. It was uploaded on the school’s website, so there was no student that wouldn’t have seen it.

I couldn’t take in the remaining details of the video as anger roared in my veins.

“Give me a minute, Alicia. I need to see someone.”

Her fingers gripped my wrist tightly, preventing me from moving away from her.

“Leona, you’re trending all over the school’s website for the worst reasons, and you think wandering around would help you sort out this issue?”

“Yes, they will because I get to confront the idiot who thinks embarrassing me like this is the best thing to do.” I shoved her hand off my wrist and sauntered away, leaving her gobsmacked.

I knew that she was worried about me, but there were issues that just had to be sorted out alone, and this was one of them. In urgent strides, I located Conrad’s class. He was just coming out of a class, a bag slung over his shoulder, when I bumped into him.

Without thinking, my hand connected with his left cheek, the sound resonating loudly in the hallway. His surprise gave way to a deep scowl that would have made me wish for the ground to open up if I weren't livid.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he rumbled, advancing toward me with his intimidating height.

I drew in a deep breath, shaking my head in disbelief. How dare he act so casually like he hadn’t made two attempts to ruin my life and reputation?

“I know that you don’t like me, but do saving videos of the women you’ve slept with scratch your itch?” I yelled at him.

His blue eyes narrowed, confused. “What are you talking about?”

An annoyed chuckle escaped my lips. “Check your damn phone, Conrad Moore, and see the mess you’ve made of my life.”

He didn’t reply as he dug into his pocket hastily and checked his phone. The angry expression he formerly had on his face morphed into surprise and something akin to remorse.

“I didn’t do this, Leona. I promise.” His voice softened, and so did his eyes.

“Then who did? Who else was in the room when we were together, Conrad?”

He came closer, but I quickly put a distance between us. It would be stupid of me to allow the same mistake to happen twice.

“No one. I swear. Look, I know we ended on a bad note, but I would never stoop that low. You are the sister of my best friend. I’d never hurt you like that.”

“But you already did,” I screamed at him. “I’ve always loved you since I was twelve, but I kept suppressing it because I would rather not appear desperate to you. I wanted you to notice me on your own, and when you did last night, I was so elated. That’s how much you meant to me, but do you want to know what I regret right now?”

His eyes shifted into an emotion I couldn’t describe. He looked deeply remorseful, and maybe if he’d been that way before the video began to trend, I’d have forgiven him. But there was no positive feeling in my heart for him right now apart from hate.

I would rather not have anything to do with him. Those childish memories I had of him had been buried in the darkest part of my mind.

“Knowing that someone as despicable as you existed. I’m angry that I’d admired you for so long and wished for something as insignificant as a glance from you.”

A punch was slammed across his face, my brother stepping into the scene with his fingers still locked in a fist. My anger was quenched as shame took over.

“Do you also want to know what I regret, Conrad? It’s having you as my best friend. We should never have crossed paths,” he thundered, breathing erratically.

Conrad didn’t attempt to defend himself, nor did he fight back. “I apologize for the pain I’ve caused you, Leona. I promise to get that footage down and find the person who took that implicating video of us.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore, Conrad. I hope you're happy now.” I said and turned around to leave.

~~~~~

On a flight back to my parents, I finally allowed my mind to brood over everything that happened today. In all, I was highly ashamed of myself.

My stupid crush hadn’t only brought me a great deal of embarrassment; it had caused my brother his friendship, and now I was being suspended for my misdemeanor.

I was studying in a private college of arts, and they took issues like this seriously. If Conrad didn't upload the video, then someone else who didn't like me did. Luckily for that person, I wasn't interested in making any investigation, as it wouldn't wipe away my mistakes.

Not only had my prestige been stripped off from me, my zeal to keep studying there had also vanished too. I was unsure of how to relay the demoralizing news to my parents.

They had always been proud of me and my achievements.

I was known as the brainy kid, hence the name 'Nerdy Queen,' so telling them that I wasn’t going to continue with the school I’d struggled so hard to get admitted into was like a slap in their faces, and Tristan was too angry to accompany me back home.

My hand felt too heavy when I lifted it up to knock on the door, but I went ahead anyway.

My mom was at the door. Her face lit up with surprise when she saw me, and then she stretched her hands to hug me.

“Why are you back so soon? Do you miss us that much?” She teased me in her usual playful manner.

“I did,” I lied, strolling in. "Is Dad home?"

“He's upstairs.” She stared at me carefully, her demeanor changing from excitement to worry. “What's wrong, baby? You don't look too good.”

I laid it all out rushing. “I've just been suspended, but that's not the major issue. I want to be transferred to another college.”