08

08

Bella Reyes

I didn't deserve to live backed into a corner like this. I hadn't offended anyone. I hadn't done anything wrong in my life to be backed into a corner like a piece of garbage.

That was the single thought that forced me out of bed this morning. It held me together just enough to take a shower and actually show up for class, after rotting away in my dorm room like a piece of furniture for weeks, without speaking a word to anyone.

I was sick. Physically, and in my head. But mostly in my head for letting Aries use me so easily like that. Even though weeks had passed, it still didn't feel any less demeaning or damaging.

Every time I opened my eyes to a new day, a morning that used to feel bright and full of hope, I was met with a vile, sickening knot in the pit of my stomach. My new routine consisted of throwing up the contents of my stomach, then scrubbing my skin in the shower as if I needed to scrape off an entire layer of myself.

The fact that I had completely ruined my life was undeniable now.

“Ms. Reyes, care to rejoin us?”

Professor Charlotte's voice hit me like a blast of icy air, dragging me sharply back to reality.

I blinked, shaking my head as my eyes wandered over to rows of students staring directly at me. “I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.”

Angel nudged my side hard enough to startle me out of my skin, her warm frame leaning in close. “You're completely out of it. And so jumpy. Bella, is everything okay with you?”

“Yes,” I answered loudly, addressing both women at once.

I was okay, and ironically, I was present in class. A few quiet murmurs rippled through the room, but I paid them no mind as Professor Charlotte turned her attention back to the lecture. I had drifted so far out that I had no idea where she was in the material, let alone what topic she was discussing.

Honestly, I barely remembered what class I was even sitting in, until Professor Charlotte made it obvious.

“Bella?”

I jolted at the sharp whisper beside me, meeting Angel's deeply worried gaze.

“What is going on with you? Seriously, what's up?”

Professor Charlotte cleared her throat loudly, forcing us to turn our attention back to the front. For once, I was actually thankful for the interruption.

“That will be all for today, class. Please make sure to review the assigned chapters. We'll be covering them in the next class.”

A chorus of chatter broke out as she gathered her textbooks against her chest. Her eyes flicked toward me with a silent warning before she offered a polite, forced smile to the room. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Thanks, Professor,” a few students echoed as she walked out.

The second the door closed, Angel practically spun around in her seat. “Bella. What the hell happened to you?”

I turned to face her with heavy, exhausted eyes. “Nothing. Why?”

She scoffed incredulously. “What do you mean, why? First of all, you look like a malnourished ghost. You're hollowed out, pale, and disturbingly thin. Way thinner than the last time I saw you. It's genuinely alarming. Plus, you've been skipping classes left and right.” She threw her hands up in frustration. “I could go on forever with this list.” She planted both hands firmly on her hips, exasperated.

Watching her, I didn't know what to say except let out a quiet sigh and stay silent. I didn't even realize I had zoned out again until...

“Earth to Bella!” Angel snapped her fingers directly in front of my face.

My vision snapped back into focus, and I shook my head quickly.

“You're doing that stupid zoning-out thing again. What is going on? Talk to me,” she said in a hushed tone.

I stood up so fast my vision went blurry. I stumbled backward, but Angel's outstretched hands immediately caught my arms to steady me.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

She sighed, and for a few seconds of silence, I almost hoped for quiet. But the heavy thud of footsteps, zipping backpacks, and loud chatter from surrounding students rattled my aching head.

“Bella.” The sudden softness in her voice made my hands freeze over my notebook and bag. “I'm worried about you.”

I turned to face her directly. “Don't be. I don't want you worrying about me. I'm really fine.”

I watched her struggle to hold back a massive eye roll, half-expecting her to call out the obvious lie I was trying so hard to hide behind.

“Is it Tyler? Did he do something stupid?”

My heart dropped straight into my gut with a sickening thud, and an intense wave of nausea rushed up my throat.

“No,” I lied smoothly, the words coming out almost too easily. “He didn't. Everything is completely fine.”

Angel let out an exasperated huff and began aggressively shoving her laptop and notebooks into her bag. Guilt twisted sharp in my chest for keeping her in the dark. But how could I possibly tell her?

I knew she was my best friend. I trusted her completely, and I knew she would offer real advice and try to comfort me. But I just couldn't bring myself to voice the humiliating situation I had dragged myself into.

How could I admit that not only had Tyler sold me out for money, but I had willingly slept with the buyer like a cheap whore, just like my mother? I had let Aries take whatever he wanted from me, only for him to walk out like I was damaged goods.

“Suit yourself.” Angel pushed her way out of the row of desks and marched away without looking back.

I didn't have any pieces left of my heart to break.

I watched her leave, then packed my remaining belongings with the enthusiasm of a prisoner on death row before heading for the exit.

As if the day couldn't get any worse, the moment I stepped into the hallway, my eyes locked right onto Tyler, who was standing against the wall talking with a small group of guys.

“Bella!” he called out immediately, pushing himself off the wall.

I whipped around in the opposite direction, clutching my bag tightly against my chest as fast as my weak legs could carry me, cutting around the nearest corner to lose him.