Chapter 3

One of Zachary's friends chortled before handing him a wad of cash, which he stuffed into Kelly's hand. Then, Zachary turned to me with a teasing look in his eyes.

"Melissa, you really can't leave me, huh? To the point that you came running as soon as you heard that something had happened to me, even forgoing washing your face!"

His friends were quick to join in, with one guy jeering with a wide grin, "Melissa, Zach already said that he didn't like you and broke up with you, so why did you still rush here? Could it be that no one else wants you?"

Another chimed in. "Zach, look at how much of a hurry she was in! Maybe she rushed here because she wants to continue servicing you? Or maybe she wants to beg you to get back together with her!"

"Right! Didn't she use to act all high and mighty last time, like she was better than us? Yet, here she is now, having come immediately when called!"

"If you ask me, she didn't really mean it when she said she wanted to break up. She's just purposely playing hard to get!"

I stood rooted to the same spot, unable to stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.

The mockery on Zachary's face deepened when he saw that I was crying. Pushing Kelly off his lap, he strode toward me and seized my jaw, forcing my head up to look at him.

"What are you crying about?" He leaned closer, and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. Briefly brushing his lips against mine, he said flippantly, "Do you regret it now? Go on, then. Beg me. As long as you beg me, I'll—"

He didn't get to finish as I slapped him hard.

The laughter in the living room abruptly ceased, and everyone sucked in a breath at the loud smacking sound.

Zachary's smile stiffened before his gaze turned icy. With a furrow of his brow, he shoved me away. "Melissa Sole, you actually dared to hit me? Over such a stupid and small matter?"

Kelly hurried over to grab his arm, cooing, "Zach, don't be mad. She's just mad with jealousy, that's all."

Then, she glanced at me before continuing, "She's always been like this, deliberately getting a little too close to the other guys in class and stringing them along. Isn't all that so she would constantly have men fawning over her? What's with the pure and innocent act now?"

I swiped away my tears, my eyes red as I declared loudly, "Zachary Corington, I must have been blind last time to have gotten together with you. From today on, I won't seek you out again. Even if you die, it has nothing to do with me!"

Hearing that, Zachary was momentarily stunned, a panicked look flickering across his eyes. However, in the next second, a scoff left his lips before he burst into laughter.

"The last time you threw a temper tantrum, you still came crawling back to me three days later while hugging the plushie I gave you. Trying to use the same trick again this time? Alright then, I'll be waiting, but don't come begging me after you start regretting your actions."

With that, he leaned back on the couch, wrapped his arm around Kelly, and turned to whisper something in his friend's ear. He didn't even bother sparing me another glance, seemingly confident that I would return to his side.

As the group of friends laughed and joked with each other, I spun on my heel and left.

The instant I arrived back downstairs, I spotted my scooter tilted to one side, the back tire looking flat. Someone had punctured it.

With much difficulty, I pushed my scooter along as I headed back to my dorm. The way I had to take was rather dark, with the occasional drunk stumbling by.

Unease swirled through me, and I quickened my pace.

Thankfully, I arrived at my dorm without any issues. The box of Zachary's gifts was still by the door.

The more I thought about him, the angrier I got. Kicking the box into a corner, I flopped onto my bed and was soon fast asleep.