Truth is bitter

Kehlani.

It took me all the courage In life I had to look Trevor Casper in his eyes to say it. I didn't wait for his response. I grabbed my document and ran faster than Barry Allen. 

I'm catching my breath in class as I bow my head and the rate at which my heart is accelerating is bad. Did I just say no to him?

It's time for history and olive won't be in class, but Trevor offers this subject, I know. 

I'm lost in thought until students start entering the class, then I notice people at the entrance clearing the way for someone. Trevor. 

I threw my face immediately as he entered, followed by Maddie and Elliot, holding hands. I can't help but feel uncomfortable. 

“Hello, class.”

The teacher walks in, getting everyone's attention. “Please do well to sit in twos. We're going to do a quick quiz.”

The sound of shoes shuffled as people paired. 

A guy sat with me but Trevor leaned in. 

“Hey, scram.”

I looked up, he was serious, telling the guy who sat with me to leave. Scared by his formidability, he shakily takes his bag and leaves. 

“What was that for?” I blurted but he didn't say a word. He shifted the table closer so we were in a tight space and sprawled his hands over the chair. 

“Really?” I raised a brow and he finally looked at me. My stomach does this weird fluttery thing. 

“That was bold of you.”

“What?”

“Saying no.”

“Well, good.” I try to act like I'm not nervous. 

“You'd come back to me.” He taps his foot. 

“Oh, please.”

“Yes, you would. You'd accept my proposal. I mean look at your dearest ex….”

I watched how he holds Maddie dearly, they're saying something I can't hear but laugh in-between. He pushed a strand of hair from her eyes and the sadness in my heart overwhelmed me. 

Trevor laughs. “See that look on your face. Like you want to pounce on him, at least, make it subtle.”

I blinked. “I'm not…affected.” I lied. 

“Liar. You're jealous. Too much. Deep down, you want to curse and swear and…” his face is inches away from mine. His breath was minty and every inhale, God, I wanted to kiss him. 

“....and make him regret leaving you.”

Trevor was right. All he said was exactly how I felt. He talked like he'd been in my shoes or knew my story. 

“Let me help you. Lower that standard.”

I sighed. “Listen, I don't know but I think that's a bad idea, like, don't you understand? Us dating would set the entire school on fire.”

“Yes. Good. You need me, Kehlani.”

“I don't even know if I could trust you.”

“I never asked you to trust me. Whatever we're doing isn't genuine. It's fake and beneficial to us both…so?”

“You really must hate Elliot.” I complained. 

“Hate is an understatement. I want to crush him.”

Our history teacher continued talking. “Silence please! Let's start.”

Trevor whispered. “You don't seem to be hungry for revenge. Do you? Don't be a coward to let someone hurt you and get away with it. Accept my offer, we'll watch Elliot crumble.” His voice is laced with bitterness and confidence. 

Facing the front to listen to the ongoing lesson, my head is swirling with a lot of thought. I can't seem to concentrate. 

After the quiz, Trevor distanced himself from me and Olive was back in class. While school was over, she kept on holding me back about this party. 

“Come on, it's just a party, chill girl.”

“I'd rather sleep on my bed.”

“Kehlani, you got to put yourself together and have fun. Please. For me.”

I sighed. “I'll think about it.”

At home, I'm on my bed, checking out snaps from my camera roll. A tear slipped from my eyes when I saw Elliot's face. His team won that day. It's almost impossible to believe after everything we had and did together, he still left me. He didn't think about my emotions. Then, we used to sneak into the rink and play and kiss. How could he? What did I do to deserve this pain? As my thoughts crushed me, the door swung open and it's olive in a hot pink dress. 

“Hey, girl!” She shrieks and I wipe my tears, sitting. Her hair is in a tight updo ponytail. 

“How did you?"

“I told your mom. She says yes. We're allowed to go. Come on.”

“Ahhh.” I buried the pillow on my head. “Who's party is this?”

“Hillary.” She opened my drawer. 

“Isn't she like the Maddie squad bitches thingy?”

“But she's not Maddie.”

“I don't wanna go.”

“Yes, you will. Come on.” Olive scrambled for a dress and I made her pick something very simple that I was comfortable in. She said it wasn't attractive but I didn't mind. A few minutes later, we took a cab there. 

The house is bustling with classmates and loud music. This wasn't really my thing. The first party I went to was with Elliot. It was forced. While we entered, some of Olive's friends from music class greeted her. 

“Hey, you look good.”

“Hi, oh my gosh.” Olive hugs them and I just smile awkwardly. In terms of social hierarchy at school, olive was above me. Yes, I'm a nerd but….I was still surprised how popular Elliot managed to date me. 

Before a blink of the eyes, Olive had left me standing by the door. Shit. I decided to walk around. In the living room. It reeked of alcohol and cups were piling everywhere. Some people gathered for a truth or dare game which I despised. 

“Who invited her?”

Maddie's voice came from behind and I turned. Hillary, Stacey and Maddie stare at me awkwardly. 

“Just let her be, Maddie. Everyone is invited.” Hillary smiled at me. 

Maddie eyed me. “You're dressed like you're going to church.”

They giggled before walking to join the guys on the couch and I sat on the staircase, watching them having the best time of their life. Those guys were Elliot's crew. And outside, Trevor's. They never agreed with themselves, that's why they were separated. 

“Truth or dare?”

My attention drew back to the scene. Maddie was sitting on Elliot's lap. Twisting like a worm. The question was directed at him.

“Truth.”

“Why did you date Kehlani? The nerd girl.” A guy asked. 

The rest erupted in whoa’s and my heart skipped for a moment. It's beating faster than normal.

“Two things. One, I just wanted to mess with her. Josh, Remember our bet, yeah, just to know what it's like down there.”

I'm breathing rapidly now ... .hands clutched onto my chest. 

“......Two, for my hockey image. She made me the spotlight of school. Her being in the photography club made it easier. Leveraging her skills to boost my image. I was featured in the school's magazine plus the school's media. Honestly, she's been useful.”

“Whoooooooa!”

I hear them all cheer and laugh. Hot tears rolled from my eyes and I'm on my feet, pushing past the crowd and running outside fast. People are staring but I just don't care. The music fades and I hear my name. 

“Kehlani!

“Kehlani!”

I slow down at a streetlight, gasping for air and sobbing rapidly. As I blinked away the tears, Trevor is in front of me, his hands wrapped around my shoulders. 

“Hey, what's wrong?” He cups my face and I'm crying uncontrollably.

“I want to die.” I murmured.

“What happened? Is it Elliot or Maddie?”

“I….I…he….I…..I can't…..do…..he….”

I'm stammering and can't say anything. He pulled me into his embrace. I sobbed into his chest forgetting about what Olive said about him. 

“Do you know both of us could be the most unstoppable force? Just like how you made Elliot champion, you can destroy his hockey career. Together, we can bring him down.”

His eyes never left mine. “With my influence and your intelligence.”

I sniffed and he continued. “But only if you accept my deal and we'll bring this asshole down.”

I opened my mouth to say something. “I….”

Suddenly Elliot's voice cut through. 

“Well, isn't this cozy?”

I shivered, unexpectedly, siren blared from a distance and a police car sped to our direction. A loud voice commands. 

“The three of you! Put your hands in the air!!!”