CHAPTER 4

I push the door open.

Aunt Lucy is serving supper. Garry and Pepper are seated around the table quietly.

I am quite pissed at Aunt Lucy. How could she tell Grammy? It was up to me to tell her. But anyway, I can't miss a meal just coz I'm mad at her. So I decided to join the table and serve myself some food.

She has made some spaghetti. 

I dig a fork into the spaghetti and shove it in my mouth silently. 

I don't know why no one is speaking. It's just the clinking of forks on plates. I glance at Aunt Lucy and I can see the excitement on her face. I wonder what she wants to tell me. 

"Becca," Aunt Lucy says. "Garry just proposed!" She shows the stunning ring on her finger. 

I choke on my food. 

I'm startled. 

"We are getting married soon," she adds, stretching out her hand to Garry. 

Garry grins at her then at me.

I feel like throwing up. The guy just disgusts me.

"Say something," says aunt Lucy.

"Tell her she's making a mistake," Pepper grunts and I notice that she hasn't even touched her food.

I want to tell her she's making the wrong choice. I want to tell her Garry is the biggest mistake she's ever made but instead, I say,

"I'm happy for you," I fake a smile.

Pepper gasps. "What! No, you're not!"

I just sigh and sneer at Garry. "I wish you two the best."

Aunt Lucy shrieks. "Thanks a lot, Becca! I knew you've always wanted the best for me..." she snorts, sneering at Pepper.

Garry smirks. "Thanks, Becca."

I feel like cutting that tongue out of that mouth.

I want to confront aunt Lucy but I can't. I'm so angry right now. Angry at her for telling Grammy I'm moving out. Angry at her for being stupid and making stupid decisions. Getting married to Garry? Garry! Ugh!

"I have an early class tomorrow," I mutter. "I'm going to bed." 

"Are you okay?" aunt Lucy asks in concern as I leave the table. 

I tilt my head and take my backpack. 

"Nice jacket," Garry complements. 

Jesse's black leather jacket... 

You have no idea how good I feel when I ignore Garry's compliment as I walk away. 

****

I'm earlier than usual for today's class.

I'm the first to arrive and there's no one in class. It's just me. I take out my books and place them on top of my desk. I try to go through my notes but I can't focus. I rake back my hair in frustration and sigh. 

I couldn't catch some sleep last night with everything that's going on.

Honestly, my aunt's engagement came as a shock. I'm the last person on earth that would want my aunt to get married to that jerk. Plus, I need to move out as soon as possible. Especially now that the two are making things official. But I've not found an apartment. I've not even looked for one. I should start to. 

Ugh! All this is going to be harder than I thought. 

"Hey!" I hear someone greet behind me. 

Ugh! Dax Clyde. Not now. 

I don't reply and pretend to be busy going through my notes. 

"Nice jacket," says Dax. 

Yes, I wore Jesse's jacket over my simple yellow flare dress today. I like the smell of it. 

I'm not going to talk to Dax. 

Students start to fill up the seats and a few minutes later, the class is packed. 

"Are you okay?" asks Troy in a concerned voice. 

I feel a lump in my throat and I know when I try to talk, I'll burst into tears. And that's the last thing I need right now. I've never been a crybaby. So I just nod and look away. 

Mr Henry walks in class, and he's dressed in ridiculous buggy suits as usual which is just okay for his old age. He wipes the rim of his glasses before he starts the class. 

Throughout the whole class, I don't listen to him. I just have a lot on my mind right now I just can't concentrate. 

"Ms Sterling!" Mr Henry barks. "you'll work on the project with Mr Clyde."

"What!" I blurt. 

I don't know what project he's talking about but the fact that he's pairing me up on a project with Dax is just crazy. 

"Is there a problem, Ms Sterling?" Mr Henry asks. 

"There's no way I'm working on a project with Da... Mr Clyde... Whatever his name is! I won't do it!" I lash out. 

Mr Henry stares at me in astonishment. "Any valid reason why?" 

Yes! Because he's a jerk and he broke my heart when I trusted him. 

I take in a deep breath and huff. I can't win against Mr Henry. I'm seething inside but I can't show it. Instead, I curve my lips. "it's okay." 

Dax rubs his hands in glee. He's excited about us working together. I'm so not into that fucking project. 

Mr Henry smiles. "Good, Ms Sterling." 

He turns to look at Troy. "Mr Smith and Ms Fox." 

Danna Fox is so not excited about working with Troy from the frown on her pretty face. She's a blonde bimbo who happens to be the prettiest girl in school, with her long wavy blonde hair and perfect blue eyes. She's among the school's mean girls. She was my best friend once upon a time. Can you believe that? I can't believe it too. I'm sure Danna would prefer working with Dax instead of Troy. 

"Ms Sterling," Mr Henry points to Bruna. 

We share the same surname. "You'll be working with Mr Bradford." 

"Yes!" Bruna exclaims, startling the whole class. 

I'm so jealous of her right now. Working with her boyfriend, Josh, on a project. How lucky is this girl? Everything always goes her way. Bruna is so perfect. She has a perfect bad-boy boyfriend, who loves her to the moon and back. They have mind-blowing perfect sex. She has two very in love, very supportive, very caring, very rich, very perfect parents. She's a brunette, who has perfect hair, perfect skin and a great body that she doesn't work out for by the way. She's an incredibly pretty girl who gets what she wants when she wants even when she doesn't ask for it. I know it's wrong but I wish I was Bruna Sterling... I feel a twinge of guilt for being jealous. 

Bruna spins to look at Josh at the back of the class and he winks at her, with a huge grin on his face. She bites her lower lip and winks back. 

"I need the project complete by the end of next week," Mr Henry brings the class to an end. 

This must be the longest class I've ever had. 

****

At the cafeteria, Bruna and Troy are busy talking about their projects. Bruna is so excited to work on the project that it's annoying me. 

I silently bite into the delicious muffin. I try my best not to pay attention to them, especially Bruna. 

"Oh my God! I just can't wait to work with Josh," this is the millionth time she's saying this and I've had enough. 

"Okay! Enough!" I exclaim. "we get it!" 

Bruna and Troy are astonished. 

"What's wrong, Becca? Are you okay?" Bruna asks softly. 

Bruna is making me hate myself right now. I just yelled at her instead of being happy for her and she's here being nice. 

I sigh. "Sorry, a lot has been going on and I know I shouldn't-" 

"It's okay... I understand," Bruna says gently pulling me in for a warm embrace. I feel like bursting into tears. 

"Damn! Your jacket smells good," She tries to brighten me up. 

My face beams. 

Troy looks at me, his brow furrowed. "Becca, what's up?" 

I sip the coffee in my mug and sigh. "Garry proposed." 

They are not as surprised as I thought they would be. 

"Are you going to tell your aunt?" Troy questions leaning his hand on the small table. 

I almost laugh at that question. 

"How I'm I going to start?" I ask bitterly. "Aunt, the man you're about to marry is hitting on me and the other 10 million girls. And the reason I left the bar is that he tried forcing himself into my pants. No!" 

Bruna looks at me with a sad look on her face. "Are you seriously going to let your aunt marry that jerk? That's wrong! You should tell her before it's too late..."

Perfect Bruna who gets everything too easy thinks it's so easy doing that.

I just smirk at her. 

"No, seriously! You are being selfish Becca. You are moving out because of Garry. What about your aunt? How will she cope when she gets to know the real Garry when it's too late? What you're doing is not right! Keeping something like this from her! You're being selfish! "

I've had enough of her insults. 

"Listen Bruna, "I say calmly. " not everyone has a perfect little life and perfect little parents like yours. Just because making silly choices is easy for you doesn't mean it's easy for me to make hard choices. Stop calling me selfish. I'd do anything to see my aunt happy. That's not selfish. You're the selfish one. You got everything I've ever wanted but you don't appreciate it, instead, you take it for granted. You are a spoiled little brat that has never had to work for anything... Some of us have to work and make real-life choices. "

I don't know where the hell all that came from but I know I didn't mean any of that shit. Bruna is not a spoiled little brat. 

Her eyes are sheening with tears and I've never felt so horrible about myself. She grabs her bag and leaves the table. I try to go after her but Troy stops me. 

"Let her be," Troy says, holding my hand firmly. 

"I didn't want to_" 

Troy squeezes my hand. "I know..." 

Somebody suddenly storms on our table. 

Danna Fox. 

For once, she has not dragged her little girl gang as she calls her blonde bimbo of friends. I can't believe Danna was my BFF. I just can't. 

"Troy, or whatever your name is," Danna snorts rudely. "I'm not interested in working on the project with you. So, guess what?" 

Danna snickers and I can tell it's not something good. 

"I was thinking we could switch partners! You know, me and Dax... You and..." she scowls at me. "her!"

Of course, I also don't want to work with Dax but I find myself saying, 

"No! I'm working with Dax. That's final." 

I've had a bad day but watching her pretty face cringe is the best part of the day. 

Just then, I realize Dax is seated at a corner at the furthest table, watching us. He just grins and winks at me. Ugh! He heard what I said. 

"You think you can steal him away from me again?" Danna snaps. 

I cackle at that and continue sipping the coffee. 

Isn't life just funny? 

Danna gnashes her teeth and stomps away, feeling defeated. 

"I never believed monsters exist until I met Danna," Troy chuckles when she's gone. 

I chuckle. "It will be so hard working with that monster."

Troy changes the subject after a few minutes of gossiping with Danna. "you said something about moving out..." 

I nod, hoping he says he's found an affordable, cheap apartment for me. 

"There's a vacant house on my block, which is next to mine. I was hoping you would consider," he says. 

This is the best news I've had today. 

The block Troy lives in is affordable, clean and Is 10min away from school. I've always wanted to own a cute little house of my own in the block and here is the opportunity! 

" Sure!" I exclaim. "I want it! I'll come to check it out after class tomorrow. " 

I'm going to move out! But Bruna's words linger on my mind and I can't help but feel sorry for my aunt. Bruna Is right. I should tell my aunt. But how can I? She's too happy to listen to me. I just want her to fill the puzzle and find out on her own. Will she? 

My phone buzzes. 

It's a text from a new number. 

It's Trent Aston, the famous footballer. I smile at that. I won't be home when you come. I've left you the keys to my house under the doormat. Keep them safe. Keep the house clean. 

"Why are you smiling?" asks Troy. 

I shrug, pulling my bag and standing up. 

"Nothing... See you tomorrow." I say as I leave and blow him kisses. 

****

I'm earlier than usual at work today.

Trent is not in, as he had said and I'm glad I get to do the work slowly, silently and peacefully. 

When I'm stressed out, I always try to immerse myself in work. 

I wash the dishes, dust the windows and wipe the leather couches in the living room. I'm about to head to Trent's room to clean when he storms in, wearing tracksuits and a vest. He must be from training since he's all sweaty and wet. 

Not sexy. 

Trent doesn't even look at me. He just rushes upstairs, without even saying a word. 

Rude! 

I follow him upstairs. I also don't want to talk to him but I want to clean his room. 

I knock on the door softly. 

He doesn't open. So I knock harder. Twice. Thrice. The fourth time, the door flies open. 

An angry Trent stands at the doorway. 

I've seen him serious before but I've never seen him this angry before. His eyes are pale and puffy. It's like he's been crying. 

I feel a twinge of sympathy for him and I want to ask what's wrong when he barks, "what!" 

There's bitterness and pain in his voice. 

I'm about to utter a word when he slams the door on me.

What just happened!

****