Chapter 108 - 107: Back To School III
Serena stood at an inconspicuous corner beside the stairs. She tried not to be too obvious as she waited for him to come down.
Then she finally saw him. It has just been a little over two weeks, but it felt like a lifetime. She was quickly assaulted by the fact that she missed him so much.
She wanted to walk to where he was, but there were still some people surrounding him. He didn't look that happy, but he was still polite as he said his goodbyes.
Serena smiled. Charlton was truly kind. Then as if feeling her eyes on him, he turned to her direction.
Time seemed to stop at that moment as Serena felt her heart full of longing. She wanted to run to him and kiss him. It didn't matter anymore that it was he who broke up with her. She has already long forgiven him. Hopefully, he has forgiven her too.
She continued to smile as she faced him. Then she tentatively raised her right hand to wave at him.
--
Charlton went down the stairs after class. He was in no mood to spend time with the others as he was still feeling down and dismal. Kylo, seeing his mood chose to stay and gossip with Joshua, Miles, Jeff and Vincent.
"Bye, Charlton, see you tomorrow!" some of his classmates said as they waved at him and walked out the building. He nodded his head. He was about to leave too when he felt someone staring. He turned to look and that was when he saw her.
She was still as beautiful as he remembered and he wanted nothing more than to go to her side, ask for her forgiveness and kiss her. She smiled at him and tentatively raised her hand to greet him. He felt his heart speeding and despite everything he told himself, he realized how much he loved her still.
However, her hiding in the shadows hit something within him. It brought up a variety of emotions in a single millisecond. It reminded him of all the pain and hurt he has been through when he saw her standing under the sun with Geoffrey as they smiled at each other. His heart rate increased, his stomach felt like it's cramping and there was a tightness in his chest.
Then, he felt his anger, jealousy, and unhealed wounds rearing its ugly head. Before he can think further, his body responded on its own. He pretended not to see her as he turned around and walked to the other direction.
--
Serena did not know how to react to what Charlton did. She was quite sure that he saw her. So, did he purposely ignore her? What did that mean? Did that mean that he wants nothing to do with her anymore and that they were truly over?
Although it should not be, it still came in as a shock for her. It was just one fight. Did all their time together mean so little to him? Was she the only one with hopes that they can still reconcile?
She remained standing in that corner until she saw that there were no more students passing by. Then, she walked back to her dorm, heart completely crushed.
--
After a few days, the fuss about Serena and Charlton's songs died down a little, and things seemed to return to normal.
Serena did not attempt to have any contact with Charlton after that one time. She did not want to suffer the humiliation of being ignored again. If he still wanted to get back together with her, then it should be him taking the initiative. The ball was already in his court.
Although they were in the same campus, they did not encounter each other. However, their paths will still cross inevitably as they still share one class together.
Thus, when Friday arrived, Serena prepared herself like she was to enter a battle.
--
"Wow Serena, I must say, you look better than you usually do. Is it the hair or what?" Gizel asked as Serena walked out of her room. Since they were dismissed early from swimming class, they decided to go back to their dormitory before going to music class.
Serena smiled at Gizel and shook her head. Honestly, she can't do much because they had to wear their uniform. So, all she did was ask Beatrice to braid her hair and insert some jewels. She also applied some make up to brighten her eyes and redden her usual pink lips. However, she had to admit, she really did look better than usual.
"Anyway, don't you think the boys are missing us?" Milly asked. Every Friday, they have lunch together after their respective classes, yet today, Serena asked them to leave without even thinking of informing the boys.
"Well, they can live. But I think lover boy is missing someone already, by a lot. By the way, Serena, I haven't seen you and Charlton together since classes resumed. How are things between you two? I still need to get his signature on my cover you know?" Gizel asked.
Serena was reminded that her friends were still blissfully unaware that she and Charlton has already broken up.
"Well, I think I forgot to tell you guys, but Charlton and I have already broken up."
--
Geoffrey has been trying to meet with Serena since classes resumed. He knew about the discs but did not expect it to be that popular. Honestly, he felt a little annoyed seeing his intended on a photo with another man. Thankfully, it was just Charlton, so he let go of the jealousy he has been feeling.
On the third day, he went directly to her classroom after dismissal just to check if he can catch her. However instead of Serena, he saw Emily alone in the room.
--
Emily was annoyed. Everyone has been praising Serena since classes resumed and it irritated her. She just wanted to tear her mask off. She was a two-faced bitch that was playing with the hearts of two men.
After Charlton left her standing alone in that balcony, it got her thinking. If Geoffrey were to ascertain Serena's relationship with Charlton how would he react? Last time she mentioned it, he said that she was trying to sow discord, so unless she has some proof then he will certainly not believe her.
However, when she looked down from the mezzanine, she saw Geoffrey and Serena dancing, and after that she even kissed him, and she saw how passionately he kissed her back. That time, she was so angry that she just wanted to pull Serena's hair off. Had what she did just pushed her straight to Geoffrey?
However, she saw how she chased Charlton after. So, she was certain that Serena liked Charlton more than Geoffrey. She wondered how they were faring. She hoped not well.
Anyway, as of now, she can do nothing but be a bystander. Later, she will get her chance, and then she will have the last laugh. If she can't have her happily ever after, then what made them all think that they can have theirs?
When she stood up to leave the classroom, she saw Geoffrey.
--
TBC