Chapter two

VERONICA’S P.O.V

I spun back around to find Evan standing before us with a devilish smirk etched on his face.

“Look who we have here… Ms. Rivers has finally graced us with her presence.”, he mocked with a chuckle as he reached forward to stroke my arm. I could feel Nick tense up behind me, his grip on my waist tightening ever so slightly.

“Of course, I would come back. I can’t just leave my heartthrob of a man alone and up for grabs, now can I?”, I say to relieve the tension while looking back at Nick whose frown had successfully turned into a goofy smile. He ran his hand through his hair shyly and I had to resist the urge to coo out loud.

“Hey, we should hang out-like right now. There’s a lot I need to fill you up on.”, Evan exclaimed, clearly not getting the hint that Nick was seething right now.

“Maybe later Hun.”, I say while playfully pushing his arm away and leaning my head back against Nick’s chest. I draped his huge arm across my front and relaxed against his hold.

That’s when I heard a few squeals and the sounds of hurried footsteps getting closer to us.

It was my friends, the twins-Alice and Beth.

“Oh! My! God! You’re back!!” Beth screamed and pulled me into her arms and away from Nick.

“When we heard other people whispering around, I thought it was just a rumor. But you’re here, in person... I missed you...We missed you”, Alice exclaimed and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

The twins began leading me away from the lockers and my lips stuck out in a pout.

I turned around to show Nick my pouty face and he smiled. “I’m sorry”, I mouthed to Nick, giving him an apologetic smile.

They then began to drag me outside since they had cheer practice.

NICK’S P.O.V

I waited for Veronica to get out of my sight and then shifted my gaze towards Evan.

“What do you think you’re trying to do?!”, I sneered at him, “Don’t you fucking try anything and stay the hell away from her, or I will send you to the fucking hospital, you hear me?!”, I shout.

Evan’s grin disappears. He slowly inches closer and whispers, “Save your threats. I haven’t done anything... yet. But when I do, you will regret having threatened me because you seem to be forgetting who’s in control here.”

He chuckles darkly. “We don’t want our little Veronica to find out what you've been up to while she was gone, now do we?”

My gaze fell to the ground and I clenched my fist. Now, this jerk had control over me and there is nothing I can do and no one I can blame.

“What, cat got your tongue? No more threats? Good. Make sure it stays that way. For your own good. And enjoy whilst you still have time with her because soon enough, she’ll know what a little shit you are. You better watch your back Lyon!”, and with that, Evan stormed off.

VERONICA’S P.O.V

The girls dragged me out to the field where I sat on the bleachers, watching them practice their cheer for the season’s game. These bleachers held so many memories of us, of Nick and I.

When Nick and I had just started dating, the bleachers were our spot. We could always be found here, cuddling, bunking classes just to be with each other.

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Nick is the team’s quarterback and I was on the basketball team. So, while most of the players had their girlfriends in the cheer squad, I used to be sitting right here, cheering for him and only him after every basketball practice.

We would watch each other’s games, practices, tournaments, and just be there for each other no matter how busy we were.

My train of thought was interrupted by none other than my Basketball coach, Coach Jade.

“Rivers, I’m glad you showed your face again so soon.”, she remarked sarcastically.

The tall, muscular woman was being super sarcastic, rightfully so since I went MIA right before an important game but… I can’t deal with her right now.

“Good to see you too Coach”, I answer politely.

“So, are you planning to stick around this time or are you going to go poof in the air again? I really need you to play for the seasonal tournaments. We need our captain back; it was tough without you.”

My mind went blank and I found my hands shaking as I thought back to the last 4 months. My palms felt clammy.

I met her expectant gaze and sighed.

“There’s just been a lot going on coach. I’ll have to think about it. I mean I’ve missed out on my academics too so; I need to catch up on that to graduate.”

Basketball had always been a stress buster for me, it helped me relax, rejuvenate. It always invoked a fighter spirit in me but these past four months have taken a toll on me and I don’t think things are going to be normal for me any time soon.

Alas, those four months, I was so afraid and alone that I stopped having the fear of being alone. I’ve lost more than I could gain and the only reason why I’m up and going is Nick. I came back for him although I’m still traumatized on the inside. I’m hurting and I can’t even ask him to fix me. The damage is irreparable.

“Well, I can only hope you make the right decision. Don’t fret it, kid. Take your time and hopefully, I’ll see you for morning practice.”

Coach Jade replied calmly and walked away from the bleachers.

I quickly wave to Alice and Beth, letting them know that I’d be heading inside.

I make my way through the empty halls leading to the Dean’s office.

A simple knock on the door and I was told to come in. I quickly stepped inside, greeting the shriveled yet elegant woman.

“Take a seat, my dear.”

I do as asked, taking a seat across her.

Her expression is soft and I can see the pity in her eyes for me. I don’t want that!

If everyone was to find out, I would be seen with the same expression by everyone. I don’t want anyone’s sympathy.

“Veronica... How have you been holding up dear? I’m so sorry for your loss. Your parents were both such wonderful people. You may take as much time as you need to recover. Do not worry about your months of absence, I will pull some strings and let you graduate. But you cannot afford to miss any more academic lectures. Your absentee days are limited and you may have to compensate with extra credits otherwise, adding to the pressure of graduating.”

“Yes, professor Shaw... I understand.”

“Good. I’ve already informed your teachers of your arrival; they will do their level best to help you catch up.

Other than that, you may start classes from today itself if you’re up for it. You may rest up today either since it is Friday and then start afresh from Monday.”

“It’s alright. I’d like to start as early as possible.”

“Well then... Since it’s already time for lunch, why don’t you resume after? And I have a lunch appointment so I’ll have to cut this short.”

“I’ll be taking my leave then. Thank you, Ms. Shaw. I really appreciate it.”

And with that, I left her office and headed straight for the cafeteria.

My eyes frantically search the crowd in the jam-packed cafeteria for Nick. They are too many people in the room; some waving to me, some passing smiles, a few giving me the side-eye, and whispering about.

I finally find Nick standing in a corner with two girls, one of them I know too well. He hadn’t seen me yet so I decided to observe him quietly.

He stood there indifferently, with his hands in his pockets, while Bonnie Hapsburg, his best friend, and my arch-nemesis continued to yap.

About Bonnie, she’s the cheer captain. Totally cliche I know but she is also Nick’s best friend and for some reason, detests me.

I seethe watching her tall, lean, caramel-skinned frame, bounce about as she explains something to him.

I watch as Bonnie nudges the other girl closer to Nick until their arms are touching and that’s when I finally take notice of the unfamiliar presence and what’s worse, she has her back to me.

Now, I trust Nick with all my heart but I also trust the fact that Bonnie wouldn’t leave a single stone unturned to set Nick up with someone who isn’t me. She has never approved of our relationship and I wouldn’t be surprised if she took advantage of my absence to put her plan into action.

I see both Nick and the girl look at each other and immediately look away, the girl’s cheeks painted a crimson hue.

And then it struck me. Had he planned on moving on… eventually?

I shook my head. He wouldn’t. We’re in love, aren’t we? He wouldn’t just fall out of love so easily, although he has all the reasons to. I mean I left him all alone in the dark, he could quite possibly take it as a sign to move on. He didn’t know if I was going to come back… ever.

So, what happened earlier in the halls, our little reconciliation, was he just being a good friend, a well-wisher. Are we through?

I felt my heartburn in the flames of realization, and my eyes sting with tears. But I wasn’t going to cry in front of all these curious pairs of eyes, watching my every move.

But then I heard him calling out to me, just as I had taken my first step towards the exit.

“Veronica, wait up!”, I heard him shout as he ran away from Bonnie and her ‘friend’, towards me.

I finally get a good look at the girl standing next to Bonnie and I freeze.

This had to be a practical joke.

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