Chapter 14
To be young and in love in New York City ( in New York City )------- I like me better by lauv.
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Stella's POV
I don't know how to feel.
I still had a hard time digesting all that happened, it feels so surreal.
How did it turn like this?
How did everything turn like this?
Just on Saturday, Steva and I were still on talking terms but what now?
What changed?
The scandal! The pictures! I remember!
I immediately took my cell phone and logged into my WhatsApp account where I saw the discussions on the class group.
There were lots of cruel words like Bitch, Whore, slut.
All of this was used to describe me I guess.
I scrolled upwards and then I saw the link, I clicked on it just to get the shock of my life.
There were pictures and a video
In it, both I and Steva's crush Mark Darwin looked very intimate.
From an outsider's point of view, w it looked like we were lovers but we weren't!
How did this happen! When!
How come I can't remember anything!
Why can't I?
If this Is a Scheme then who set us up?
Who?
Just then I remembered Angela's words, the words I didn't take seriously, I wish I did.
[ A/ N: Am currently listening to Rise up by Andra Day ]
<< I am wondering how long your guy's friendship will last. >>
But why?
If she was truly the one what will she gain from it?
Then I remembered her next words.
<< I'd love to win my bet >>
But what bet?
Do they bet on bonds?
I don't understand!
Why! Why? Did this have to happen to us?
Our friendship?
I didn't know why but I suddenly started feeling guilty though I am not at fault I can't help but still feel guilty.
But wait, these Pictures were taken from the club.
I remembered staying there for some minutes after Steva left just to enjoy the view.
I ordered an orange juice, I drank it but this was the last thing I remembered.
I met myself at home the next day so what Happened?
I checked My chats and then I realized that Steva sent me lots of messages.
It was from Saturday evening and yesterday morning.
Stella, how are you? How are you doing? , Why is your phone switched off?
What happened to you? , Didn't you leave the club earlier?
Are you alright, Stella?
I miss you.
I feel so alone and lonely without you here with me.
Are you busy?
Please call me when you see this.
' I miss you. 'These three words kept ringing in my head, she missed me but I missed her more now.
I miss her more than I have ever had.
I feel like I should say something to her, I feel like I need to give her an explanation because she deserves one.
But what can I say to her?
I am sorry, I don't know how it happened?
Who would believe that?
Or will I say that I was framed?
Who then will I place the blame on?
Angela? But I have no evidence that shows that she is the one behind all of this?
So what should I do?
I walked to my bathroom and took a Shower.
As the water rushed down my body, I started to feel more at ease.
My brain started working more.
I changed into a Crop top and Pyjamas Pants.
I went back to my bed.
Swallowing my pride, I decided to give Steva a phone call and give her a proper explanation because I feel she deserves one.
I dialed her number.
It rang for a few minutes before it stopped, she didn't pick up.
I didn't give up and just kept calling.
After Five trials the call was finally picked up.
I felt thankful as I had almost lost all hope.
" Hey, Steva. "
" .... " There was silence on the other end.
" Steva? Are you there? , How are you? "
".... " Still it was silent.
" Am Sorry, Steva, I am innocent, I don't know anything about what happened, I just woke up the next day to find that I had a headache, I was asleep for almost throughout the day and that's why I was unable to call or text you, I am very sorry Steva, I can very well understand your pain but I am innocent, I don't know anything about the pictures or videos. "
" Really? " I heard her hoarse voice.
Finally, a reply came, I was a little relieved.
" Yes, Steva, you know that I would never lie to you. "
" Did you watch the video? "
" I ..... "
" You did right?, So how can you explain that? The confession? "
" I wasn't Confessing anything! I wasn't myself and if I was I would never do something like that! I would never betray you Steva! You are like a twin Sister to be so I wouldn't do something as bad as that to you, please, believe me, Steva! "
" Believe you? How did you expect me to believe you when there's a prove of your betrayal? "
" But, Steva.... ! "
" Don't!, Just don't! I don't want to hear anything from you again, Steva! , Just know one thing, you'll never be my friend! We are over! Do you hear that? , We are over, Stella! I don't want to see you anywhere next to me! We are over Stella. "
" Please don't do this, Steva! We can talk it out! , Please. "
" Please? After what do you do? "
" I didn't do anything, Steva! I am innocent! "
" I am not a fool, Stella... " She Paused.
" I hate you, Stella! I hate you for making me believe that you love me! I hate you for making me believe that you are true to me! , I hate you for making me see you as a Sister! I hate you, Stella! "
<< I hate you, Stella!!!! >> These words kept ringing in my brain.
' Hate? ' it's a great word.
Hate? Steva hates me? How can my Best friend say she hate me?
What have I done?
I am innocent! I don't deserve to be hated by her!
" This would be the last time you'll try to speak or call me Stella! We are over! Stay away from me, Whore! " Steva's agitated voice rang again from the other side before the call went off.
Whore?
Did she call me a whore?
My best friend called me a whore?
My first True friend called me a whore?
Am I one?
What have I done to deserve this treatment?
I am sure I have done nothing to deserve this so why?
My hands suddenly lost strength and the phone fell from my hands.
I started to feel a sharp pain in my chest.
It was so painful that I found it difficult to breathe.
Why?
Why did this have to happen?
Why? I don't deserve this treatment?
I don't.
I have always thought of myself as being weird.
I rarely have friends because they think I am a witch for always getting high scores in exams.
Most of my classmates hated me
They treated me like a plague.
I found a new friend in a new city and school but what happened?
She said she hated me!
I have forgotten about the word I have come to get used to but hearing it from someone very close to my heart hurts like hell.
It hurts a lot.....
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Steva's POV
After the Call with Stella.
I felt very sad and guilty.
I burst out crying.
I felt like I have said something I shouldn't have.
I felt like I have done something unforgivable.
I felt very guilty.
Why did I do that?
But it isn't my fault alright?
Did she betray me first alright?
She caused me pain first so why can't I do the same?
She can hurt me and I can't?
With this, I wiped out all my tears and immersed myself in my bathtub.
I needed to cool down, I needed to remove all these Thoughts and emotions from me.
I need to do it!
I need to do it!