Chapter 4
My heart raced in my chest as I locked eyes with him.It felt as if time stood still, the noise around me fading into a distant hum. The sight of him sent a shockwave of emotions coursing through my veins, stirring up memories I had fought so hard to bury. It was as if the wounds of the past had been ripped open, exposing the raw pain that still lingered within me.
Instinctively, I tried to turn and flee, to escape from the haunting figure of my past. But before I could take a single step, he reached out and grasped my arm, his touch like ice against my skin. His voice, tinged with surprise and urgency, cut through the air, sending a chill down my spine.
"Juliette," he called out, his voice a haunting echo of a time long gone.
I couldn't bear to face him, to confront the memories that threatened to overwhelm me. With a surge of adrenaline, I slapped his arm away, a mix of anger and pain fueling my actions. Without a backward glance, I sprinted towards my car, desperate to escape the suffocating grip of the past.
My heart pounded in my chest as I fumbled with the keys, my hands trembling with a mixture of fear and anticipation. As I finally started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, a sense of relief washed over me. The familiar roar of the engine drowned out the cacophony of emotions that threatened to engulf me. I drove off, leaving him behind in my rearview mirror, hoping that this encounter was just an unfortunate twist of fate, a cruel reminder of a past that I had longed to forget.
As I drove towards the school, I focused on regaining my composure. I took deep breaths, inhaling the cool air and exhaling the tension that had gripped my body. It was crucial to shake off the lingering effects of the encounter, to reclaim the sense of control and strength that defined me.
I'm not that naive little girl anymore, I can't let this get to me.
Parking my car in the school lot, I sat for a moment, closing my eyes and allowing myself to breathe. In and out. In and out. With each breath, I felt the racing of my heart gradually subside, replaced by a steely resolve. I refused to let him disrupt my life any longer. I would not allow him to have power over me.
Not now or ever
When my heart slows down I check the mirror examining my features as I apply my lipgloss to my plum lips.I stepped out of the car and strode towards the school entrance. The familiar stares and whispers followed me, but I absorbed them like a shield, stroking my ego and reinforcing my sense of superiority.
When you're this gorgeous it's hard for people not to stare.
As I walked through the hallways, my head held high, I projected an air of confidence and indifference. Students turned to stare, their gazes lingering on me, a mix of admiration and envy. It was a scene I had grown accustomed to, a validation of my status and allure.
As I made my grand entrance into the classroom, all eyes turned to me. The mere sight of me silenced the room momentarily, the anticipation palpable. But then, reality shattered my bubble of superiority when I saw him.As our eyes locked once again.
Damn it, why did he have to be here?
His gaze met mine, and for a fleeting moment, my heartbeat faltered. Memories of our past relationship flooded my mind—his betrayal, his infidelity. He had shattered my heart, leaving me to pick up the pieces while he moved on with someone else. The pain surged within me, but I refused to let it show. I was stronger than that.
Feigning indifference, I strutted to a seat, casting him aside like a discarded accessory. Flashes of our past haunted me, but I pushed them aside, burying the vulnerability that threatened to resurface. I wouldn't let him see how deeply he had wounded me.
As I settled into my seat, I couldn't help but notice him stealing glances in my direction. Did he think he could get under my skin again? I scoffed at his audacity. He had lost his power over me long ago, and I would never let him regain it.
Class dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. I couldn't wait to escape the confines of the room, to be free from his lingering presence. Finally, as the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, I sprang into action. Swiftly gathering my belongings, I was determined to put as much distance between us as possible.Without wasting time I left.
Ugh! Could this day get any worse?
I thought as I walked briskly through the crowded hallways of the school, my heart still racing from the unexpected encounter with him. The sight of him had sent a shockwave of emotions coursing through my veins, a painful reminder of a past I had tried so hard to bury. He was the one who had broken my heart, shattered my trust, and left me in pieces.
As I tried to process the encounter, my footsteps echoed with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. I needed to get away, to escape from him and the memories that threatened to consume me. My heart yearned for solace, for a sanctuary where I could nurse my wounds in peace.I need to go home.
Struggling to compose myself, I quickened my pace, my eyes darting around, searching for an escape route. The hallway seemed endless, stretching out before me like a labyrinth of torment. Students passed by, their voices blending into an indistinguishable murmur as I focused on putting as much distance between us as possible.
Just as I thought I had eluded him, his voice pierced through the chaos of the hallways,
"Juliette" he calls out
The sound sent a chill down my spine, triggering a surge of panic within me. I couldn't face him, not now, not when my heart still ached from the wounds he had inflicted.
My instinct was to run, to flee from the pain and the memories that threatened to suffocate me. I picked up my pace, my heart pounding in my chest, and my breaths coming in short gasps. But as I focused on my escape, I failed to notice the person in front of me, and I collided with someone—a pretty girl with long black hair and a slim figure. Annoyance flashed in my eyes, but I chose to ignore her existence. I had no time for trivial interactions.
"Ugh bitch"she spits
Ignoring her insult, which barely registered in my ears, I continued my march down the hallway. Bitch? Please. Her opinion meant nothing to me. I was beyond the reach of such petty name-calling. She was a mere blip on my radar.
I get into my car and speed home hoping that he's not following me.When I get into my garage I kill the engine processing everything that had happened.
"What the fuck just happened?"