Chapter 7

The chat bubbles on the other end of the screen kept popping up.

I was stunned for a good 30 seconds before I sent him a message:

[Sean.]

[Do you want to meet in person?]

The next day in the cafeteria, I ran into Zoe again.

She was trying to cut in line as usual. I was standing in another line, watching as the guy she cut in front of swallowed his anger and said nothing.

Zoe turned to chat and laugh with her friends. The corners of her blood-red lips curled up as she caught sight of me in line.

Something seemed to occur to her. Her smirk grew even wider as she pulled her friend out of line and squeezed right in between me and the person in front.

Her elbow jutted out, nearly knocking me into the person behind me.

I stumbled, barely managing to keep my balance.

The person in front turned around, their eyes filled with disdain, as if mocking my foolishness from yesterday.

I rarely saw such an ugly side of people.

I bit my lip so hard I nearly drew blood, desperately trying to suppress the turmoil inside me. I lowered my gaze to hide my emotions.

"Little. Bitch."

She enunciated each word slowly, her tone dripping with mockery and venom.

But I heard every syllable crystal clear.

My rationality was on the verge of snapping. I tasted blood in my mouth and forcefully swallowed it down.

0

My chat with "Sean baby" was still open to the kiss emoji he had sent me yesterday.

[Really, sweetie?]

[We're finally going to meet!]

[I've been looking forward to this for so long. I can't wait to see you.]

[It's been almost three years.]

[I'll let you know once I've decided on a day.]

[Okay!]

[I'm so happy we'll finally meet.]

[What if you don't like me in person?]

[How could that be possible!]

[I'll love my sweetie no matter what.]

[Kiss.jpg]

The conversation ended there. I had finished getting my food and sat down in the cafeteria, scrolling through that exchange over and over.

It was like I was trying to glean some hidden meaning from it, but came up empty.