Chapter 329
THERON
"Now that you know how I feel," I said softly. "Can you consider giving me a chance? I promise you won't regret it. I'll give you my all, Willa."
"No."
I felt pain, like a knife twist around my heart.
"No?" I swallowed. "Listen, you don't have to give me an answer right away. Maybe you'll like some time to think about it."
"I'm sorry I can't. Lucian's already in the picture. Lucian and I are going to get over this rough patch eventually. I'll find a way for us to fix our relationship." She paused. "I hope you understand."
"And what about me?" I asked.
She gave me a smile. Thin, but there.
"Despite all you've done, I still want you as my friend, Theron but that will depend on two things."
"Things like what?" I said.
"Things like you staying out of my relationship and not trying to cause any more problems between me and Lucian."
I leaned back in my chair. My mouth set in a hard line.
I felt a surge of anger I fought to control. Under the table, my fists clenched.
Why? I asked myself.
Why would she or anyone want to pick Lucian over me? Okay I would admit I wasn't perfect. Still I was way better than the liar, cheat and pompous asshole.
It was happening again. Another girl was choosing Lucian without even thinking twice about what I had to offer.
"Theron?" Willa said a little worriedly.
"I'm sorry," I said. "This time, you've asked for the impossible. I can't make that promise."
Willa placed her hands on the table and got to her feet.
"Then we can't be friends," she said and walked away.
*******
WILLA
I found myself later that evening taking a walk around campus. There was a lot on my mind. The evening was fine, the air bracing and I had to clear my head.
I let my feet take me through the garden path behind the library. Someone was there, sitting on a large stone and scrolling through her phone.
It was Naomi.
She looked up, saw me. An ugly look jumped into her eyes.
"Well well," she said, looking me over from head to toe. "I didn't expect to see you here and all by yourself too. I thought you would be playing house with your mate."
"I'm not in the mood for this, Naomi," I said quietly.
Naomi shrugged, brushed off an invisible speck of dirt from her very short, very tight skirt. "Just saying. You've got two powerful guys tripping over you. Must be nice."
I flushed. "Why does that sound like an insult?"
She studied her perfectly manicured fingernails before saying, "Maybe it's because you're not used to girls being so honest. A little advice-"
"I don't need your-"
"Watch your back, princess. Boys like Lucian don't change. They just lie better."
It was then I did what I was supposed to have done the minute I saw her. I walked away.
The thing was her words wouldn't leave me, especially the part about lying.
On an impulse, I went to the gym. Inside people were exercising to music thrumming from hidden speakers.
I took off my jacket, got on the treadmill and set the pace to high. I got on, focusing on the music and the movement of my body.
Just when the distraction was beginning to work, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned to see Sylvia. I heaved a sigh.
Why did I have to keep running into people I didn't want to see? I thought as I shut off the treadmill.
Before I could ask her what she wanted, Sylvia said, "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" I said dryly.
Her nostrils flared at my tone. "Were you and Theron pretending to be in a relationship to make me jealous?"
I hesitated only for a moment.
"It's true," I said. "Is that all?"
"Your stupid arrangement got real for Theron," he spat out. She was struggling not to raise her voice. Already I could see some of the others giving us curious looks. "Now he's pushing me away and it's all because of you."
"Look Sylvia, what happened between you two had nothing to do with me."
Sylvia barked out a short, bitter laugh.
"There's no need to pretend with me," she said. "We both know you must have led him on."
"Well I didn't. When Theron told me he was doing it to get you back, I believed him. Why shouldn't I? I wasn't to know that he really did it to get revenge on Lucian." The sudden look of guilt that flashed across her face gave me no pleasure. "So for the last time, Sylvia, please leave me out of the problems you're having with Theron."
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