Chapter 77
Nicole POV
I hopped out of Eric’s car, my mind feeling happy. Brie and I exchanged glances, grateful to finally be back on campus. It had been a rough week of juggling classes and keeping up this whole fake dating charade with Eric. We waved goodbye to him as he sped off to the parking spot, and I noticed how the butterflies in my stomach didn’t seem to settle. Fake or not, he had become a constant in my life that I didn’t see coming.
“See you tomorrow!” he shouted, and I raised his hand in response before he drove further.
Brie nudged me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you two, or do I have to beat it out of you?”
“Please,” I snorted. “There’s nothing going on. You know it’s just a deal.”
She didn’t look convinced but shrugged it off, knowing I wouldn’t budge. We turned towards the dorm entrance when a sharp, blood–curdling scream pierced the air. The sound was so out of place in the usual chatter of campus life that it made both of us freeze.
“What was that?” Brie whispered, her eyes wide with fear.
“I don’t know,” I said, my heart racing. Without another word, we turned on our heels and sprinted back to the parking lot. I didn’t know what I was expecting to find, but something inside me twisted with dread.
When we got there, a small crowd had gathered around Eric’s car, and my stomach sank further. I pushed my way through the throng of people, Brie trailing close behind me. The murmurs of the onlookers blurred together, but I caught snippets of words like “accident,” “injured,” and “blood.”
Finally, I reached the front of the crowd, and my breath lodged in my throat. Lying on the ground, right in front of Eric’s car, was Lexi. Her face was contorted in pain, and there was blood trickling from a gash on her hand. Eric looked pale, his expression one of complete confusion, as if he was trying to piece together what just happened.
“Lexi?” I gasped, unable to process the scene in front of me.
Eric snapped his head up at the sound of my voice, his eyes wide. He said nothing, just looked down at Lexi, then back at me,
confusion he couldn’t wake up from.
like he was caught in
“What happened?” I asked, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he kneeled down and carefully lifted Lexi into his arms. The sight of him cradling her made my chest ache in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
“I need to take her to the hospital,” Eric muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. He looked disoriented, his usual calm demeanor shattered.
“Eric, are you okay?” I stepped forward, wanting to help but feeling utterly useless.
He didn’t answer me. Without another glance in my direction, he carried Lexi to his car, gently placing her in the passenger seat. His hands were stained with her blood. I watched as he slammed the door shut and got into the driver’s seat, speeding off towards the campus hospital. The crowd dispersed slowly, everyone whispering among themselves.
“What just happened?” Brie asked, her voice breaking the silence. She looked at me, her face mirroring the shock I felt inside.
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I have no idea.”
Brie grabbed my arm, as if sensing my urge to run after him. “Nicole, don’t. Just… don’t go there.”
“Brie, I need to check on him. I need to know he’s okay!” I tugged my arm, but she held on tighter, her expression firm.
“And what will you do when you get there?” she asked, her voice gentler now. “He’s with her, Nicole. The way he held her, it’s like they have history.”
The words sting, but I doubt she was right. The way he held her in his arms, it was like Eric and Lexi shared a past I knew nothing about, and me showing up would only complicate things. Still, it didn’t stop the pain from creeping into my chest, settling there like a heavy stone.
1/2
Chapter 77
I didn’t respond, just turned away and headed back to the form with frie by my side. She gave me a reassuring squeeze on my arm, but it did link to ease the ache,
The next day, I tried to focus on my morning classes, but the image of Lexi in Eric’s arms kept replaying in my head. The confusion on his face, the blood. on his hands–it was haunting me. I had called him a few times, but he hadn’t picked up. My mind spiraled with possibilities: Was it really an accident/ How did she end up there? Was she okay?
When lunchtime rolled around, I headed to the cafeteria, hoping to grab a quick bite and find Brie: But as soon as I enter, I spot them–Eric and Lexi, sitting together at one of the tables.
Lexi had a bandage wrapped around her hand, her face pale but otherwise fine. She was leaning in close to Eric, whispering something that made him smile slightly. Then, as if sensing my gaze, she glanced up and our eyes met. A slow, satisfied smile spread across her lips before she said something else to Eric. He looks over, his expression unreadable.
Then Lexi laughs, the sound sharp and mocking. It cut through me like a knife.
I turned away, the laughter echoing in my ears as I walked out of the cafeteria, my chest tightening with a mixture of jealousy and hurt. It’s irrational, knew. Eric was just my fake boyfriend, but seeing him with her stirred up feelings I didn’t even realize I had. It reminded me too much of what happened with Ethan, how Lexi always seemed to swoop in and ruin everything good in my life.
I stopped by a bench outside the building, trying to calm myself down. The tears were burning at the back of my eyes, but I blink them away stubbornly. I won’t cry. I can’t. Not over this. Not over Eric. He was never mine to begin with.
But the bitterness lingered. I couldn’t shake off the image of Lexi laughing with him, taking him away just like she took Ethan. It was as if she thrived on snatching away the people I cared about, and the worst part was that she was good at it. Did Ethan know?
I pulled out my phone, hesitating before dialing Eric’s number. He picked up on th
listening to his voice.
“Nicole? Are you there?” he asked, sounding unsure.
third ring, but I didn’t say anything, just held the phone to my ear,
I wanted to scream at him, to ask him why he was sitting with her, why he didn’t pick up my calls, why he looked so comfortable with her. But I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I just hung it up without saying a word, my hands trembling as I dropped the phone back into my bag.
I buried my face in my hands, trying to steady my breathing. I had never felt this torn before. Part of me wanted to confront him, to demand answers, but the other part of me was terrified of what I might hear. What if he really had feelings for Lexi? What if this entire thing between us was just a game for him, another charade to make her jealous or win her back?
