Chapter 23 – Damn

** Courtney's POV **

"Troy. I think... I think we need to break up." 

Troy just looked at me. His brows were knitted in pure confusion. It seems that he was completely taken aback of what I just said.  

Well, I couldn't blame him. Truth be told, I was shocked too of the words that came out of my mouth. I wasn't sure what possessed me at that moment. 

"You're kidding, right?" Troy asked with confusion lacing his tone. 

I thought of it for a second. I wondered if what I said was just a spur of the moment or I was just tired. But then something inside me tells me that I wasn't kidding at all.  

Somehow, I felt that I wanted this to happen. 

I shook my head, indicating a no. "Troy, I'm not—" 

"No." Troy protested. "You're just tired. You don't know what you're talking about. We can't break up. We have plans. We have prom. We're the golden couple. People look up to us." He insisted. When he said those words, it made things clear for me. 

I really want to break up with him. 

"What? That's your only reason? People look up to us?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  

Troy's more worried about appearance than our real relationship. 

Seriously? Did we really have a real relationship? Or we just did it for show? 

"Of course not, babe. Hey, calm down." He touched my back and tried to sooth me out. But I was still angry about what he just said a while ago. "You know what, you're just tired. You say those words because you're exhausted. Just rest and let's talk about this—" 

"No, Troy. We don't have to talk about this. We're over." I said with conviction. 

Troy just stood up. "No, Court. We're far from over. I'll give you time to think and gather your thoughts. We'll talk and be okay again when I come back. I'll be leaving tomorrow for football camp. You have weeks to think." 

"But—" 

"No, Courtney. We're in a relationship here. You're not the only one who could decide. I have a say too. We'll talk after I come back. Goodbye." 

Troy started walking away but I stood up and followed him. "Troy. There's no need to talk..." He didn't look back, he just continued walking towards his car. He was purposely ignoring me. He's not listening. 

He opened his car and then he closed it with a loud bang. He started the engine and drove fast with a loud screeching of the tires. Then he's gone. 

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  

Why, Courtney? Why is this happening? Are you really just tired? 

That was probably the most dramatic scene of my life. I'd never been like that before. I was always sure of myself, but now I questioned everything. I even question myself.  

It was as if this is not me anymore. 

I let go of the questions that had been swarming in my mind and went to my room. 

I jumped on my bed and get my phone. I was scrolling my contacts and I stopped when I saw Chad's name in my phonebook.  

I was feeling depress and gloomy. But then seeing Chad's name and remembering what happened a while ago—about what he said that he only wants my attention and he has his eyes on me, really made me smile. 

Why do I get a feeling that it's me who really want his attention and, as much as I hate to admit it, my eyes were only focus to him? Was that the reason why I wanted to break up with Troy? 

Again, I shook off that idea and just continued staring at Chad's name. 

What happened next was far from what I'd imagined. It was too late when I realized that I composed a message and sent it to him without even thinking. 

"Damn it!" I yelled. I threw my phone and started panicking.  

"Damn. Damn. Double damn. Why, Courtney! Why!" I buried my head to the pillow and shrieked. 

I probably alarmed the household because John rushed into my room looking worried. "Everything's fine here, Miss Collins?" 

I turned to him and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah. Everything's fine." I said with a fake laugh in the end. 

John just looked at me skeptically. I bet he was about to say something but then it was interrupted the moment we heard a beep coming from my phone. An indication that I got a new message. 

My heart skipped a beat the second I heard it. I know I shouldn't expect for something. It could be someone else!  

Geez Courtney! Get a grip! 

But then I was anticipating that it's Chad. Please let it be Chad! If it's not Chad, I'm going to throw my phone straight to the bin! I swear. 

A second beep made me jump off my bed and rushed towards my phone, which was on the floor. John's frown deepened. I turned to him and assured that I was okay. After a series of reassurance, he eventually left. 

I took deep calming breaths before I looked at my phone. I was silently wishing that it's him! Please let it be him, damn! 

And my heart stopped the moment I saw the name of the person who texted me. 

Chad Treyson. 

I opened the message and there I saw his reply from my earlier message.  

Chad: Yes. And I guess you too, huh.

I texted him a while ago if he's still up. I wasn't sure why I chose him at the moment out of so many people in my contacts. But one thing's for sure... 

I'm glad that it's him that I texted, and he replied. 

Courtney: Yeah. Obviously. I wouldn't be able to text you if I'm asleep now, right?

Chad: And you're getting smarter and smarter as days go by. Congratulations. So, what's keeping the queen still wide-awake at this very hour? 

You.  

Was the word that I wanted to reply. But of course that's highly unacceptable! He might think that my thoughts were full of him.  

Which was slightly true but still! 

Courtney: Nothing. I'm just not feeling well.

I replied. Well, it's true that I wasn't feeling well at all. With so many things happening all at once, gosh, this was probably the first time I felt this way. I wasn't used to this too much drama. I wasn't program that way. 

And then as if the universe was toying with me, another heart-thumping event happened that made me shout and freak out. 

Chad is calling! 

Chad Treyson is calling me!  

I tried to calm myself. I tried to steady my heartbeat. I could feel my face heating up.  

What the hell! 

I took two calming breaths and then I answered it. 

"Hello?" I asked in a shaky voice. 

Seriously, Courtney? A hello? You should have thought of a nice greeting other than a lousy hello! 

"Hey. Am I disturbing you or something?" Chad asked in a worried tone. 

Even his voice now could make my heart beat frantically and my knees shaky. What is happening to me? 

"Not really. I'm just about to sleep." I answered. 

"Oh. I'm sorry. I shouldn't probably call you. Okay, just rest—" 

"Wait!" I cut him off. I bit my lip trying to think of something so that this conversation wouldn't end just like that!  

Why did I even tell him that I'm about to sleep even though I'm not sleepy at all! 

 "Uhm. What I was trying to say is that, I'm about to sleep but I can't. So, I think I need a boring chat to make me sleep?" I finished lamely. 

Boring chat? Damn you, Court! Chad would probably think that he's boring you to death! 

"Not boring chat. I mean boring subject. You're not boring me at all, Chad. I just need—" 

My speech cut short the moment I heard Chad's laugh. "For someone who's not feeling well, you sure worry a lot. Just rest, Collins. You need it." He said with another laugh. 

No. No. Rest is for the weak. I don't need rest right now. I need something else. I closed my eyes and bit my lip again.  

Right now, whatever I say, I just don't care. I just wanted to let this one out.  

"I—I need to hear your voice." I said in full honesty with a soft calm voice. 

Then there was silent.  

Oh no. I think I overdid it. Chad probably think that I'm flirting or something. But I wasn't. That's probably one of the most honest and bold words that I told someone. 

Game over, Court. You scared Chad. 

I was about to turn the table and tell him that I was kidding or something but then my upcoming speech cut short the instance I heard him sigh. 

"You want me to come over?" 

After I heard those words, I think I had a mini heart attack. 

—- END OF CHAPTER 23 —- 

Hey #TEAMGEEK sorry for the late and short update. I've been very busy lately. Sorry. But don't worry, expect an early update next week. Haha! 

Hey guys. If you have time, check out my other stories Must Love The Playboy (Playboy Series) and Steal My Girl.

Thanks, guys!