CHAD's POV

For obvious reasons, I didn't tell Jackson about my plans today. There is no doubt that he would talk me out of doing it. I knew he'd be furious if he knew what I was about to do. After all, he had been warning me about this for weeks.

I don't blame him. After everything that had happened, I was so sure he became a lot more skeptical about Courtney and her motives. Still, I was determined to prove him wrong.

But if I told him about what happened a couple of days ago-the confession and our initial agreement, Jackson would only think that this was part of Courtney's plan. He would definitely try to make me realize that my illusion of Courtney and me was all based on lies.

Jackson would think his timing was right. That after he talked Courtney out, he somehow made himself believe she grew some conscience and let go of her games. To make things more fitting to his idealization, Courtney's ex boyfriend returned--making Jackson believed even more that she was just back to her old self and life.

But not for me.

For me, the timing wasn't fitting.

She wouldn't just confess her feelings out of the blue, especially if she knew her boyfriend was coming home soon. Second, if she really felt guilty and pity me because of my past, we wouldn't have agreed to let our friends know about our relationship.

I still remember the day I picked her up early in the morning to take her to school. She looked so happy. We shared a special bond that day. Like how she squeezes my hand affectionately while I drive, and whenever I kiss her hand, she blushes easily. I knew I would always remember it.

We even shared stolen glances and smiles at each other yesterday during lunch. She told me she planned to tell her friends about us.

Her friends.

Did her opinion about us change in any way because of her friends?

I considered it for a second, but I recalled the scene in the cafeteria awhile ago and their absence told me it had nothing to do with them.

That was also one of the things I found really strange. If Courtney decided to return to her old self, she would have been surrounded by her friends as well. However, judging by the looks of things, it would seem that their absence from her side would mean something.

I waited patiently outside Raider's house for a while. It was the same house party that she had attended before. But this party was smaller than the last time. There was still a lot of noise, but it wasn't as loud as before.

As a result, I was able to spot Courtney right away. Exactly at the right moment, she was heading outside, getting ready to go.

So I followed her to her car. It was just a block away from the house party. Just as she was about to close her car door, I ran to her.

"What—"

I could see the look of surprise on her face when she saw me. Clearly, she hadn't expected to find me there. I could tell she was caught off guard by me standing there.

We looked at each other for a moment, then she quickly composed herself. Her expressions hardened.

In that moment, I knew she didn't want me here, but she couldn't do anything about it. This matter was important to me, and I was determined to find out what was going on.

She tried to ignore me, but I wouldn't let her. Despite her attempts to close the car door, I pulled it harder, hoping to stop her from leaving.

"What is going on, Courtney?" I questioned her, trying to understand why she was so determined to leave.

"Can you please? I have a curfew," she snapped.

Once again, she tried to close the door, but this time, I grabbed her hand and stopped her. "I'm not going to leave until you tell me what's going on," I told her as I looked her in the eye.

She stopped resisting and then stepped out of the car. She uttered a sigh of frustration as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "What do you want, geek?" She sneered.

I was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor and the way she addressed me. It's been awhile since she used that word. I hadn't expected it.

I was confused and unsure of how to respond.

I was surprised and a little hurt, but I chose to stay silent for a moment. I just nodded and focused on staying calm and collected, not wanting to show how I was really feeling. I took a few seconds to formulate my thoughts before asking, "I don't understand what is happening. But I want to tell you that whatever this is, I'm here to--"

She broke out into a fit of laughter before I even had a chance to finish what I was saying. It was not her usual lively and heartfelt laugh. This laugh was cold, cruel, and I could tell that she was mocking me with it.

I felt confused and hurt, not sure what I had said that was so funny.

This is just an act.

I told myself.

I reasoned that this is not the real Courtney, and I was more determined to talk senses in her.

"Courtney." I called her out, and her laughter died.

"What don't you understand?" she asked.

"Well, for starters, I don't understand why you were with..."

"Troy?" She raised her brow as she said this. "He is my boyfriend, of course I would be with him, right?"

The way she stressed the word boyfriend made me feel a pang of hurt in my chest.

"But I thought--"

"You thought what? Are you seriously thinking I would choose you over him?" Her tone was menacing, cruel even.

These are empty words, Chad.

"There's nothing you can tell me that will make me stop, Courtney. What the hell is going on?" I ran towards her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Did he threaten you? What did he do?"

She pushed me hard, and I almost fell. "What are you blabbering about? Threaten? Why would Troy hurt me? Isn't it obvious? He is back, so I just have to drop all the antics and enjoy my time with him."

"But you broke up with him. You said that--"

"That was all an act." She cut me off. "Look, let's be clear, I didn't say or tell you anything. Stop deluding yourself, Treyson. Your friend opened my eyes. Also, I realized I still have a conscience so I stopped playing with you."

She was just acting.

I shook my head and turned to her, "You can't convince me that those are just acts, Courtney. Clearly, something is up."

She laughed again, as if my seriousness was just a joke for her. "Oh god! You're so naive! Didn't I tell you I could make you fall for me? Everyone loves Courtney Collins, and I always get what I want. I just didn't realize that shedding a few tears here and there would actually win your heart. Oh if only I had known--"

"Stop." I told her. " You might think that I will believe every hurtful word that you say, but I can assure you that I won't." I had to be firm with her. Make her understand that I can see through her lies. I had to remain strong, no matter how challenging it was. She had to know that I was serious and I wouldn't let her lies get to me.

She was silent for a while, and then stopped resisting. She looked away, and I took this opportunity to take her hand.

"This is why you get hurt, Treyson. You trust people so easily." She swatted her hand so fiercely to break away from my grasp.

I stepped back, feeling hurt. I sighed and shook my head to stay focus.

"You can say whatever you want, Courtney, but it won't work. I'll get to the bottom of this. Whatever manipulation or threat he puts on you, I won't let him get away with this."

"You are hopeless." She said with a spiteful tone. "Wake up, Chad. This is me, the real Courtney. What you saw before was just an act. I take winning seriously, you know? And now that I finally got what I wanted--passing my grades without your help, I have no use of you anymore."

Her words were like knives, piercing through my heart. I couldn't believe what was happening. I refused to believe her words, but I couldn't find anything in her tone that would tell me she wasn't lying.

I was stunned, speechless. I couldn't find the right words to say.

What should I say?

It's all a lie.

Yes, it was a lie. But which one is?

She walked past me and went back to her car. I didn't try to stop her. I let her go this time and gave her some space. Perhaps she was just confused.

I would try again tomorrow.

I won't give up.

But what she did next made me think differently.

Made me feel even more hopeless.

"Stop trying to save me, Treyson. I don't need it. And I'm not your precious Olivia that you think you could fix. This is the real me. I love to be popular, and there's no way I will leave this for you."

-END OF CHAPTER 43-

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