COURTNEY'S POV

"What an idiot!" Terry exclaimed after I finished telling her the whole story. She shook her head and sighed. "I can't believe you did that. That was a really foolish decision," Terry concluded, her voice laced with disappointment.

"What?" I stared back at her in disbelief. "But Ter--"

"Oh, please don't give that I don't have a choice excuse, Courtney Collins." She crossed her arms and stared at me, her eyes filled with disappointment and frustration.

I swallowed the words that were about to escape my mouth. She was right, that was my reason.

And I couldn't see any other reason. I felt powerless.

"Since you're smart, what could you have done then?" I crossed my arms and challenged her. There's nothing I could have done differently, I know that. The situation seemed impossible, and I felt helpless. I couldn't come up with another solution no matter how hard I tried.

"Easy. I will tell Chad everything." She answered without hesitation, "I would have been honest with him from the beginning. I would have told him the truth about the situation, even if it was hard."

"Hah!" I laughed sarcastically. "Easy for you to say. If you're in this situation--"

"Oh, trust me, I wish I could take over and prevent you from making the biggest mistake of your life." She drawled in a challenging tone.

I glared at her. "You don't know what I'm going through, what I'm feeling."

Terry raised an eyebrow. "You're right. I don't know what you're going through, because you never told me, or us, anything. You could have told us what was happening before making this stupid decision. Yet, you chose to suffer in silence, without any support from those who care for you."

I avoided her stare, not wanting to see her disappointment. I knew she was right; I had kept everything to myself, and I had not given anyone a chance to help me.

"I was trying to figure out what I could do, but I felt like I had no control, like I could not do anything. I was trying to figure out what was the best course of action. But, it was difficult to decide what to do, because I was confused and overwhelmed." I said in defeat.

I heard Terry sigh and sit beside me.

I was so thankful for her coming on such short notice.

After my conversation with Chad, I felt so helpless, and hopeless. I was so sure that it was for the better, but after he said those words and I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness wash over me. I couldn't help but think that my decision was wrong and I had made a mistake.

I wanted to call him back, I wanted to run after him and try to talk to him, but it was too late.

I was left with nothing but regret and sadness.

My heart ached with regret and I felt like I had messed up.

I knew I needed to talk to someone right away, and I immediately thought of Terry.

I was grateful to have Terry here to listen, but it also highlighted how foolish and stupid my decision had been.

She was right.

It would have been better if I'd told them before making a hasty decision.

"This is so not you, Court. You don't let people walk around you, you take charge and stand your ground. You don't let anyone mess with you." Terry's words reminded me of who I was and what I was capable of.

What happened to her?

"If it's only me, I don't care what happens to me or my status. I don't even care if I graduate, because I deserve to face all the consequences. But I couldn't risk Chad's reputation. That's my fear, Ter. I'd never forgive myself if I dragged him down with me. I had to protect his future, no matter what."

"And talking to him is not an option because?"

"Did you not hear about the Jeremy part? Chad might think that--"

"Chad already knew what you were like before, Court. He is not stupid. God I hope not." She rolled her eyes before continuing. "You had a reputation, you had a plan. Chad knew what you were capable of. He knew what it was like to be around you. He accepted your deal knowing what kind of game he was playing. And he fell for you regardless. So, what are you afraid of?"
I stared at her, not quite sure what to say.

She was right, everything she said was right.

I knew all this, but I refused to believe in it.

Why did I have to make that stupid decision and think I could handle this on my own? Why did I let myself think that I knew what was best?

"I was afraid that I might ruin his future. You heard what he did for Olivia. I'm just scared he will take the blame to keep me out of trouble."

"But he didn't give you any exam papers," Terry pointed out.

"I know, but Troy--"

"Troy can fck himself." Terry cursed angrily, reiterating that Troy should not be considered in this decision. "Seriously, Court. Chad doesn't deserve any of this."

"I know. That's why--"

"When I said he didn't deserve this, I meant your lies. He doesn't deserve to be lied to."

I tried to say something, but my words got caught up in my throat. I wanted to tell her I didn't mean things to turn out this way, but I knew it wouldn't make a difference.

"Would it be so hard to tell him the truth now? Besides, after what happened, there's a slim chance he won't talk to you anymore anyway. You played with his emotions, and I wouldn't blame him if he couldn't believe you again. But you have to face the consequences of your actions. It's better to be honest now than to continue lying and making things worse. It's the least you can do for him."

I thought about it for a second, and she was right.

She'd been right from the beginning. As for me, I'd been such an idiot.

"Besides, there's nothing left to lose, right? You kind of lost him." She added.

I felt a pang of pain in my chest, as I acknowledged the truth of her words. I had lost him, and I wasn't sure if I was ever going to get him back. But, no matter what, I should still tell him the truth.

"I guess you're right." I said with a small smile.

"Of course I'm always right. I just can't believe that you threw everything away after waiting for him for a very long time!"

I had put so much of my time and energy into this relationship, only to have it end so abruptly. God knows how much I wanted Chad to feel the same way as I do, and now that he does, I feel foolish for throwing away the only thing I've ever wanted in my life.

"Troy really got to you, huh? You know how manipulative that guy is. Not to mention his obsession with popularity and being crowned as prom king. Him and Olivia could make a good couple."

I know that Terry was trying to lighten the situation, and I couldn't help but laugh at her remarks.

"Court, promise me one thing." Terry said, her voice serious.

"Ter, I'm not good at keeping promises. Look at where I am now. If only I had kept my promise to Chad, none of this would have happened. I would have been very happy."

Ter sighed and shook his head. "It's such a shame that after waiting for so long, you just threw this all away. It only lasted for what? Two or three days?"

"You don't have to remind me of my unwise decisions, okay?" I told her, my voice full of regret.

"I just want to rub it on you so you learn."

I kept my mouth shut. I honestly didn't have a comeback for that. I really need to learn.

"Here we are hoping that Chad finding you at that party and the talk will help you get to your senses and finally stop the act."

I turned to her, unsure if what I heard was right. "What's that supposed to mean?" I narrowed my eyes to her. Terry looked surprised. She might have realized she had said something she shouldn't have.

"Ter." I pressed.

She hesitated at first, but then rolled her eyes and confessed. "Lucy told Jackson that you were at the party. So Jackson hinted a little bit to Chad that you were there, hoping he could come and talk to you."

"What?"

She raised both her hands in surrender. "We just wanted to help."

"And Jackson?" I furrowed my brows in question.

Terry rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Don't ask me how Lucy made him do it, because I don't know."

I couldn't help but smile at this. Here I am, thinking it would be difficult to tell them about our relationship, when in fact, all of them are already rooting for us.

I guess it was their way of saying they supported Chad and me.

It's too bad that our relationship might not be fixed.

But I still need to try again.

I know I was wrong for not telling Chad. I should have trusted him, but I was scared. I can only hope he forgives me and understands why I did it.

Chad would understand, right? Plus, this time, I will make it better.

I will be honest and ask for my friends' help.

"Thanks, Ter." I held her hand and smiled. "I really appreciate you being here for me. I'll need you and the girls' help and support to get through this."

Terry let out a reassuring smile and said, "Of course, we'll do anything we can to help. You know that." After she said that, her face suddenly changed to a concerned expression. "There's something you should know."

Terry was obviously worried about something. I started to feel scared.

What did she mean? What was she trying to tell me?

My heart was pounding, and I felt uneasy. A wave of fear washed over me as I nervously waited for her to continue.

"I just found out that our school is hosting the national cheerleading championship." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Her school is one of the qualifying teams."

"Olivia is coming."

-END OF CHAPTER 47-

A/N: Yeah, Olivia is coming of course! Want to read more? SILWAG is on chapter 53 on my Patreon Account: notjustarandomgirl. Link in Bio! Enjooooy