And the next thing I knew that his lips were on mine.

I stood still, not moving. I was surprised would be a clear understatement. Kiss him back!! The small voice in my head screamed at me. He was about to pull away when I started kissing him back. Satisfied by my response, his hands made their way to my waist as he pushed me towards the wall, increasing the speed of the kiss. Our lips moved in sync as I felt a chill run through my spine. I immediately melted into the kiss as one of my hands made its way to his hair as the other one stayed on his chest. All the butterflies in my stomach we're dancing and it felt like there were fireworks everywhere. I didn't want that moment to end.

After some time, we both pulled away, breathless. I had to admit, he was an excellent kisser. I didn't move and neither did he. We stood there staring at each other until we were interrupted by his phone. He fumbled as he reached for his cell. "Yes, Sel. I am coming." He said. "Yes. I am with her." He informed Selena. "Yes, she is fine." He said. Trust me, she is more than fine. My brain said. Well, I couldn't disagree. "Okay. Bye." He said as he ended the call.

"Um..." He wanted to say something but he obviously couldn't. "That was not at all expected." I murmured. "Yeah...Um...I..." He tried to say. "You have to go," I said his sentence for him. "Yeah..." He gave me a thankful look. "Otherwise..." He tried to reason. "Otherwise you will get more calls." I reasoned for him. "Yes." He said as he opened the door. "Thanks for tonight," I said. Including the kiss. Shut up brain. "I'll see you tomorrow." He said as he walked towards the lift. He shyly waved at me before entering. I smiled.

'Well, that was awkward.' I thought as I walked inside the apartment and closed the door. And then everything that had just happened hit me.

I kissed Stefan Thompson.

**********
I woke to the light falling on eyes. This was the best sleep I have had for almost a month. And I was glad for it. I still hadn't gotten used to the fact that I kissed Stefan Thompson, the guy I once hated. It was not my first kiss. So why did it matter to me so much? Well, Life throws all types of challenges at you. It is you who decides how to respond to them. You responded to this one 'pretty' good. Shut up you stupid brain of mine. I looked at the clock which said 7 am. I got up and went to the washroom to freshen up.

After freshening up, I changed into a black tee and a denim jacket with black jeans.

I took my wallet, car keys, and mobile and headed out. I sat in the car and drove off to the hospital.

**********
I entered Ethan's room to see Shirley asleep on the couch. I walked up to her and called her name. She stirred a little but didn't wake up. I shook her a little. This woke her up and she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning!" I chirped. She looked at me gave me a smile. "Hey! Thank god you are okay. I heard what happened." She slowly stood up and hugged me. I hugged her back. "Yeah. Now get going. Otherwise, you'll miss college." I told her. "Yeah." She said as she walked out. I went and sat beside Ethan.

"I knew you were lazy, but I didn't think that you were so lazy that you'll sleep for weeks straight." I chuckled to myself. "You know, when you wake up, I am not going to let you sleep ever again." I smiled. "I miss you, brother." I sighed as I kissed the back of his hand. "I know you can't hear me, but I have to tell this to someone. And I don't know how anyone would react but I know you won't judge me. So here it goes. Last night...I kissed Stefan. I know-" "Finally."

I looked at the door to see Shirley smirking. Immediately, my face heated up. "W-what are you d-doing here?" I asked her. "I forgot my bag. But that doesn't matter. You finally kissed Stefan." She said as she gave me an evil look. I stood up and walked to her. "You cannot tell it to anyone. Please." I pleaded. "Don't worry. You'll secret is safe with me. But I want all the details after I come back, missy." She smirked. I just rolled my eyes as I pushed her out of the room. "What's going on girls?"

I saw my mom standing in front of me. "Hello, Mrs. Macbeth." Shirley chirped. "Hello dear." My mom smiled. I went inside the room before she could say anything to me. I used to feel so free around my mom. Now I just kind of feel uncomfortable. It feels like she betrayed me, by not telling me the truth. I know she was trying to protect me but that is the point. Everyone is trying to protect. They don't understand whether it will hurt my feelings or not. Pushing all those uncomfortable thoughts aside, I went outside to face my mom.

"Hey..." I said, as I suddenly found the hospital flooring very interesting. "Hello, sweetie." My mom chirped. "Um...can you stay here for some time? I have to be somewhere. I won't be long" I asked her, still looking down. "Of course dear. Take your time." She said. I muttered a quick 'thank you' as I speed-walked towards the lift, my gaze still fixed on the flooring. I went down, sat in my car, and drove off to Starbucks.

**********
I waved at Selena as I entered Starbucks. She just nodded at me. I could feel something was not right. She looked like something had happened. As I neared the table, I saw that Abby, Tessa, and Claire were also sitting with her. "Hey, guys!" I chirped. They all just looked at me like I had grown two heads. I knew something was wrong as I carefully examined every one.

Selena was playing with her hair and biting her lips. That meant that she wanted to say something but she couldn't. Claire was tapping her feet and she looked everywhere else but at me. That meant that she was angry and sad at the same time. Abby's face was tensed as she was holding Tessa's hand. I could feel that she was furious about something. Tessa looked like she had been crying. Okay. Something is seriously wrong.

"What going on guys?" I asked, clearly confused. Abby raised her eyebrows at me. "Thats it. This is stupidity, Selena. She doesn't even care." She said to Selena. "What's happening?" I asked, again. "Stop acting like you don't know," Claire shouted, which surprised me. She was always the calm one in the group. "I seriously don't know what is going on," I said.

"Stop it, Vanessa. How could you do this to Tessa? I thought I knew you but I was wrong." Selena finally spoke. I gave her a confused look. "You kissed him," Abby stated. Wait. How did they know? Shirley didn't tell them, did she? No. That was impossible. She didn't even have time. Right? And I don't think Stefan would have told anyone. "You know?" I asked them. "Yes. Obviously. You thought we wouldn't know? You wanted to keep it a secret? How could you?" Selena said.

"How?" I asked them. "That doesn't matter. How can you do this? You betrayed Tessa." Abby said. Now, I was more confused. What does I kissing Stefan had to do with Tessa? "Huh?" I gave them a confused look. "Don't act like you didn't know they were dating," Claire said. "They were?" I asked them. Stefan was dating Tessa? This is a news flash to me. "You don't even regret it. What's gotten into you?" Selena asked. "I thought Tessa was dating-" "him." Abby cut me off.

"I know you are going through a lot. But that doesn't mean you betray your friends." Selena said as she removed my clutch from her bag, sharply kept it on the table and left without a word. She was followed by Abby and Claire. Tessa looked at me. "Why? What did I do to you?" She asked as a tear slipped from her eye. "I had no-" "Don't." She said as she walked away. I stood there staring at the door through which they had just left. I had no idea that me kissing Stefan would cause so much problem.

**********
I angrily opened the door to Ethan's room only to find Stefan sitting beside my mom. He looked like he had been in a fight. His knuckles were bruised and his lip was busted. "What happened?" I gasped. He was about to say something but he stopped and looked at Ethan. Then he stood up and went outside, expecting me to follow. I followed him.

"Why?" He asked me. "What?" I raised my eyebrows. "Did last night mean nothing to you?" He asked. "What? How can y-" "Don't. You know, I thought you were different. All the other girls were always fangirling over me. You were the only one to have the guts to punch me in my face. I really thought you were different. Hell, I had even started to like you. But you clearly proved me wrong. You are just like every other girl. A slut." He said as he stomped off.

What? How can he? He called me a slut? Really? That's what he thinks of me? You know what, let him. Let him think that I am a slut. I don't care what he thinks of me. It doesn't define me. So I don't care. Why should I? Because you like him. No, I don't. Even if I did, now I clearly don't. Everyone cannot just jump to random conclusions about me. This is it. I have no idea what is going on. And now, I don't care.

**********
It has been almost two weeks since I have talked to anyone other than Shirley and Ethan (if that counts). School started a few days ago and I was currently in front of my locker. I had come early to school. Very early. Whatever. But wasn't for any specific reason. Or you just wanted your friends to talk to you. At least today. My friends have ignored me for the whole two weeks, now. Like when I used to come face to face with Selena...

I was about to enter the Math room when suddenly I saw Selena coming towards me(or the room). Instead of heading inside, I waited for her. Our eyes met for some time and I gave her a smile. She just turned around and walked in the opposite direction. Sighing, I entered the room and sat on my regular seat. She came late to the class and earned herself detention.

Or with Tessa, during the soccer practice...

We all were making partners for some warm-ups. Normally, I and Tessa would be partners. So I headed in her direction. She was walking towards me. Seeing that, a smile made its way up to my face. "Hey, Tess-" I was cut off by Tessa, "Hey Veronica! Let's warm-up together." Tessa said. Veronica was the girl standing beside me. "Yeah sure," Veronica said as she looked at me confused. Everyone knew that I and Tessa would always be partners. I just shrugged. I ended up warming up with Eva.

Or like when I had study hall with Abby and Claire...

I walked into the library to grab some books. I chose the books I wanted and walked up to the librarian to issue them. I kept all the books on her table. "I would like to issue these," I told her. "I would be issuing these." Claire, who was standing beside me, said. "Ok girls." The librarian said. I looked at Claire, who I surprisingly found starting at me. She was about to smile at me when suddenly Abby appeared from nowhere and whispered something in Claire's ears. "Yes, just let me issue the books," Claire told her.

"We don't have time. Let's just get out of here. I don't like being around backstabbers." Abby glared at me. "I am just issuing some books," Claire told her. "Let's just-" "Abby, let her issue them. I won't bite." I interrupted them. "I won't be so sure of that," Abby said, as she tried to take Claire's book from my hands. Keyword- tried. I pulled them back, not letting her take them. She glared at me as she pulled it. "Guys stop," Claire said. Not listening to her, Abby snatched the books from my stronghold. That ended up tearing a page from the book. The librarian glared at us. "We would be leaving," Claire said as they quickly headed out of the library. I ended up paying the damage fine.

My encounters with the boys were also not good. Like during the art class...

"Okay, everyone. Today I am giving you a partner assignment. The principal has finally agreed to all your protests and excepted the fact that the school boundary walls look...well, boring. Plus after that horrific incident, everyone needs a change. So each pair will be assigned a part of the wall. I will be making your pairs and giving you the topics. Do your best. Now, the pairs." The professor announced as everybody else cheered.

I and Ryan ended up being pairs and we got the topic as sports. "Hey, Ryan! So what do we do?" I asked him. He just took out a pen wrote something on a paper. Then he gave it to me.- I am only standing beside you because we were made partners. Don't try to start a friendly talk. Just decide what you want to do and do it. I am not helping you.- The read the paper and raised my eyebrows at him. He glared at me and walked away. Well...I had no idea how to react. So I decided that rather than going after him, I'll work on the assignment.

Or during random encounters in the hallway...

I was walking towards my locker. As I neared, I saw someone standing near my locker. I recognized him to be Stefan. Suddenly, there was hope inside me. Maybe he might want to apologize. Who was I kidding? As I reached my locker, I felt my heart drop as I saw him sucking Sarah's face. Why should I be sad? He never apologizes. And it's not like I own him. Why should I feel bad? It was just one kiss. He kisses every random girl he finds. I am sure it meant nothing to him.

Pushing all the thoughts away, I brought a smirk on my face. "Eww. That's my locker. Get a room guys." I glared at them. They stopped kissing and turned to me. "Oh yeah? You are the one to talk? Slut." Stefan said, venom lacing his voice as he continued kissing Sarah. Slut. I don't know why but hearing that word felt worse than having a bullet shot at you.

This had been going on all week. But I had expected that at least today would be different. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone. I looked at the caller ID and smiled. "Hey Ashy!" I chirped. "Hey, Birthday Girl! Happy Birthday, Cupcake!" He wished me. Did I mention that today was my birthday? Nope? It must have slipped my mind. That is the reason I wanted today to be different.

"You there, Cupcake?" Ash's voice snapped me back to reality. "Yeah. Thanks, Ashy!" I said. "So, you miss me or you don't? Because I haven't received any phone calls from you. Which is actually surprising." He asked. "The phone works two ways, you know. Plus, I have been a little occupied." I sighed. "Tell me. Has Selena already planned a party? Or are you guys doing something else?" He asked. "Nope. Nothing. I am doing nothing today." I said.

"What? Why? I thought you loved birthdays. Especially yours." He asked. "Well, firstly, Selena is not talking to me. I don't know why. Which makes you the first person to actually wish as I didn't visit the hospital this morning. Secondly, with Ethan still...I am in no mood to celebrate. Plus, I have to finish a lot of assignments. And conduct some researches." I answered. "Oh. So you and Lena aren't talking and you don't know why? What happened?" He asked. "The day you left, I was not in a good shape. Stefan somehow convinced me-"

"By giving bringing you your favorite ice cream," Ash said. "Yes. Wait. How did you know?" I asked him. "Well, he might or may not have called me to ask me which was your favorite ice cream," Ash said. His voice told me that he was not actually supposed to say that. I chuckled and continued, "So, he convinced me to go to his sibling's birthday party. There was a fire-" "What! And you didn't even call me to tell that?" Ash asked. "I thought you might have watched the news," I said. "I watch the news? Well, that's something new." Ash chuckled.

"Whatever. Then we all escaped. Then Stefan took me to this awesome place where we stayed for some time." I smiled, remembering the memory. "And then we went to your apartment where he cooked me dinner, which was very tasty. And then we kissed. The-" "Woah! Stop there. That's...I am speechless. Woah! I approve of him." I could feel Ash smirking.

I ignored his comment and continued, "The next day, I meet Selena who told me that he and Tessa were dating, about which I had no idea. Then she called a backstabber and a betrayer. I was confused but when I came to the hospital, Stefan was there. And he called me a slut. So from that day, I have been talking to no one."

"What! I am going to kill that a*shole for saying that to you. How could he?" Ash almost screamed in the phone. "Thats what has been happening. But enough about me. So, tell me. How is the camp going?" I asked him and tried to change the topic. He understood that and said, "Yeah, it's going great! I wish you could be here." "Yeah, me too," I said, as I heard some noises in the background. "Hey, I have to go. I'll call you back later. Bye, Cupcake. Take care." He said. "Bye Ashy," I said as I ended the call.

The warning bell finally rang. And the hallway started filling with students, trying to make their way to their classes. I started walking towards English, but I was unfortunately interrupted my Sarah and her chipmunks. "Hey, Vanessa!" She chirped. "What do you want?" I annoyingly asked. "What? Can't a friend say hi to another?" She asked.

"You are not my friend," I informed her. "Why? Because I stole back my boyfriend from you?" She asked. I just glared at her and started walking away. "Happy Birthday!" She called. Wait. How did she know that? "How-" "Oh. That doesn't matter. So, have any of your so-called 'friends' wished you yet?" She asked. I did not answer her. "That's what I thought." She smirked. Wait a minute. "How did you know that? What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, some photos taken at the right time from the right angle can tell a different story altogether." She smirked and walked away. Okay. This just got more confusing. Ignoring her, I entered my English class and sat in my usual place.

**********
The professor was teaching when I felt my phone vibrate. Who could it be? Everyone knows that I am at school. I secretly looked at the caller ID. My mom? Why is she calling? "Miss Macbeth. Phones are not allo-" Ignoring the professor, I accepted the call. "Yes? I am in class. Why did you-" I was interrupted by my mother's sob. "Nessa, it's Ethan. He-" That was all it took for me to leave everything behind and run out of the classroom to my car, tears brimming my eyes. No. This can't happen. Not today.

A/N:

Hey guys!
Hope you like this chapter...

What do you think happens next? And who is your favorite character till now? Why is everyone not talking to Nessa?

See you soon...