Chapter thirty-eight | Like a China dish

I hummed a song softly as a smile filled my face. Just after returning from Eli's place, I still felt the high of his touches and kisses.

Our images from last night filled my brain, making me blush slightly.

I bit my lips hard to contain the grin that tried to make its way on my face. Pulling the dress over my head, I dropped it in a messy pile on the floor along with my undergarments.

Stepping into the bathroom, I washed away his scent from my body with the sticky feeling of sex sweat. Overall, my mood was great, and my heart felt lighter.

I nearly jumped in joy at the thought of Eli loving me as I loved him. Yes, I was yet to tell him about my actual feelings, but the thought of him reciprocating them filled me with euphoria. I need to overcome my guilt, for it was acting as a hindrance.

I turned my gaze towards the window, looking straight into his. For any other person, looking into their window without them knowing would have been weird. But in my case, I am stalking the guy I love.

The guy I love! I nearly squealed at the thought. Gosh, I was being so annoying and repetitive.

My eyes scanned his features as he fussed with his laptop. He was most probably working on his schoolwork, so I left him at peace.

I jumped down the steps, making my way towards the kitchen. My stomach growled, displaying its need for food.

Agreeing with its demand, I rummaged through the drawers.

Finally, settling with a steaming cup of black coffee and toasts, I swayed my feet like a kid, enjoying the bitter taste on my tongue.

The house was empty, telling me that Lea had once again spent the night somewhere else. Sometimes, I wonder why I even bothered about her presence or her safety at all.

Sighing, I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and hopped up the stairs.

Grabbing a rare copy of a novel from my bookshelf, I immersed myself in the story. Soon, I was lost in the worlds of words.

I jumped startled as my door closed with a bang. My eyes met dark gray unfocused eyes. They had red rims around them as Jacob swayed on his spot.

He offered a slow grin, making me scowl at him.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I said acidly.

He flinched a bit at my tone but didn't waver from his aim. Taking a step closer to me, he erased some distance between us.

"You need to stop whatever you are doing with that nerd. What is his name? Yeah, Elias. Break up or whatever... with that douche Elias," he slurred, making me cringe.

If he fucking puked in my room, then I will kill him for it.

"You are not the one to dictate my relationship with Eli. He is my fucking boyfriend, and it will remain so for a very long time!" I hissed as my anger peaked, even if some of my words were a lie.

He huffed at my response, shaking his head in denial. "He doesn't des... deserve you, baby. He is just a worthless nerd," he mumbled, taking another step closer to me.

"Can you shut your trap up? I am not your baby, and I will not neglect Eli. It is final. I love him... so why would I leave him?" My words were taunting.

Jacob stumbled back at my words. His face turned down as if I had physically slapped him. He snorted at my statement as his shoulders slumped.

Surprising me every bit, he dropped to his knees. My gasp followed his actions as he laced his hands in a plea.

Jacob's eyes filled with tears to the brim. His face had a broken look on it as if one word from me would shatter him into million pieces.

"Please... I beg you. Cynthia... please listen to me," he started. "Just give me five... no, two minutes with no protests. Please, just two minutes. Just listen to me once."

I sighed at his begging and walked closer to him. Placing my hands under his arms, I pulled him to his feet.

A powerful stench of alcohol with drugs filled my senses. My nose scrunched in disgust as thoughts filtered through my mind.

He is taking drugs! What about football and his career? My mind questioned.

Taking advantage of my surprise, he cupped my face in his hands gingerly. His eyes held vulnerability as he spoke his next words.

"I love you, Cynthia. I have been in love with you for years. That nerd doesn't deserve you because he doesn't love you the way I do."

My mind went blank as his words filled me with turmoil and disgust.

If he loved, then why did he call me a whore?

Why did he date Andrea and play her feelings if he loved me?

Why did he mentally torture me for the past one year if he so-called love me?

Taking my lack of response as his sign, he placed his lips on mine.

Shock filled my body freezing me on the spot. My body reacted with disgust letting goosebumps break across, and my limbs seemed immobile.

My thoughts drew blank to his words as my body remained stalk still.

You are a whore!

You are a horrible best friend to sleep with Andrea's boyfriend.

You are a slut.

His voice echoed in my mind, reminding me of his torment.

I felt my back press against the wall as his hand traced my waist. Feeling his icy fingers against my belly brought me out of the shock. I gasped in indignation as he kept mashing his lips against mine.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING?" I yelled with venom lacing my words.

My hand worked involuntarily and slapped him across his face. A deafening silence followed the echo of my slap.

"I love you! I love you, Cynthia. Please give me a chance!" Jacob begged as tears streamed down his eyes.

My anger was rocketing through the roof as I pushed him away. In his inebriated state, he stumbled back.

"You think you love me? Is this your high as fuck mind speaking or your dick?" I hissed as he sobbed with my every word. "You bully the girl you... is this the way to show your love? Why did you date Andrea if you loved me... huh? Tell me you fucking piece of shit!" I screamed.

"I-I," he stammered. "I dated Andrea to make you jealous. I thought you might notice me again if I date your best friend. Maybe you would feel jealous."

So, Andrea was just a pawn for him. The confession broke my heart, fueling my intense rage.

"As for the bullying. I tried to do that so that you stop sleeping or dating other people. Especially the Aaron guy. I am-am sorry. I know I was wrong, but please don't reject me. Please give me a chance."

He clutched his hair tightly as he screamed the last part.

Tears were streaming down my eyes too, but not at his pathetic state. I was crying as I finally released myself from his torturous words.

"I don't love you, Jacob, and I never will. Get through that thick skull of yours and get out!" My finger was pointed towards the door in clear indication as my body shook with my intense feelings.

Jacob didn't protest this time as he cried in defeat. He dragged away from me, finally giving me the breathing space I needed.

The tenseness of my shoulders left when I heard the front door close with a bang.

My eyes flickered up and met with pale green curtains. Air got stuck in my throat as I realized that Eli saw this whole ordeal.

Oh God, what if he thought about it in the wrong way?

With that thought in my mind, I rushed down the steps towards the front door. Grabbing the house keys, I made my way towards his house.

I banged the front door and rang the bell incessantly. "Eli!" I called out.

Receiving no reply, I huffed and looked around.

As my eyes scanned the driveway, making me realize that his car was missing. Tears threatened to break the pool of my eyes.

I dialed Eli's number, but my calls went to voicemail. Sending him at least half a dozen texts, I called Connor and Navya.

Taking a shuddering breath, I quickly dialed Connor's number.

"Hey, Connor!" I spoke just as the dial tone ceased.

"Listen, Cynthia. If this is about Eli and the argument, then I am not in the mood," he replied curtly.

A sob slipped past my lips, making him pause for a moment. "Cynthia? What happened?" His voice held worry.

"Is Eli there?" I asked hesitantly, wiping my tears.

"No, he is not here. What happened to Elias? Did you guys fight? He is all right, right?" He fussed.

"Just a misunderstanding," I muttered. "I will call you when I find Eli."

I cut off the call before he could say anything.

I tried with Navya too, but the answer came the same. Biting my lips hard enough to draw blood, my wild eyes looked all around me. A sudden thought popped up to my mind, and I rushed back to my place.

Grabbing my car keys, I drove towards the destination in mind.

Tears were blurring my movements as I drove towards the pond he took me. It was a miracle that I reached there safely in my disoriented state.

My hands were shaking as I stepped on the gas pedal, trying to erase the distance between us.

I covered the almost hour-long distance in half an hour, receiving death glares and expletives from other drivers. I jumped out of my car, just as the tires touched the gravel of the camp.

From outside the diner, I scanned it for a familiar lanky frame.

With brisk steps, I walked down the dirt road. I broke into a sprint as I spotted the familiar rusted gate.

Ignoring the private property sign, I pushed in towards the pond. A heavy breath escaped me as I spotted Eli. His back was slumped, with his eyes gazing at the dirty water with interest.

I quickly typed in a text for both Connor and Navya, putting them at ease. Turning the device to silence, I walked closer to him.

The clearing was silent except for my labored breathing. Eli's back stiffened as I stepped closer to him, but he never turned towards me.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Eli beat me to it.

"Did you fuck him too?" His voice was impassive as he spat the bitter words.

I froze in shock and opened my mouth to deny. "No. I could never-"

He cut me in the middle, once again.

"Spare me the bullshit, Cynthia!" he hissed. Turning towards me, Eli showed me his tear-stained face. His eyes swollen with crying, and his voice hoarse.

"I didn't cheat on you, Eli. I love you, and I can never do that to you," I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder.

This was not how I was hoping to tell him my feelings, but I couldn't find any other way to make him realize.

He flinched away from my touch, making my heart break into a thousand pieces.

Eli gave a mirthless chuckle. "Funny thing, I would have believed you if I hadn't seen that scene. If going around kissing any guy available shows your love, then sorry, I don't need it."

I bit back my sob as his words pierced my heart. "Eli-"

"I saw it, Cynthia, till I couldn't anymore. I saw him kissing you and waited. Waited for you to push him away or at least try to resist him as you did with Ian, but no. Why? Why did you do this? Was it a dare or just fun? Did you bet on having sex with me?" His voice was filled with pain as he narrated the events.

His shoulders slumped like a heavy weight was placed on them, burdening his entire form.

Eli's words were like red hot iron, placing a burning brand on my heart. I sobbed as he got up from his spot and walked away from me.

I tried to grasp the last straws as he walked away from me for possibly forever. Following him near the end of the forest, I tried to make him listen to my words.

Grasping his hand in mine, I tugged him to stop.

"I didn't do it, Eli. I didn't," I whispered in a last hope.

His head turned as he gave me a look over my shoulder. His icy eyes were filled with pain to the brim as he stared towards me with melancholy.

"Everyone was right that girls like you don't fall for someone like me. Better now than later. We are too different to be compatible."

With that he tugged his hand free from mine and walked away, stomping on my heart till it was reduced to dust with his words.