CHAPTER 2- HEARTBREAK

GENEVIEVE POV

I laid on my bed, trying to fight off the pain lunging from my forehead. Opening my eyes, which felt blurry for some seconds until slowly,everything began to get clearer.

I hissed at the sharp pain jolting out of my head, as it suddenly stopped. My eyes met with that of Anabelle, who sat close to me on my bed.

“Are you okay?” She pressed her hand on my arm, as I tried to raise my body, but failed.

“Thank you, Anabelle,” I whispered, the flash of yesterday’s event clouding my mind all of a sudden.

“I’m breaking up with you.” His words found its way to my mind,making my chest heavy.

He broke up with me.

Taking one last effort, I pulled myself up, as Anabelle rose to her feet, helping to adjust the pillow to my back.

Her face looked worried, making me guilty for all the trouble I must have caused her.

“Today is our graduation, Genevieve. Will you be strong enough to go?” She asked, as I nodded.

“Of course. How many more hours to go?”

She sighed.

“It’s already 8 am ,giving us just four hours to prepare.” My eyes widened at her revelation as I stood up instantly, surprising myself.

Much to my anticipation, my head hurts again as I hissed. Anabelle pulled my hand, making me sit on the bed.

“You don’t have to rush. Calm down okay? I prepared something for you to eat. Afterward, you can use some pain reliever.” I smiled at her, my heart warm and full of gratitude for her love towards me.

“Where is Stella?” My gaze lingered round the room, as she was not on her bed.

“She left for her fiancé’s place last night.”

Just like that, the sour feeling came haunting me. I thought I could have been engaged yesterday, but sadly, Bryan broke up with me.

All through the time I took a few bites of the food Anabelle prepared, a lot came to the puddle of thoughts I already have. I had more strength after on, as I cleared away the plates.

I felt strengthened, as I settled on the bed, while watching Anabelle pick out some clothes. As if noticing my gaze, she walked towards me, sitting beside me.

She held my palms, looking at me.

“How do you really feel?” She asked, and just like that, I felt tense.

“I don’t know for real. At one point, I just feel physical pains, on the other hand, I feel as if my heart will rip apart anytime soon,” I stated, my voice coming out rather low.

“I wasted two years with him, Anabelle. I love him so much. Yesterday, everything turned upside down. All I could do was cry and sleep. Thank you so much for being patient with me.” Anabelle gave me a smile, and I must confess it was contagious.

I gave a tight smile.

“Today is supposed to be the best day of my life in College. I am graduating. You are too. Congratulations to us,” I said, as I pulled her into a hug.

“It will be fine. Just be a strong girl. You can do this,” she whispered, and it was worth it.

It was probably going to be my mantra for the rest of the day, and I really hope I don’t break down.

In an elegant short-sleeved body-con gown and open wedge heels, I walked alongside Anabelle, smiling at her jokes.

I could feel stares on me, but being with Anabelle was able to defuse the tension and feelings of insecurities that were lunging from the pit of my stomach.

For the time being, I was trying hard to let go of the worries, and heartbreak still wrenched in my heart. I wasn’t doing quite well.

“Any update about Stella?” I asked as we passed through the corridor leading to the graduation hall.

“Well, she is coming with her fiancé, apparently,” she stated, as I nodded.

My body tried to resist the thought of Bryan with me. I had always imagined he would be with me during my graduation party, hands in hand, taking pictures and celebrating my success. But everything was lost.

My phone beeped, jolting me out of my reverie, prompting me to stop, as Anabelle stopped too.

I glanced at my phone screen, the message appearing, leaving my heart skipping.

“I… I would like to visit the restroom. I will meet you in the hall soon.”

I could feel Anabelle’s scrutinizing gaze on me, making me feel more nervous.

“Okay. Be quick,” she said, patting my shoulder, as I watched her sashayed walk away.

I clamped my phone against my palm, as I turned to leave instantly. Every step I took made my heart pound, as I anticipated if what I read was true.

“If you want to know about why your ex-boyfriend broke up with you, visit the restroom behind the graduation hall.”

That was the message, and it was enough to keep me yearning to know more.

I pressed on the knob of the restroom with only one question in mind: What could possibly go wrong?

On stepping inside, I froze at the sight in front of me.

Bryan and Stella all acting cozy in front of the mirror, their bodies pressed against each other in a passionate kiss. They stopped, glancing at the intruder-me.

I was the surprised one, as their gaze swept past me without a change in their facial expression. They looked rather calm.

“What is going on here?” I asked, trying to be as calm as possible.

“Well, we are a couple. Can’t you see?” Stella sneered, as Bryan looked at her, as if dazed by her beauty.

“How long has this been going on?” I still spoke despite the shock coursing through my body.

“Close to a year, darling. He put a ring on my finger already. Where is yours?” She asked mockingly, as they both laughed at me.

No. This is not happening, right?

“Babe, let’s go already. You have already answered the loser.”

That was Bryan and this time, it hurts even more knowing he called me a loser. I just stood, as they walked past me, the door closing behind me.

I remembered Bryan’s words when he broke up with me.

“I never loved you. We are only in a relationship because of a bet. You are just a bet, nothing serious. I dated you to use and dump you.”

I couldn’t hold it any longer as I broke into tears.

I stared at the bracelet Bryan gave me the previous day,clutching on it,before pulling it out and lunging it into the waste bin.

He tricked me. They both did. I trusted them.

Even if Bryan was trying to date Stella, she should have refuted, knowing we were in a relationship.

Close to a year. Why didn’t I notice?

I washed my face after being satisfied with the release of tears on my face. The tears had messed up the makeup Anabelle diligently worked on. The best thing was to clean it all, and I knew for a certainty she would be displeased. I was glad no one came in while I ugly cried. It would have been awkward.

I allowed a few minutes pass, as I stepped out. I glanced at my wrist watch,before hastening my footsteps.

My eyes met with Anabelle, her brows creased, as she walked towards me.

“What took you so long? And are you aware of those two?” She asked, worry boldly written on her face.

I nodded as I cleared my throat.

“I saw them in the restroom. It’s fine. I’m sorry I gave in to tears again, ruining the makeup.”

“It’s fine. You look good without make – up anyway.” She gave a thumbs up, as I find it difficult to accept her words.

Bryan always said those words to me too.

They are all lies.

“We will talk about them later. For now, we have to hurry. The program had begun.”

She held my hand, as we both walked at a fast pace.

Despite today being the day of my graduation, my mind was roving through the scene that happened at the restroom.

And it only worsened when I saw them walking hand in hand into the hall. I wished I could slap that smile off their face. It was at that moment I wished my parents had come.

Anabelle nudged me in the arm, as I looked at her.

“The more you look at them, the more you will get hurt. Focus on today. It’s a happy day, not a day to mourn over their betrayal. They are not worth it,” she whispered, as I nodded.

I was determined to keep it up throughout the rest of the day. Peeking at Anabelle, I wished I was closer to her, instead of Stella, and I was grateful she proved to be a friend in time of distress.

It has been quite a long time and I couldn’t wait for the graduation ceremony to end soon. I really wanted to go home.

The event went in a blur, with pain and anxiety nudging in the pit of my stomach, and when it was getting to the end, I wasn’t sure I could hold up much longer.

It was the prize giving part, and I was trying so hard for my mind not to wander.

“The best graduating student is Genevieve Armstrong.”

The cheers went up along with the applause.

My heart joyfully pounded. Annabelle gave me that go ahead look.

I smiled realizing that was the only thing that made me happy today, but yet the heartbreak was still there.

Yes, I was happy. At Least for now.