Rejected: A love story-Chapter 58: Something is wrong

Fiona POV

Nathan dropped me off in front of the school gates. "I have to go now cupcake, I’m running late for a meeting".

"It’s fine, I understand... thank you for dropping me off.

He leaned over and kissed me, I kissed him back cupping his face with my hands, he pulled away—quick, like he knew if he lingered I wouldn’t want to get down—I waited like a princess as he got down to open the door for me himself. Like always.

"Text me when you’re done," he said.

"I will."

He stepped in closer placing a kiss on my forehead. "I love you."

I just stood still as if in a trance. I mean that was the first time he’d say that...probably not first but this was different. He smiled at my nervousness and got in shutting the door properly before driving off. I watched the car disappear onto the road before turning around.

School hit me all at once. The noise, the voices. And of course people pretending not to stare and failing at the same time.

I walked into class and stopped halfway....because Catherine was sitting there. On my seat, with her leg crossed over the other, folding her arms. Her face was annoying alreasy, she looked like she’d rehearsed whatever she came to say.

I stopped beside the desk. "What do you want?"

She looked up slowly, her eyes running over me like she was judging something she didn’t like.

"Dad’s birthday is tomorrow," she said.

I blinked once, confused.

"And?" I asked.

"If you have even a little remorse," she continued, "you’ll come."

I let out a short laugh before I could stop myself. A scoff, really.

My classmates were already watching. I could feel it. Their heads were half-turned and their ears working at the same time, ready to pick on their victim.

I grabbed Catherine’s wrist.

"Get up."

"What are you—"

I pulled her to her feet and dragged her out of the classroom before she could make a scene. The hallway was quieter though not empty, but better.

I let go of her arm and stepped back.

"Leave me the hell alone," I said.

She straightened her blouse, glaring. "You think you’re miss too good now?"

"Didn’t he make it clear?" I shot back. "He disowned me. Those were his words, not mine. So why does it suddenly matter if I show up or not?"

Her mouth twisted. "You’re still his daughter."

"No," I said flatly. "I’m not. He made sure of that."

She stepped closer, voice dropping. "You’d rather stay with that man than your own family. Typical.... you would sell your blood for money."

That did it! I moved forward fast. "Watch your mouth."

She laughed bitterly. "Or what?"

"Oh, you forgot why you’re still in this college," I said calmly. "You think you’re here because of grades? Try again."

Her face drained of color.

"I make one call," I continued. "One. And you’re gone. There will be no appeals whatsoever or second chances."

She clenched her fists. "You wouldn’t."

I tilted my head. "Try me."

For a second, she looked like she might cry. Then her face hardened instead.

"You think he loves you?" she hissed. "You think you’ve won the world? And I should do what? Bow at your feet?"

"I don’t think about you enough to care," I replied.

That one hurt her, I could tell.

She shoved past me, shoulder knocking into mine as she walked away.

I stood there for a moment, breathing hard, then I went back to class and sat somewhere else.

Because that seat? I didn’t want it anymore.

The bell suddenly rang and ny heart dropped immediately because I realized Ella wasn’t here yet.

I turned in my seat, scanning the room again like she might suddenly appear if I looked hard enough. But there was nothing, her bag wasn’t even there.

Where is she? she was always in school before me. Did she seriously want to miss the last papers?

The teacher walked in, as her heels clicked against the floor, her expression was strict. She didn’t have any form of sympathy in her. She dropped her bag on the desk and started handing out exam sheets.

I kept glancing at the door over and over again. Yet there was nothing.

"Papers face down," the teacher instructed.

I swallowed and forced my eyes to my desk. Not long the exam started.

I picked up my pen and began writing, but my focus was off. Every few minutes, my eyes betrayed me, drifting back to the door....Still no Ella.

About twenty minutes in, the door finally swung open. Ella rushed in, breathing hard, her hair was slightly messy, anf her eyes were wild like she’d been running.

The teacher stopped walking, standing at the center.

"You’re late," she snapped.

"I’m sorry," Ella said quickly, still catching her breath.

"This is an examination, no excuses are permitted," the teacher replied coldly. "Take a seat. You’ll stop when everyone else does."

Ella nodded immediately. "Yes, ma’am."

The teacher handed her a paper and pointed sharply toward the empty seat beside me.

Ella slid into it, dropping her bag, and opening the sheet. She didn’t even look at me, not even once. That’s when my worry really started. Because Ella always looked at me. Even when she was mad. Even when she was late. Even when we were fighting.

I stared back at my paper, my pen hovering over the page. Something was definitely wrong.

I wanted to kick her under the table but I didn’t, Mrs. Lily might start causing a scene... saying I was asking her for answers. I sighed and focused on answering the questions. The room was silent except for pens scratching and the occasional cough. Every time Mrs Lily walked past us, Ella’s back straightened unnaturally, like she was bracing herself.

An eternity later, she finally glanced sideways. Just once though but our eyes met and she turned back to writing. She kept her head down, as her shoulders stiffened, her eyes glued to the paper like looking anywhere else would cause damage. Once, her hand shook slightly as she turned a page.