Chapter 40: Thousand Papercuts

Maria’s POV

I guess that’s my karma.

I sat back facing Sunny in the café.

“What did she say?” I managed to breathe out.

“She’s going to talk to Alex. I told her she didn’t have to but she wants to. She insisted.” Sunny explains.

“Do you want this to be fixed?”

“I know I do but I’m not sure where to go from here, Ari. Honestly, I’m still confused and I don’t know what to do.” She confessed to me.

“Me too.” I admitted. I want her and Alex to be fixed as much as I want to make up with Bree but sometimes I don’t know how to handle it. Alex is also my friend but I can’t help but feel jealous.

“What did the two of you fought about?”

I sighed and half-smiled, Sunny even saw that. “I like her Sunny but I don’t think she sees me.”

“Bree? What do you mean?” Sunny looks at me confused.

I nod. “It has been while since I confessed to her…but I don’t think she sees me because she still has her eyes on Alex.”

“So she rejected you? Just now? I’m sorry Ari. Also, I didn’t know she likes Alex.”

I shook my head. “No, she didn’t give me a concrete answer then but I think I already know. I also think Alex likes you.” I turned, looking for her reaction.

She is silent. I know she’s thinking deeply just like me. I know she can’t deny that my explanation is the most plausible answer on why we are all in this messy drama.

‘Will you forgive her, Alex? If she apologizes?” I whispered. If she says she will then maybe the same could happen between me and Bree.

“I want to. She’s been a good friend. She has become important to me.”

“Do you think Bree will forgive me? I’ve said things I didn’t actually mean.”

She pondered, her eye brows knit as she speaks. “Yes, I feel that she will. I think your friendship is genuine enough to overcome this. Whatever it is that Bree decides on between the two of you, it’ll still be up to you on how you’ll let her treat you.” She paused and then looked at me intently. “And I hope you know what you are worth so you wouldn’t treat yourself any less even if they cannot love you back as much.”

“I know and thank you.” I smile and she returns the gesture. We consoled ourselves with a heavy lunch right after.

I decided to talk and apologize to Breana after class in the afternoon but she did not attend the classes she has with me. I thought she was just avoiding me but she was absent the whole afternoon so as Alex when I asked around.

Maybe she just wanted to cool off somewhere so I refrained from contacting her even if I missed her already in a short span of time we’re apart. Gosh, I’m so whipped. I settled on just looking at our pictures on my phone gallery. I couldn’t help but smile on how adorable we look.

Then tomorrow it is. I promised to myself.

The next morning I arrive so early that Sunny was even surprised at my sudden eagerness to come to school.

“What’s with you today?” She asks incredulously.

“No-thing.” I singsong.

She just chuckled and shook her head.

It was nearing time and the room was almost half-filled but they were not in yet. Waiting for them was taking too long and being the impatient that I am, I decided to scroll on my social media. I was scrolling listlessly when a certain post on twitter caught my attention. It was from our school gossip site.

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BLIND ITEM: School Personality and Transferee Getting Cozy

(1) We received an anonymous info about this female transferee with a rising reputation among women that she’s dating or maybe is in a relationship already with a resident that’s been on one of the most popular clubs. Sorry ladies, the transferee is taken.

(2) As for the other girl, no one would have thought it would be her if you will look at that innocent face, good grades and meek attitude. I guess we all got fooled. She even cut her classes for a date. Guess, she’s not the good girl we know her to be.

(3) I’d give you a clue though, drumroll please, oppss…just look at the thread below for the exclusive pictures and judge for yourself.

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I suddenly felt cold and nauseated. Please. Please. Tell me I’m wrong. Don’t let my fears come true.

The pictures were angled in a way that you wouldn’t see their faces. Either the photographer shoots from behind or in some, the lighting or the lack thereof blinded or blurred their faces. But I would recognize those frames. I would recognize her.

There was a picture of them inside a car, one where they are holding hands in a dimly lit movie theater, one with them on a baseball batting playroom, and one where they are kissing.

I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. My hands is sweating profusely. No.

“Ari, is everything all right?” I heard Sunny beside me. I turned to her but then her attention was already on something or someone. I turned to where she was looking and there they are. Alex and Breana. Breana, smiling that smile.

The one that I always look forward to seeing every day.

The one that I learned to love with all my heart.

And is now the one that’s slicing me up and apart.

They say when your heart gets broken it’s like being shattered into tiny pieces but it’s not. It is not like that. It doesn’t break off all at once. The pain doesn’t happen in a single blow. That would be too easy.

It’s like your heart is being sliced up slowly. So slow you’ll feel the pain as it cuts you up. Like a thousand papercuts. It’s torture.

When I thought it was the worst it could get but no, I even found holding back my tears worse. I couldn’t even lament my pain as I see their happy faces. It wasn’t just the pain of being rejected but of being fooled and betrayed.

Why Bree? What did I do to deserve this?

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P.S. Bless you dear readers and your physics grades :)