It was a bright, humid afternoon on campus, the kind that made everyone slow down just a bit, weighed by the heat and the leftover exhaustion of mid-semester pressure. The sun bore down lazily on the buildings of Lifetime College, students moved in pairs and groups, many heading toward the library for last-minute study sessions.
Melanie, Talia, and Rina had just walked out of their last class for the day. They were heading toward the library, chatting and laughing as they strolled through the pathway that connected the Arts faculty to the East Wing.
Talia suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Wait, is that not that bitch?" she said under her breath, nodding subtly toward someone ahead.
Melanie followed her gaze. Her expression sharpened.
There, just a few steps ahead, standing alone near the sidewalk that curved toward the library, was Chloe, dressed in her usual confident style, her phone in hand, headphones in one ear, completely unaware that three pairs of eyes were already burning into her.
Melanie exhaled through her nose. "I guess it's time."
Talia and Rina gave each other quick looks. They could already sense the tension rising. Without saying much else, Melanie adjusted her bag strap and walked forward with calm but deliberate steps. The other two followed, flanking her with purpose.
Chloe looked up just as they approached, pulling her earbud out and raising an eyebrow. She didn't move. She stood her ground, folding her arms lightly.
Melanie didn't waste time.
"You hissed at me the other day at Sugar & Brew," she said, voice even. "I don't like childish behavior. You had something to say then, say it now."
Chloe's lips curled into a half-smirk. "I don't speak to pawns," she said sharply. "Especially ones Justin doesn't even rate."
Talia gave a short laugh under her breath, but Melanie took a step forward.
"Rate?" she echoed. "Sweetheart, he's the one chatting me up. You're the one who walked out like a pressed little puppy. Jealousy is loud, and you're screaming."
Chloe's expression darkened.
"You think you're different?" she snapped. "You really think you're special? Let me save you the heartbreak. He'll sleep with you and dump you the same way he did to me."
The air around them shifted. Talia and Rina both blinked in shock.
Melanie stared at Chloe, stunned for half a second.
Then her face curled in disgust. "Wow. You really are a hoe. Disgusting."
Chloe took a step forward too, but Melanie didn't flinch.
Melanie smirked, flicking her hair back. "Next time you see me, take the longer route. You and I? We're not on the same level."
With that, she turned and walked off. Talia and Rina followed her, casting one last sharp look at Chloe, who stood frozen with embarrassment and rage, jaw clenched tightly.
The girls walked with power, their heads high ,the confrontation had happened, and it was clear who had walked away with the last word.
Chloe stood frozen for a moment, her fists clenched at her sides, heart pounding with a mix of rage and humiliation. Her jaw tightened as she replayed Melanie's last words in her head "You and I? We're not on the same level." That sentence stung the most.
How dare she?
How dare Melanie talk down to her, in public, with those two sidekicks cheering her on, like she had won something. Like she was better.
Chloe swallowed hard, forcing herself to push down the lump rising in her throat. She took a deep breath and blinked away the heat in her eyes. The last thing she would do was let anyone see her flinch.
Without another glance in the direction the girls had walked, she grabbed her bag tighter and headed toward the library entrance. Her heels clicked on the concrete with every step, sharp and unbothered, even if inside she was burning. She pressed through the doors, determined to bury the drama beneath her usual wall of control.
If she had to see Melanie again ,she'd be ready.
But for now, she had work to do.
**
In the car, the hum of the engine mixed with the low murmur of their voices as Melanie, Talia, and Rina processed what had just happened.
Talia glanced over, breaking the silence. "Do you really think Chloe's lying? I mean, did Justin actually sleep with her?"
Melanie stared out the window, her jaw tight, the question weighing heavily on her. The pain was still raw, but she forced herself to stay composed. "I don't know," she admitted quietly
Talia and Rina exchanged quiet glances, their silence filled with understanding. They could see it clearly, the hurt lingering beneath Melanie's words, the sting of betrayal that Chloe's accusation had reopened. Neither of them said a word, giving Melanie the space to process her feelings.
When they arrived at the hostel, the three girls stepped inside, the familiar sound of the door clicking shut behind them. The air was warm and heavy from the day's heat. One by one, they dropped their bags by the door, slipping out of their shoes and jackets. Talia peeled off her scarf and tossed it on the chair, while Rina headed straight to the bathroom to freshen up. Melanie moved slowly, pulling off her shoes, then unbuttoning her shirt, revealing a simple tank top underneath. She sighed softly, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders.
After hanging her clothes neatly, Melanie sat on her bed and grabbed her phone. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened WhatsApp and typed out a message to Justin:
"Hey you, met with Chloe today and she said a lot of things, including you having sex with her. Just want to know if this is true or mere accusations. Moreover, Chloe is telling everyone y'all f****d."
She hesitated for a moment, then hit send. The message showed one tick. No second tick appeared. She knew he wasn't online. Her heart sank a little, the silence already weighing heavily.
___
Back in their apartment, Justin and John were sitting on the couch, intensely focused on the video game controller in Justin's hands. The sounds of their virtual battle filled the room,gunshots, explosions, and rapid button presses. Both guys were competitive but relaxed, enjoying the break from school stress.
Suddenly, Justin's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced down, noticing a message from Melanie ,sent 30 minutes ago. He paused the game and opened the chat.
Justin read the message carefully, his expression tightening. John looked over and asked, "Wait, what? From Melanie, for real?"
Justin sighed, "Yeah… What am I even supposed to tell her now?"
John shook his head. "Man, just admit it. Why lie? You don't even have anything serious going on with both Chloe Melanie."
Justin hesitated, then finally nodded. "Yeah, you're right." He quickly typed a reply back to Melanie, confessing the truth.
John frowned, disappointment clear on his face. "Bro, you gotta stay away from all these girls. You're just digging yourself deeper into trouble."
Justin leaned back, rubbing his temples. "I know. I'm tangled up now, and I don't even know how to get out."
Justin ran his fingers through his hair, frustration and sadness mixing in his voice. "And if Chloe really is out there spreading all these rumors, then I'm beyond disappointed. I never wanted any of that to happen, she forced me into it. It wasn't something I planned or wanted."
John gave a slow, knowing nod. "That's exactly why Bella was different from all the rest. She wasn't like those girls."
Justin slumped back onto the couch, the weight of his emotions finally breaking through. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I don't understand why Bella just shut me out. I didn't do anything wrong , at least, not that I know of. If she'd seen or heard something, I wish she would have just told me straight. But instead, she vanished. I kept trying, texting, calling, but after a while, I started feeling like a nuisance, like I was just pestering her. So I stopped. But honestly... I miss her. More than I ever thought I would."
John leaned forward, placing a steady hand on Justin's shoulder. His voice was calm but encouraging. "Look, man, you've got to take the risk. Sometimes, the only way to fix things is to put yourself out there and be honest. Text her again. Explain how you feel, clear the air. You won't know until you try."
Justin sighed deeply, running a hand over his face. "I want to, John. I really do. But… I just don't know what to say. What if it sounds desperate or makes things worse? I'm lost on how to even start."
John smiled, reassuring. "That's what I'm here for. You don't have to figure it all out alone. Let me help you." He took his phone and started typing, carefully choosing his words. "How about something like this:"
He read aloud as he typed slowly, "Hey Bella, I know things have been complicated between us, and I'm sorry if I ever hurt you, that was never my intention. I miss the connection we had and would really like to talk things through when you're ready. I want to be honest with you and hope we can find a way back, even if it's just as friends for now."
John looked up at Justin, his eyes full of support. "Something genuine, simple, and open. It shows you care without pressuring her. What do you think?"
John hit send, as they both await a reply from bella.
****
Bella lay stretched out on her bed, the soft hum of the city outside barely reaching her room as she chatted on the phone with her dad. His voice was warm, full of that steady reassurance she needed.
"So, how are you doing, Bella? Everything okay with school?" he asked gently.
Bella smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm doing fine, Dad. School's been busy, but I'm managing."
"And the exams? Are you prepared?" His tone was caring but firm, the kind only a parent could pull off.
"Yeah, I've been studying. Trying to stay on top of everything," she replied.
There was a brief pause before her dad changed the subject. "Kathy's car should be arriving next week, you know. Things are falling into place."
Bella nodded, though he couldn't see her. "Aww , thanks Dad. That's good news. she is busy in the kitchen I'll tell her when i go there"
He chuckled softly. "Has your mom said anything about you two seeing each other again?"
Bella shook her head. "No, not really."
"Don't worry, Bella. I'll handle things on my end. Just focus on your studies."
His voice grew a little more serious. "Remember to keep reading, don't let up now. And don't forget, after exams, we have that vacation planned. Something for you to look forward to."
Bella felt a small flutter of excitement at the thought.
"Sure dad, thank you so much"
"Alright, sweetheart, I have to go now. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"I will, Dad. Thanks for checking in."
The call ended, and Bella sighed softly, feeling a little more grounded knowing her family was there, even miles away.
As Bella ended the call, her phone buzzed with a new message. She sat up, blinking away the lingering fatigue, and unlocked her screen to see a text from Justin. Curiosity mixed with a flicker of unease as she opened it and read the message.
Surprise washed over her face. Without thinking, she hurried to Kathy and immediately showed her the message.
"That bastard," Kathy said sharply, her eyes narrowing. "What does he mean by this?"
Bella stood frozen, confusion clouding her expression, her mind racing. Kathy placed a firm hand on Bella's chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart.
"Bella," she said softly but firmly, "don't tell me it's what I'm thinking."
Bella looked away, struggling with the truth.
"You already have a boyfriend," Kathy reminded her gently.
"Do you still love Justin?" Kathy asked, her voice low but steady, refusing to let Bella lie to herself.
Bella's defenses crumbled. "Kathy… I still love him," she confessed quietly, tears beginning to trail down her cheeks. "Every night I find myself scrolling through our pictures and videos."
Kathy sighed deeply, frustration and concern mixing in her eyes. "Bella, you have someone new. Why drag yourself through the past when you're supposed to be moving forward?"
Bella wiped away a tear. "I don't know… I'm so confused. Part of me just wants to clear things with Justin before I can truly move on."
Kathy pulled her into a comforting hug.
Kathy pulled away slightly from the hug and looked Bella in the eye. "So… are you going to reply him?" she asked cautiously. "Are you going to see him?"
Bella hesitated, wiping the last tear from her cheek. "I don't know yet… maybe. I feel like I need to talk to him, to really end it properly or understand what went wrong."
Kathy crossed her arms, serious now. "Fine. If you feel like you need closure, I understand. But if you do see him… Bella, Austin must not find out. At least not yet."
Bella nodded slowly. "I know. I'm not trying to hurt Austin. He's been so good to me, so intentional."
"Exactly," Kathy said. "So if you're going to see Justin, do it with a clear head. And be very, very careful."
Bella sat down quietly, her phone still in her hand, Justin's message staring back at her. Her heart was in two places, and she knew whatever decision she made next could change everything.