CHAPTER 125: CHASING HIM

**OLIVER WEST**

My head hurt even now as I scanned my swollen eyes around the hallway.

I have never cried the way I did last night, not even the day Dad left us, nor the day we lost our family’s dog when I was five.

After Kieran had left, I had repeatedly dialed his number so many times, but it had kept hitting the voicemail.

Anxiety had been the first thing I felt, which had been followed by instant fear and panic. He had driven off in such a state. I didn’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to him.

I had to call William because I knew that he had Vince’s number and thankfully Vince had answered and confirmed to me that Kieran was in his house.

But when I had asked if Kieran was alright, his answer had been blunt and straight.

He. Is. Not.

Of course, I knew he wouldn’t be. It was for this reason that I hastily prepared for school this morning. I had to meet him. That look of betrayal in his gaze still haunted me. My heart hurts even now. No doubt that he was mad at me right now, but I still had to see him.

I shoved through the seas of bodies in the crowded hallway in search of him, ignoring the weird glances that were cast in my direction.

I wasn’t able to find him anywhere, but Vince had told me that he had dressed for school. That was the only reason I came here instead of going straight to Vince’s house.

My shoulders slumped. Just as I turned around to go search in other places, I almost crashed into someone.

The familiar smell of his cologne wafted into my nostrils.

Kieran.

My heart skipped a beat, then hammered hard the moment I lifted my gaze to meet his piercing ones.

He ignored me and started to walk past. Disregarding the hurt that jabbed at my insides, I rushed after him.

"Kieran, wait!" I called out after him.

A huge wave of relief struck me when he stopped and turned to face me once again.

He regarded me with a look so cold...yet so familiar, a frosty expression that had me almost crying as if I had been struck.

This wasn’t my Kieran from the past few weeks, nor was he the one teasing me only yesterday afternoon.

I clutched onto his arms desperately, surprised that he didn’t shrug me off. I had half expected that. Just as I began to relax a little, his voice sounded.

"Say what you want!"

His expression was hard as granite. Now that he was staring at me, all the words I had planned, all the desperate speeches I had rehearsed, died in my throat.

He began to turn away, but panic snapped my body into action and I unconsciously tightened my fingers around his arm.

"Don’t go," I whispered, my voice hoarse.

His grey eyes seemed darker and duller than usual, almost lifeless. I wondered how tough the night must have been for him—even though he would never allow himself to show the slightest weakness. I wondered why he had even bothered coming to school today when every inch of him screamed exhaustion.

"Yes, I didn’t tell you," I rushed out, trembling. "That was because I was afraid of you getting hurt. I thought I would wait until the surgery was successful before I told you."

A sound strangled out of my throat when he suddenly gripped my shoulders so tightly, his granite gaze lowering to mine like a blade.

"I told you never to hide anything from me?!" His voice was raw, shredded with fury.

My lips trembled under the harshness of his glare. I suppose I was wrong for not telling him, but back then... Would it have made a difference even if I had told him?

It would.

At least he wouldn’t be looking at me with this coldness now. At least he wouldn’t hate me.

I knew he was hurting. I also knew he wouldn’t allow anyone to comfort him. He was too strong-willed, too stubborn, too consumed by pride.

"Also, you don’t have to pretend for me anymore."

His words hit like stones. Before I could form a response, he shoved me aside and stormed off at a furious pace.

I staggered back, my chest twisting painfully. He still believed that I never liked him, that everything I had given him was fake. How do I even start to make him understand?

My throat closed, my eyes stung, but I forced myself not to cry in front of everyone.

I started to follow after him, my instincts screaming not to let him walk away again—when a most unwanted person blocked my path.

Amanda.

She wore a pleasant smile on her face.

Not wanting to exchange a word with her, I stepped in another direction, but she followed also.

"Get out of my way!" I snapped, both irritated and frustrated.

A burst of haughty laughter escaped her mouth as she crossed her arms.

"You look on the verge of crying. Did he break up with you... and doesn’t want anything to do with your gay pathetic ass anymore?" Her gaze scanned me from head to toe as if disgusted.

I turned in the opposite direction and started to leave, but she caught my arm, seizing my movement.

"I’m not done yet, so you can’t leave!"

I shrugged my arm free and turned around to meet her arrogant expression with a glare. My fists clenched. I had only a threadbare of control left before I would snap.

"You thought you snatched him away from me. You probably thought you were special, didn’t you? Eventually, he will return to me, then I’ll make you regret!" she hissed.

I stared after her as she stormed off, shaking my head. I wanted to laugh at her delusions, but my chest was too heavy.

Dragging myself to class felt like dragging myself through mud.

**

"He thinks I got close to him only because of his mom. Tell me, how do I convince him?" I finally asked William, my voice cracked with hopelessness.

"He loves you too much. Everyone can see how obsessed he is. You don’t have to do anything, the dog will come crawling soon."

The word burned. I scowled, and he quickly muttered an apology.

"Fine, he’s not a dog, but hey—bet me, he will come back soon. I think he’s just sulking."

"I’m being serious here! William, help me!"

He went silent for a moment, his gaze turning serious. "I think you both should talk about it. You should find an opportunity to clarify everything."

Wasn’t that what I had been trying to do? The problem was that Kieran didn’t even want to talk to me.

"He wants me to stay away from him," I whispered, sadness slowly overwhelming me. I pressed my lips together before I would burst into the tears that threatened.

"You are just gonna do that? Even if you have to force him to listen, silence will only make both of you feel worse and painful... And as for the part about him doubting your feelings for him..." He paused, his gaze trailing down my body and he shot me a wink.

"What?" I asked, confused.

He scoffed aloud, banging his palms against his notebook.

"You don’t know anything. You can show him how much he means to you in a sexy way and see how he can resist you then! I’m saying you should seduce him! It always works!" He spoke, wearing a creepy expression.

I stared at him, dumbfounded. This was the solution he could think of?

And how did he know that it always worked... unless he had done it!

I slowly looked around to make sure no one overheard his crazy words.

But what if he was right?

No. No. I shouldn’t allow his crazy thinking to get into my head.

The door to the classroom pushed open and he walked inside.

Kieran.

He strode casually, his expression stoic, and walked past without sparing me a glance.

My heart squeezed tightly against my chest.

Didn’t William say that actions spoke louder than words? That Kieran loved me too?

Why wasn’t I seeing any of it right now?

Why did it seem as though I was the only one drowning?

I felt like I was losing a part of myself as well as my head. How could he be so cool and indifferent?

His head rose in my direction and his gaze met mine. I couldn’t control the sudden rush of excitement that thrummed through me.

It didn’t last long. It dissipated the moment he averted his gaze and returned his attention to the phone in his hand.

Typing. Unbothered. Distant.

It was like I didn’t exist.

Mrs. Wayne entered the classroom the next moment, asking if we were all prepared. Even more surprising and confusing to me was when almost half the class chorused a "Yes."

It was only then that I remembered the class field she had spoken we would be embarking on.

What a day it would be.