Trying to live

Chapter 19 (Edited)

What did I feel when I looked at Henry? Did it even matter?

It was strange how these memories surfaced suddenly. They were remnants of our shared past—memories that would occasionally resurface, stirring my emotions and thoughts.

Henry and I were now just strangers with a history. Strangers who shared more than moments—strangers with a long, complicated past.

Suddenly, Henry's gaze shifted. When he looked back, I saw a flicker of anger in his eyes.

Before, his eyes had held a soft glow, though he had been indifferent towards me. Now, it seemed as if he had spotted something that displeased him.

I followed his gaze and realized what had caught his attention: Cam and I were still holding hands. My other hand was resting on Cam's arm.

I stared back at Henry, puzzled by his reaction. Why was he so bothered?

We no longer had any connection. He hated me. I disliked him. There was no respect between us anymore.

So why was he angry?

I didn't have the answer, but I knew what I felt right then: I just wanted to retreat to my borrowed room and lock myself in.

"Where are you going?" Cam asked, breaking the silence.

"Probably The Spot," Henry replied, still looking at me.

I felt self-conscious and guilty, even though I knew I hadn't done anything wrong.

I let my hand slip from Cam's arm. I tried to pull away from our intertwined hands, but Cam held on tightly.

Henry's expression grew even darker. He ignored Juliette, who tried to take his hand by forming a fist, and looked at me with fierce eyes.

I glanced away and saw Scott watching me with the same intensity.

Every time I tried to escape attention, I only seemed to attract more of it.

My heart rate quickened. I felt like I was suffocating.

I needed to get out of there.

Scott took a step forward.

I yanked my hand from Cam's grip with enough force to stumble slightly backward.

Cam frowned but then nodded as if he understood my distress. I doubted he truly understood; no one could fully grasp what was happening inside me.

I might have looked like a complete emotional wreck, but I didn't care.

I squeezed past Jake and Priya and walked faster than I ever had before.

I didn't glance at Henry as I moved past him.

"Em," Scott called after me. "Stop!"

I ignored him, taking two steps at a time to distance myself from all this turmoil.

As soon as I was out of sight, I raced up the staircase, my breath ragged from exertion.

I knew whatever Scott had to say would be lies. It had to be lies, given what he had said to me before.

I couldn't trust him anymore, and it shattered my already fragile heart a little more.

Sweat trickled down my face as I reached the last flight of stairs. I was gasping for breath, desperate for relief.

I stopped to catch my breath and then continued down the hallway towards my room.

Before I could even reach the middle of the hallway, I was yanked against the wall.