Chapter 19 - XVIII (1/2)

TO SAY THAT LAIA WAS SHOCKED is an understatement.

She couldn't believe her ears.

Jake was the one who decided to cut things off? Jake? That gentle boy who was deeply in love with Brie? The boy who would support his girlfriend through thick and thin?

The boy who swore to never hurt her?

And get this, through a fucking phone call?

And even had the audacity to call Brie and break things off just as soon as she woke up in the morning?

Laia sighs, shaking her head in disappointment. Just when she finally thought that love does exist (at least for other people, definitely not her), the seemingly perfect relationship between her friend and her boyfriend ends in a spontaneous tragedy.

Brie was still crying the moment they arrived in their classroom. Jake was nowhere to be seen. Some of Brie's other friends approached her with concern on their faces, immediately asking her what's wrong and even promising to beat the ass of whoever made her cry.

The long-haired girl shakes her head and didn't utter a single word that could let her other friends know who was the reason why she was crying.

Laia thinks it's a good idea to not tell them. Not that the girl hates them, but she knew better than trusting other people blindly.

Rumors are dangerous, especially when it comes to relationships. Something small might end up becoming a big problem that will only lead to more consequences to be dealt with.

One of the girls who flocked towards Brie was about to ask something when their adviser arrived, cutting her further interrogation off.

Everyone returned to their seats straight away and greeted the older woman. She nods and lets them sit down right after, quickly starting her discussion.

”... in accordance to your group report which will be the fifty percent of your grade for the exams, I have decided that the other fifty percent of the exams would be the upcoming play a performance task--”

”What?!”

”Isn't it supposed to be a voluntary activity?!”

”I thought it was just for the event?!”

”That's unfair, ma'am!”

Everyone had their own opinions regarding their adviser's announcement, yet most were disagreeing and flabbergasted. Laia couldn't blame them, the play was indeed just supposed to be part of the event next week, not the other fifty percent of their exam.

She couldn't help but steal a glance at Brie, whose eyes were widened. Her friend turns to Jake's empty seat and deflated. Seems like the two friends had the same thoughts.

How would the play go well when the main characters who were supposed to be in love and on their honeymoon stage broke up in real life?

And just recently, too!

Laia didn't want to tell that to their adviser, fearing that the older woman would just tell them to be professional or worse, she might just choose someone else for the role of Brie altogether, seeing that Jake had always been better at keeping his emotions in check.

Especially during both their reading sessions and rehearsals.

The short-haired girl was really anxious. It didn't help that their adviser promised those who wouldn't play certain roles in the play to be in the props team, and if they do well and attend rehearsals or the readings, they would get the same grades as the actors.

Talk about being quite unfair to Laia who practically didn't have any choice but to be part of the play when promised with extra points directly to the card.

If she could have had just told it earlier then Laia wouldn't have had to volunteer as her character!

”I apologize for being late,”

Everyone turned towards the door and saw Jake, who looked the opposite of his ex-girlfriend. Instead of red and puffy eyes from crying possibly all morning after that damn phone call, the boy looked like he had a great start to the morning.

Jake didn't even wait for their adviser's response for he had already stepped inside the room.

He didn't seem bothered as well by how everybody started whispering as well when instead of sitting next to his (ex) girlfriend like usual, he sat beside Vivi, who waved slightly as the boy approached.

Laia couldn't help but scoff. Looks like the boy had already moved on in just a few hours, or maybe less.

Good for him, apparently.

The short-haired girl turns to her friend, who looked crestfallen. Brie notices Laia looking at her, and she tries to reassure her friend with a smile.

But Laia knew Brie better than most for a reason. She knew that her friend wanted nothing more but to leave her seat and cry uncontrollably from all the pain she's bottled up inside.

It's bad enough to see your boyfriend act as if a weight has finally been off his shoulders, but of course, it's even worse seeing him together with another girl you have always been worried about.

”... okay, that's for today! Don't forget about the rehearsals later at five sharp in the gymnasium! Goodbye, everyone!”

Nobody bid her goodbye as enthusiastically as she did, but their adviser didn't mind. She was already walking outside the room.