Page 3 of Total Obsession

I didn't blink.

She didn't even look back.

I was alone.

* * *

I tried to sleep that night, but what Zoey said, or didn't say, was still running through my mind. I was trying to process what she did. I felt tears running down my cheeks.

I never cried.

Through all of the horrible things that had happened to me in my life, I'd never cried.

But, I was crying tonight.

Why?

I tried to fall asleep, but I ended up just laying awake and looking at the ceiling. Maybe tomorrow would be different. Maybe tomorrow everything would make sense.

* * *

I waited for her in front of the school again. I'd waited for her in front of our houses in the morning, but she never showed up. So, I walked to school by myself. We didn't have the same classes today. I was alone the entire day.

I was still hoping that she would show up this afternoon and walk home with me. Then we could sit in our gazebo again. She could tell me why she said what she said. I could tell her how everyone at school was stressing me out. She could tell me it was all going to be okay, and I could smell her sweet pea perfume.

I saw her open the door and walk through. She was with more people now than just the two girls from yesterday. She was in the center again. She seemed really popular.

"Zoey, it's the same kid from yesterday. He's like, staring at you," the left girls said.

"Do you need me to tell him to get lost?" It was a guy. A senior. Super popular and on the football team. Chiseled jaw. Inflated ego. He fit the profile of bully to a tee.

"No, it's okay," Zoey said.

"Zo, you've got to tell him to stop stalking you. Otherwise, people are going to think you're okay with it. It's," the right girl paused and took a step away from Zoey. "Not a good look."

"I'll handle it," Zoey said. Finally, she separated from the group and walked up to me.

"Are we going to walk home together?" I asked her as she approached me.

"No, Aksel," she said, calling me by my first name for the first time since we met.

"Why not?" I asked. I didn't understand.

"Because," she said with a huff. "We can't be friends anymore."

"Why?" I didn't understand.

"We just can't!" she yelled at me. "You're weird! You need to stay away from me!" She spun on her heel and walked back to the group.

They all laughed as they walked by me. The bully spit on my shoes when no one was looking.

I stood there.

I watched her walk away.

I was alone.

Because she left me.