Chapter 38: Better Off Without You
Brandon’s P.O.V
The first thing I noticed, as soon as I reached the hideout behind the school cafeteria, was Faith Millar in a green turtleneck sweater and blue denim shorts…standing in front of the boys who made the bets. Samuel and Stefan and the rest of the group.
“Fuck.” I cursed under my breath as I started to walk faster towards the group. What the fuck was going on and why the fuck was Faith even here, at a place like this, all alone?
“It’s fun, isn’t it, betting on my virginity?” I head Faith’s voice loud and clear and it made me stop dead in my tracks. “Then tell me, since I’ll be labeled a whore the second the deal is completed…what do I get out of it?”
“What the hell are you talking about, stupid girl?” Samuel laughs, standing up from the bench to move closer to her, making her t
Chapter 39: Don’t Change Because of MeFaith’s P.O.V“Because…I’m not better off without you.”The words reverberated inside my head like a broken tape-recorder. How was I even supposed to reply to this?This was Brandon Wolfram. The quintessential bad boy International University of Florida, the boy who never apologizes; the boy who never shows remorse for anything he had done wrong; the boy who sleeps around without caring about anyone’s feelings; the boy who makes bets on women’s virginity…the boy who never falls in love. Was it the same Brandon who was telling me that he wanted me beside him? Or was I being a delusional fool once again? Reading too much into his words without taking them at just face value?How could I even be sure that he was speaking the truth? And not because he felt guilty about what happened with David?I couldn’t go through that all over again…the last time I was here; in this room with him…he made me feel things that I had never felt before…he made me feel
Chapter 40: WorthlessBrandon’s P.O.VWhy do I keep doing this? Why do I always keep on hurting her?And this time, I had done it intentionally…There was no excuse. No excuse other than the fact that I was mad at her. I was angry that she went on to deal with Samuel and the boys on her own and early got into humongous trouble because of it.What did she think would have happened? What would’ve happened if I hadn't been there? If I didn’t reach her on time to save her from those goons? Did she think they would let her go because she was a girl?How many innocent women has that gang preyed on already? Countless. How many times have they even gotten punishment for their crimes? None. Because they were all sons of Billionaire businessmen who contributed millions to the college, or because some of them were sons of high ranking politicians or officials.No one could touch them. Not even me. So the best we could do was avoid them at all costs.“I’m a fucking asshole.” I muttered to myself,
Chapter 41: Rekindling a Friendship Faith’s P.O.V It was around ten at night when I heard a ‘knock’ on my window. I had been in bed after having gone through the Professors notes for the day. After everything I had to go through with Brandon today, I had hardly been able to concentrate in class. Thankfully, I still had been able to take notes. I was already behind schedule…I didn’t want to fail class because I was having ‘boy trouble’. Getting up from my bed, I walked over to my window, half expecting it to be Brandon standing outside my house…just like he used to this past week when he thought I wasn’t looking. But instead of Brandon, I found Debby, standing in her tank top and shorts, hands folded across her chest as she looked down at the ground, probably looking for another stone to throw at the window. I don’t know why I felt disappointed at finding out it was her. I hadn't expected Brandon to show up after what I told him today…after the way we parted…but still my stupid h
Chapter 42: AftershockFaith’s P.O.VI paced around my room impatiently, keeping a lookout at the wall clock in my room.Every second that passed by seemed like a decade and the more I waited, the more it felt like my heart would burst out of my chest in anticipation.I wish someone would just call me already. Be it good new or bad news…any news at all would be greatly appreciated at this moment.The clock struck two in the morning…and the sound made my nerves even more jittery.When I had first heard the news of Brandon’s accident…it had felt like my world had turned upside down…like I had just been abandoned inside a cold, dark room without any doors and windows and I couldn’t find my way out no matter where I turned.It was the same feeling I had when I had lost my parents…a feeling of complete numbness…complete disconnection from everything around me…that was until Debby had told me that he was still alive, still breathing. And I had seen a ray of light inside the darkness of that
Chapter 43: Waiting for YouFaith’s P.O.V“Skipping school?” Debby raised her eyebrows. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”“I just want to be next to him, Debby.” I told her honestly. “I know you told me that he’s okay right now, but I can’t help feeling anxious. I really need to see him.”“Is it because I told you that he was going to see you before the crash?” Debby bit her lip. “You really don’t need to feel guilty about it, Faith.”“Debby…are you going to take me to him, or do I have to go around looking for him in every hospital in the city all my myself?” I folded my arms across my chest and gave her a serious expression. “Look…I really do appreciate you looking out for me, but stop acting like my mother! You don’t need to tell me what’s wrong or right for me because I got myself into trouble once. I think I’m old enough to have some kind of common sense.”Debby’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at me from the stairs of her front porch where she was sitting and tying
Chapter 44: Apologies AcceptedFaith’s P.O.VI turned around slowly, my heart a wild tattoo against my ribcage that threatened to burst out of my chest at any instant.I hadn't expected Brandon to be awake.All night long, I had been thinking about every possible kind of scenario of what would happen when I got to see him again. I knew getting Debby to give into my request wasn’t going to be a big deal…but what about what came after? How was I going to deal with that?I had thought about it too. About how I was going to run into his embrace; wrap my arms around him tightly and tell him that everything was going to be alright.But now that I was here…facing Brandon…all my strength, all my courage just seemed to fly out the window.He was all beat up. And he looked terrible since the first time I saw him.His face wasn’t damaged, thanks to the helmet, but his right arm was bandaged from his elbow, down to his wrist and his left had too had visible scars, if not many. His left leg was in
Chapter 45: ObsessionFaith’s P.O.VI moved aside the tray that had the empty food containers and waited for the hospital staff to come and clear the plates for us.Honestly, this felt more like a five-star hotel than a hospital, even if I disregard the fact that Brandon was in an extremely expensive private suite with tons of machines and monitors everywhere. He still didn’t have to have the regular hospital meals but was free to eat what his chef prepared for him, even if it was light stuff like chicken noodle soup or porridge.I had been lucky enough to have gotten to try the apple custard and banana pudding that the chef had sent him today and I think I need to steal the chef’s recipe! Or at least the entire container, the next time Bas came to deliver his food.They don’t make food this good even in five-star hotels.“Sleep next to me.” Brandon patted the side of his bed once the nurses had left after taking his temperature and some other little checkups.“What?” My eyes widened
Chapter 46: Mean GirlsFaith’s P.O.V“Alright class, since the semester exams are approaching us fast, I would like to take a test next week, to see how each of you are progressing this year.”Several groans sounded from all around me all at once. I would’ve joined in on the groans, if I had actually been paying attention to what the teacher had been saying. I had decided to come to school today instead of going to visit Brandon as usual, because I was worried that I might fall back in class again, and also, as the teacher mentioned…exams were coming up.“Since some of you joined us later than usual this year, I won’t be taking attendance into consideration,” Professor Jordan gave a side eyed glance in my direction as I sank in my seat. “However, those who have attended all classes from beginning till the end of semester do get an extra credit…since it’s only fair. Now, if we’re clear on that, let’s continue with class so that we can get ready for the test next week.”I opened my note