All Chapters of Within My Grasp: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

"How long have you known Josiah? I want the truth, Nolan!""We met recently," Nolan's reply came unaffected by my mom's demeanor."Nolan!""What?" He asked again in a nonchalant tone. "You won't talk to me, don't respond to my messages and don't send a thank you card for my gifts. I had to find a way to talk to you.""Nolan..."Mom's voice came out weaker this time and we all released a breath we were holding as we relaxed against the wall. A smile filled with relief spread across our faces."Why are you not talking to me, Kate?""I-I–""We were best friends. At least I thought you were. How could you throw away everything we had in a heartbeat?" Nolan's pain filled voice brought tears to my eyes."Nolan, it's not what you think. I–""No, Kate. It isn't. If my parents said something to you, you should've told me. You should've asked what I wanted. You didn't give me a chance.” Nolan’s accus

The setting sun or the beautiful orange glow it cast on the sky didn't hold my interest, unlike the other days.Noah left a while before with my friends. They offered to hang out more, to which I declined politely, wanting to be alone.A knock on my door distracted me momentarily."Come in!""Hey sweetie, do you wanna join me for grocery shopping?""Not today, mom. I just want to be alone," my voice came out tired and drained of energy."Trixie, do you wanna go girl?"Trixie lifted her head from the pillow and looked at mom and me for a moment before shaking her head and lying back on the pillow."All right, then. I'll be gone for a while. Food is in the fridge if you get hungry.""Okay, mom."I went back to stare aimlessly at the sky when Trixie pawed me."I am not in the mood, girl. Can you manage by yourself just today alone?"Her face fell, but she went to take care of her business.I didn

The evening brought along my vengeful friends, who christened my ears with so many colorful words and a bunch of revenge plans. It took a while to console them all and cool them down so we could just hang out and relax."You sure you don't want to do any more damage to that bastard?" Jennifer asked for the umpteenth time and I smiled warmly at her."I think I've done enough damage already. Let's leave it right there, shall we? I just want to forget everything and move on with my life, probably I should find a job to support mom.""Jenni, Sophie is right. There is no point in going after that piece of scum. But, my question is, will Irwin let this matter slip?" Hayden questioned and I couldn't help the foreboding stirring in the pit of my stomach for the past few hours."Let's not think about it now," Noah intervened. "Our exams are close and we need to concentrate on our studies.""Yes, the Spring break is nearing and do you have any plans?" Tracy

It was the last day of our finals and my eyes searched the exiting crowd, looking for Noah.He'd visited me at home on the day of my suspension, making me believe that he forgave me, but unlike my friends, who acted as if nothing happened he continued to give me cold shoulder and I couldn't help but accept the punishment.The trio was back for the exams, sprouting many rumors about Noah dumping me over the fight. Sandra was officially addressed Noah as her boyfriend and it was hard to hold myself together.Noah, Hayden, and Alec were selected for the state-level championship and I was hurt when Alec informed me first. Our friends tried their best to patch us up, but Noah wouldn't relent. When I cornered him once and begged for forgiveness, all he said was he needed space."I'm still angry at you. What were you thinking? I never thought you would be so reckless. I'm sorry to say this but I need some space, Sophia."That was his exact words.

For the first time in years, I didn't feel like going anywhere near the college campus. I didn't even check my phone for the messages or the voice mails I would have.The entire campus would know about my engagement with Irwin and I didn't even want to think what the Queen bees would say about this. Sandra was already trying to dig her claws on Noah.Noah is no longer your concern. He is a grown-up man and mature enough to make his own decisions.There goes my shitty self-pity self again. I believe wallowing in self-pity was a thing for a Pisces. That was all I was doing for the past couple of weeks, imagining every negative outcome of my destructive decisions.Then this wicked part of me wanted to flaunt the engagement ring in front of Noah, to give a taste of his own medicine. I am sure he would fume though he would say nothing.Am I too bad for feeling like this? I still loved Noah. I will not be able to change that fact ever.