Page 190 of Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

“You want to know how she is, huh?” Dia cocks her head to the side, analyzing me like she’s debating on whether or not I’m worthy. “Okay. She’s terrible. I’ve never seen her so sad in my entire life. Happy?” She tries to walk around me again.

“Why?” I stop her once more.

I’m that guy now, huh? I’m the stalker, pestering a girl’s best friend just to get a sliver of information about her?

“Because of you.” She doesn’t sugarcoat it.

I wish I was shocked, but I’m not.

“Remember when she got called to the principal’s office yesterday?”

I nod.

“Mr. Hall asked her to give up your identity or they’d call Duke and tell them all about the confessions Vee—” she creates air quotes with her fingers,—“allegedly released. They ruined her chance at a scholarship, Xav. She’s devastated.”

Her words are like a slap in the face.

That’s why Vee told me to ask my mom.

Because she and Mr. Hall shattered her dreams.

“Wait, they think Vee released the confession?” I’m enraged.

“Yep. And made the Facebook group.”

“Why the fuck would they think that?” I hiss.

“Because that’s what your girlfriend told them. Brie played the victim to a T. Said she heard Vee talking and that she almost broke her nose to shut her up.”

Uncontrollable anger swirls in my gut.

Fucking bitch.

Her parents should pay an annual fine for making her.

“She should’ve told them it was me,” I mutter.

“I told her that, repeatedly, but she’s stubborn. For some unknown fucking reason, she loves you. And she’d rather lose everything than snitch on you.” Dia cracks a hateful scoff, glaring at me to death. “Frankly, I don’t even see what’s worth saving.”

With that said, Dia maneuvers around me and ambles to the door. That still doesn’t tell me what that call was about.

“What were you talking about on the phone?” I nag.

“Dream on. I’ve told you too much already.” Dia keeps walking and curls a hand around the doorknob.

“Dia, I… I fucking love her.” I’m almost embarrassed by how pathetic I sound. How fragile. How needy. Dia stops short, considering her next move carefully, and swivels around.

“It’s a shame you won’t get to tell her that.”

Fear grips me.

“What the hell does that mean?”

Dia sighs. “She’s leaving, Xav.”

It feels like she just shoved a hunting knife into my gut and tore me apart organ by organ.

“What?” I snap.