Serena felt that she was being too harsh on him also, what valid reason does she have to say no for tomorrow? They will be in the student council meeting in the morning and will be having their rehearsal after lunch.

Serena nodded and smiled at him. "Alright, tomorrow is okay."

Geoffrey beamed.

Serena had to admit, he was handsome and can be very charming.

--

Walking back, Via, Gizel and Milly were already waiting for her outside. Serena smiled at Geoffrey and told him that they will go ahead.

Geoffrey decided that he should not be awkward with her friends any longer. He might be seeing more of them in the future. So, he nodded at Serena and for the first time, he addressed them, "Ah, Via, Milly, and Gizel, right? Thank you for taking care of Serena all this time." Then he smiled.

The girls' eyes widened and as they gaped. Did the crown prince just address them by name?

Geoffrey saw their faces and let out a chuckle.

Serena felt embarrassed for them, so she cleared her throat and said, "Come on."

The girls all nodded and not knowing how to address Geoffrey they just smiled at him and said their goodbyes.

Geoffrey walked with them until they exited the building. Then, they parted ways.

--

"I'm not really a gossip, but I heard from Gizel… I'm sorry, Serena. I was not attentive enough not to know." Via said as they walked back to their dorm.

"It's alright, Via. I didn't let you guys know because I thought it would work out in the end. But now… I don't know anymore…"

"Hmpft! Did you see that Emily earlier? She was like a parasite leeching on to Charlton. And you know what was even worst? He let her. I tell you Serena, forget about him. Besides… Via, you tell her."

Serena curious looked at Via in askance.

"I'm not sure if Kylo was telling that truth but… he told me that Charlton has moved on and has no plans on getting back together with you…"

"What?" Milly reacted. "But if it came from Kylo… then we should take his word like a grain of salt. You know how he is."

Serena shook her head as her eyes blurred. "I think he's telling the truth. Charlton did not even turn his head once to see me. Even when he heard that I was paired up with Geoffrey he didn't seem to care."

The girls just arrived in front of her room and seeing her being so sad for the first time, they all hugged her.

"It's alright Serena. Don't be sad anymore. Besides, you have a prince charming trying to pursue you now. You know he was really sweet to you. He carried your bag, he even called us, your friends, by name! So, chin up girl! It's Charlton's loss." Gizel said trying to cheer Serena up.

"Do you need company?" Milly asked.

Serena shook her head, "Thank you… but I need some time alone."

The girls nodded their head and said their goodbyes.

--

Serena laid on the bed hugging her pillow as silent tears ran on her cheeks. It was like she was back to the first few days after they broke up, she had no appetite, she can't sleep, and everything just seems to rush back to her. She keeps remembering their memories together, how they talked about their future together and just… everything. She tried to analyze every little part of their relationship trying to figure out exactly what she missed. Did he not love her as much as she thought he did?

'Did the plot of the novel play a part on what's happening? But this is real. What I am feeling is real. All this pain and hurt is real. How can Charlton hurt me this way? Does he not love me anymore? Did he ever?' she asked herself.

She did not even take it against him that he has not tried reaching out to her the whole winter break. In fact, it was she who tried to reach out to him first. Despite him ignoring her that time, she even greeted him earlier. But he was not even interested.

Was he already tired of her? Was it because he got her so easily that for him, she was just easy come, easy go?

'Why am I even blaming myself?' she asked herself, and that was when her sadness morphed into anger.

She was through with all the sadness.

It was not her fault for although her initial reason for approaching him was not pure, she truly fell in love with him. But what about him? Did he take her just for sport and made her believe each and every word he said? Now that he's done with her, he can just move on to the next girl?

He did not even have the decency to talk to her and give her some closure. Or did he take their break-up as the finale? Did he… dump her just like that?

She stood up from the bed and went to her vanity. She opened the drawer and saw the velvet box with the necklace he gave her. 'Should I return this to him? Wait, won't that make him happy because he can just recycle the gift to another girl? Never mind.' She thought as she angrily slammed the drawer close.

She wanted to burst out in anger but didn't know how and where to vent. Should she make him jealous? But that would only be effective if he actually cared.

She was hurt, confused, and wanted to be vindictive. Well, whatever. She may be old, but she is still a woman. And what do women do at times like this?

She will make him regret ever letting her go. She will show him that she can be perfectly happy without him in her life. She will show him that he was not the only man in the world.

And hopefully all those things will make him miserable.

--

TBC