My heart shattered into a million pieces when I saw the picture. This wasn't the same as seeing a rumor in a gossip magazine. This was Alicia posting a picture of her and her fiancé on her insta page. She wanted this out. She wanted me to know she moved on.

I pulled my knees to my chest and cried. How could she do this? How could she move on so fast? I don't understand her. I can't win her back when she's moved on and is engaged!

I'm in some abandoned classroom since I couldn't bring myself to attend class. I was too heartbroken. I also couldn't stay in my room or be around my friends since I didn't want their pitying looks. I shut my phone off so I wouldn't have to read their texts or be tempted to read the responses to Alicia's engagement.

I'm sure her family is ecstatic. They've wanted her to marry a guy from the beginning. Why did her dad ask me to pursue his daughter if he knew about her engagement?! That's just hurtful!

My head shot up when I heard the door opening. I quickly wiped my tears away, but I'm sure the person would be able to tell I was crying. I was surprised to see Zara enter. She wasn't surprised to see me though.

"You missed our meeting." She deadpanned with a glare.

"I'm sorry. Is my breakdown inconveniencing you?" Sarcasm dripped from every word.

"Actually, yes." She placed her bag on a desk. "Shall we work on it now?" She began pulling out the designated papers. "I've already had to alter my schedule for today since you decided to skip class. The least you could do is stop crying so we can actually get stuff done." She rolled her eyes.

"Do you have any emotions?! Why are you so heartless?!" I screamed at her.

"You want to know why I'm so harsh and act like I have no emotions?" She had a bored look on her face. Zara moved to sit across from me on the floor.

"Ya! And why you treat me like shit! Even Ryder like-"

"I was raped by my ex." My breath hitched at her confession. There was definitely no way I could reveal that Tamsin tried to get Rohan to rape me, now. "That's why it's so difficult for me to open up and trust people and why I put up a wall. If someone who claimed to love me was capable of that... then what's to stop others from disappointing me?"

"Z-"

"That's why I sleep in the same room as Gem... because I'm still terrified of being alone even after all these years. He still haunts my dreams." Her voice cracked.

"Do-Does Gemma know?"

"No. No one but my mother knows." Zara admitted. "She helped me settle the matter privately since I didn't want anyone else knowing ."

"B-But you told me."

"I guess that means I trust you." She gave me a soft smile as I squeezed her hand.

X

I was walking to my dorm. My mind was still replaying Zara's confession. She suffered from PTSD because of that situation. She became cold and pushed people away out of fear. I suspected she had separation anxiety, but it makes so much sense now.

I was distracted, so I didn't realize Skye was next to me until she swung an arm around my shoulders. I groaned at the contact.

"What do you want?!" I pushed her away.

"Jeez, tiger." She chuckled. "Wanted to know how you're doing, but I can see not well since your eyes are red and face is flushed." I turned away from her. "Did Alicia hurt you again? She truly has a habit of doing that. I mean... to get engaged so quickly after a relationship... leaves one to wonder if her feelings were as deep and true as she claimed." I turned to glare at her. "What? I'm just wondering aloud." She walked ahead.

"Can you go away?" I pleaded.

"No, I want you and I don't know why you keep resisting me." She backed me into a tree. "What about me makes you reject my advances?" She tilted her head. "I'm hot, rich, a better lover than Alicia will ever be... I am the one to teach her the ropes." She smirked.

"I don't trust you." I struggled to get out since her face was so close to mine. Yes, she was sexy and her accent made her 10x hotter, but I didn't trust her intentions. "Please, go." I whispered.

"One date." I sighed. "One date and I'll prove to you that you're Alicia's biggest mistake." I looked into her electric blue eyes. "There's nothing stopping you this time. Alicia moved on, so you should as well." I looked down. "I'll treat you right." She tilted my face up. I saw her eyes flick to my lips then back to my eyes. "I'd never hide you." Then, her lips were on mine.