I FINALLY CHOOSE HIM

CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN

Kieran appears next in the door way. His face is blank and emotionless. I can never know what’s running in his mind when he is like this. Most of the times, It’s something bad.

He crouches beside her terrified face.

“You’d better watch it before something worse happens than being expelled. Like joining your brother. For example.” Kieran threatens and although it’s not directed at me, I tremble. I can only imagine what Kat is going through.

Chloe appears in the door way panting.

“I went to get him. He was in the parking lot.” She drops her hands on her knees panting.

“Did she do anything to you?” Kieran asks, patting me down.

“No, I’m fine.”

He drops down, lifting my feet and cleaning them with his hands before putting my shoes back onto them.

Kat shakes and clenches her fist, still on her ass.

How do I tell Kieran that Kat knows that he was the one who shot her brother? Once he finds out she knows, he’d fulfil his promises and I don’t want to turn Kieran into some murder weapon that kills for me. I hold onto his shoulders as he pushes the shoes onto my feet.

This was a real dilemma. Kat would expose Kieran if I didn’t break up with him, and if the truth comes out, I wouldn’t be able to stop him from killing her. If I tried to break up with him, Kieran wouldn’t let me.

“Let’s go home.” He grabs my hand and tugs me along, Kat and I look at each other, our eyes holding each other captive for as long as we can, it’s almost painfully slow as Kieran tugs me out and into the hallway.

“I’ll grab her stuff.” Chloe says and run to the classroom.

I decided on the only choice I could do. I had to break up things off with Kieran for now and publicly at that, he has to be hurt so Kat can see.

I can explain to him later. After a few days when the news dies down, I’d explain why I had to do that.

By then, I’d have had enough time to think of what to do about the Kat problem. People are already staring at us and the siren wails, signaling the end of the day.

My phone pings.

Unknown number; Tik…. tok… tik tok. Time’s up.

No, It is not too late.

I pull my hands out of Kieran and take a deep breath. I could do this. I could fool him, Kat and everyone.

“Let’s stop whatever this is.” I say loudly, and people’s phones go off, ready to record the breakup of the year.

Kieran’s features harden.

“What did Kat tell you? Is she the one instigating this?” He asks, going out of his true nature and trying to be patient and understanding. I almost want to break into tears and admit it whilst he embraces me and assures me that everything would be fine but if I do that, I’ll throw him under the bus.

“That’s what is wrong with us Kieran. You always think something and someone is keeping us apart. You don’t want to accept that I just don’t want to be with you. I don’t choose you, and I would never choose you, Kieran Castles.” I lie, choosing to save him instead.

I finally choose him and I can’t even say that.

“So? I said you can be with me whilst you take all the time to finally choose me. Because you will choose me in the end. You’re not allowed to break up with me.” He asserts, advancing and closing the distance but I take a few steps back to expand it. If I let him too close, I wouldn’t be able to do this.

“Break up… no no no. You’ve got it all wrong. There’s nothing to break up. I’m saying to stop following me around like a pussy whipped puppy. It’s embarrassing.” His eyes twitch like I’ve really hurt him with my words, and words don’t hurt Kieran. So that’s something. I feel like the ugliest person in the world, the most disgusting and I want to slap on makeup and hide so badly.

“Here’s her bag.” Chloe announces.

“Uhhh… guys, what’s going on?” She asks unsurely, realizing the environment. A few people laugh as the tension was so high and the room was eerily quiet after my words.

I use the distraction to grab my bag from her and head out.

“Aaliyah Waters, you can be mad and hurt all you want, but we are not breaking up.” Kieran says but I pretend to not hear his booming voice.

I go into the car, locking the door and gulping a full bottle of water. I can’t let the tears drop. I drive out not heading anywhere specific but I know I can’t go back to the Castles.

My phone pings with a notification and I see a message from the unknown number.

Unknown number: Well, done. Talk of eleventh hour. I meant break his heart but I think your words broke everyone’s heart except his, and to think I thought I was the vile one. Unfortunately for you, He is still standing, break him Aaliyah. Crush his heart.

If only he hadn’t made that last declaration.

I punch the steer, and strangle it screaming. I fling the phone onto the back seat, panting.

There was only one thing left to do to keep Kieran away from me. The only person who could keep him away from me.

Or so I think.

I drive to the Waters headquarters. Arriving at our Skyscraper. The business my parents built from scratch. I go inside and see Mr. Cabeele, a familiar face. Our family lawyer. My parents would be signing deals out there. They were probably in contact with him.

“hey….Mr. Cabeele.” I call him, interrupting his talk with the receptionist. I’m lucky to have caught him here as he seems ready to leave the premises.

“Oh hey, Miss Water. I was just heading over to Castles Tech. Are you okay? You don’t look too well.” What is it with everyone asking if I’m okay at the wrong times?”

“Yes, I’m totally fine. Can you call my parents for me?”

He looks at me confusedly but before he can process his thoughts, I make up an excuse.

“I.. My .. uh phone fell and is having problems. I just want to call my parents. Please call them for me.” My voice is almost pleading.

“Uh okay.” He takes out his phone.

“Oh, it’s off. Wait here let me grab my charger.” He says but before he can take a step, a black Lamborghini Aventador pulls up, marking the floor as the tires screech.

An angry looking Kieran steps out of the car. Shit he has a GPS installed in my phone he can track me with.