As I emerged from the haze of slumber, the warmth of Clyde's presence enveloped me, transporting me to a realm of serenity. The gentle cadence of his breathing, the soft rise and fall of his chest against mine, lulled me into a tranquil state.
But then, like a whispered promise, his lips brushed against mine. Soft. Gentle. A tantalizing whisper of a kiss.
My eyelids fluttered open, and Clyde's gaze met mine, sparkling with an unmistakable hunger.
"Again?" he whispered.
My heart skipped a beat.
I nodded.
Our bodies entwined.
Passion rekindled.
The world outside receded.
Morning sunlight filtered through the blinds.
I woke, flushed.
Memories flooded my mind.
Every touch.
Every kiss.
Every whispered promise.
I reached for my phone.
"Good morning," I texted.
I waited.
No response.
Unusual.
But I didn't think much of it.
Classes, maybe?
I went about my day.
Attended lectures.
Met Emily for lunch.
She noticed my distraction.
"Everything okay?" Emily asked.
I nodded.
"Clyde?" Emily raised an eyebrow.
I blushed.
"Maybe he's busy," Emily said.
I nodded.
Still, no response.
A nagging feeling crept in.
Was everything okay?
I pushed the thought aside.
Clyde was busy.
That's all.
As the day wore on, my mind wandered.
Clyde's smile.
Clyde's laugh.
Clyde's eyes.
I couldn't concentrate.
I needed to see him.
Tonight.
The hours ticked by.
Slowly.
Agonizingly slow.
Finally, night descended.
I made my way to Clyde's dorm.
My heart pounded.
Anticipation coursed through my veins.
I knocked on the door.
No response.
I knocked again.
Still, silence.
A shiver ran down my spine.
Where was Clyde?
Why hadn't he responded?
---
I paced around campus, my mind racing with thoughts of Clyde. Where was he? Why hadn't he responded?
Suddenly, a familiar figure caught my eye.
Clyde.
My heart skipped a beat.
But it wasn't just Clyde.
He was wrapped in the arms of a stunning brunette, Thalia.
Her curves pressed against him.
His hands tangled in her hair.
My vision blurred.
Tears dropped.
I turned to leave, ensuring I remained unnoticed.
My feet felt rooted, but I forced myself to move.
Away from the painful scene.
Tears streamed down my face.
My phone buzzed.
Clyde's name flashed.
My heart sank.
I ignored it.
How could I face him?
After seeing him with her?
I quickened my pace.
Escape was all I could think of.
I found myself at Emily's dorm.
"Hey, girl! What's wrong?" Emily asked.
Tears flowed freely.
"Clyde," I sobbed.
Emily's expression turned sympathetic.
"What happened?"
I recounted the painful scene.
Emily's eyes widened.
"Thalia?" she whispered.
"Do you know her?" I asked.
Emily nodded.
"Thalia's... popular."
"Popular?" I repeated.
Emily leaned in.
"Thalia's got a reputation."
"A reputation?"
Emily's voice dropped.
"For stealing boyfriends."
My heart shattered.
Was Clyde another conquest?
---
I spent the next day holed up in my dorm, binge-watching romance films and crying uncontrollably. The happily-ever-afters now felt like a cruel joke. I couldn't bear to face reality.
A knock on the door broke the spell.
"Come in," I said weakly.
Emily and Sonia entered, concern etched on their faces.
"Hey, girl, how are you?" Emily asked.
I shrugged, unable to muster words.
Sonia plopped down beside me, her bright pink hair a stark contrast to my gloomy mood.
"We brought ice cream," Emily said, holding up a tub.
I forced a smile, but my eyes welled up again.
Sonia began chatting with Emily, filling the room with lively chatter. At first, I tuned out, lost in my thoughts.
But then, Sonia's words caught my attention.
"I saw Clyde and Thalia yesterday," Sonia said, her voice dripping with intrigue.
My heart sank, like an anchor dropped into the depths of the ocean.
"Where?" Emily asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"In his dorm," Sonia replied, raising an eyebrow.
My mind raced with images of Clyde and Thalia together.
"What were they doing?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sonia's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Maybe they were studying... each other's bodies," Sonia teased.
Each suggestion pierced my heart like a dagger.
"Or maybe they were just cuddling," Emily added, trying to soften the blow.
Sonia giggled.
"Cuddling? With Thalia? Please," Sonia said, rolling her eyes.
Clyde's laughter echoed in my mind.
Thalia's giggles intertwined.
I felt nauseous.
Sonia continued speculating.
"Maybe they're secretly dating," Sonia said.
Emily's eyes widened.
"No way," Emily said.
Sonia leaned in.
"I wouldn't put it past Thalia," Sonia whispered.
Thalia's reputation flashed in my mind.
A reputation for stealing boyfriends.
My heart shattered further.
I couldn't believe it.
Clyde, how could you?
Sonia's words cut deep.
"I heard Thalia's been after Clyde for months," Sonia said.
Emily gasped.
"That's why she's always flirting with him," Emily exclaimed.
Flirting?
Clyde never mentioned it.
My trust in him crumbled.
Sonia's voice brought me back to reality.
"I'm sorry, Dahlia," Sonia said.
Emily wrapped her arms around me.
"We're here for you," Emily whispered.
Tears streamed down my face.
My heart felt like it was drowning in a sea of sorrow.
How could Clyde do this to me?
Was our connection just a lie?
I needed answers.
But for now, I was trapped in this abyss of heartbreak.
---
.