I sighed as I looked at the journal, I hadn't even loved him as much as I did but he was gone now, I wiped the tears that were dropping and continued reading.
March 15
Dear Journal,
Today was the day my heart shattered into a million pieces. I couldn't take the anguish and uncertainty anymore, so I decided to confront Clyde. I had to know the truth.
As I walked to his dorm, my legs trembled with rage and my mind raced with worst-case scenarios. The image of Clyde and Thalia together seared itself into my brain, fueling my anger. Memories of our laughter, our whispers, and our stolen glances now taunted me.
I reached his door and took a deep breath, bracing myself for what I might find. Laughter echoed from within. Clyde's laughter. Thalia's giggles. My stomach twisted into knots.
I pushed open the door, and my eyes locked onto the scene before me. Clyde and Thalia sat on the couch, entwined. Their hands touched, their faces inches apart.
Clyde's smile faltered as our eyes met. Thalia's grin grew wider, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Dahlia," Clyde said, standing up, his voice laced with caution.
I couldn't speak. I couldn't breathe. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I managed to say, my voice trembling.
Clyde hesitated, glancing at Thalia.
"Privately," I emphasized, my eyes never leaving his.
Clyde nodded.
"Excuse us," Clyde said to Thalia.
Thalia pouted, her lips curling downward.
"But we were having fun," Thalia whined.
Clyde's expression silenced her.
We stepped outside, the cool evening air doing nothing to calm my rage.
"What's going on, Dahlia?" Clyde asked, his voice soft.
I glared at him.
"You know exactly what's going on," I spat.
Clyde's eyes narrowed.
"Thalia?" he asked.
I nodded.
"You're really going to pretend like nothing's happening?" I demanded.
Clyde sighed.
"Dahlia, it's not what you think."
I laughed, a bitter sound.
"Don't lie to me," I warned.
Clyde's eyes pleaded for understanding.
But I wouldn't be swayed.
Not then.
Not now.
As I stood there, my mind replayed every moment we shared. Every kiss, every whisper, every promise. All tainted by Clyde's betrayal.
How could he do this to me?
Was our connection just a lie?
I needed answers.
But Clyde's words were empty.
His eyes were empty.
My heart was empty.
---
Clyde's eyes locked onto mine, sincerity etched on his face.
"Dahlia, Thalia is my cousin," he explained, his voice gentle.
I raised an eyebrow, skepticism written across my face.
"Your cousin?" I repeated, my tone laced with doubt.
Clyde nodded emphatically.
"We were laughing about some family joke," he added.
I studied his expression, searching for any sign of deception.
"Why didn't you respond to my text?" I asked, my voice still laced with hurt.
Clyde's face fell, regret etched on his features.
"My phone crashed. I didn't get the message," he explained.
I frowned, remembering the missed calls.
"But I saw your phone," I countered.
Clyde pulled out his phone, displaying the screen.
"See? It's been acting up all day," he said.
The screen displayed multiple failed calls to my number.
"I tried calling you," Clyde said.
I remembered rejecting those calls, assuming he was ignoring me.
"I thought..." I trailed off.
Clyde's eyes softened.
"I know what you thought," he whispered.
I took a deep breath, trying to process.
"What about the rumors?" I asked.
Clyde chuckled.
"Those rumors?" He laughed. "Thalia and I were just laughing about them."
"What rumors?" I pressed.
Clyde leaned in.
"People saying Thalia and I are dating," Clyde whispered.
I raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Clyde grinned.
"It's ridiculous. We're cousins," he reassured me.
His words eased some of the tension.
But doubt still lingered.
Why did it look so intimate?
Why did Thalia seem so comfortable?
Clyde's hands wrapped around mine.
"Dahlia, trust me," he whispered.
I searched his eyes.
Did I trust him?
Could I trust him?
Memories of our laughter, our whispers, and our stolen glances flooded my mind.
But the image of Clyde and Thalia together still haunted me.
"Clyde, I need to know," I said.
"Anything," he replied.
"Why did it look like..." I hesitated.
Clyde's expression turned serious.
"Thalia's going through a tough time," he explained.
"Her parents are getting divorced," he added.
I softened.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I said.
Clyde nodded.
"I'm trying to be there for her," he said.
I studied his face.
Was he telling the truth?
Or was this just a clever excuse?
---