Chapter 5 Used

Valeria's POV 

“Your news is all over the place,” Tessa said, scrolling through her phone as we sat side by side in the cafeteria. “It's been two days, and I can't even use my phone in peace without seeing pictures of both of you popping up.”

“That's exactly what I wanted,” I said nonchalantly, sipping from my juice.

“You haven't even checked your phone since the party. This isn't small gossip. Everyone literally knows.”

“I don't care,” I said, avoiding the eyes of students glancing at me in the cafeteria.

But I did care.

And that was the problem.

“Your indifference is scary. I feel like you're not dealing with this very well.”

“There's absolutely nothing to worry about. I'm fine. I don't care what people say about me anymore.”

“It's not just you, Val. You've dragged an innocent boy into your mess.”She exhaled. “Thought you always liked to deal with your shit alone.”

That was actually true. I hated dragging anyone into my chaos. But this… This was what I had to do for myself.

“What's his actual name?” I asked.

“I don't know. Should I ask for you?”

I gave her a stern look. “No. Don't, please.”

Her eyes drifted toward the entrance. “Oooh. He's walking in.”

I looked up. And as soon as I saw him, I lowered my head, pretending to focus on my food like it suddenly required all my attention. I stayed that way until he passed.

“Actually thought he was going to stop over,” Tessa said in a teasing tone, nudging me under the table. “He's right there.”

“I know,” I muttered, not looking up.

I could feel her staring at me.

“Wait. Are you avoiding him?” she asked.

“No,” I lied.

“You liar,” she snapped. “Val, no, no, no. Don't tell me you two haven't talked since then.” She stared at me wide-eyed. “You guys need to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to him.”

“Seriously?” She shifted closer to me. “In my honest opinion… you used him.”

I widened my eyes at her. 

“Yeah, I'll always tell you the truth,” she said. 

“I didn't use him. He was just convenient for the moment,” I said, trying not to blame myself. “And besides, he played along. I didn't even ask him to.”

“That's not what the blogs care about,” she said. “They are saying you're desperate… that you moved on too quickly, that you're a bad person. That you'll use him for now and drop him the moment you find someone better you'd act desperate for.” She shook her head. “And they're blaming him for falling victim to your manipulations.” 

She pushed her phone toward me. “You need to see what people are saying about this. It's a whole lot of trash.”

“No,” I said firmly, slightly raising my voice. “Don't show me anything. I don't want to see any gossip about me. I'll have instant PTSD.

She pulled her phone back. “You know all eyes are on both of you. So you need to talk and solidify whatever this is. Clear the air as soon as possible, or people will keep using it against you.” She scoffed. “They're already doing that by the way.”

I grabbed my tray and stood up immediately. “I'm sorry, but I can't continue this conversation with you, Tes.”

“Val,” she called softly. “I'm just trying to help.”

I gave her a wry smile and walked away, the stares unrelenting.

♡ ⁠♡

Zayne's POV 

My fingers tightened unconsciously around the fork as I stabbed into my food, while my eyes burned into the back of one person.

Valeria Whitmore.

I watched as she argued with Tessa, then a minute later, she grabbed her tray and walked out of the cafeteria.

My eyes followed her until she disappeared behind the doors. 

Soon, another figure replaced my line of sight, pulling my attention away.

Quinn, my sister. 

She dropped into the seat across from me, raising a brow as she studied me.

“Easy with the fork. You might end up bending it,” she said.

I glanced down and released my grip from the fork.

With a quick exhale, I  looked away only to catch two girls stealing glances at me.

I took my attention back to my meal, muttering a curse under my breath.

I avoided drama the best way I could. I kept to myself. I didn't want attention.

But when I saw her that night, slipping out of the hall—my mind didn't settle. I knew she was going to break down outside, and I couldn't do anything about it.

It bothered me.

So when she kissed me that morning, I thought I was doing the right thing. Helping her in that moment. 

I just didn't expect her to ignore me completely.

My jaw had clenched when I walked past her table earlier, my gaze flicking toward her for barely a second.

But I knew what she did. She chose not to even look at me.

“I've been watching you from the the other side of the room. And it looked like you were about to kill her with your eyes,” Quinn said.

“I feel used,” I muttered quietly.

She tilted her head slightly. “Is that what you actually feel or is it because of the gossip flying around?”

“I feel like a fool.”

“I still don't understand why you played along with her.”

I pressed my lips together. “I thought I was helping her in that moment.”

She hummed softly. “Well, I don't want to lump her in with the rest of these rich kids. Cause I actually felt pity for her that night. But I don't get why she would use you like that, and decide to ignore you later on.”

I didn't respond. I just fed myself with the fork.

“Maybe she feels shy, or maybe she doesn't even know what to say to you.” Quinn stopped and nudged me lightly. “Don't let it get to you.”

“You know there are more important things to worry about,” I said, and she nodded once. 

“Valeria Whitmore is the last name on my mind,” I continued. “The same way I mean nothing to her is the same way she means nothing to me, so… end of discussion.”

Someone dropped into the seat beside Quinn. 

Tyler.

The only reason I had gone to that party was because he invited my sister. I didn't trust him, so I went to keep an eye on her. 

“Hey, Zayne.”

“Eating with the scholarship students now?” I asked.

He chuckled. “That means nothing to me.”

My gaze drifted to Quinn. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she tried not to look at him too much.

I wondered what my sister actually saw in him. 

Someone who had stood there and done nothing while Valeria was humiliated. 

My jaw tightened.

Fuck. Get out of my head, Valeria.