Chapter 31

Tiana's POV

"Oh my God, Derek, it's so lovely, thank you!" I said to Derek after receiving a silver necklace with a maple leaf pendant that symbolizes Canada as a gift to me.

"It's my pleasure, Tiana. I just thought of bringing it here as I visit since you forgot to meet me up before you left Toronto." Derek said, laughing as I gasped.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I totally forgot!" I exclaimed as Derek laughed even harder.

"It's totally fine! Right now, mind if you show me around to restaurants with good food?" he said as I grinned and nodded.

"We have a place here called 'Leon'." I replied as Derek half-closed his eyes.

"What will I expect regarding the food there?" he said as I laughed.

"Expect gourmet meals in one box!" I replied as he grinned.

"Well, let's get going, woman! I need to eat now!" he exclaimed as I laughed.

We met up with our other teammates so I decided to let Derek hang out with them more to get them closer too. While walking, my phone then beeped. It was a multimedia message and it showed a picture of--- MARCEL AND ALISON KISSING?! I stood there in shock and I could literally feel my heart breaking.

"Hey, you okay? Everything okay?" Derek said approaching me and holding both my shoulders.

I wanted to cry but I couldn't. Not here. Not now! I just stared at my hands as Derek comforted me.

"Okay just relax." he said and hugged me tight.

And before I knew it, there I saw Marcel standing behind Derek, looking upset and mad.

"Marcel.." I mumbled as Marcel shook his head and started walking away.

"Go," Derek said pulling away from me and went to our teammates as I immediately ran towards Marcel.

"Marcel! Wait! We need to talk!" I exclaimed, grabbing his wrist as he shoved me off and looked at me angrily.

"What for?! After seeing you bitching out with that guy?!" Marcel shouted which silenced me as if he really pushed my button this time.

"Marcel, he's my teammate, I was just showing him around--"

"Yeah right! I know your secret, Tiana. You're just using me. Using me to become valedictorian. You even used that guy just to win the competition! I mean, are you that desperate?!" he exclaimed as I bit my lower lip, forcing myself not to cry.

"Marcel.. no.. I didn't use you, believe me when I say this, I am not using you and I love you!"

"That's just bull! How can I believe you when you even kissed that guy just to get him to lose the competition for you??" he exclaimed which shocked me.

"Kissed him? I never kissed anyone else but you!" I replied back.

"Oh, yeah?" he said and showed me his phone revealing a photo of me and Derek kissing which was really edited. "Then what's this?"

"Marcel, that picture's edited! I love you, please, please, we can fix this. This is just a misunderstanding, please.." I said holding his hand as he shoved me which almost made me fall.

He then started walking away as I stood there, finally crying and keeping my head down.

"I didn't kiss anyone else but you.. I didn't even complain about you kissing my best friend..." I mumbled which made Marcel stop his tracks. "I love you and only you and never in the world would I cheat on you with somebody else.." I said as he turned his head a bit, not looking at me.

"Stop it. I've heard enough of your lies. Let's just forget about everything." he mumbled "Good bye, Tiana." he said and went inside the car, started the car and drove off.

"Marcel!" I called out running after him but didn't catch him.

I ran to the streets while it started to rain until he turned right to the corner. I couldn't catch my breath anymore and before I knew it, I then heard a car screeching and all I could remember was everything became a blur and everything else was covered in darkness.

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