The sad thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.

When you trust someone you give them all the ability to manipulate you. Trust is a big thing and should be the opposite of betrayal.

I said to myself, what more can I lose? So I shouldn't regret it, right? I shouldn't cry, I shouldn't feel bad. I should have expected it. When something is too good to be true, then it's false. That's a statement that I always told myself.

But what did I do? The complete opposite. I trusted him because I thought he would be a respectable teacher since he works in a respectable school but no, he was a scammer and decided it was nice to scam an underage student.

I did not believe in luck because I have never been a lucky child. Sometimes I hope that something good will happen without me doubting it or finding it hard to believe, but unfortunately, nothing good ever happens. I wonder if I was the one who jinxed it with my uncontrollable doubts or if my subconscious is smarter than my conscious mind trying to tell me that my intuition is always right.

I hate this. I hate being weak. I hate succumbing to the horrible people of this world. I hate my life so much. Is it wrong to want a better life? Is it wrong to want to have money to be able to take care of your sibling? Is it wrong to not want to be discriminated against by your fellow peers just because you didn't come from a prestigious family?

If it's so wrong to want to achieve a certain peace of mind then why was I created in the first place? Because it seems like the universe wants me to still be in this situation.

I just want to leave.

Lara's island isn't much of a bad place if you have the money to survive the countless bills and debts that would be thrown at you. If you don't earn one million Giza coins a year then you can't live in this country.

It has the best schools, universities, and places to visit. For an outsider, it would be the best tourist center, but for an insider, it's the worst because you can't even afford a three-square meal. Also, corruption and bribery which of course is everywhere, but looking at the people in top positions of companies on Lara's island…you would notice they are all relatives or friends. Close friends.

Networking is the top priority of Lara's island citizens and I don't want that. And not wanting that had put me in this predicament.

It's been raining a lot these past few days, and though I have been inside my house during those times, today was different.

Today I walked down the street with sadness in my heart and tears flowing down my cheeks. No matter how angry I was, I was more pained. Singing was a hobby but it was also a talent. One that I wish to be better in, to love to show the world, to try to make me believe in myself but I got the complete opposite.

I had walked for so long that my legs were feeling numb. Just a couple more houses and I would be at my doorstep.

I don't want to go in. I don't want my mom to see me like this. I don't want to be asked what's wrong. I just want to be left alone.

So I sat on the pavement, bringing my knees to my chest and resting my head on it. I cried my eyes out. I cried until I couldn't feel more tears. I cried as lightning stroked the sky. I don't know how long I sat there. I didn't care what was going to happen, I probably caught a cold but at this point. I don't care about anything.

However, the rain stopped beating against my back. I could still hear the rain sounds, but I wasn't being touched as if a magnet was pulling it away from me. I looked up and saw a red umbrella covering me from the harsh weather.

And the umbrella was being held by someone that always likes coming out from thin air anytime I am in trouble.

Jason…

*****
“I feel like you are stalking me,” I said, my back leaning against the chair while looking out the window. He offered me a coat which I gladly took because the cold finally dawned on me. My skin felt ice cold and my fingers were shaking even as I try to warm them.

We were seated in a restaurant just down the street, it was warm and I was able to dry myself out in the bathroom. Still cold though but it is better.

“I am not. You seem to forget Zayn is a friend of mine and he lives close to you”

“Still it's suspicious that I always see you in moments like this or almost all the time. Makes me feel as if you are stalking me”

“Coincidences happen”

I turned my head to look at him, he was running his fingers in a circular motion around his cup. His eyes looked absentmindedly outside the window. W

Eyebags were forming underneath his eyes, he hadn't smirked or said any check statements today.

For the first time since I knew Jason, he was quiet. I couldn't help but ask “Is everything okay?”

He turned and gave me a weak smile. “Of course everything is fine. Just been stressed”

“I guess having these responsibilities as heir has its toll on you”

“Indeed” is Just a single word. I missed the full-of-life Jason but I was too proud to say it.

“I hardly see any bodyguards with you, why is that?” As a curious person, I wanted to know

“Something I told them not to do again. It's annoying” he ran a hand through his hair “Though they are within the shadows”

And the silence bestowed us. Our conversation became light and then nothing. Suddenly, he dropped his hand on the table which made me flinch.

“I have been thinking a lot and…I have never been so nervous around a girl before. You make me nervous. So nervous that I mess up things”

I crossed my arms around my chest, trying to bring warmth to my body.

“I have a question, Jason” I took the cup of hot chocolate in front of me and had a sip before adding “There are so many girls but why me?"

"I don't know," Jason said,

"You...you don't know?"

"Even the most intelligent scholars do not know why hearts are drawn to each other" he sipped a cup of coffee. "Maybe I am drawn to your beauty, but that makes me materialistic. I am drawn to your vulnerability, and your willingness to strive against all odds. It's in your eyes. I am drawn to the way you tap your foot against the floor when nervous and when you squeeze the edge of your dress when in an anxious situation. I am drawn to you because...you are you"

I finally felt that moment, the moment when you stare into someone's eyes when you see honesty in them when you try to believe them and think they are right even though you feel like trash. That moment when butterflies decided to do a cheerleading dance within your stomach.

I was a bit shocked, my heart had skipped a beat. I am me. "You know when I look at you. I just find it so hard to believe. I feel like you have an ulterior motive. I feel like you are not the person you show me"

"I know I did not make the strongest of first impressions. so I would like to start all over '' He cleared his throat, rolled his shoulders a bit then he gave me a wide smile. He stretched his left hand forward, across the table, and said ”Hii. I am Jason Kade. a special someone I know likes to call me jay jay"

I knew he was talking about me after that one time I called him that.

I hesitated a bit. Accepting this means that I am willing to start all over. I am willing to accept him as mine and I am willing to allow him to date me. That I am willing to let go of my hatred towards high school relationship.

Can I do this?

I am scared of taking this step. They say your first boyfriend is always your first heartbreaker. I wanted to run away from this situation, go home and forget about Jason Kade. Forget about today. Forget about this whole decision.

However, as my heart beats against my chest and my mind tries to tell me otherwise, I bring my hand up and shake his hand. "I am Ruby Leblanc. I am called shortcake by someone who likes cakes a lot" he chuckled at my last statement.

We stared into each other's eyes, with our fingers entwined, smiles on our lips. My heart thumped faster, my skin felt warmer. I was blushing intensely. I told myself it was normal to feel flushed when looking into someone's eyes. I decided within myself that I was only in this relationship for the experience. Just for fun. I still see him as a friend. Nothing more. I would never love him. I would never love anyone.

Once you love, you fall. When you fall, you hit the ground and end up with a broken spine.

My spine would always be intact. I promise myself that.

And he said "It's nice to meet you Ruby"

And I said "And it's nice to meet you, Jason"

I had a feeling that I was going to regret this…but rather than being an over-thinker, let's enjoy the rolllercoaster of my existense.