"Only in the darkness can you see the stars." ~Martin Luther King Jr

                              • • •

The rest of the Christmas holiday passes by pretty quickly with my thoughts focused solely on Abel and what I'm going to do about our situation.

My alarm blares loudly throughout my room alerting me that I should get out of bed. Although, that doesn't really matter since I've been awake for the past two hours already. Why, you ask?  Maybe because I'm going to be facing the day without Abel by my side as usual. Maybe because I'm still confused and upset about everything. Maybe because I know the students will start rumours. And maybe because I have to start doing work again.  These are all incredibly depressing thoughts; I have no idea how I'm going to make it though the day without snapping at anyone.

Anyway, I sluggishly drag myself out of bed and go through my usual pre-school routine before forcing down some toast. Today, I've decided on some black leggings with an oversized black jumper paired with my black combat boots and black puffer coat. My outfit literally screams how little I care about my appearance today as well as being as dark as I'm feeling. It wasn't actually intentional but I guess it was a subconscious choice based on my emotions.

Before I leave with my brothers, my mum pulls me close, "Try not to worry too much about it Kez. Everything will sort itself out." She kisses my forehead affectionately and heads upstairs while I head out to Marcels car.

"You sure you don't want me to have a word with Abel? I promise I could knock some sense into him." Marcel pulls out of our drive while saying this.

"No Marcel, I can take care of this by myself."  I say while rolling my eyes.

"Whatever you say little sis."

"Hey, Marce you don't need to pick me up from school tonight. I'm headed to Zanes." Omari Says.

I immediately perk up at this, knowing that Omari will be in the same place as Abel.

"O, maybe you could you know, let me know how Abel's doing. Like really subtly of course." I turn around to give Omari pleading eyes.

"You want me to spy on him." He responds with a blank look.

"Not spying per say, more like a check up."

Omari rolls his eyes but nods at me anyway.

We quickly drop Nolan at his primary school and bid him a goodbye.

After that, we drive off to our school which is only about ten minutes away. Once we arrive, we all head our separate ways and I go straight to my form room rather than hanging out with Abel.

As soon as I sit down in my usual position, I put my hood up and rest my head on the desk in front of me. I plug in my headphones and prepare to lay here for the next half an hour drowning in the sad music playing in my ears. I know, it's weird that I'm listening to sad songs to make myself even more sad but I just feel like it's necessary to do that. Like why would I listen to something happy when I'm upset? Logically, it doesn't make sense. To me anyway.

I barely make it through one song when hands are hitting my back like a drum.

I lift my head up and glare at Rani, "If that's your way of saying hi, then keep your hello to yourself." I say with snark.

Rani raises her eyebrows at me, "Woah, someone's in a mood. What happened to Christmas spirit?"

"Christmas is over." I lay my head back down on the desk.

"Give her a break Ran, she has to face Abel today." Ana adds. Of course being the most considerate person known to man, she rubs my back gently, "We've got your back Kez."

I sigh loudly and remove my headphones fully, "I'm kind of scared to see Abel. Ever since bumping to him at the café and then having Raphael yell at me-"

"Wait, Raph yelled at you?" Ana Questions seriously.

"And you bumped into Abel?" Continues Rani.

Did I not tell them? I thought I did but I guess it could have easily slipped my mind...

"Yes I did. It was brief and I ran out the café only to be stopped by Raphael. He basically told me to pull myself together and talk to Abel to find out what really happened because it's not fair on him. He also said that Abel is done apologising for something he never did."

I glance at Ana and Rani with a sad look on my face.

"How dare he talk to you like that! We're all friends right? He can't act like that towards you! Ana you need to keep your man in check before I do it for you." Rani crosses her arms and scrunches her eyebrows before shaking her head, "Ridiculous." She mutters.

"Raphael has no right to do that, it wasn't his place. I'm definitely going to talk to him about it. That's unfair on you and I won't allow it. But... I still think you should talk to Abel. If more than one person is saying it all happens differently to what you believe, then at least consider it Keziah. I'm on your side but we have to make sure we have all the facts here. Don't forget how conniving and sneaky Eliza has become." Ana reasons.

I ponder on what she said for a minute. All this time I've been focused on Abel and how he was to blame but never once did I think about the part Eliza might have played.  I remember her saying how she's practically waiting for Abel to drop me and go to her.

I'm so confused right now I feel like screaming. Instead, I bang my head against the table and groan out loud.

Rani pats my back, "There there sweetie."

After the bell rings, I head to my Psychology class which I share with Abel. Normally I'd be overjoyed to spend as much time as possible with him but now, I'm honestly dreading it. Maybe I'll just swap places with Rolo to avoid the awkwardness.

Before I walk into the room, I take a deep breath to calm my ever-growing nerves and exhale through my mouth.

I step inside to find that Abel isn't even here yet. I quickly rush over to Rolo and beg him to swap seats with me.

"Please switch seats with me Rolo. I'm not ready to be right next to Abel. Please please!" I beg.

Rolo gets up without saying a word and takes my seat, "Sort this out Kez, I don't want to be in the middle anymore."

"I know, I will I will." But probably not any time soon.

A few minutes later, Abel walks in. From where I'm seated, I'm able to take a look at him briefly before his eyes land on me. In that short space of time, I take in the light scruff that's covered his jaw and the hair that's grown to the point where it practically covers his eyes fully. Similar to me, he's worn a black jumper with black jeans and black boots. Even in our misery we fit together perfectly. What a match.

When he finally looks over towards me, I can see how hurt he is to find me in Rolos seat rather than my normal one next to him. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows deeply before schooling his features and moving to sit next to Rolo.

For the whole lesson, I sit there ramrod straight feeling tense and out of place. I mean it's not like I'm even next to Abel, but I'm still so close that I could reach out and touch him if I wanted to. The fact that I can't hurts me. Abel was always constantly finding ways to touch me and I miss it. I miss him.

I keep peeking at him to see if he's looking at me and to try and see how he's feeling but he's turned his chair slightly to avoid even accidentally meeting my eyes. He's ignoring me just as I have been and it really doesn't feel great. I'm finally on the receiving end and it's awful.

Logically, I could be mad about it all and talk to him like an adult but it's so much easier to avoid him. I know that one glance into his uniquely blue eyes and I'll turn into mush all over again. That can't happen, at least not yet. I'll have to stay strong, not just for me but for all the girls out there who have their very own kryptonite in the form of a beautiful male specimen. If I give in now, then it's the end for the female population.

The rest of the day passes by in a similar fashion; me and Abel avoiding each other while talking to everyone else in our group. Well except Raphael of course. It seems that he's on the outs with me too.

It's a bit awkward because obviously him and Ana are together so when I walk up to them, he leaves. Ana keeps apologising for his behaviour but it's not her fault. He has a right to feel that way I suppose since Rani and Evelyn are pretty much doing the same.

It's all a bit weird right now and I can tell everyone's tired of it.

Towards the end of the day, I head to the bathroom before going to my final lesson.

I'm inside one of the stalls minding my own business when a few girls walk in and by the sound of it, it's Eliza and her minions.

"Pass me your lipgloss would you?" Eliza says harshly.

The sound of rustling in a bag means that Eliza's wishes have been complied with.

I've chosen to stay inside my stall to listen to whatever nonsense she decides to come up with this time. Maybe I'll even find out why she's turned against me like this.

"I've got to be ready just in case Abel wants to kiss me again, am I right girls?"

My body tenses at the reminder of what I witnessed.

"But Abel didn't even kiss you." Claims one of the girls with Eliza.

"Oh shut up Kenzie. No one needs to know that I was the one that kissed Abel. In fact I practically forced him. The fact that he put his hands on my waist to push me away just when Keziah walked in was the best kind of icing on the cake." Eliza giggles manically before the sound of an opening and closing door alerts me that she's left.

I flush the toilet and walk out of the toilet shakily. I place my hands against the counter and look at myself in the mirror.

If Eliza was the one that kissed Abel and Abel tried to push her away, that would mean that Ana and Raphael were right. It would mean that Abel didn't actually cheat on me. It would mean that I was punishing and blaming Abel for something he didn't even do.

Waves of guilt and anger rush through me. I can't believe Eliza would do something like this but then again I can.

What I did to deserve it, I will never know.

Now what do I do? Do I instantly go and apologise to Abel? I don't feel like that's enough and I'm not even ready to do that.

I still haven't even fully processed the fact that this has all been a lie.

You would think my life is a book or a movie not reality.

I take a look at myself once again and take a deep breath before walking out of the toilet and to my next class.

For now, I'll get through the rest of the day and talk to my friends later.

It seems like I'll be talking to Abel sooner than I thought.

                              • • •

After school, Rolo drives us to my house while I text Rani, Ana and Evelyn to meet me at mine.

I plan to tell them all what I heard and how they were right before asking them to help me come up with some sort of plan.

When we arrive, we head straight to my room and are only waiting five minutes before the others burst in.

"Do not fret, I am here." Rani states loudly.

Evelyn rolls her eyes and shoves Rani to the side, "Shut up you idiot, you're not the only who's here."

"But I'm like the main event." Rani flicks her hair over her shoulder and flashes a cheeky smile.

"I'm pretty sure Keziah didn't invite us round to listen to you two bicker some more." Ana Says while rolling her eyes.

"I'm with Ana here. Do you ever stop talking Rani?" Asks Rolo.

Rani steps forward and points her finger at Rolo before opening her mouth to begin her rant.

Before she can do that, I interrupt her, "Okay can you let me speak now? Great."

I clear my throat and place my hands together before quietly speaking out what I've just learned.

"Abel didn't actually cheat on me properly." I say.

All four of them look at each other in confusion before facing me.

"What?" Asks Rolo.

"What I mean is I overheard Eliza talking in the bathroom. It was all part of her plan to make it seem like Abel was kissing her. And stupidly, I fell for it."

I groan out loud and fling myself dramatically onto my bed, "No wonder Raphael practically hates me now and I'm pretty sure even Abel does too! I'm so stupid! You guys were even trying to tell me as well! Ugh! I could saved all of us from this trouble." I continue mumbling to myself before realising no one has said anything.

I lift my head off the bed and look at the four of them who already have their eyes on me, "Well? Are you guys even going to say anything?!" I exclaim.

Evelyn shrugs her shoulders, "We were just letting you get it all out you know. So, is it all out?" She asks.

I nod my head sheepishly, "Now what do I do?"

"Just talk to him. Tell him how wrong you were and boost his ego. Guys love that crap." States Rolo nonchalantly.

"No that's way too basic. Especially if you were in the wrong, no offence." Rani looks at me apologetically.

I sigh loudly, "None taken."

"I agree with Rani. Think outside the box here. He probably feels kind of betrayed or upset that you didn't trust him-"

Evelyn interrupts Ana and draws the attention to her, "I think that-"

All of a sudden, I'm hit with the greatest idea known to man.

"Guys, I've just got the best idea!" I yell loudly.

• • •
A/N:
I think it's important to remember that guys aren't always in the wrong. Us girls can be naturally over dramatic and ignore certain things when we don't feel like it.

Please like and comment!