Skepticism

"Trust dies but mistrust blossoms."

-Sophocles.

"Remain calm even in the midst of mistrust and accusations. Your integrity and track records will surely speak for you."

-Wisdom Mensah.

"Sometimes your dearest friend whom you reveal most of your secrets to becomes so deadly and unfriendly without you knowing they will not really your friend."

-Michael Bassey Johnson.

Hello beautiful people, how was your weekend?

I will be dedicated this chapter to this bunch of amazing people. Wattpad Glardeez ieeshalee1 asamaoh oa_judith mheemarhjay

The song suggestions for this chapter are skyscraper by Demi Lovato, Roar by Kate perry and finally shake it off by Taylor Swift.

I love the song, shake it off. Even though it is quite old, it is a good song.

So tell me, what other Taylor swift's songs do you like?

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It all happened so fast. One minute I was running for my life, the other minute a jerk was shoving his dirty mouth in mine. I pushed him with all the strength I could gather and punched his nose. He groaned repeatedly playing the victim.

"Jess, you can't be with a sick bastard like him. You deserve better honey." I started and walked closer to her while she raised her palm to silence me. Her breath became laboured as her face contorted in agony. Little tears began spiralling down her face.

"How did you manage to cope with such a beast? Look how she disfigured my nose." Gabe muttered and walked closer to jess before pulling her in for a hug. While her face that depicted hurt, anger and betrayal stared at me.

"I was heading back to you when she refused to let me go. I struggled, shoved her out of my way but she was too strong. Tomboys are strong anyways. Before a blink of an eye, she kissed me." Gabe accused as his voice rose in octave making him sound much more convincing.

At this point, I became livid in rage. Anger boiled inside of me like lava and is so ready to spill on Gabe and scald off every skin he has.

"Is this what you meant when you told me you got my back?" Jess choked as the tears accumulated. "Is this how you intended supporting me?" She continued.

"No! I won't take any more shits. Just stop it. You can't stand a few metres from me and continue accusing me blindly. You know me better, don't you trust me?" I walked closer to her again trying to make her reason along with me.

"I'm highly disappointed in you Anna. I know Gabe well and I know he doesn't chase all things in skirt. He loves me too much."

"Right Gabe?" She queried while sniffling. Silence prevailed as Gabe stared on in stupefaction.

"Gabe?"

"R..right honey." He stammered in response and rubbed his face with his palm smouldering his joker make up.

"Jess, I understand that you are angry and all but am afraid Gabe here is two-faced. He is a lying conniving bastard."

"If I had two faces, you think I will wear only one all my life?" Gabe sarcastically responded.

"Enough!" Jess hollered as more tears ran down her face. The atmosphere seems to carry around the current aura with a blender of multiple emotions. The darkness got even thicker and more sinister. It was if the atmosphere got charged with negative emotions like it was been manipulated.

"You just gonna stand there and watch me burn, but that's all right because I like the way it hurts on Halloween night." Jess took out a handkerchief to wipe off her sweat and tears while she began chuckling weirdly.

"I'm also burning from all the wrong accusations here. I did nothing, to be honest." I choked out my frustration as my face portrayed my disbelief and anger.

"You slashed at me with betrayal yet you have the effrontery and audacity to tell me you did nothing when I caught you red-handed?"

"I didn't betray you, Jess I feel betrayed by your lack of trust. What kind of friend are you when you don't trust my own words. What kind of friendship do we possess when it isn't built on the foundation of trust? You knew me for long yet you believed a stranger you just met? This is crazy." I threw my hands up in exasperation and tucked some loose strands of hair behind my ear. Her face widened in realization like I hit a spot but soon returned to rage.

"Trust? You were my best friend! Now you are nothing more than a slither of worthlessness. I trusted you! I cared for you! I was there for you all the time! And this is how you choose to repay me? Get out before I rip your filthy throat out." Jess fumed.

"You have lost my trust, weakened your status. You are dead to me. Get out, your presence makes me sick." Jess pointed at a direction waiting for me to leave her presence while Gabe smiled sinisterly behind her and waved at me.

"I will do the honour of leaving instead and await my vengeance." She declared and dragged Gabe along with her while I stared at their retreating figure.

Out of anger, I punched a huge tree bark repeatedly till my knuckles bled.

I feel hurt and disappointed. I just lost my best friend a few minutes ago. I lost my crush some hours ago. And I'm currently losing my sanity as well.

Maybe Nate was right. I'm a loser. Only a loser will continue losing important people and things in her life. I feel like crying my eyes out but I can't. I'm outside in the public stranded with no car since I came in Jess' own. No cash since Jess was the one who organized today's outing to cheer me up. No thicker outfit to shield me from the cold thick air that surrounded me.

I dip my hands into my pocket to search for my phone but alas! It was nowhere to be found. I checked every other pocket on my body but found emptiness.

My shoulders slumped dejectedly as I walked towards the bonfire. Most people are asleep while some are still up and actively chattering, laughing and drinking tea in pumpkin.

"Miss Gray?" A voice called while I turned back to stare.

They are two men in all black suit, glasses, AirPods and all. I need no soothsayer to tell me my bodyguards came to the rescue. Maybe not all heroes wear cape. Some wear a smart suit as well.

But who wears suits to Halloween party anyways? They should have dressed in costumes to blend in. Now they have succeeded in getting everyone's attention.

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For the first week, I isolated myself from the world and turned my room to an isolation centre. Mom tried so hard to make me spill things and to console me but my stubbornness and reluctance made it an impossible task.

The second week, I stared out the window with headset blasting loud music in my brain. Though I won't lie, I did feel better. I majorly binge watch Netflix with various food to console me.

By week three, I ate tons of ice cream and even added weight. But most importantly, I was ready to face the world after watching a movie titled, "The perks of being a wallflower." After watching Charlie overcome his trials and tribulations in high school. I knew I could do it too.

Screw Jess and Ralph. My life doesn't revolve around them. Or maybe it does because I miss them so badly and school has been awkward with both of them avoiding me. But all thanks to Ian, Mike and Eric for helping me retain my sanity.

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~~The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?~~

~~What has a head, a tail, is brown and has no legs??~~

~~David's father has three sons. Snap, crackle and __________?~~

~~Here are some riddles to solve, I will post the answers and correction in the next chapter.~~