He Deleted My Number After 972 Messages of Love Chapter 16

He Deleted My Number After 972 Messages of Love Chapter 16

The commotion drew every teacher from the office over to see what was happening.

After Chloe heard the whole story, her expression barely shifted, and she kept her usual smile plastered on her face.

“It was just a harmless little joke, that’s all. There’s no need to blow everything out of proportion. Sadie hasn’t even complained about anything at all.”

I looked straight at her. “This does bother me, actually. I’m asking you to give me a proper apology for what you did.”

Chloe’s smile faltered. “Alright, alright, okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t’ve made those careless jokes. Can you cut me some slack and forgive me, Sadie?”

I corrected her immediately. “Don’t skirt around the main point with a half-hearted apology. Your actual mistake was starting untrue rumors on purpose. An apology’s supposed to be sincere, so why are you being so dismissive about it? We aren’t even that close to begin with, so you’ve got no reason to act this casual with me.”

Chloe’s smile vanished completely.

She glanced toward Jesse, hoping he would stand up for her. Jesse only tilted his chin up, signaling her to comply.

Chloe scanned the crowd. Everyone was watching her with complicated expressions, quiet murmurs breaking out every few seconds.

She’d always been the one everyone looked up to. She’d never been put in a position like this before.

Her nails dug into her palms as she bowed her head toward me.

“I’m sorry, Sadie. I was wrong to spread rumors about you. It was stupid and I shouldn’t have done it.”

I held eye contact with her for two full seconds, said nothing, then turned and walked out of the broadcast studio.

Jesse caught up with me on the field.

“I’m sorry.”

“I heard you. Can you please stop following me now?”

Jesse pressed his lips together. “Sadie…”

“Stop. Don’t say another word to me.

You asked earlier if I still liked you. Listen carefully.”

I said firmly, enunciating every single word.

“I don’t have a single leftover crush on you, not even a tiny bit. I avoid you plain and simple because I can’t stand being around you.”

“So I’d appreciate it if you and your girlfriend would both stay far away from me from now on. It’s better if we just stay out of each other’s lives entirely from now on.”

Jesse froze for a beat and loosened his grip on my wrist.

Tiered bleacher seating lined both sides of the outdoor amphitheater stage on the athletic field. Lunch break wasn’t over yet, and I didn’t want to go back to class. I climbed up and sat alone.

My vision blurred. I sniffled once, then finally broke down crying.

I buried my face in my knees, breaking down completely.

I had no idea how much time had passed when a shadow fell over me.

I looked up to see Ezra, one eyebrow slightly raised.

“What are you doing out here?”

I hiccuped and buried my face back down.

His playful grin faded as he knelt in front of me.

“Did someone treat you unfairly? Can I help sort all this out for you if you want?”

I shook my head, my voice muffled against my knees. “I already handled it.”

Seeing I didn’t want to talk, he didn’t push.

“Alright, I’m gonna bounce then?”

I made a quiet sound of acknowledgment.

His footsteps faded, and I slowly calmed down.

But it wasn’t long before Ezra came back, holding an ice-cold peach drink in his hand.

He pressed the cold cup gently against my tear-flushed cheek.

“Stop crying.”

I took the drink from him.

He reached up and ruffled the two little tufts of messy hair on top of my head, a quiet chuckle escaping him.

“Look at you—you’re sprouting.”