by Zara Rivas
Nodding her head half heartedly, Essa smiled tightly. "Yeah I guess you're right about Creston, I'll see him tomorrow." She voiced casually, trying to hide the doubt.
Picking up her paint brush, she dipped it into some black paint as her blue-green eyes studied Chris briefly before her imagination started running wild. Although it was hard to push thoughts of Creston into the recesses of her mind, the ebony coloured haired girl began painting the image in her head wishing that Monday arrived soon...
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As Monday came, Essa found herself getting to school early, hoping to catch Creston before classes commenced. She planned to scold him for not returning her phone calls and then throw her arms around him in a huge embrace. The moment she stepped passed the school gates of Ocean High, she had immediately darted towards the one place she was sure to find Creston. Opening his locker, she peeked inside to find that his bag was nowhere in sight but his books were there meaning he hadn't been cooped up at home studying.
Closing the locker, her heterochromial eyes scanned the many faces strolling in the school corridors, but not one of them belonged to the familiar face of her boyfriend. Feeling her shoulders slump, a pang of disappointment coursed through her as she attempted to shrug off the unwanted emotion.
Turning around and strolling to the sports change rooms, she decided she might have a chance catching Creston there. It wasn't the fact that she was desperate to see him... Okay maybe that was a lie. She was dying to see that devil child, who had become a large part of her life but bottom line – Essa just wanted to know that he was safe.
As she reached the empty soccer boys' change room, Essa bit her lower lip. She knew that her attempt to find Creston was in vain because in reality if somebody didn't want to be found, they wouldn't be. Not even Creston's passion for soccer would allow her to find him so easily. Grabbing her phone from her pocket, she felt her heart fall at the sight of the blank screen. Essa guessed that it would take a while to get used to the absence of messages and calls from Creston for a few hours...
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Friday came around and Essa could have sworn that the time between Monday until Friday had felt like an eternity. She had gone through classes unable to pay attention and absorb any of the information. The quality of her work was slowly descending and she hadn't painted or sketched a single stroke in her sketchpad. Conversations with Sophia, Trish and Chris somewhat managed to spark her attention; however the moment she was left alone was the moment where all the angst began.
Rumours were spreading like a disease through Ocean High, and although she knew that they were ridiculous and majority of the gossip had been invented by Creston's fan-club to spite her, Essa couldn't help but let the words affect her. The most common chitchat so far was that Creston was letting her hang whilst he went around flirting with a new girl – finding a girl toy to replace her – after all a playboy like Creston Montgomery Spencer was renowned for his short attention span to any female.
Stepping into the school corridors, a sense of déjà vu overtook her as Essa yet again made her way to Creston's locker for the tenth time this week. She knew it was feeble attempt and it was obvious that she wouldn't find him there; however it was still worth a try. The past five days was sheer hell for her, and the number one thing on her list was to ensure Creston was okay.
Although the gossip and words had hurt, and even though Essa knew her resolve was gradually breaking, she tried not to give in to the small speck of doubt that those bimbo girls might be right about Creston. Nearing Creston's locker which was located near the computer building, Essa was able to see that the one person she most wanted to find was nowhere in sight.
Still feeling persistent, she turned back around, making her way to the cafeteria. Lifting her gaze, she spotted the tall, blonde figure of Cassandra Wilkins waiting at the other end of the passageway. Approaching the form, the dark haired girl found herself breathing in deeply, bracing herself for whatever was to come.
"You're not going to find Creston today," Cassandra voiced, watching as Essa stepped passed her.
Pausing and shifting back to face the blonde, Essa's eyes locked onto Cassandra's pale green ones.
"Where is he?" She asked.
Closing the distance between them, Cassandra found herself smirking, arms crossed over her chest, glaring down her nose at the girl opposite her. The past few days had been wonderful – Creston had spent every breathing moment with her, becoming her number one confidant. Even though there were still a few rough patches between them, she felt a whole lot better knowing that he was there for her.
Though she knew it was morally wrong to be lying to him about being pregnant with his child, Cassandra didn't feel too guilty for the fib because she didn't feel as if she was intruding in on Creston's life. To her, it was evident that Essa wasn't a big part of his life simply because for the past few days he had ignored all type of contact with the goth, providing her with his undivided attention. If Evans had meant anything to him, the blonde was sure that Creston would have gone running back to her the instant he knew of the baby.
"He doesn't want to see you," Cassandra replied bluntly, her tone softening in a mocking manner. "He was mine from the beginning and he's still mine now," she explained, unconsciously smirking in a self assertive manner. "We're back together Essa, he's done with you." She accentuated, "Can't you try to see things from his perspective? He is avoiding you because he doesn't know how to tell you that you were just a toy – something to keep him amused for a short while. So why don't you just stop calling and make things easier for the both of you?"
Essa couldn't believe what she was hearing. As she slowly comprehended Cassandra's words, her eyes trailed back over to the cafeteria hoping that Creston would be there. In all honesty, the blonde's words had hurt and Cassandra knew exactly where to hit so that it'd hurt. Swallowing, Essa managed to remain composed, standing rigidly. Her solemn eyes studied the figure before her briefly, trying to decide whether her words were true, however Essa only had to take one look in Cassandra's eyes to realise that she was telling the truth about getting back with Creston.
Clearing her throat, Essa felt a lump forming. "Creston's not that kind of guy and whatever goes on between us has nothing to do with outsiders like you." She sputtered and didn't like the lack of conviction in her tone. "Besides, things are far from done between me and him. Just because you say so doesn't mean I'll believe it."
Laughing audibly, Cassandra's pale green eyes stared back at Essa in pure mirth. "I can't wait until you find Creston then. Hopefully you'll receive the message loud and clear from him," With that final sentence, she shifted and left – a sense of satisfaction pouring through her veins. It had taken a while to tear down Essa Evans, and now that she finally had, she was over the moon.
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Creston Spencer headed down his driveway, pressing the button on his keys which unlocked his black sports-car. He had to go and attend a doctor's appointment with Cassandra regarding her and the growing baby's health in another few hours but he thought he'd arrive a little earlier to spend some time with her. To be truthful, Creston didn't want to stay at home alone for too long because he knew he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of calling Essa and spilling out the reason as to why he wasn't answering her calls.
It had been torture to be away from the one person he learned to care about and he knew that he couldn't hurt her by telling her that Cassandra was pregnant. Crossing the front lawn of his large front garden, he didn't fail to see the feminine figure leaning on his car waiting. There standing in her five-feet-nine-inch glory was the one person he had been avoiding. Creston observed as the expression on her lovely features altered from relief to one of pure irritation. Knowing that there was no more running, he braced himself for the things he was to say.
"What are you doing here?" He questioned.
E
ssa gazed at him in disbelief; he hadn't kept in contact for days and the first thing he does is ask why she was at his place?
"We need to talk and I want to know where the hell you've been Creston." She almost half shouted but managed to suppress her anger for a tad longer.
Shaking his head, Creston tried to pass her to reach his car but she blocked the way. "Essa I don't have time for this, I've got other places to be." He stated in a monotonous way.
Grasping his arm, she was stunned by the unreadable expression across his features. His face was serious; his eyes close to a dark grey as she removed her hand from him. Throughout the time she had known Creston, Essa had never received such a look before – she could always read him like a book and not once had he ever exuded a 'stay away' vibe. The Creston Montgomery Spencer standing before her wasn't the same one that had kissed her a few days ago...
Feeling torn between whether if she wanted to stay and find out the truth or leave and pretend that things were okay, Essa clenched her fists. "Can you at least tell me what is happening between us?" She demanded, "That's the least you can do."
Nothing prepared the dark haired figure for Creston's reply. "There is no more us."
Silence engulfed the two of them as Essa backed away from him. "What did you just say?" She breathed hoping that her ears had failed her the first time.
"You heard me Evans," he said roughly, his tone no longer soft. He didn't even have the courtesy to look her in the eye, "I'm done with you."
Seeing that he was about to walk away from her, Essa grabbed hold of his arm again, tugging him so that his front profile was visible. She had heard the words loud and clear but she didn't understand why he was doing it. Studying him intently with her blue-green orbs, she stepped forward, a part of her in disbelief.
"I'm not done with you," she stated, feeling a churning sensation in the pit of her stomach. She noticed the way his gaze evaded hers and it gave her courage to speak. "What happened Creston?" She breathed and felt him pull away but she held on fast. "Spencer what's been going on for the past week?" She prodded, "Is it your family? Is it school? What's going on?"
Breaking out of her grasp, Creston could see the hurt evident on her features. He immediately wanted to comfort her but he had stopped himself – this was the best for the both of them.
Scoffing at her in a derogatory manner, he placed some distance between them. "Evans it's not me or my family or my perfect life that's causing me misery." He began to explain in an arrogant tone – a tone that he knew would get on her nerves. "It's you," he accentuated and saw the comprehension on her features.
As Essa fully digested the meaning of his statement, all she could do was stare. She was irritated by the fact that he couldn't so much as look her in the eye.
"Creston don't give me such a lame excuse for breaking up with me. Why don't you just come out with the truth and tell me the real reason?!" She half shouted and her breath caught in her throat when his eyes met hers.
For just a brief second, Essa could have sworn she spotted pain in those beautiful eyes she loved; however she couldn't be sure because he tore his gaze away from hers.
"There doesn't have to be a reason." He informed, "But if you want one then try this: I'm breaking up with you cause I'm a guy with specific needs which you can't fulfil," even to his own ears he sounded ridiculous. How can he not be fulfilled? He loved her incalculably – from her personality, to her physical features; he absolutely loved all of her – and now that he had her, he was the happiest man on earth. "Satisfied?" He asked rhetorically and smirked at her in that conceited fashion which he knew got on her nerves.
Seeing Spencer smirk at her in that smug manner which she had despised when she had first met him made something break within. The expression on his features were cold, his wild grey-blue eyes unreadable as she swallowed down the lump in her throat. This was the Creston Spencer she had loathed, the arrogant jerk who was a player and not to mention an egotistical prick. Bottom line, the brown haired male was being the guy that she had hated and it hurt her deeper then she could have ever imagined because she had thought that she knew the true him.
Still unable to believe his words, Essa stood tall. "And Cassandra will fulfil that need?" She shot. Shaking her head, Essa pursed her lips. "I don't believe a single word you're saying Creston. That's complete bull," She managed to say calmly, but her chest was stinging.
It ached to know he was lying to her, and yet there was a speck of doubt growing inside. After all, the Creston Montgomery Spencer she knew from the beginning was a womanizer that only liked the chase. As the lack of communication ate at her, Essa breathed in deeply.
"Don't bring Cassandra into this,"
Not liking the way his tone turned defensive, Essa took a step closer to him. "She was the one that approached me today, so in reality she's the one who got herself involved."
Creston's murky eyes met her mismatched ones. "If it makes things anymore easier, I am back with her." He informed, "And that makes me and you a thing of the past."
Hearing the phrase 'thing of the past' had knocked the wind out of her. He made it seem so easy to dump a person and move on and it hurt her more than ever. The fact that he had played her for a fool had cut her deeply and Essa didn't know how to cope. She had thought she knew the real Creston, had seen the true, kind and caring person he was... Swallowing, she felt the tears behind her eyes threaten to spill but she choked back on her tears. Her pride wouldn't allow herself to cry before him.
"Is that final? I was just a game to you?" she asked, and her heart fell at the sight of him nodding. Clutching her hands into tight fists, she willed herself not to cry. "Fine," she whispered, and with that last word she turned to leave.
She was hurting inside. It killed to know that the one person she trusted and had given her heart to had betrayed her, tearing her heart to pieces. But it also made her angry that she had given herself wholeheartedly to someone when she should have known better...
Creston Spencer watched his number one confidant leave. His heart was aching, his whole body numb at the sight of her retreating back. He wanted to run after her, but he knew that this was the best for her – it was better to let her go now rather than drag her into the chaos. Taking one final look at her retrieving profile, Creston exhaled slowly.
Shifting, he treaded to his car, knowing that starting from tomorrow was when the whole charade would begin...
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The tall blonde male stared down at his watch and then back up at the empty streets for his childhood friend. They were supposed to go and do some soccer practice this afternoon so that he could get her mind off of her current situation with Creston but she never showed. With frantic eyes trailing around his surroundings, he was startled when he spotted Essa's approaching form, unaware of him standing at her house.
As she slowly closed the distance between them, and Tynan got a better view of her, he realised there were tears in her eyes as he half ran to her. He was greeted with the sight of a red-eyed Essa, who was busy sniffing, silently sobbing into the sleeve of her shirt.
"Ginger Ale," he breathed and she halted before him, rubbing furiously at her eyes.
Grabbing her wrists so that she'd stop, Chris felt an odd sensation course through him.
"Is everything okay? Are you okay?" He asked and pulled her into his arms when she started sobbing again.
It was obvious she was trying hard to hold back the tears, attempting to remain composed but Chris always had the ability to read her actions and her face like an open book. He knew that the reason she was weeping into his shoulder had to be related to Creston and a flutter of anger because rising within.
Placing a protective hand to the back of her head, he held her there in his arms, giving her some time to recover. After all, even heroes had their bad days and Chris knew that Essa was having more than a bad day right now. He was aware of the rumours at Ocean High, and he instinctively knew that
the one involving Creston and Cassandra was the one that was most plausible.
"We're not together anymore Chris," she mumbled into his shoulder and all the blonde could do was blink his sky blue eyes in disbelief. "It was all just a game," he examined the way she ran her hand through her hair, before turning back to face him. "I'm such an idiot, why did I think I could take him seriously?"
Leading her across the road to the deserted playground, Chris set her down on the wooden bench, seating himself beside her. He felt the overprotective streak he possessed take over and rage was entering his pores. He had already warned Creston of what he was capable of is Essa was ever hurt.
Observing as she wiped at her cheeks, his chest tightened at her distressed state. "I'm sorry, I'm just being dramatic." She apologised and all Chris could do was offer her the warmth and comfort of a hug.
Clenching his jaw, the muscle flexed as all common sense left him. If anything, Creston Montgomery Spencer was the one that should be feeling sorry. He had warned the brown haired male that if he played with Essa there was hell to pay. And once Tynan Welling was done with him, he was sure that Creston would regret ever hurting Essa...