Friend Zone

So far, Simon had been sticking to the deal that he and Mai had made, that he would ride her up to the convenience store and then she would walk from there. This was all planned, so for one, people wouldn't think Mai and Simon's relationship was so close, and the second reason was so he and Shirley could get to know each other better, without any misunderstandings.

However, today when Simon had rode to the convenience store he took out his bike lock and tied it around a lamp post near the store, and started walking along the side of Mai.

"Erghh, what are you doing, don't you remember what I said?" Mai said.

"Of course I do." Simon replied. "But I don't really care what people think. If they think that way, then let them think that way. Besides, I know you really don't have any other friends Mai, aren't you bored walking by yourself all the time?"

"But what about Shirley?" Mai blurted out. "And I have other friends, they just don't seem to come around whenever you are here."

She really didn't understand what Simon was doing. She felt a bit like he was trying to sabotage her goal. After all, she wasn't just doing it so Simon and Shirley could get closer together, but was also doing it so her and Chris could end up being together.

'He already saw the two of us in the same room together, and I bet he doesn't even know we're just old childhood friends. If he sees us walking together, he's definitely going to think something is up!'

As the two continued to walk, Simon wouldn't give up. No matter what Mai said, he had stayed with her and was even walking up the school stairs to her classroom.

"Hey that's it, this has to be as far as you go." Mai said. "Your classroom isn't even in this direction. Tell me why are you doing this, why are you being so clingy!"

"Mai, I already told you, didn't I? Is it really a problem that other people see me and you walking together?" Simon argued.

Storming off she had planned to just head to her classroom, maybe then Simon would get the message.

'I'm trying to create the perfect future Simon, and for both of us.' She thought, but then felt Simon grabbing her wrist.

"Is this about the other day? Is that why you're acting so awkward?" Simon asked.

"Me acting awkward?!" Mai replied. "Simon, we have been doing the same thing everyday, and even before we made the deal you never took me right up to my classroom. You're the one thats acting strange when I've just been trying to forget about the whole thing! It was just a kiss!"

After hearing these words, Simon's face had changed. He didn't have his normal large bright puppy dog eyes, and the strength in his hand had gone away as he let Mai go.

"Sorry, do you mind?" A voice said from behind Simon.

"Sorry," Simon said, as he turned around and moved out of the way, only to see the person was Chris.

He too had been walking up the staircase trying to get to the classroom.

'How long has he been there for, did he hear what I just said? If he did, then he's definitely going to think that me and Simon are together.' Right now, she wanted to slam her head against the wall.

Walking past the two of them, Chris didn't look back, but Mai quickly went to follow him. Turning back to look at Simon who was just left standing there. A sharp pain was felt inside her chest, seeing his usual happy self like this.

"Simon." She called out. "I just want things to go back to how they were between the two of us okay. I will always help you out, and always be your friend."

With that said, she had gone off and entered her classroom.

"Has someone just been pushed into the friend zone?" A female voice said walking up the stairs laughing to herself.

As if Chris being there wasn't bad enough, when Simon went to look at who this one was, it was the trouble maker of Mai's class Vicky.

"Stay out of this Vicky." Simon said. "It's not like that. Friends have arguments all the time. It's what happens when you care for one another. I guess you haven't experienced that, considering all the friends around you are fake."

Although Vicky didn't show it on her face, she continued to smile. He could tell that comment had gotten to her, as the vein on the side of her head was sticking out.

"Don't take your anger out on me." Vicky said. "Just because you and that slut are having arguments. I bet you're upset because she's no longer sleeping with you and now slobbering over Chris. As soon as someone gives her a bit of attention she latches onto them like a-"

"Shut the hell up." Simon said, grabbing her by her shirt, pulling her face towards his. "You know, if you were a boy and said those words, I wouldn't hesitate to knock your teeth out."

Struggling to break free from Simon's grip, she was a bit frightened, still, she didn't give up there.

"Trying to take the high ground now I see, you really think this makes you a man, threatening me with your words? Come on, hit me then!" She shouted.

Simon clenched his hand and made a fist, pulling it back as if he was really about to hit her.

"Aghhh! Help, help! I'm being attacked!" Vicky started to scream. In almost an instant everyone around had nearly come to see what was going on, and had pulled out their phones to record immediately.

Simon let go of her, and decided to just walk past, on his way to his own classroom.

"Hey, was he just grabbing Vicky by her neck?"

"Was that Simon, I can't believe he would do such a thing like that?"

"Maybe she deserved it?"

"What! No one deserves to get treated like that no matter what they did, and didn't you hear her screaming, she was frightened for her life."

Making sure her shirt was all okay, she started to smile at the rumours that were already beginning to spread.

'This is great, but this isn't enough. Mai, the only person that cares about you, you will soon continue to push further and further away and then, there will be no one else to help you.'