Chapter 36
Zach drove them to school. Ariana made a stop at a café to grab breakfast, insisting that Zach head to school. After finishing her breakfast, she strolled casually toward the school. By the time she arrived, a drama was unfolding in the hallway: Zach had publicly broken up with Casey.
She retrieved her books from her locker and headed to class, encountering Anika halfway.
"Good morning," Ariana greeted.
"Good morning," Anika replied.
"So, have you heard? Zach broke up with Casey," Ariana said.
"About time," Anika scoffed.
"Are you still mad at him?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Come on, he was a jerk, but he did what was right. Talk to him," Ariana insisted.
Admitting she missed her brother, Anika sighed, handing her bag to Ariana before heading to Zach's office.
Entering his office, she found him sitting casually at his desk.
"Hey," Zach greeted.
"Hi... So, I heard you broke up with Casey?"
"Anika, I'm very sorry for yelling at you. I was stupid..."
"Yeah, you were, but I'm glad you broke up with her," Anika smiled, attempting to alleviate the tension.
"Can I at least get a hug?" Zach asked, opening his arms. Anika walked closer and hugged him tight.
"I don't want to fight with you. Let's never fight again," Zach stated calmly.
"Okay. Don't you dare raise your voice at me ever again, because if you do, I'm going to kill you," Anika gave Zach a playful threat, lightening the mood.
"Is that a threat?" Zach chuckled.
"Yeah," Anika laughed. She made up with Zach and after chatting for a little while, she left his office for her class. She found Tyler leaning against a wall in the hallway, waiting for her.
"Can we talk?" Tyler asked.
"Sure," Anika replied. Tyler took her wrist and led them to an empty classroom. Before he spoke, he took a deep breath. Anika already knew he was going to apologize for the kiss last night.
"No need to apologize for last night. It's no big deal," she forced a smile.
"Oh, okay," Tyler felt hurt by her words but flashed a smile before leaving the classroom. Anika felt hurt too. She had a huge crush on Tyler since childhood and it pained her that he saw her more like a sister. Last night when he kissed her, she thought his feelings had changed, but she was wrong. She composed herself and left for her class.
During recess, Tyler attempted to read a book but found it hard to focus due to Zane's persistent questioning.
"Dude, you gotta stop ignoring me. What happened last night?" Zane pressed.
"Nothing," Tyler answered.
"Liar, something happened between you two. You can tell me," Zane reassured Tyler. Tyler sighed, shutting the book he was trying to read, and motioned for Zane to come closer, whispering in his ear.
"Fine, I'll tell you... Nothing happened," he whispered.
"Come on, man," Zane said with a tinge of disappointment.
"You better find a girlfriend to keep you busy while you're here," Tyler suggested, hoping to divert Zane's focus away from Anika and himself.
"Will you help me?" Zane pleaded.
Initially hesitant, Tyler eventually agreed, hoping that helping Zane find a girlfriend would distract him from discovering the truth about him and Anika.
"Sure. Check out Lisa," Tyler suggested. Zane looked over at Lisa, dressed in black with a serious expression.
"No," Zane stated. Tyler suggested other options, but Zane dismissed them all.
"Check out Ella," Tyler proposed. Zane observed Ella, a girl with ginger hair and freckles.
"She's calm, cool, and very funny," Tyler added.
"She seems like a good girl, but I'm not into good girls," Zane declared, showing no interest in Ella.
"Then find yourself a girlfriend," Tyler abruptly got up, leaving the class with his book.
Meanwhile, Ariana encountered Anika halfway to the library and sensed something was bothering her.
"What's wrong?" Ariana inquired, noting Anika's downcast expression.
"Nothing," Anika tried to put on a cheerful front but failed. Ariana sighed.
"Do you have a class now?" Ariana asked.
"I have History, but I'm going to skip today," Anika replied.
"Come with me," Ariana insisted, leading Anika to a vending machine and getting her a soda. They took a stroll around the school grounds before settling on a bench.
"How are you feeling?" Ariana asked, showing concern.
"A bit better," Anika replied.
"What happened? You know you can tell me anything," Ariana assured her.
"Tyler happened. I have a huge crush on him, and last night at Alvin's party, when he took me home... We sort of made out with each other..."
Ariana gasped, wide-eyed. "You two did what?!"
"Keep your voice down."
"That's huge, girl," Ariana said in a hushed tone.
"I know. I kissed him first because I was drunk, but I thought that he sees me more than a sister, but..." Anika trailed off.
"Come here," Ariana hugged Anika. "It's okay."