Chapter 48 : Breaking apart I
"I want to talk with you in private,"
Nodding slowly, Amaya followed Zeya, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted, as if she were caught in a dream. The world around them faded, the laughter and noise dimming as they walked, leaving only the two of them at this moment. Zeya led her to the ladies' bathroom, far away from prying eyes, and locked the door with a soft click that echoed in the small space.
As Zeya turned to face her, she was taken aback by Amaya's dazed expression. Amaya stood there, lost in thought, her eyes distant and unfocused, as if she were staring through Zeya rather than at her. "Ahem!" Zeya cleared her throat, the sound sharp against the silence, hoping to draw Amaya back to reality.
"Sorry, red looks great on you," Amaya finally said, breaking the spell. The compliment hung in the air, and Zeya felt her cheeks flush, warmth spreading through her as her heart raced. She licked her lips, trying to suppress the smile that threatened to break free, her composure wavering under Amaya's gaze. "I-I heard you'll be studying at L.R. University," Zeya stuttered, her voice still tinged with the lingering effects of Amaya's words, feeling both flustered and excited by the unexpected compliment. "Uh, I'll. I was planning on telling you tomorrow at school. I was also hoping you would consider reading at L.R. University with us," Amaya said, her fingers gently tugging Zeya's hair behind her ear, a playful gesture that sent a shiver down Zeya's spine. Amaya's eyes sparkled with amusement as she noticed the flush creeping up Zeya's neck, her ears turning a vivid shade of red.
"I-I'll think about it. I don't know if my mom will agree to it though," Zeya replied, her voice trembling slightly, the warmth of Amaya's touch lingering on her skin. She blinked rapidly, trying to gather her thoughts, but found herself lost in the depths of Amaya's ocean-blue eyes, which radiated a calmness that contrasted sharply with her own racing heart. Zeya gulped, her gaze inadvertently drifting to Amaya's naturally red lips, which seemed to pull her closer.
"What're you thinking?" Amaya's voice, laced with suspicion, pulled Zeya from her thoughts. "I-I-I w-was thinking how could someone just come to the club wearing a black shirt and shorts!" Zeya blurted out, her words tumbling over one another in her haste. Her hands shook involuntarily, and her lips trembled as she tried to maintain her composure.
Amaya glanced down at her outfit, her gaze flicking from her casual dress to the panda sandals adorning her feet before returning to Zeya. "Who cares? I didn't come here to impress boys, unlike others," Amaya pouted, leaning back against the wall with a defiant air.
Zeya's eyes widened in shock at the accusation. "Oe! I didn't dress to impress the boys!" she defended herself, her voice rising in indignation as she took a step closer to Amaya, the tension between them palpable. "I can see. Whether you dressed to impress someone or not." Amaya rolled her eyes, her expression a perfect storm of irritation and playful disdain, as if Zeya's outfit was a joke only she could appreciate. "I did wear it to impress someone but not boys!" Zeya exclaimed, her voice bursting with a mix of defiance.
Amaya's eyes sparkled with mischief as she grasped Zeya's hand, effortlessly pinning her against the wall. The world around them faded, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of tension. Amaya leaned in, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper that sent delightful shivers racing down Zeya's spine. "Oh~ for whom did you wear it then?" she teased, her lips curling into a smirk that promised trouble.
Zeya, her heart racing like a wild drum, placed her hands on Amaya's shoulders, feeling the warmth radiating from her skin. "Should I tell or show?" she asked, her voice steady yet laced with a thrill that made her pulse quicken. Amaya's brow furrowed in confusion, her head tilting slightly as she tried to process the question. But before she could fully grasp what was happening, Zeya leaned in, pressing her soft lips against Amaya's in a bold, unexpected kiss. Time seemed to suspend as Amaya blinked, shock washing over her like a cold wave. Her hands shook, her pupils dilated, and her breath came in ragged gasps, caught between disbelief and an exhilarating rush of emotions. Finally, with a surge of anger, she pushed Zeya away, her voice bursting forth like a storm. "Are you fucking out of your mind?!?" she exclaimed, pulling back with a mixture of surprise and frustration, her heart pounding in her chest as a whirlwind of emotions swirled around them.
Zeya was stunned, her heart racing as she watched Amaya's face drain of colour, her expression frozen in disbelief. Amaya's lips parted slightly, her hand instinctively rising to cover her mouth, as if to shield herself from the unexpected wave of emotions crashing over her.
Desperate to bridge the gap, Zeya took a step forward, her breath hitching in her throat, but Amaya's hand shot out, slapping hers away with a force that stung like ice. The disdain in Amaya's eyes was palpable, a cold storm brewing beneath her calm facade. "Ama! I'm sorry! I—I—" Zeya stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to grasp the reality of the moment.
"Leave me alone, Zeya!" Amaya shouted, her teeth gritted, eyes wide with a fury that sent chills down Zeya's spine. "I trusted you! I told you about Seth and my agreement. I can't have intimacy until I turn eighteen, and look what you've done!" Amaya stepped back, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white, the tension radiating off her like heat from a fire.
"A-Ama, I-I'm really sorry! I—" Zeya's voice faltered, desperation clawing at her throat. "Don't fucking call me Ama again!" Amaya's sharp words sliced through the air, and Zeya flinched, the fear swirling inside her like a tempest. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she felt her legs give way beneath her, collapsing onto the ground as sobs wracked her body. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" she choked out, each apology scraping her throat raw.
Amaya turned her head away, her own mind a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to find calm, walking back and forth as her anger simmered just below the surface like a volcano ready to erupt. "Get out," she finally spat, her voice distant yet heavy, each word slicing through the air, echoing in Zeya's ears like a death knell. Zeya's heart raced, a wild mix of fear and heartbreak flooding her veins as she snapped her head up at the command. "No, please, Ama. I'm really sorry, but please don't ask me to leave you."
Zeya's trembling hand reached out, desperately cupping Amaya's face, her touch trembling with the weight of her emotions. The warmth of Zeya's palm against Amaya's cold skin ignited a fire within her, but she turned away, her heart pounding in her chest. "I said get out," Amaya hissed through clenched teeth, her voice a low growl filled with barely contained rage. She grabbed Zeya's hand, trying to throw it away, her fury boiling over. "I'm really pissed. Please get the fuck out before I say something you don't like, Zeya!" The words erupted from her, raw and unfiltered, leaving a suffocating silence in their wake, the desperation in Zeya's eyes reflecting the shattering of their bond.
"I'm sorry…" Zeya whispered, her voice barely a breath as tears streamed down her cheeks. She took a step back, her heart pounding, before sprinting away, the echo of her footsteps fading into the oppressive silence. Amaya clenched her fist, nails digging into her palm, as she opened her eyes. The calm ocean depths were gone, replaced by a raging storm, fury swirling within her. Her jaw trembled, memories of their earlier kiss flooding her mind, each recollection a jagged shard of glass slicing through her composure.
Seth's gaze lingered in the girl's bathroom, anxiety twisting in his gut as he awaited Amaya's return. But when Zeya burst out, her face a mask of anguish, his heart raced. He shot up, desperate to reach her, but she dashed past him, not sparing a glance. Confusions changed into a seething anger as he stormed toward the bathroom, his mind racing with dread. He flung the door open, and the sight of Amaya, her eyes filled with a fierce intensity, sent a chill down his spine. "What did you say?" he composed himself and asked, his voice low and menacing, each word a threat that hung heavy in the air.
Amaya turned her gaze away, attempting to slip past him, but Seth's grip on her arms was ironclad, pinning her in place. "I asked what did you say to Zeya?!" he pressed, frustration boiling over. The two locked eyes, a silent battle raging between them, the atmosphere thick with tension. "Let me change the question," he whispered, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur, "What did Zeya do?"
Amaya swayed Seth's arm and walked outside to join others. But before she could reach the table, Seth's hand shot out, gripping her arm with a force that sent a jolt through her. She turned, her eyes narrowed into slits, a low growl escaping her lips, "Leave my arm." Seth's expression hardened, his jaw clenched tight, and Amaya could see the determination etched across his face, a storm brewing behind his eyes.
As he tightened his grip, dragging her out of the club, the atmosphere shifted. Confusion washed over the faces of Sophia, Elli, Fred, Somiya, and Demi, their brows furrowing as they stood up, shock painted across their features. "Seth, what are you doing?!? You're hurting her!" Sophia shouted, her voice laced with panic as she lunged forward, trying to pry Amaya free. Seth, fueled by a mix of anger and urgency, shoved Sophia aside like she was nothing more than a fleeting shadow. In a swift motion, he tossed Amaya into the passenger seat, the door slamming shut with a finality that echoed in the night.
As the engine roared to life, the tires screeched against the streets. "Sorry, we need to leave!" Elli called out, her voice barely audible over the chaos, her eyes wide with disbelief as she get into the car with Fred and Sophia, leaving Demi and Somiya behind. The tension hung thick in the air, a palpable force that made everyone hold their breath, caught in the whirlwind of emotions and the impending storm that was about to unfold.