Zein's Point of View
We waited outside the clinic anxiously. Almost an hour slipped by. My tears had finally stopped falling, and I could feel my friends holding themselves back, wanting to ask what had happened but choosing to stay silent. The door opening made us all jump to our feet. Nurse Cha stepped out, with Supremo right behind her. He was there to make sure our friend got the best treatment possible.
"How's Matt?" I asked.
"He's good now. He just needs some rest," Nurse Cha replied with a reassuring smile.
I let out a sigh of relief. I could feel Supremo's gaze fixed on my back.
"Can we see him?" Jerome asked.
"Of course." Nurse Cha stepped aside to let them through.
My friends piled into the room, leaving just me, Supremo, and Nurse Cha outside. Nurse Cha excused herself shortly after, so then it was just the two of us. "Thanks, Supremo. Again..." I said, letting out a small, tired laugh. He had done me another favor.
He knit his brows together. "Are you okay?" I just nodded, but he didn't seem satisfied with that. He pulled me closer to check me over, inspecting every inch of me. From my feet and legs to my neck, and finally my head, where he placed a gentle kiss.
"Matt protected me," I said.
"I'm glad he did. Should I go inside and thank him?"
"You're crazy," I chuckled. "You've done enough, Supremo."
He just stared at me for a moment before saying, "Matt is so lucky to have you as a friend."
"I don't think so," I replied bitterly.
I had failed him. I broke my promise to trust him. I let my anger get the best of me, accusing him of something I knew deep down he'd never do. Now I didn't even know how to look him in the eye. Guilt completely overwhelmed me.
"He is. Anyone would be lucky to have you," Ace said. I just shrugged it off. Right. The only thing that mattered now was that Matt was alive and okay.
I sat down beside him and lightly touched his bruised cheek, unable to stop a tear from falling. "I-I'm sorry, Matt," I whispered. "Sorry, I hope you can forgive me."
Jerome placed a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "Stop crying. He's not dead yet."
Vanessa immediately grabbed him and gave him a smack on the head. "You want me to kill you first?" Vanessa snapped.
"Why are you always so moody with me?! What did I even—ow!" Vanessa pinched his ear, making the rest of us laugh. Jerome was getting beat up by Vanessa, but he didn't even try to fight back. He actually had a grin on his face.
"Have faith, Zein," Mia said, kneeling on the floor with her palms pressed together, looking up at the ceiling. Dave followed suit, kneeling right next to her. "Let's have faith," Dave whispered, then glanced at Mia. "Let's love each other."
Mia looked at him. "H-huh?"
Dave quickly looked away and stared back at the ceiling. "Let's pray together," he corrected himself, and I couldn't help but laugh. Man, these idiots really know how to cheer me up.
Our laughter died down when we heard Matt groan. Everyone crowded around the bed. "Matt? Where does it hurt? Matt! Are you okay?!" I asked frantically.
"O-ow, Zein. You're sitting on my arm."
"Oh my god, sorry!" I exclaimed, springing to my feet.
"Glad you decided to open your eyes," Jerome joked, his hair all messy. Vanessa was trying to hide her laughter while looking at him.
"He's been awake for a while. He just wanted to keep Zein close, so he kept his eyes shut!" Dave teased, bursting into a loud laugh. Blushing, Matt threw a pillow at Dave, who dodged it easily. Matt winced as the sudden movement sent a jolt of pain through his body.
"Stop moving around!" I scolded him gently before helping him sit up.
"We'll head out for a bit, okay?" Vanessa said, giving me a nod.
"Wait, no! Stay her—"
"Don't be stubborn." Vanessa dragged Jerome out, while Dave and Mia followed close behind.
They'd been gone for a few minutes, but Matt and I still hadn't spoken. "Sorry..." I looked at him as he finally spoke. "I'm sorry for keeping secrets from you... from all of you. Sorry I had to hide everything."
"No. I'm the one who should apologize." I swallowed hard before continuing. "I promised to trust you, but I broke it. I'm sorry for accusing you. I'm sorry I ruined—" Then tears started flowing once more.
The bed creaked slightly as Matt reached out and took my hand in his. "I understand, Zein. That didn't hurt me. Do you know what actually hurts me?" I looked up at him, meeting his sad eyes. "It hurts to see the woman I love crying."
I froze. He gently brushed my hand before slowly bringing it to his face to kiss it. "I knew someone else already had my spot in your heart. I've accepted that." He kept stroking my hand, his eyes locked on mine. "I'm happy for you, Zein. Finally..."
Was I really that oblivious? No. Every way Matt treated me, everything he said, everything he did... I never thought anything of it because I truly believed it was just part of being friends. When did it even start?
"I don't want to be selfish and fight for you when I know I've already lost. But just promise me you won't cry anymore. I'm okay now..."
"M-Matt..."
"Promise me, Zein. It hurts me more to see you cry. Promise me, even if it's just as your best friend."
Tearing up, I nodded and gave him a tight hug. My friends probably knew Matt had feelings for me, which was why they teased us so much. I just saw it as admiration. Even now... that's all it ever was. But his feelings for me were deeper. Feelings I couldn't return. "I'm sorry, Matt..." I whispered.
"I'm just happy to be your friend. That's more than enough, Zein."
A few days passed since Matt's confession. Nothing changed between us. No awkwardness. Our feelings were just out in the open now.
"Where's Supremo?" I asked Vice President Onel Ty, seeing that Supremo's desk was still empty.
"The headmistress called for him," Onel answered.
I went over to Supremo's table, tidied up his papers, and wiped down the desk. When I felt a presence behind me, I spun around. It was Supremo, his brow furrowed. "Why are you here? It's lunchtime," he said.
I pouted. Lunchtime was technically over, and my friends were already in class. I didn't want to eat alone, and I wasn't hungry anyway. "I'm not hungr—" My stomach let out a loud growl, making me want to melt into the floor. Supremo raised an eyebrow before dragging me out of the SSG office.
"Why do you keep skipping meals? It's not like I'm burying you in work!" he lectured me like a strict dad.
"I just don't have an appetite—"
"Shut up."
I scoffed at the air. Seriously, I never got a straight answer from him. Everything would always end with a "shut up." We went into the cafeteria and sat at an empty table. Even though there were four chairs, he sat right next to me. A waiter came by for our order.
"Why is everything pork?" I asked, confused. "Wait! Why did you do all the ordering?!"
"Because I am the president."
"FYI, we live in a democratic country—"
"Shut up."
Huh! Fuck you! The waiter left before I could even pick anything out.
"So..." Supremo faced me. "What's your excuse this time for not eating?"
"I told you. I don't have an appetite—"
"Were you waiting for me?"
I froze and looked away. He chuckled.
Our food arrived, and I nearly withdrew at the sight of the steaks. Not that I hated them, but I was supposed to be on a diet. Supremo started putting food on my plate. I didn't even have to move, as he was doing everything for me. I winced at the sight of all that meat.
"The food isn't going to walk into your mouth by itself."
"But, Supremo! I prefer leafy foods."
"You should have said so. I would've just fed you the Bermuda grass from the school grounds."
What?! "Sup—" I was cut off when he held a spoon up to my mouth, but I refused to open up.
"You are so hardheaded." He pulled my chair closer so I was facing him directly, but I looked away as he tried to feed me again. "Eat it, or else..."
"What?" I challenged.
"I'll eat—"
I didn't let him finish, immediately taking the bite from his spoon and nearly choking on it. My face was burning, but this jerk actually had the nerve to laugh at me. "Taste good?" he teased.
"I've got it!" Annoyed, I took the plate from him and tried to compose myself, my face still bright red from what he did and what he almost said. But why did I feel... a little bit like I regretted cutting him off? Ew. No. Yikes.
After we ate, Supremo had to leave, so I headed to my next class.
Third Person Point of View
"Supremo. It wasn't me—"
"You better be sure about that, Nazzer Lumia."
Nazzer smirked, but Supremo remained calm, just staring him down. "How's being the Supremo? One wrong move and you can say goodbye to your position," Nazzer threatened. Supremo didn't react. He just kept his eyes on Nazzer.
"Aren't you scared, Supremo? Once you lose your position, you won't be able to protect her anymore."
Ace smirked. "I'm not scared. You can't threaten me, Mr. Lumia."
"You should be. I know your secret, Supremo."
Ace just shrugged, clearly losing interest in the conversation. "Don't you wonder why Raze is so quiet? I killed his sibling, yet he hasn't done a thing."
"Why don't you ask him yourself instead?"
Supremo turned his back and started walking away. Nazzer clenched his fists in rage. "Go ahead, Supremo. Keep getting closer to Zein Shion. You're just making it easier for me to take you down."