Zein's Point of View
The sun hadn't even peeked out yet, but I was already wide awake. I'd already showered, and now I was just watching the clock hands crawl by while sipping on some hot coffee. Five-thirty in the morning.
"Why is time moving so slow?" I whispered.
"Time really slows down when you're obsessively watching every tick of the clock," Vanessa remarked, suddenly appearing out of nowhere. She headed straight for the restroom.
Why did I keep checking the time anyway? Because today was the day his one-week suspension was finally over. I couldn't help the excitement. My feelings for him hadn't changed one bit. I just missed him so much.
"He still loves you. Don't worry," Vanessa added, now making herself coffee. When I glared at her, she laughed. "What?"
I pouted and put my cup in the sink. "Stop staring..."
"So, this is what you're like when you're in love, huh?"
"What?"
She just grinned. Before I could respond, the door opened. "It's a miracle!" Jerome exclaimed.
I looked away. "My Vanessa?" Jerome said, looking at her.
"Since when did I become yours?" she snapped.
"Since yesterday. Ever since you kissed me."
My eyes widened. In an instant, a live-action movie broke out. "Stop it, you animal! I tripped!" Vanessa screamed, pulling Jerome's hair while he sprawled on the floor.
"Tripped? And landed on my lips? Ouch! It hurts, my Van."
I couldn't help but laugh. Jerome was clearly having the time of his life, even while being beaten up. I headed to our room, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes drifted to my lips. Fuck you, Raze. I still couldn't believe he stole a kiss from me.
"Darling... please come back."
I'm sorry, Ace. Even if I want to, I just can't. I don't want to be the reason for your weakness.
I sprinted to the SSG office. I stopped in front of the door, out of breath, fixing my hair. My heart was beating like it was about to explode. But when I pushed the door open, Supremo wasn't there.
"Is Supremo not here yet?" Vice Ty asked, entering with a smirk.
"Isn't it obvious?" I snapped. I leaned back in my chair, staring at his empty desk.
"Maybe he's not coming back at all," Vice Ty teased.
"No way!" I protested, jumping up. He burst out laughing. "I was just joking. Actually, I saw him earlier."
My eyes lit up. He was here. He could be here any minute. But by the time I had to leave for Algebra, he still hadn't shown.
"Let me guess. He's not there, right?" Mia teased in class.
"You poor thing," Vanessa added. "Have you considered if he even wants to see you? Maybe he's spending his time on someone else."
"Like who?" I asked, my brow furrowing. She just shrugged.
I couldn't focus on the lesson. I was incredibly jealous just thinking about it. I was scared that maybe I didn't matter to him anymore.
After class, I skipped lunch and went back to the office. Still empty. Hours passed. I finally went to the restroom, where I ran into Nicky.
"I know what's bothering you," she said. "I saw him... with someone."
"I didn't ask," I replied, looking at her in the mirror.
"You're so easy to read," she said with disappointment. "You're getting weaker. It's dangerous, especially now that chaos is coming."
By 6:00 PM, I was still at my desk. Only one hour left before Bloody Night. I stayed to close the office, skipping all my other subjects just to wait. I hadn't eaten all day, but I wasn't hungry. I was just drained.
6:30 PM. That was it. I walked out, feeling hollow.
Under the dimming sky, I stopped. In the distance, I saw a familiar shape. My heart started racing. I was about to run toward him when I saw someone else approach.
Angel and Ace were kissing passionately.
I froze. I didn't think I was breathing anymore. My heart broke into a million pieces. In the back of my mind, I knew this would happen—I just didn't expect it to be this soon. It had only been a week.
A strange smile formed on my lips. I guess... this is really it. I ended it first, but this was the moment I knew it truly ended. I looked down and turned away.
I had hoped for a glimpse of him all day. He looked fine. And I suppose that was all that mattered.