ZIKORA'S POV
Yes, he really deserved the slap—for not loving me back. But truth be told, guilt hit me right after. What was his crime? Not returning my feelings?
Subconscious: You know you're not wrong, right?
Me: But he came to apologize. Maybe I am wrong.
Subconscious: Ok… then look at your arm.
I sighed. I needed advice, because right now, I felt like I was spiraling. Why did I slap him?
Subconscious: Go apologize then, if you really think you're wrong.
So yeah, I had to. But how? I couldn't even look Fred in the eye. Still, I gathered courage and went back to class.
And there she was—Ann. Stroking Fred's hair like she owned him.
"Fred…" I whispered.
"Just leave him alone, you witch!" Ann snapped. "You slapped him and disgraced him in front of the whole school. What more do you want? You toxic human! That's why we're not even friends anymore. You're too toxic, too proud!" She shoved me aside.
It hurt. Years of friendship, thrown away—for a boy. My chest burned, but I wasn't going to let her drag me down.
"Ann, don't you dare touch me. I could get you suspended if I wanted. Stay. Far. Away. From. Me." My voice was calm, but sharp like glass.
"You? Get me suspended? Please." She sneered. "You dumped Fred for Bernard—so go to him and stop chasing after someone else's man!" She shoved me again, this time pinning me to the wall.
Her hand dug into my wounded arm on purpose. She smirked. She knew.
That was it. I ripped her hand off and slapped her across the face.
"Shut up! You've been spewing nonsense! Why are you doing this to me? I thought we were friends!" I yelled.
"We were. Keyword—'were.' And don't you dare touch me again, you lunatic!"
Fred was watching us. Cold. Unbothered. And Bernard? Nowhere in sight.
"You know who's actually messed up here?" I snapped.
"You. Since grade one! Because boys liked me more than you. Because I was more social, more badass. And you hated it!"
"And you're bragging about that? What if I was just an introvert back then?"
"Introvert my foot!"
"You can rant all you want. I don't care."
"You don't care because you're jealous. Jealous of the janitor's son—your mom loves him more than you!" she spat.
"Mind your mouth when you talk about my brother."
"Brother? Please. You're jealous of him, admit it. Not even your brother. Just the janitor's son!"
That broke me.
I snapped. Grabbed her hair. Gave her the slap I'd been saving since the day I saw her kiss Fred. Slammed her to the wall.
"HE. IS. MY. BROTHER. NOT. SOME. JANITOR'S SON! YOU HEAR ME?" I screamed, tears falling.
She grunted. I let go. She collapsed, bruised and crying.
Bernard walked in, raising a brow like he'd just walked into a mystery crime scene. Fred reluctantly went to Ann's side, comforting her, offering her water. She clung to him like a baby.
I glanced down—my arm was bleeding again. Bernard's eyes locked on mine, then dropped to my wound.
"Oh! Just noticed that," he said.
"Ohhh," I mocked, rolling my eyes.
"Let me get you treated," he muttered.
He scratched his head awkwardly, then turned to Fred.
"Can I borrow your first aid kit? Just for a sec."
Wow. No insults? No ego? Polite Bernard—new character unlocked.
"It's mine, so I'll treat her myself," Fred said flatly.
"Are you insane?" Ann screeched.
"Why are you yelling? It's not like we're together or anything. Relax." Fred's tone was pure ice.
"She's my girl, Fred. Let me do it!" Bernard shot back.
"No. Either I treat her, or she bleeds."
"Fred, please," Bernard tried again. "If she goes to the medical office, questions will be asked. She could get detention. Just let me—"
"Still no. I'll treat her."
"Fine. Go ahead," Bernard huffed.
Fred came over, calm but cold. He gently lifted my arm, his touch soft, scanning my wound. My face burned. Why was I shy? I turned to the whiteboard, avoiding his eyes.
He cleaned the wound, wrapped it carefully in a bandage, and whispered:
"Can't wait to see you at the party. You and your ugly face."
His icy stare lingered.
---
Your teen authoress,
Oziomajasmine 💔💓
The one and only lazy authoress ♥️😂
(Just came back from listening to Glorious album—fire, no lies 📍. She said: every time I pop out you know I A-T-E 😌🔥)