Lilian's POV
I couldn't help worrying about Zane. It had been over an hour since he followed that teacher and he still hadn't come back.
The class after lunch ended up being a free period. I walked over to Vee's seat, hoping she might know where he was.
"Hi Vee, can I ask you something?" I said, smiling as brightly as I could. I knew she always liked my smile.
"Is this the part where you say sorry?" Mirabel cut in.
God, I hated this girl so much. Sometimes it felt like she existed just to frustrate my life. I ignored her and looked at Avelyn, waiting for her response.
"Sure. Why not," she said, standing up.
We walked out of the classroom and went straight to the restroom. Luckily it was empty.
"So what? Why am I here?" she asked.
Instead of answering, I pulled her into a hug. God, what was I even thinking fighting with her in the first place. I missed my sweet girl so much.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she shouted, pushing me away like I was trash.
Honestly, I deserved worse.
"I miss you Vee, and I'm sorry for how I acted yesterday," I said, my eyes burning, my voice close to breaking.
"Suck it up," she snapped. "I'm not someone you humiliate publicly and apologise to in private. Fighting over something so petty made me realise I was never your friend."
I froze. I had never seen her this angry before.
"I I'm sor"
"Don't interrupt me while I'm talking," she cut in. "I thought we were best friends. I thought our bond was unbreakable. But you let the little wealth and fame you got from living a lie get to your head. You don't trust me enough to believe me yet you claim I've been your best friend for over seven years."
My chest tightened.
"I hate you right now," she said.
She walked toward the door and just before closing it she added, "Apologise publicly. Then I'll decide if I should forgive you."
And with that, she left the restroom.
I finally let out the tear I had been holding back. God, I hate myself. Why can't I remember what made me fight her. Why is the only thing I remember shouting at her and humiliating her in public. It feels like I'm having some kind of memory break.
As I left the restroom I bumped into a chest. I looked up and realised it was Zane.
"Sorry," I muttered and walked past him immediately. I didn't want him to see my teary eyes, not that he would even care.
We got back to class almost at the same time. He walked past me straight to Avelyn's desk and pulled her into a hug. I looked at him and suddenly I wasn't jealous anymore. I was worried. Even though we are not close, Zane is not the type to look down like that.
"What are you doing standing there Lilian," a voice said.
I turned and to my shock it was Ms Wilder.
I smiled instantly. "Good afternoon Ms Wilder."
"Go take your seat Lilian," she said coldly.
I sat down.
"The school is hosting its first hunt on Friday," she announced. "Everyone is included except Lilian and Avelyn."
She looked at us before continuing. "You two are granted weekend holidays at home."
But why. Why couldn't we participate. And why would there even be a hunt in the first place.
"I'm not answering any questions," she added. "You are required to show the skills you learnt over the summer."
Then she left.
The class started murmuring but no one spoke loudly, like we were all scared someone was still listening.
I stood up and walked over to Avelyn's desk.
"I swear to God Avelyn, I don't know what made me react that way yesterday. I know there is nothing I can say that can excuse how trashy I acted. That is why I'm here. I really am sorry and I miss my best ally, my best friend," I said loudly so everyone could hear.
"Took you long enough," Mirabel said, rolling her eyes.
My eyes stayed on Avelyn.
"It's fine babe, I missed you too," she said and stood up to hug me.
"Well let's see how long this lasts," a voice said.
Not Mirabel.
"What happens between them is none of your concern," Mirabel snapped, surprising me.
"Leave the girls alone. Don't try anything funny," Zane said, his eyes cold as he stared at the girl.
"Well that's not what I heard," the girl replied arrogantly. "They are here for emergencies. I found out they weren't one of us when my compulsion worked on this one."
She pointed at me.
"Compulsion? What the fuck is going on," I asked, confused.
"Emergencies. Not one of you. I need an explanation," Avelyn said, looking at Zane.
"I'm sorry Vee. You're not supposed to know this," Zane said as he stepped closer.
His eyes suddenly turned red.
My head felt heavy and before I knew it I couldn't look away.
"Forget whatever happened in the last two minutes," he said calmly. "You're happy you forgave each other. Nothing strange was said."
We nodded.
Then it was gone.
"Why are you standing this close to us?" Avelyn asked.
"Oh sorry," Zane said quickly. "I was just glad you two finally reconciled."
I blushed.
"I hope we all become friends," I said, not wanting to ruin the moment.
"Yeah sure," Zane replied.
I squealed internally.
"I'd love to be friends with pretty Lily just to watch Karl suffer," Mirabel said mockingly.
"We are better as a group though, Karl," Zane said.
"Sure man," Karl replied.
"Anywhere my blondie goes, I go," Cole added.
Avelyn shot him a look.
"I want my bestie back. Can we switch seats please," I asked Mirabel.
"Sorry Lilian. I'm never sitting with that one again," she said, pointing at Karl.
"You sit with Cole. I'll sit with Karl," Zane said.
"Thanks Zane," I said.
He nodded.
Third person POV
The evening before school resumes, Lilian and Avelyn unpacked in their room, laughing and talking. Most of it was Lilian imagining different scenarios of her and Zane.
Across the hall, someone with enhanced hearing listened.
Brenda.
Zane's ex.
Anger filled her chest as she listened to them. She didn't know the girls but she already hated them.
She decided to test her new powers. Unsure if it would work on someone like her, she still walked over and knocked.
Avelyn opened the door.
"Hi, I'm Brenda. I live opposite you."
"Oh hi. I'm Avelyn and this is Lilian."
"So Zane. You like him," Brenda said casually.
"How do you know that," Lilian asked, surprised.
"Your voices carry," Brenda replied.
"Oh," Lilian said, embarrassed.
"So you like him," Brenda asked again, her eyes flashing red.
"Yes. I've been crushing on him for some time now," Lilian answered.
"Your eyes," Avelyn whispered.
"Oh that's nothing," Brenda said. "It's something you two can also do."
Then her smile changed.
"I want you two to fight tomorrow and Lilian, you'll be the reason. I hate seeing people too happy together."
The girls nodded.
"I want you to forget we ever had this conversation," Brenda said before leaving.
The next day, school resumed.
And the compulsion worked.