Zendaya's POV

Surgery. I'm going to need knee surgery. The good doctor Griffin is telling my parents and I what the procedure will entail, but my brain stopped taking in information at the word surgery. According to the x-ray I tore my Acl and that's why I can't bend my leg in any way. The good bone doctor said I will only need one surgery, but I will needs weeks of physical therapy to get my strength back in my leg. I have all the confidence in the world in Dr. Griffin, because she has to be good at her job otherwise she wouldn't be a doctor. I just can't help but feel scared and nervous about this. I've never had a surgery before, what will they have to do? Will it be like an episode of Grey's Anatomy or will everything be fine?

"Zendaya do you have any questions?"

I look up at doctor confused at her question.

"Questions about what?"

"About the surgery, or about the injury as a whole?"

"Oh no, I trust you and the other doctors. Besides if you tell me too many details my mind is gonna go crazy like a search on WebMD, so it's probably best that I do not know."

"Okay well when do you want the surgery? We can do later today or tomorrow morning."

"As soon as possible."

"Okay I'll see if there are any open OR rooms for after lunch. I'll make sure that Tori tells you everything you need to do to prepare on your end."

"Will I get to eat beforehand?"

"We normally advice against eating before surgery, but since the operation is on your leg and not any vital organs you should be fine."

"Okay."

"Okay well I'll tell Tori to come back so you can go back to your room."

"Thank you Dr. Griffin."

"Actually if it's alright with you Dr. G can you hold off? I need a moment to think and would rather be alone. I know the way back to my room."

Doctor Griffin pauses at my request, probably because no one has asked that before and that you have to have a nurse around you at all times if you are a patient here, but she nods.

"Okay I can do that. Unfortunately I can't have you alone in the hospital without a nurse it's against our policy here. I can tell her to take you to the "prayer room" in the hospital. It's the perfect place to think and you can have Tori wait just outside the in the hallway."

"That is perfect thank you Dr. Griffin."

She pats my good knee and leaves the room. My parents stand as well probably getting ready to leave as well.

"We'll be back either before or after the surgery. I know you don't like us hovering. Roshon and Bobby will get in sometime later today, so if it's not too late we'll bring them by when we come back."

I nod at my Dad's words and smile at the thought of having both my older brothers home at the same time. Ever since they left for school I either see one of the other, but never both of them at once. Mom kisses me on the cheek and holds the door open for me to leave the room as well. I "walk" them out and then for the first time this weekend I'm alone.

Alessia's POV

Man Dinah has some lungs on her, she's been yelling for ten minutes straight. I'm at the park with Lauren and Dinah walking Z's puppies Midnight and Noon. Heh if she gets a light brown puppy would she name them Evening, Eve for short?

Anyway Dinah's phone rang about twenty minutes ago and she passed off Noon to answer and pretty much after that was when the yelling started. After Lauren realized what was happening the first thing she did was switch dogs, so I got the older more calm one. So now Lauren is walking two dogs, her own Dash, and Noon, while I have Midnight. When the yelling started she turned us all in the opposite direction so to give Dinah some form of privacy, but like I said she's LOUD.

I can hear Dinah yelling at Justine, her now ex-girlfriend, from at least ten feat away without trying. Whatever she did that caused Dinah to get this pissed at her should be illegal because Dinah looks ready to murder someone. I've only seen her angry at one other person like this, and to see her this pissed off like that again has me genuinely scared.

Lauren's phone goes off and I look at her as she answers her text. She puts her phone back with a sigh and then looks up at me.

"That was just Zendaya. She says she has a torn Acl and is having surgery later today."

"Oh man knee injuries like that end careers if not treated properly. She's gonna have to put in work to get back her strength for varsity next year. How is she?"

"She didn't say, but knowing her she asked for as little information about the surgery as possible and is looking for a quiet place to think."

"All of this must be so scary for her. I'd hate for her to be alone right now."

"She's not alone she has Normani and Trevor there with her."

"Trevor who has the emotional capacity of a brick wall? Yeah that will help her de-stress right now."

"Yeah you're right. Look if you want we can go back after we're done here."

"That would be best because you know Dinah will want to go back when she finds out anyway."

"Yeah she would tear down a building trying to get back to that hospital."

I look back at Dinah, who is running her hands through her hair in a frustrated manor, and then look back at Lauren who is looking at her too.

"She really loves her huh?"

"Yeah...they both do.....wait you know?"

"Yeah I share classes with Dinah and Trevor and the only time I've ever seen this angry is when Trevor said some sexist bullshit about Zendaya in class. She was about to attack him like she was damn King Kong just to defend her."

"Damn really? What did he say? What did she do to him?"

"She didn't get to do anything because Mahogany and I grabbed her before she could move. He said something to someone who said "Trev aint getting in them joggers no time soon man we all know Z is gay as fuck". Trevor must have been offended or something because he said something like "you should have heard her in my bed last night. she was screaming so loud you could hear her in Pasadena". If we weren't in English nothing would have happened to them, but Ms. Aiko gave him and the guy two days Saturday detention for what they said."

"When was this?"

"Like two or three weeks ago."

"Wow. Why didn't you say anything to me or Zendaya then?"

"Because we weren't close like we are now back then, that's why I'm telling you now."

Lauren grabs my hand and I look at her and smile.

"When all of this is over do you wanna go on a date with me?"

"You want to go on a date with me? Why?"

"Because you seriously just asked me that with a straight face."

"But you're one of the popular girls. You could date anyone."

"Yeah that's true. That's why I picked you to date."

"But-"

"Alessia I like you and want to go out with you. Please just say yes so I can kiss you."

She's smiling at me with a twinkle in her light green eyes. I search her eyes and see nothing but honesty and interest in them. The fact that Lauren actually likes me back and wasn't just texting me back to humor me is shocking.

"You really want to go out with me?"

"And kiss you and treat you like a goddess. I don't care that you're not popular like the people I've dated in the past. I want to be with you because you're different from everyone else I've ever been with. All I'm asking for is one date Lessy, let me get that chance."

I smile at the nickname Lauren and Lauren alone calls me and duck to hide my blush from her eyes. When my blush goes away I look back up and straight into her eyes. She's moved closer to me and her nose is basically nuzzled into my neck. Lauren is a very affectionate person, so I'm used to her hugging and holding me like this.

"You really want this huh?"

"I really want you, Alessia."

"Alright fine, but don't blame me when you get tired of me."

"I promise I won't get tired of you. Now come here."

Dinah's POV

I finally hang up on Justine after yelling back and forth for over thirty minutes and we're still not done talking. Well according to her anyway. Who knew a fake relationship would be this much drama?

I turn around to head back to Lauren and Alessia and see them kissing. I smile at them from where I'm standing and pull out my phone to sneak a picture to send to Zendaya. My smile dims at the thought of Daya in the hospital and not at the park with us.

I know I shouldn't think like she just found out she has cancer, but that's what it feels like. We spend almost all our time together, or with Lauren as a trio, so it feels like something big is missing from my every day life. And trust me I know how long it's been, it just feels like longer.

Not being around Zen is like having someone cut off one of my limbs. She's a fixture in my life and now everything is off center with her gone.

I shake myself out of the funk I am putting myself in, and think about the positives. Lauren and Alessia going out finally, myself being officially being single, and with a plan to get with Zendaya. I smile to myself and press send on the text I was writing then join my friends.

Zendaya's POV

I'm in the hospital "prayer room" for a lot of reasons, but mainly because it was the quietest place in the hospital according to Dr. G. Tori brought me here and told me she'll be back in half an hour so I can have lunch. That was a little over two minutes ago, and now I'm sitting in the back of the prayer room trying to think over the sound of someone crying.

"Hey."

I look up and see a girl about my age, and if I were standing I would be much taller than. She looks familiar, we probably have a class or go to school together.

"Hey."

"Mind if I sit next to you? It was hard to think next to the weeping willow up there."

"Sure go ahead."

"Thanks."

She steps around the wheelchair and slides into the seat next to me. She's wearing a gold bomber jacket with a flannel tied around her waist and a black beanie on her head. She takes off the beanie and runs her fingers through her hair and that's when I notice her twists.

"I like your twists. It's cute."

"Thanks my girlfriend did them for me this morning in detention."

"Detention? You don't look like the type?"

"Beat up some people talking shit about my girlfriend and our relationship. They snitched and now I'm hold up every Saturday for the rest of the month."

"Your girl in detention too?"

"Yeah, she punched her ex-boyfriend's tooth out in a crowded hallway."

"Did they put it back?"

"Yeah they did."

"Well you two sound perfect for each other."

"Thanks. I'm Trini."

"Zendaya. We have Culinary and Art together. Your girlfriend is Kim right?"

"Yep that's her."

"You're lucky she's beautiful man."

"Thanks. You're dating...Trevor right?"

"Yeah...I don't know if I want to be with him anymore tho."

"I have a few classes with him and the way he talks about you doesn't make sense to anyone who's been around you for longer than five minutes."

"None of what he says is true, I haven't even let him past first base yet. Hell I probably won't ever let him touch me like that."

"Then why stay with him if you don't want him that way?"

"Because the person I really want just went through a break up and I don't know if she'll even want me like that."

"If you're talking about Dinah I can tell you you're wrong right there. That girl would kill for you if you asked her to."

"What makes you think I was talking about Dinah?"

"No offense, but it's kinda obvious that you like her. You look at her the way I look at Kim, and neither one of you are very subtle."

"Yeah you're right I'm not very subtle. I've never needed a reason to, people just think I'm shy most of the time."

"You're not shy you're just introverted like I am. You just need someone to bring it out of you. That's all I needed."

"Thanks Trini. Hey we should exchange numbers. I'm gonna be out of commission for a while while the rest of my friends are at basketball practice, we could hang or something."

"I'm down. I could even teach you how to meditate and Tai chi to relax."

I smile at my new friend and hand her my phone while I take hers. I still have a few more minutes of alone time before Tori comes back, so after Trini leaves I sit back as far as I can and turn off the world. I think about all the things I've been avoiding. My relationship, Dinah, school, art, and basketball. By the time Tori comes to get me I finally figure out what my next step is. I smile up at my nurse as she walks up to me.

"Ready for some lunch Zendaya?"

"Lead the way Tori."

As we ride up the elevator a text from Dinah comes in and I smile at her name. I open the message and smile wider and laugh before replying.

"Tori can I ask you something a little personal?"

"Go for it."

"Are you dating someone?"

"I am actually. It's still new, but I'm excited about it."

"Tell me about them."

"Uh it was a blind date set up by my roommate. She's a nurse at a high school that she works at. Her name is Allyson and she's a little bit shorter than me, but it works for her. She's larger than life just from her personality alone, and she always knows how to make me smile."

Holy shit Nurse Ally is dating my nurse and Kehlani is her roommate.

"She's sounds great, but isn't it hard dating with your job?"

"It is but she's a nursing  student, so she gets it. There are days when I'm not up for going out and she'll just show up at my door with takeout and a smile. Yeah dating is hard, but Ally is worth it."

"That's weird the student nurse at my school is named Ally...must be a coincidence."

"Oh my God I knew your friend's names sounded familiar. She talks about you guys all the time. Especially Lauren. She says Lauren has a real talent and could be a doctor if she wanted."

"It's a small town Tori. A really small town."

She laughs and just continues to wheel me to my room. I asked to take the long way back, so she's just walking me around the hospital while we talk.

By the time I get back to my room I'm in a much better mood than I was downstairs. That is when I remember that Trevor is waiting for me in my room. Now I could ignore him and pretend to be tired, but that is the coward's way out and I'm not a coward. I put on a brave face and smile at Normani and Trevor as I'm wheeled into the room. Tori helps me into the bed, even though I don't really need it, and leaves to get my lunch. I get comfortable in the bed before I instantly grab my sketchbook and a pencil from my bag. I turn to the beginning of my sketch of Ty and prepare to finish it, and that is when Trevor speaks.

"So what did the x-ray say?"

"I tore my acl. I'm having the surgery later today."

I put my pencil down knowing that he is going to question MY decision about MY surgery. I sigh when he starts talking again knowing he can't hear me while he talks over me.

"Today? Why so early? Was that the doctor's decision or yours?"

"Mine. Why? I want to get this surgery done with as soon as possible because I'll still need to do physical therapy for weeks after."

"I just don't understand why you don't want to wait until the morning to have the surgery. That way you can have a good night sleep before it."

"Trevor I can't even sleep with this injury, it is my decision and I'm doing it."

"I'm just trying to look out for you Z. What if you sleep in an awkward angle and mess something up?"

"The surgery isn't on my neck and they give me a leg brace to sleep in so that doesn't happen."

"Well accidents happen. I just want to make sure you're okay."

"Then you should be around more and actually listen to me when I talk. If you can't listen to me maybe you should just go I don't need the stress you're giving me."

"I just want you to think about your options babe."

I do not like it when he calls me that.

"I did think about my options, when they were first presented to me about an hour ago, and the decision that I made is final because my doctor is already working to getting her team ready right now. So if you don't want me to have the surgery today maybe you should call Justine to pick you up because I don't think I want you here right now."

He tries to give me a look that would have worked when we first started dating, but it doesn't phase me now. I used to be so into him at one point in my life, but now I can barely stand the sight of him anymore. The thought of being with him, being in love with someone else aside, no longer makes me happy. If I take Dinah out of the equation completely Trevor and I ran our course long before she even showed up in my life. And now I think it's time to end this stage of my life.

"Trevor wait a second."

He turns back around and waits by the door waiting for me to speak to him again, but I turn to Normani first. She's been silent the whole time Trevor and I were talking, you could almost say she wasn't there, but she knows better. Trevor isn't violent by any means but I'm already hurt and in a vulnerable state. She didn't say anything, but she would have jumped in if that conversation went too far.

"Can you wait in the hall while I talk to him?"

She searches my face for something. What it is I don't know, but she eventually nods and walks out of the room giving us privacy.

Might as well do this now while I'm thinking about it. I watch as he sits in the chair he was in earlier and I take a deep breath before speaking.

"I think we should break up. This isn't your fault, but if I need to get better I need to focus on myself and that wouldn't be fair to you."

"So what you're going to date Dinah now? You know she's been trying to break us up since she got here."

"Wow you only heard the words break up didn't you? This is another thing you never listen to me. I literally didn't say anything about dating anyone and you bring up Dinah. What is your problem with her?"

"She's been trying to break us up since school started!"

"By doing what? Being nice to me, or is it maybe listening to me and caring about my feelings. Dinah has literally done nothing to interfere in our relationship. If you could even call what we were doing dating."

"What does that even mean?"

"Trevor we were never right for each other. We only dated because Normani didn't want you when you wanted her. You don't even like me on a friend level and I am tired of putting all of the work into this relationship and not getting the same effort back. Let's just end this now before you really break my heart."

"Can you be honest with me? If you ever loved me can you be honest? Tell me if you ever did anything with Dinah I have a right to know."

"No, but I should have because the way you're talking right now has me really questioning if you were as faithful to me as you said you were. I guess it doesn't matter now does it?"

"No I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Z you have to know I cared about you, maybe not as much you needed but I did care."

He leaves and Normani comes right back in to sit where she was before. It's quiet for a while, both of us processing what just happened. She wasn't far away so I know she heard everything we said. I move to the side of the bed, mindful of my knee, and she joins me on the bed without a word. I don't cry, it's been a long time coming that breakup, but I'm not happy either. Normani is scarily good at knowing exactly what I need and when, so she just sits a holds me in silence. 

In another world she would be my dream girl and I would have feelings for her and not a lightskin Polynesian goddess. I'm not even thinking about Dinah right now though. That breakup didn't happen because I was in love with her it happened because I needed to be happy. I'm always doing things for other people, but this is the first thing I've done for myself in a while. I smile to myself and Normani notices because she smiles too.

"That's something I haven't seen you do in a while."

"What smile? I smile all the time."

"Not out of pure happiness like this. You only smiled when you laugh or when you thought you're supposed to. It never reached your eyes and that's how I knew you weren't happy."

"If you weren't in love with Justine I would kiss you right now."

"And if you weren't in love with Dinah-Jane I would let you. You know we could have been a perfect couple right?"

"Yeah...too bad you like your women with curves and I'm a stick."

"And too bad you like your women a bit tomboyish, and I just can't match your swag like that."

We both laugh and that is what Tori sees when she walks in with my lunch five minutes later. She leaves just as quickly as she arrives and Mani and I chuckle before she moves my sketchbook and pencil so I can eat.

"So what now? You're single. I know you have a game plan Cap."

I chuckle as I eat my salad. Normani knows me boy she really does.

"First thing is getting my knee fixed. Then I'm going to tell Dinah how I feel because I need to tell her. I've been sitting on this since Christmas and I need to do it before she gets snatched up again."

"Okay and what if she feels the same? What then?"

"I don't want to date right away we both just got out of relationships today, so I would want to take it slow."

"You're already in love with her. What are you taking it slow for?"

"Because I don't know what my life is right now. I don't want to start something and end up ending it before it could even be anything. I don't want anyone getting hurt including myself."

"Okay old school you gonna give her your varsity letter jacket too? No wait that's after you go steady right?"

"You laugh now but watch it work."

"Oh I know it will you can finesse just about anyone and anything."

"And you know this, so don't doubt me or my plans."

We spend most of the time before the surgery talking and laughing about any and everything. Normani even tells me when she fell in love with Justine. She never had to tell me how she felt, I could tell from a mile away. The irony that we fell in love with two people who were dating each other is not lost on either one of us. Life is just crazy like that.

Lauren texts me every once in a while to tell me things about my dogs and stuff that they're doing. By now my parents have relieved them of Noon and Midnight so I tell then they can come back whenever but not for long because the surgery is soon. Normani is on the phone with either Justine or her mother I can't tell because she is in the hallway and I can't really hear her.

"Who was that?"

"Justine, she's getting Trevor and called up here to see if I was leaving too. I told her that I was staying and that I would catch a ride with your parents later."

"You just don't want to be in the car with him."

"Not at all. He's just gonna whine about the breakup looking for pitty. And I not feel like dragging him today."

"Well you might not have to wait long for a ride. Lauren is on her way here to get my stuff and take it home since I'm probably going to get a different room after the surgery. She can take you home."

"Is she bringing Dinah?"

"She didn't say so probably not."

All at once three things happen Tori, Lauren, and my parents walk in the room right after each other. Tori has a small smile on her face and I know it's time for my surgery. Everyone moves around me either grabbing things or just moving them around. Lauren grabs my sketchbook and bag while Normani grabs the things she didn't. My mom makes sure they have everything and they stand by the door waiting. They walk out first with my parents after and Tori pushing me in the chair in the back. Dinah and Alessia are in the hallway now standing next to Lauren and Normani also holding my things. I see Dinah grab at her cross necklace, the only thing of value that she truly cares about, with a teary-eyed smile. I smile at them and then Tori turns me in the other direction to get me ready for my surgery.

AN:THEY BROKE UP!!!*insert HIMYM gif here* So I have a confession to make...it took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do in this chapter. I had an original plan that was for Zendaya to break up with him way later in the story for drama. But then I thought I'm dragging this out long enough let her just dump him now and then I can focus on Zendinah so boom he's gone. He'll be brought up again but not for a while. If you know where Trini and Kim come from I will love you forever. Vote comment and share all that stuff.

Happy Reading,

Peace,

Meags ✌