Song: Chasing Fire by Lauv

Chapter Twenty-eight: Regina George never screamed this much

Oh boy!

"Zaneeeeee!"

Was it bad we continued walking? He even looked undisturbed.

"Zaneeeeee!"

Okay, if she keeps screaming like this, my eardrums would burst out my ears. I stopped, but didn't turn. Zane continued walking, whistling even, but when he noticed I was no longer walking beside him, he turned to me with a questioning look.

I raised my brows, hoping he'd understand I was trying to say my ears are sensitive. He still didn't understand so I just told him. 

He groaned. "The car is right there."

"I thought you liked her. You guys never seemed to stop showing your affections in public. Wasn't she your," I paused looking for the right word. "Sex buddy?"

If that was true, wouldn't that mean he cheats on his girlfriend?

Zane doesn't seem like that kind of person. Something's not sitting right here. I'd have to ask him.

Before he could reply, Skyler rushed past me with her clackity clack heels and went to hug his waist. That disturbs me. I didn't expect that I would be disturbed, and now I wish I didn't stop.

Aren't you wondering why it disturbs you?

I don't want to come up with an answer. 

"Zane! I missed you. I haven't been with you for days. You've been," Her eyes raked over me with a scowl before she turned back to him with what I guessed was a seducing smile. "Busy."

I rolled my eyes. But what disturbed me was that even though he looked uncomfortable, and was nudging at her arms, he didn't tell her to 'Piss off!'. Okay, maybe that would have been rude, but I would have been satisfied.

"Yes. I've been busy." At least he didn't say he missed her.

How was he even breathing? With the way she was clinging to him, I won't be surprised if he just dropped dead.

Her eyes flickered to me. "You're still here. Why?" She asked, disdain dripping from her voice.

I glanced at Zane, waiting for him to say I'm with him. Waiting for him to accept me. But he just looked everywhere but my face. Was he embarrassed to be seen with me?

No, if he was, he wouldn't have done all those things. I mean right now, he's carrying your bag.

It just hurt that he wouldn't stand up for me.

You can stand up for yourself.

I know I can. I just-

I shut off my inner thoughts when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hello?" I was hearing Skyler repeat in the background, but my eyes were placed on the green-eyed curly-haired brunette with a hand on my shoulder. 

It was then I realized than throughout my thoughts, my eyes were trained on him. I must have looked like a fool. 

I removed his hand from my shoulder, ignoring his gaze, and turned to Skyler.

She was scowling at me so deeply, she looked....less perfect. At least she wasn't holding tight to Zane anymore.

That doesn't matter because he has a girlfriend.

True.

"Is there a problem? Why the hell are you looking at me like that?"

She pointed an accusing finger away from me. "You and your petty little problems."

I rolled my eyes. "Petty and little are synonyms. Your accusing finger is already enough emphasis."

She didn't seem to understand what I said because she blinked, it wasn't even that hard. It wasn't even a good comeback. 

"Me and my friends are sick of it Charity."

I ignored the stupid nickname, and Zane's furrowed brows at the stupid nickname.

"Sick of what?"

She didn't answer my question. "You think you're so pretty, don't you?"

I gave her a pointed look. "No, I don't. You do."

I really didn't. I wasn't all those 'wake up looking beautiful' girls or all those flawless girls. For me to look a little more than average, I had to try extra. And I'm okay with that. I mean I would never try that hard just to come to school. I mean, it's just school. Skyler and her friends probably didn't seem to notice that little fact, because they come here everyday looking like they're in a pageant show. Which was none of my business because it was their lives.

"Cherry let's go." 

I looked at him, seeing as he was looking longingly at his car. I looked towards the entrance to see Reveka walking out with Chloe. I weighed my options. And lashing out and putting this twisted girl in her place, was an option.

"Zane, I thought we were going somewhere." She asked as she tugged his arm. "I told all my friends to go so we could have time alone."

I scoffed. "Needy, aren't we?"

"You bitch!" She exclaimed. She was really throwing a fit about just 3 words.

I raised my brows. "Don't get so upset. It was just a simple question. Sometimes they require answers, sometimes they don't. When they don't they are-" 

She interrupted my explanation. I was only trying to help her comprehend the simple dynamics of questions. She screamed so loud everyone in the parking lot probably heard. They were looking at us now. Even Reveka and Chloe had stopped.

I pressed a hand to my ear. "Look, look, Skyler. Enough with the screaming. I know you're all for that queen bee nonsense, but Regina George never screamed this much." I had the urge to add 'The Plastics would be disappointed', but she was already angry enough, so there'd be no need.

I think I heard Zane laugh a little, but I refused to turn to look at him. I was looking straight at Skyler. She looked like she was seeing red. She's really melodramatic. 

She looked like she was going to explode, but I wouldn't back down. I'd throw every comeback she gave me at her face times two. Someone needed to put her in her place.

"I hate you!" She yelled at me.

"Good thing the feeling is mutual." 

I felt Zane tug on my hand. "Cherry please let's go." I finally looked at his pleading eyes. "Fine." I grumbled and let him pull me away. Skyler didn't look like she had anything else to say anymore.

I ignored the stares that were piercing into my back as Zane dragged me to his car. I slammed the car door shut and stared forward where Skyler speed-walked to her car and Reveka and Chloe walked slowly towards us.

I could feel Zane's gaze. I turned to him and snapped. "What?"

He blinked as if not sure I used that tone with him. "Why did you lose your cool like that?"

Why? Why?!!!! Maybe because Skyler, over there, and her clones are always getting on my nerves with their stupid nicknames and insults. I'm really sick of it. Or maybe it's because this time, aside from the fact that it's your fault, I expected you to stand up for me. But nooooooo! You just stood there looking pretty. You- you- pretty boy! 

Maybe it's because he thinks you can handle it yourself.

GRRRRRRRRRRR!

I wanted to scream all that at him, I was so close to, but that would just mean I lost my cool again, so I just said. "I don't know."

I knew from the way his eyes flickered that he knew I knew why I did, but he didn't press more.

"She called you Charity."

I took it as a question, instead of a statement. I shrugged, looking as indifferent as I could. "I guess that's what they see me as. A charity case." 

I turned my eyes forward because of embarrassment. Not once had I been embarrassed about my family's money status when Skyler and her friends threw it in my face, but saying it out loud, by myself, felt like admitting it. And that got me embarrassed.

I kept my eyes trained on the front where Sam and Ella had joined Reveka and Chloe. She was hugging Sam goodbye. Knowing her, she was probably stalling for us to talk. I just wanted to see Mum.

"I didn't know that." He said. I could feel his eyes on me.

I turned back to him. "Well you didn't know me. You didn't even know my name."

"I'm sorry."

My eyebrows creased in confusion. "You're sorry for not knowing my name?"

"No. I'm sorry for everything that has happened and is happening to you." I was about to say thanks, but he continued. "One day, someone is going to hug you so tight, that all your broken pieces would stick together."

I didn't notice I was crying, until the salty liquid reached my lips. God! I was such a cry baby these days.

And I was smiling, on top of that. 

He reached his hand to wipe my tears, and at that moment I realized I was in deep trouble. My heart melted at his touch and I let my head rest in his hands as I sniffed. That wasn't the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me, but it struck deep and I found myself wishing that person was him.

Everything he does makes you smile, you feel disturbed that he has a 'namorada', and you think about him an awful lot. You like him.

Realization struck me. I liked him. A lot. But how could I not? He's so precious and good to me. I hate him, because it's all his fault, and now he doesn't even feel the same way.

Do you like him or hate him?

Both. But it could never happen. 

Why not?

He has a girlfriend! I just kept repeating it in my head over and over again, so I'd get it stuck into my thick skull.

I touched his hand that was rested on my face. "Thank you. For everything." God dangit! I wanted to kiss him at this very moment. I wanted him to be with me. And I hated that I felt that way for someone I just met.

You've known him for weeks.

It's not enough to let my guard down and fall for him. I retracted my face from his hand, and rested my head on the window. I didn't turn to see if he was still looking at me, but I doubted anyways.

I felt a knock on the window. I looked up to see Reveka waving. Zane opened the door for her and she entered the back. Instead of saying hi like a normal person, she said, "So, you believe in my personal driver and boyfriend theory now?"

I groaned and told Zane to start driving because there was no point in him asking her to explain. The thought of it alone was-

***************************

I hated beeping noises. Whether it was my alarm clock or TNT or a ticking bomb or an ICD. I hated it. And now I knew why. It was dreadfully annoying, and that is what filled my ears when I walked into the hospital. Sometimes, I think I'm just imagining it. I hate this place.

You should reconsider being a doctor then.

I want to do something important. I want to save lives. It's just that the hospital resembles a place where sick people go to die. Was that morbid?

No?

Good.

"I hope she's okay." I muttered unknowingly. 

I felt a welcoming hand on my shoulder. I looked up and smiled at him.

I just couldn't get him out of my head even though there were way more important things at hand. I was just plainly sad about it. This was Axel all over again, but worse. Not only do I like him more than Axel, the fact that he has a girlfriend was like stabbing an open wound. But for some reason, I was clinging to my feelings, because they felt so good. When I was with him, everything felt so good. And I can't believe it took me this long to realize it.

"Bruny. I need some comfort too." Reveka remarked snidely.

"Bruny?" He turned to her with raised eyebrows and an amused smile.

I chuckled. "Where did you even get that from?"

She shrugged. "His hair is brown."

"So is yours." He commented.

"It just came to me okay. Give me a break. It's not like I bother you about where you got your own Cherry nickname from."

"It's pretty obvious."

She blinked at him. "How? Cherry is a fruit."

"And a color."

She looked me up and down. "I don't see any- oh!" She commented as she realized where he got it from.

"Smart." She nodded slowly then she turned to me. "You can keep him."

His jaw dropped as I stifled a laugh. "What is he? A dog?"

She nodded. "Chloe once told me and I quote: 'A boyfriend is like a dog. You give him treats and he behaves.' Simple."

I didn't know it was possible, but Zane's mouth dropped more open. I couldn't hold in my laugh for long. "Firstly, he's not my boyfriend." I wish! "Secondly, tell Chloe she needs to grow up. Boyfriends are more than dogs."

She beamed. "Sure, they are."

Zane finally closed his mouth and shook his head. "I'm speechless."

"I tend to be the cause of that."

He turned to me. "You two are so much alike. It's like you're looking in a mirror."

"We know." We said at the same time and smiled at each other.

Dr. Wallace came up to us to lead us to Mum's room.

"I would be right here if you need me." Zane commented when we got to the door.

"Thanks Bruny." Reveka smiled at him.

We gave her incredulous looks. "You know he was talking to me, right?"

"Like looking in a mirror, right?" She recalled. "Same difference." She entered the room.

I gave 'Bruny' one last smile before I entered too.

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This update actually came earlier than planned and I'm glad it did. The chapter where her feelings came out of the closet ;)

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