Today is Monday, and right now, Zak decided to walk me to my next class, Algebra 2, even though he doesn't have that class with me. We walk hand in hand while chatting to each other. I notice that for once, there isn't anyone staring or whispering around us, talking about us. They're just minding their own business. I guess since it's been fully confirmed that Zak and I don't plan to break up anytime soon, and they're used to Holly's shenanigans, there isn't much to talk about or theorize. The drama has died down.

     As we are only a few feet away from my class, I notice that Holly is watching me and Zak from a distance. Zak doesn't seem to notice her, or he could care less. She looks jealous, sending death glares my way. Once we step in front of my class, I turn to face Zak and give him a passionate kiss on the lips. Zak looks taken aback at my sudden action but accepts it either way, pulling me in by the waist. If I'm being honest, a part of me did it to annoy Holly, while the other just wanted to thank Zak for accompanying me on the walk. So, I decided to overdo the kiss, which I first planned to only be a peck. Once we broke the kiss, I said, "Thank you for walking me to class, babe. Now you should go to class before you're late."

     Zak looked surprised at the fact that I called him 'babe' in public since I rarely even call him that, especially not in public. But he smiles, thankful that I'm getting more comfortable around him in public. I see Holly in the corner of my eye fuming with jealousy and stomping away. Zak says, "No problem, love. See you next class!"

     Zak walks away and waves me goodbye. I wave back at him before stepping inside the classroom. I go to my seat, and Eiza walks up to me. She says, "So... you and Zak seem closer than ever."

     "Y-yes... that's true. I couldn't be happier."

     Eiza just stares at me for a moment. I know exactly what she's thinking. She's about to speak, but I stop her from doing so by saying, "Stop. I don't wanna hear it right now."

     Eiza just furrows her eyebrows and looks me dead in the eye. She sighs and says, "I'm just looking out for you, Darryl..."

     "Well- I appreciate it, but I've been having such a good time with Zak these days. Plus, I have enough to deal with Holly, so I'm really not in the mood for criticism of me and Zak's relationship."

     "But-"

     "Nope. Sorry, I don't want to hear it."

     Silence falls upon us. After a moment of awkward silence, Eiza says, "Please, Darryl... just listen to me. Please reconsider your decision. I really don't want you to get your hopes up, only to just get your heart crushed, just like how you felt a few weeks ago. It isn't too late to turn back and move on. As your friend, I'm worried for you."

     "I'm sorry but... even if I wanted to go back, it would be too late now. Me and Zak have already been through a lot together for me to just throw it all away."

     "I'm quite positive that if you don't turn back, Zak will be the one to throw it all away."

     "Look, not to be rude, but why do you keep making such a fuss about me and Zak's relationship? I already made the decision a while ago to date him. Why won't you just accept my decision? Even our other friends have accepted that and haven't made any bad comments about me and Zak."

     "That's because they don't understand! They haven't gone through the same pain I did!"

     Once she realized what she said, Eiza slapped her hand over her mouth and gasped. I just stayed silent in shock. I then ask, "Wha- what do you mean by... same pain as you?"

     She sighs and takes a deep breath. She says, "I guess I should tell you now... So... Zak actually played with my feelings in our freshman year. Around that time, Zak was more serious in being a player. He didn't just go around flirting with random people in the hallways and kiss people publicly. He took it seriously by actually taking his time to spend with others so that they would fall for them. He was cautious to make sure that the people that he was messing with didn't see him flirt with anyone else. After a while of getting someone to fall for them, he would break their heart in public. But back then nobody really cared about the drama unlike now, so he wasn't as popular or well known to be a player like today. And back then, I was one of his victims. He... was so sweet to me and made me feel special that... I believed that there was something in between us that we could work out. We never actually officially dated, but once he found out that I liked him, he... kissed some girl right in front of my eyes. At first, I wanted to let him explain himself since I still had hope for us, but the way he looked at me with no emotion and the way he basically ignored me after broke my heart."

     Eiza took a deep breath as she looked like she was about to cry. I just sat there silent. So... Eiza was one of the people that got their heart broken by Zak... Eiza continued, "Of course, I learned to move on and no longer feelings for him, and as you see now, I grew to hate him. But even though I moved on, it still hurts to think about what happened in the past. I feel so foolish at how naive I was back then. That's why, Darryl, I keep warning you and trying to avoid you getting hurt by Zak. I don't want you experiencing the same pain that I did. Because at some point, if you feel a love so strong, only to get betrayed and brokenhearted, as much as you may have healed, those scars will always be present in you. And I really don't want to fall so deeply in love that you get to the point where if you get your heart broken, you can never seem to even heal from the wound."

     I just stared at her, expressionless. I don't know what to think or say. After a while, I finally speak, "Look, Eiza. I'm really sorry for what happened between you and Zak... but you don't have to worry about me. I really feel like... things are different between me and Zak. I see the way he looks at me. I really think that he feels a way towards me that he hasn't felt for anyone else."

     Eiza scoffs and says, "Trust me, I was there once and thought the same thing. So has many other people who have been played by Zak, only to have their hearts broken. So I don't really see much difference between you and Zak's relationship, other than the fact that you have spent the longest time together in the time that Zak has dated other people in this school. I really don't want to crush your hope like that, Darryl, but I'm just saying what I see."

     I just stay silent, completely denying her words. She sighs and says, "Look, do you really want me to just shut up and not get into your business with Zak?"

     "Yes... I would appreciate that."

     "Fine. But let me just tell you, if you get your heart broken... I'll be here for you, but don't say that I didn't warn you. And if you two somehow really work out, then... I guess I'll be happy for you."

     I nod, and she goes to sit down in her seat. Even after everything Eiza said, I think- no... I know that what me and Zak have is real. I doubted him twice. That's not happening a third time, no matter what anyone says. And if I end up suffering because of my stubbornness, then... I'll just have to accept that.