Zak's Pov:

     As I was walking with Darryl to lunch, we got stares and whispers from students. I had a feeling that they were talking about what happened earlier today. As we walked, I couldn't help but glance at Darryl every once in a while. I don't know why, but it's like I can't get enough of looking at his pretty- and cute- face.

     Once we got to the cafeteria, we went separate ways to where we usually sit and waved goodbye to each other. When I sat down with my group, everyone immediately turned towards me. They just stared at me for a bit. But then, Alex said, "Hey dude, is it true what the rumors are saying? Did you really snap at some girl who kissed Darryl?"

     Of course, rumors were already spread throughout basically the whole school. It's amazing how word can spread so quickly. I responded by saying, "Yeah, it's true."

     Then Nick said, "Why did you get so mad?"

     I furrowed my eyebrows, remembering the scene. I said, "Because the girl just kissed Darryl out of nowhere when confessing. (Tell that to your future self) Without first asking to be his girlfriend, or even without consent. When I saw everything, it just felt so wrong. I was just looking out for Darryl!"

     The others just looked at each other, even George seemed to be interested in the conversation. Must be because even he is shocked by the way I had acted earlier today, since it wouldn't be something that I normally do. Then Wilbur said, "Why do you care so much? It's not like you haven't kissed others when you're not even dating them."

     That question made me stop to think. Why do I care so much? I first befriended Darryl because everyone at school only ever thinks that I say or do something to just play with someone's feelings. That's not always the case. Sometimes, I just needed to ask a question for an assignment or just from curiosity, and before I can even approach anyone, they either walk away to avoid me or just ignore me. It was starting to annoy me since even my friends only ever thought of what I would do next to play with someone's feelings.

     I befriend Darryl because when I saw him, he seemed a shy kid, or just someone too scared to speak up or make sudden actions, and seemed quite nice. Plus, he was the new kid, which means that he wasn't used to how others treat me or the 'environment' of the school. And for some reason, when I first saw him in the hallway, I was somehow... attracted to him? Maybe just because he looked quite cute.

     Anyways, I decided to befriend Darryl because I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk to someone who didn't already have certain expectations from me, or just thought the worst out of anything I would do. But I honestly didn't think we would get so close. I think Darryl is amazing, and I really hate the thought of him being hurt. He's been a better friend to me than my other friends have in these last few years.

     When I first saw Darryl with that girl, the girl was just about to kiss him. When she did do it, it made me feel something. Lately, I felt it whenever Darryl was hanging out with someone. I wasn't really used to the feeling. Was it jealousy? No. It couldn't be. Why would I be jealous? He's my friend, and he can be friends with other people. There's no need for me to be possessive. It's not like we're dating.

     I'm not sure of what the feeling was when I saw the girl kiss Darryl. But I know perfectly well that when I noticed that Darryl was uncomfortable, and didn't want the girl to do such a thing, from the way he was trying to gently push her away (since he's too nice), I felt anger. I was angry at the girl doing such things with Darryl, making him uncomfortable. It made my blood boil. I couldn't stand seeing Darryl like that, so I took action and pulled the girl away from Darryl. Suddenly, I'm snapped out of my thoughts from Vincent saying, "Helloooo? Earth to Zak?"

     "Sorry, spaced out for a second."

     "It's fine, but you haven't answered Wilbur's question."

     "Well, I care about Darryl because he's my friend. And the situation was different from when I've kissed other people. When I kissed them, I made sure to spend some time with them, and made sure that felt a certain way towards me. And when I kissed them, I made sure that it was what they wanted. But the girl that kissed Darryl did everything wrong, Darryl told me that he's never spoken to her, which means that he obviously wouldn't have felt the same way as she did, and she just kissed Darryl so suddenly even though it was a confession."

     The others just looked at each other before Clay said, "I don't know dude... you've been acting differently recently. Lately you've been hanging out with Darryl a lot, it seems like the only time we get to talk to you is at lunch. Also, we've noticed that these past few days you haven't really been on your player game. Nobody has seen you flirt or kiss anyone!"

     "...Your point is?"

     Clay sighed before saying, "We think that your acting this way to make it seem like you're changing, to get Darryl to really trust you, so that you can date him and then break his heart. We think that this a plan of yours."

     "What!? No! Darryl is just my friend! My best friend to be exact."

     Clay narrowed his dark brown eyes at me, making him look intimidating, even though I know that he's just trying to read my face. He then says, "I don't believe you. I think you're putting a lot of effort into making Darryl fall for you. You're trying so much that you even want us to believe it. But don't worry dude, it's fine with us."

     I wanted to slap my hand over my face so hard, but I resisted the urge. No matter how much I tried to explain it, they wouldn't believe nor understand me. Then Alex giggled and said, "Either that, or Zak himself has fallen in love with Darryl."

     Then him and the others started to laugh hysterically at Alex's joke. Even George giggled a bit. But I didn't laugh. I just stayed silent, thinking about his words. After that, lunch and the rest of the day went as normal, but I was still thinking about Alex's comment.

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     It was now nighttime, and I was just staring up at the ceiling while laying down on my bed, still thinking about what Alex said. Did I really love Darryl? Is that why I've been acting different recently? I started to think back to first day I met Darryl, to all the moments we have had together. I remember how I felt around him, how I couldn't help but smile at everything he said or did. How I love everything about him. From his laughs, how he sometimes calls me a muffinhead, from when he says my name, how he said 'language' whenever someone says curses, and to how pretty and cute he is.

     He really is pretty. He has beautiful emerald green that always light up when he gets excited. His glasses seem to really bring them out. His hair is a light brown and looks so soft, I wish I could touch it. He has cute freckles on his face and his cheeks look a bit chubby, making him more cute. His... lips are a light pink and look so soft. Makes me wonder how they feel. I remember how sometimes he would flush up a bit whenever I tease him or look at him too long. He makes me so happy. Really, who wouldn't love him?

     I think over all these things, and as I do, I can feel my face burn. I can tell that I'm blushing. ...Now I can tell that without a doubt... I'm in love with Darryl Noveschosch.

(Wow, I can't believe I had enough motivation to make two chapters today. Surprise.)