Chapter 119 Kneeling

Chapter 119 Kneeling
ZOE'S POINT OF VIEW

The lunch bell rang, and almost immediately, the classroom became noisy.

Students pushed their chairs back, books were being packed into bags, and everyone seemed eager to get out of the classroom.

I slowly closed my notebook and began putting my things away.Maya was beside me, doing the same thing but just as I was about to zip my bag, I noticed her suddenly staring toward the back of the classroom.

I followed her gaze and saw Seth sitting and beside him was Alicia.They were talking......Actually, they weren't just talking.

They looked comfortable.Seth was smiling, and Alicia was smiling too.Maya's eyebrows shot up.

"Who is that girl?"I glanced at her.

"Hmm."I continued packing my books.She didn't stop staring.

"How does Seth know know the new girl?"I shrugged.Maya turned to me.

"How would I know?"

"No."She looked at me for another second before looking toward the back again.

"That's weird."I zipped my bag.

"What's weird?"

"I've never seen Seth this free with someone on the first meeting."I paused.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at him."I reluctantly glanced back.

Seth was laughing at something the Alicia girl had said.Maya lowered her voice.

"I've honestly never seen him like that with anyone apart from you."I immediately looked away.

"Okay."Maya stared at me.

"Okay?"

"Yes. Okay."She smiled.

"That's all you're going to say?"

"What else am I supposed to say?"

"I don't know."She leaned closer.

"Maybe tell me why you suddenly look uncomfortable."I frowned.

"I don't look uncomfortable."

"You do."

"I don't."Maya's smile grew wider.

I sighed and picked up my bag.

"Come on. Let's go."She followed me, but I could already tell she wasn't going to let it go.

We were almost at the door when she suddenly grabbed my arm gently.

"Wait."I turned toward her.She lowered her voice.

"Are you jealous?"I stared at her.

"What?"She tried not to laugh.

"Are you jealous?"

"Maya, please."

"Oh my God."She covered her mouth.

"You are!"

"I'm not."

"You are!"

"I'm not jealous."

"Then why are you getting defensive?"

"I'm not getting defensive."

"You literally are."I rolled my eyes.

"Seth is just my friend."Maya's eyes widened dramatically.

"Just your friend?"

"Yes."

"Okay."She nodded slowly, pretending to believe me.

"Just your friend."

"Exactly."She smiled.

"Then why did you look at him like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you wanted to throw a chair at Alicia."I almost laughed.

"I did not!"Maya burst into a quiet giggle.

"Oh my God, Zoe."I shook my head and started walking.

"You're impossible."She hurried after me.

"You're jealous."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"Maya, enough."She continued giggling as we walked out of the classroom.I tried to ignore her but despite myself, I glanced back once more.Seth was still sitting with her.

Still talking......Still smiling.And for some reason, seeing him that comfortable with another girl made me feel something I couldn't quite explain.

I quickly turned away,I didn't know what was wrong with me.And honestly......I didn't want to know.




I walked beside Maya toward the cafeteria, trying my best to ignore the smug smile on her face.She hadn't stopped teasing me.

"You're jealous," she whispered again.I sighed.

"Maya, please."She giggled.

"Okay, okay. I'm done."

"Good."

"Unless you want to admit that you like Seth."I stopped walking and stared at her.

"Maya."She laughed and continued walking.

I shook my head and followed her and by the time we reached the cafeteria, the smell of food immediately filled the air.

We collected our trays and found a table.I sat down and began eating, hoping that Maya would finally let the matter go.

For a few seconds, she actually did.Then she looked at me.I already knew what was coming.

"Don't."She smiled.

"I haven't said anything."

"But you're thinking it."She laughed.

"Fine."I shook my head and continued eating.

A few minutes later, Vanessa appeared with her tray.

"Hey, guys."Maya looked up.

"Hey."Vanessa placed her tray on the table and sat down.

"Sorry I couldn't get to you guys in class. I was still arranging my bag when you left."

"It's fine," I said.Vanessa looked at me carefully.

"Are you okay?"I nodded.

"I'm fine."She frowned slightly.

"You look a little pale."

"I'm really fine."She didn't look completely convinced, but she didn't push it.

I continued eating but then I heard footsteps approaching.

I looked up and saw Andy walking toward our table......Axel was beside him.

I couldn't help noticing the difference between them.Andy looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.Axel, on the other hand, looked completely comfortable.

He followed Andy like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Seeing them together was something I wasn't completely used to.Andy pulled out a chair and sat down.

Axel immediately took the seat beside me.Andy glanced at him.

"You could sit somewhere else."Axel shrugged.

"I'm comfortable here."Andy rolled his eyes while Maya covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

I looked down at my food, hiding a small smile.For a while, the conversation around us continued normally.

Then suddenly, a voice behind us broke through the noise.

"Wait.....is that not Bianca?".Everyone seemed to pause.My hand stopped.

I slowly raised my head.The cafeteria became filled with whispers.

"Bianca?"

"Where?"

"Is she back?"I turned toward the entrance and then I saw her.

Bianca....She stood there quietly.

My stomach tightened.

Her appearance was completely different from what I remembered.Her eyes were red and puffy,It looked like she'd been crying a lot.

She slowly looked around the cafeteria then her eyes found mine.We stared at each other....I couldn't understand it.Why was she still here?She had been expelled.

She wasn't supposed to be anywhere near this school but instead of looking away, Bianca started walking toward me.

The whispers around us grew louder.I remained frozen in my seat while Maya looked at me.

"Zoe..."I didn't answer.

Bianca kept coming and the closer she got, the more confused I became.She finally stopped in front of our table.

For a moment, she said nothing....She simply stared at me.Then.....She surprisingly dropped to her knees leaving me gobsmacked.

The entire cafeteria erupted in shocked gasps....My eyes widened,I couldn't move.

Bianca was kneeling in front of me.