Chapter 56 The Boys Arrive

Chapter 56 56: The Boys Arrive
I should have known Maya's friends wouldn't let things go.
It's been four days since the fight. Four days of whispers and stares in the hallways, phones pointed at me when I walk past, the occasional "crazy bitch" muttered loud enough for me to hear.
I've been ignoring it. What else can I do?

But today, someone forgot to tell Maya's crew that I'm not in the mood.
I'm heading to the library when I hear footsteps behind me, sounding like more than one person.
I don't turn around, but I walk faster.
"Hey, Ashleigh!"
The voice is fake-friendly. I recognise it as the blonde girl from that day—one of Maya's minions.
I keep walking.
"We just want to talk!"
Sure, they do.

I'm almost at the library when they catch up. Two of them. The blonde and a taller girl with a ponytail so tight it's pulling her eyes into slits.
They flank me, blocking my path.
"A little busy," I say flatly. "Move."
"We just have questions," Blonde says, smiling in a way that isn't a smile at all. "About what happened with Maya. You really went after her in public. That's quite bold of you."
"Bold or stupid?" Ponytail adds.
"Both," Blonde agrees. "Definitely both."

I try to step around them, but Ponytail shifts, blocking me again.
"See, the thing is," Blonde continues, "Maya's our friend. And you embarrassed her in front of everyone."
"She deserved it." I hiss. "Go ask her what she fucking did."
"We really don't care about what she did."
They move even closer, and my heart is pounding. But I force my face to stay blank.

"So what now?" I ask. "You're here to assault me?"
Blonde tilts her head. "Something like that."
I brace myself, ready to fight back when a voice cuts through from behind them.
"Is there a problem here?"
The girls turn, and I look over their shoulders to see Carl coming in our direction.
It takes me half a moment to confirm it's really him, cause… since when does Carl look like that?

He's got more shoulders now. And his arms have definition. Even his chest fills out the T-shirt, and there's a confidence in the way he's standing that I've never seen before.
Carl's been working out. Clearly.
When he reaches us, his eyes are hard, glaring between Blonde and Ponytail.
He's done with his final exams and must be rounding up some things, which explains why he's still around on campus.
There's a giant textbook in one of his hands.

"No problem," Blonde says first, forcing a fake smile. "Just talking to a friend."
"Didn't look like talking," Carl replies coldly. "Looked like three against one. Which, math-wise, isn't really a conversation."
Ponytail scoffs. "Who even are you?"
"Someone who's about to report you both for bullying and call campus security." He pulls out his phone and holds it up. "Want me to do it now, or do you want to be somewhere else when they arrive?"
They glare at him. He conveniently glares back.

Then the blonde laughs. "Ugh. Whatever. She's not worth it anyway."
They walk away, looking at me over their shoulders as they pass.
Carl and I watch them go. Then he turns to me, his face softening instantly.
"What was that about?" Carl asks as we walk away towards the library.
"I guess they wanted revenge," I mutter.
He scoffs, his blue eyes glinting with disbelief and amusement. "I saw the video before it got taken down. That's crazy, Ash." He grins. "Since when did you get into fights?"
"I don't," I say firmly, picking up the pace. "It's never happening again. What are you doing here?"

"Came to return a textbook." He lifts the thick volume slightly. "You?"
"Wanted to study some notes, but I'm not feeling it anymore." I glance at him sideways. "Wanna hang out?"
"Sure. Just let me drop this off."
We walk into the library together. He returns the giant textbook at the circulation desk while I stay near the doors, trying to ignore the way people keep staring as they pass.
Outside again, we end up at one of the small metal tables by the campus coffee shop. Carl disappears inside and comes back a minute later with my favourite cappuccino— extra foam, cinnamon dusted on top—and a tray of food: my usual burger and fries, plus his coleslaw and iced tea.

"Here." He slides the cup toward me.
I smile. "You still remember my favourite cappuccino."
He shrugs, his ears going faintly red. "We dated for a while. I remember things."
I take the cup. "Thanks," I say quietly. "And also for… you know, back there."
"Don't mention it." He takes a spoonful of coleslaw while I stare at my burger, suddenly not hungry.
"Something's bothering you," he says after a minute, watching me poke at the bun.

I let out a long breath. "You wouldn't want to know about it."
"Sure, I would. Try me."
"It's about Zayn."
He stiffens for a second, then nods slowly. "Oh."
"Yeah."
"So, what's up with him? You guys are fighting?"
"Something like that."
I tell him everything.
About Maya, the pictures, the way I believed the worst and cut him off without a single question. And even Ryan.
I leave nothing out.

By the time I'm done, my cappuccino has gone cold. Carl's coleslaw is untouched.
"Wow, Ash," he says finally, in a quiet voice.
I shift in my seat nervously. "I know I fucked up. But please tell me there's something I can do about it."
He exhales, leaning back in the chair. "I can't believe I'm saying this… I hate Zayn, but you need to give him space."
My stomach drops.
He holds up a hand. "Not like leave forever. But give him the distance he asked for. If that's how he's processing all this... the betrayal, the amnesia, the fact that you believed Maya over him... then let him have it. Pushing now will only make him pull away harder."

I nod slowly.
He takes a spoonful of salad at last. "Damn, you're a heartbreaker, Ash." He flashes me a small, crooked grin. "Still tryna get over you, and there's already a third man in the equation? Brutal."
"Carl…"
The grin grows wider. "I'm kidding."
Then he turns serious. "Zayn's right. You messed up big time. But you're owning it now. Just don't force him to forgive you before he's ready. Let him come to you when he's processed it. And in the meantime, focus on you. Your classes. Healing. Don't let this swallow you whole."

I manage a small, watery smile. "Thanks, Carl."
He shrugs. "Anytime."
We sit in silence for a minute, until he suddenly stills, staring past my shoulder.
"Speaking of…"
I turn.
Zayn is walking toward the coffee shop with Vinny and Jay.
His eyes are already pinned on me.
I look back at Carl and sigh.
"Yo, look who it is," Vinny drawls loudly as they approach. "If it isn't our little sister."
"Hi, Vin," I mutter.

Jay drops into the seat beside Carl without asking, nods at him in greeting, then stares down at his coleslaw with disgust. "Ugh. Have some real meat, bro."
Vinny drops into the seat beside me, throwing a casual arm over my shoulder. "What's going on here?" He looks between Carl and me with a mischievous grin. "Two exes on a date?"
"It's not a date," Carl says flatly.