Chapter 120 Look alike

Chapter 120 Look alike
ZOE'S POINT OF VIEW

The entire cafeteria went silent.....For a few seconds, I couldn't even process what I was seeing.

Bianca was on her knees,In front of me.

My eyes widened as I stared down at her.Around us, whispers immediately erupted.

"What is going on?"

"Did Bianca just kneel down?"

"Why is she kneeling for Zoe?"

"Did the school tell her to apologize?"

"Oh my God..."I could hear people talking from almost every direction, but none of it made sense to me.

Why was Bianca doing this?I thought she had been expelled.

I slowly lowered my spoon onto my tray.

"Maya......"She didn't answer.She was staring at Bianca just like everyone else.

Bianca kept her head lowered.

Her fingers were moving nervously against each other.

For someone who had always carried herself with so much confidence, she looked completely different now.

After a few seconds, she finally lifted her head.

Her eyes met mine.They were red and swollen.She looked like she hadn't slept properly.Then she swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry."I raised my eyebrows.

"What?"My voice came out almost as a whisper.

Bianca's lips trembled.

"I'm sorry, Zoe."I stared at her.

She looked down at her hands before looking back at me.

"I'm sorry for what I did to you."My eyebrows pulled together.

"And for what I did to your mom."My heart skipped.

She took a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry for coming to your house. I'm sorry for everything. It was stupid. It was horrible, and I shouldn't have done it."I didn't know what to say.

I simply stared at her.What was happening?

This was Bianca.....The same Bianca who had made my life miserable.

The same girl who had looked at me like I was beneath her.Now she was kneeling in front of me and apologizing.

I couldn't understand it.Why now?And why in front of everyone?

"Please forgive me, Zoe."I remained silent.I glanced around the table.Maya was staring at Bianca with her mouth slightly open.

Vanessa looked equally shocked,Even Axel had stopped eating.But Andy......he was still eating.He hadn't even raised his head.

How could he be eating so calmly while all of this was happening?

Bianca suddenly reached for my hand.I flinched when her fingers wrapped around it.

"Please."She held onto my hand tightly.

"I'm really sorry."

"Bianca..."

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness."Her voice cracked.

"But please."She suddenly leaned closer and held onto my leg.

I immediately shifted backward.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry!"She started crying.

Not quietly this time.Her shoulders shook as tears streamed down her face.

"Please forgive me."I didn't know what to do.

I looked at Maya,Then Vanessa.....Then at all the people watching us.

Maya immediately spoke.

"Bianca, you're making her uncomfortable. Please let her go."

Bianca didn't respond.....She just kept crying.

I sighed.

"Okay."She slowly looked up at me.

"I'm not mad at you anymore."Her eyes widened.

"Really?"I nodded.

"Yes."

"You forgive me?"

"Yes, Bianca."I gently tried pulling my hand away.

"Just... please stop doing this. You're making me uncomfortable."She quickly released me.

"Thank you."She wiped her face with the back of her hand.

"Thank you so much, Zoe."I gave her a small nod.

She slowly stood.For a moment, I thought she was going to say something else.

Instead, she turned.Her eyes moved around the table then they stopped on Andy.

I followed her gaze...Andy was still eating,He didn't even look up.Bianca stared at him for several seconds.

There was something strange about the way she looked at him.Almost like she wanted to say something but she didn't.

Eventually, she turned around and walked away while I watched her leave.

The moment she disappeared through the cafeteria doors, the entire room exploded.

"Oh my God!"

"Did that really just happen?"

"Bianca apologized to Zoe!"

"I can't believe it!"

"Why did she kneel down?"

"Did you see her crying?"

"Thank God I came to school today!"

"I would've missed everything!"Everyone seemed to have something to say.

Maya leaned closer to me.

"I don't even know what I just witnessed."I didn't answer.

I was still staring at the cafeteria doors.Something didn't feel right.

I had wanted Bianca to apologize,I had wanted her to understand what she had done.

But somehow, now that she had actually done it...I felt more confused than relieved.

Why had she suddenly changed?What had happened to her?And why had she looked at Andy like that?

I lowered my eyes to my food,I tried taking another bite but couldn't.......I had completely lost my appetite.

\---

After several minutes, the noise in the cafeteria gradually died down.Everyone eventually returned to their meals but I couldn't stop thinking about Bianca.

I kept replaying everything in my head.Her kneeling,Her crying,Her apology.And that strange look she gave Andy.

I glanced at him.....He was already finished eating.He stood up, picked up his tray and walked away quietly and this time Axel didn't follow him.

That surprised me.

I watched Andy disappear through the cafeteria doors then Maya stood.

"Come on."I nodded and picked up my bag.

Vanessa stood too.As we started walking away from the table, Maya linked her arm with mine and just then Vanessa came closer and linked her arm with my other hand.....I blinked.

For some reason, I felt strangely uncomfortable.

I didn't know when Vanessa had suddenly become this close to me.I glanced behind us.

Axel was still sitting at the table.....He seemed lost in thought.

I almost said something, but changed my mind.I turned around and continued walking with Maya and Vanessa.

When we reached the classroom, I noticed Seth and Alicia were still talking at the back.

My steps slowed slightly....They were laughing about something.Seth looked completely comfortable,he didn't even notice me walking in.

I quickly looked away.....I don't know why, but something inside me sank a little.Maybe he just didn't have my time today,I shook the thought away.....It didn't matter.

I walked to my seat and Maya sat down beside me, while Vanessa returned to hers.I pulled out my book and placed it on my desk.

A few seconds later, Axel walked into the classroom and took his seat.

I opened my book but my mind wasn't on it.I kept thinking about Bianca.....About what she had done,About why she had suddenly apologized.And most importantly.....Why had she looked at Andy that way?

Before I could think about it any further, the classroom door opened and our physics teacher walked in.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

"Good afternoon, sir."The class gradually became quiet.

I straightened in my seat as the teacher walked to the board and picked up a marker.

He wrote the topic across the board.

Then he turned toward us.

"Everyone, open your textbooks. Today we're going to continue with..."I looked around the classroom.

That's when I noticed that Andy wasn't here......Neither were Carl or Diego.

I frowned....Where had he gone to?I glanced toward the door again still nothing.

I slowly looked back at my book.The teacher began explaining the topic but for some reason, I couldn't concentrate.

Something told me that whatever Andy was doing......It had something to do with Bianca.

And I had a feeling I was going to find out very soon.

ANDY'S POINT OF VIEW

I pushed open the door to our private lounge and walked inside.

The moment I stepped in, I saw Carl and Diego sitting on the couches, completely absorbed in whatever they were doing.

They both noticed me,I knew they did but neither of them said a word.

They simply continued what they were doing as if I wasn't standing there.I frowned.

"Hey, guys."Nothing.

I stared at them for a few seconds.

"Hey, what's up, guys? I just said hey."Carl finally lifted his head.

He looked at me for a moment before exchanging a look with Diego then he leaned back against the couch.

"I can see you remembered us today."I raised an eyebrow.

"What do you guys mean?"Diego snorted.

"Of course you don't know what we mean."I sighed.

"Seriously, what are you talking about?"Carl put his phone down.

"The last time I checked, we thought we stopped being your friends."

"What?"

"You've ignored our calls."Diego nodded.

"Totally ignored them."Carl continued,

"You didn't answer our messages either. Dude."I opened my mouth, but he didn't let me speak.

"And suddenly, all of a sudden, you're with the new boy.....even ."I rubbed my forehead.

"Well, what were you expecting us to think?"I sighed and walked toward the couch before dropping onto it.

"You guys don't understand."They both became quiet.

"There are a lot of things I have to tell you."The change in their expressions was immediate.

Carl sat up properly while Diego put his phone away.

"Then tell us."Carl looked at me seriously.

"Dude, we don't understand what's going on with you anymore."

"You're suddenly quiet," Diego added.

"You don't tell us things anymore. It's like you're no longer our friend."

"We used to tell each other everything," Carl said.

"The last time we chatted on the group, you didn't even reply."

"I know."

"I even sent you a private message," he continued.

"Till today, you haven't replied."I looked down at my hands.

"I know and I'm sorry"

"So what's going on?"I took a deep breath.

"Like I said, I have something to tell you guys."They both waited.

"Well..." I paused for a moment.

"You guys remember I told you that my dad has another son outside?"Carl nodded.

"Yeah."Diego frowned.

"Why?"I looked at both of them.

"Turns out the new boy, Axel..."I paused.

"...is actually my brother."

Silence.....Complete silence. Immediately Carl's mouth fell open while Diego stared at me like I had fire on my head.

"What?"

"Yeah."

"No way."I nodded.

"He's my brother."Carl leaned forward.

"Wait. You're serious?"

"Very."I leaned back against the couch.

Diego shook his head slowly.

"Dude..."

"I know."

"So the new boy you've been trying to avoid is actually your brother?"

"Yes."Carl stared at me.

"Damn."I let out a humorless laugh.

"And the annoying part is that he's so clingy."Diego laughed.

"Clingy?"

"Very."I shook my head.

"He follows me everywhere. I can't even get a moment without him showing up..... I'm even surprised he didn't follow me here"Carl smiled.

"Maybe he just wants to spend time with you."

"That's the problem."I sighed.

"My dad has already cautioned me not to leave him aside. So I can't exactly tell him to get lost."I looked at my friends.

"And I'm sorry about everything. I really am."They didn't say anything.

"I know I've pushed you guys aside. It's just..." I searched for the right words.

"I've been dealing with a lot lately. Everything has been stressing me out, and honestly, I haven't really been myself."Carl nodded slowly.

"Yeah."

"I haven't even been on my phone much."

"We noticed," Diego said.I gave him a look.

"I know."Carl leaned back.

"Wow, dude."

"Yeah."He shook his head.

"That's a lot."

"It hasn't been easy."I ran a hand through my hair.

"And do you know the annoying part?"

"What?" Diego asked.

"My mom has started getting along with him."Carl blinked.

"Your mom?"

"Yes."I rolled my eyes.

"This morning, I walked into the kitchen and they were together."

"And?"

"They were laughing."Carl smiled.

"So?"

"They were laughing like they've known each other forever."Diego chuckled.

"And that annoys you?"

"Yes!"They both laughed.

"I'm serious."I shook my head.

"It's just weird seeing my mom suddenly getting along with someone who basically appeared out of nowhere and is now supposed to be my brother."Carl's expression softened.

"Well, dude, I don't know."He shrugged.

"Maybe he's not a bad person."I looked at him.

"The fact that he's always wanting to be with you... maybe he just needs a brother."I didn't answer.

Carl continued.

"Just like the way you've always wished you had one."I frowned.

"Maybe you should give him a chance."Diego nodded.

"I'm not saying you have to suddenly become best brothers or anything."

"Exactly."

"But maybe with time, you should get to know each other."Carl shrugged.

"I mean, it's obvious he's your brother now. There's nothing that can be done about it."I sighed.

"Yeah, whatever."I leaned back.

"It's not like I have a choice."Carl glanced toward the clock.

"Speaking of choices, physics class is currently going on."I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I'm not in the mood for any lectures today."I rubbed the side of my head.

"I need a break. I have this slight headache."Diego suddenly looked at me.

"Speaking about lectures..."I looked at him.

"How has the class been?"I frowned.

"What?"

"Your private tutoring thing."

"Oh."I shrugged.

"It's been fine."I paused.

"To be sincere, she's quite a teacher."Carl smirked.

"Quite a teacher?"I ignored him.

"She's really good. We're learning, and to be sincere, she's great at what she does."Diego gave me a knowing look.

"Interesting."

"What?"

"Nothing."Before I could respond, Carl suddenly looked down at his phone.

His expression changed.

"Dude."

"What?"He stared at the screen.

"Is this true?"I frowned.

"What?"

"Did Bianca come to school today and kneel for Zoe?"I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah."Carl's eyes widened.

"You guys weren't in the cafeteria, so you'd have seen it."

"What?"Diego sat forward.

"Damn!"Carl shook his head.

"Why did she suddenly come begging?"He looked genuinely shocked.

"Bianca isn't that type of person. She actually got on her knees?"

"Yes."I shrugged.

"I told her to do it."Both of them stared at me.

"You did?"

"Yeah."I leaned back.

"She called me and was apologizing. She wanted me to let her back into my school."

"And?"

"I told her she wasn't supposed to apologize to me."I paused.

"She needed to apologize to Zoe."

Diego nodded.

"Well, she did."

"Yeah."I shook my head.

"To be sincere, I didn't know she was actually going to do it in front of the whole school."Carl looked impressed.

"Looks like she really wants to come back."

"Exactly."Diego frowned.

"So does that mean you're letting her come back?"I shrugged.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"My dad is also on my neck about it."I sighed.

"So I guess I might give her a chance."Carl raised an eyebrow.

"If she changes?"

"Exactly."Diego leaned back.

"What about her friends?"I looked at him.

"What about them?"

"They all did it together."I shook my head.

"Nope."Carl laughed.

"No?"

"No."I crossed my arms.

"They're not coming back."

"Wow."

"Bianca is getting one chance because she actually came forward and apologized and also because of my dad"I looked between them.

"I'm not bringing all of them back just because she did."Carl nodded.

"Fair enough."Diego shrugged.

"Well, you've decided."

"Exactly."For a moment, the room became quiet.

Then Carl suddenly narrowed his eyes at me.

He looked from me toward the door, as though remembering something.

Then he looked back at me.

"Dude..."

"What?"He studied my face.

"I swear to God..."I raised an eyebrow.

"What now?"

"Really looking at you now......i think you and the Axel guy look alike."I immediately frowned.

"What are you saying?"Diego looked at Carl, then at me.

He suddenly nodded.

"Wait."He stared at me more closely.

"He's actually right."I rolled my eyes.

"Please don't start."

"No, seriously."Diego leaned forward.

"You guys actually look alike."I scoffed.

"We do not."

"Yes, you do."Carl pointed at me.

"Look at your face."

I shook my head.

"The only difference is your eyes."I stopped.

"What?"Carl grinned.

"You have your mom's eyes."Diego immediately added,

"And he has your dad's."They both looked at each other then back at me.

"Seriously, dude."Carl laughed.

"Now that we're looking at you closely, I think you guys really do look alike."I stared at them for a second then I shook my head.

"Oh, please don't start."They burst into laughter.
As their laughter filled the room, I glanced toward the door.

For the first time since Axel had arrived......I wondered if maybe they were right.