Chapter 22

ZOEY

EVEN AFTER THE CONFESSIONS LAST NIGHT, OLIVIA AND I'S RELATIONSHIP WERE STILL THE SAME. Actually, she was more clingy than ever when we were at home, but she's still the same high and mighty queen when we're at school.

I didn't really confirm or deny my preference with her, but I was content with the thought that she was okay with whatever preference I had. And I was so concerned about nothing that it was affecting our relationship, but then again, I was the one who was overthinking things. Olivia only sees me as her sister. Nothing more.

So, if I told her I liked her, would she still act like that? I'm not sure. But what matters now is that she accepts me, just like my Dad, for who I am. My father is aware that I am gay. I came out to him during my first year of high school, and he didn't mind. He accepts me for who I am.

I'm not sure if Mom Victoria would accept me. I should ask Olivia about it. Mom Victoria has the right to know the truth as well. Besides, as Olivia stated, we are family. And no matter what, families must support one another.

"Good morning, Zoey. Once again, congratulations," Aubrey said this and appeared on my right side. I was walking to school now.

"Oh, Aubrey. Good morning. Thank you. You've said it at least fifty times now," I smiled as I said this.

"Not fifty times, but a hundred," Nova said as she appeared on my left side. "Good morning, Zoey and Aubrey," she chirped.

"Good morning, Con. Why are you walking? What happened to your car?" I asked Nova.

"I saw both of you walking, so I asked Kobe to drop me off," she explained.

"That's really sweet, Coney," Aubrey said as she approached Nova's side and pinched her cheeks.

"That hurts! Stop it, Aubrey!" Nova exclaimed and attempted to flee with Aubrey, but the latter was faster. Nova only pouted. I make fun of them.

"How about a race to our lockers?" Nova proposed.

"It's too early, Coney. I don't want to get hot this early. That will not go down well with my fans," Aubrey chimed in.

"Then don't join. Anyway, I was asking Zoey. Not you, loser," Nova stated this.

"I am not a loser. I simply have a reputation to uphold. You know I have to look good all the time, Coney," Aubrey reasoned.

"Duh... Whatever." Nova rolled her eyes. "Come on, Zo. If you win, I will take you out to lunch," Nova continued.

We're still walking to school, and I can see the school's gate from where we are. Other students are walking past us.

"What's that? Lunch? You didn't say anything about a wager. I'm up for it," Aubrey spoke up and began to warm up.

"You've just proven that you're a sucker for food, Aubrey," Nova said.

"It's food, and it's free. So how can I refuse?"

Aubrey is very superficial. Aside from music, food brings her joy. So I can't really agree with Olivia that Aubrey is a bad person. Aubrey may have been wrong before and bullied Olivia, but she has changed. And she's a charming person.

"How about you, Zo?" Nova inquired. I shrugged. "Come on, Zo. Our first period is P. E., so it doesn't matter if we get sweaty. Come on, Aubrey, we should get some exercise too."

"Yeah, right!" Aubrey is overjoyed. Oh, this girl. She's willing to go to any length for food.

"Okay. When does it start?" I enquired.

"Now!" Nova then bolted.

"Cheater!" Aubrey and I both said. But we did pursue her.

Nova and I both lost in the end. Aubrey was the victor. Nova underestimated Aubrey's love of food. It was hilarious, and I had a good time.

~*~

IT WAS LUNCHTIME AGAIN. And Nova has been treating Aubrey very well since she lost to her. Aubrey placed a large order, and Nova ended up paying more than her budget. I, too, am perplexed. Where does Aubrey keep the food she eats in her slim figure? I just hope her stomach is okay.

My day was brightening when Nova told me she had forgiven Camila completely. I was overjoyed with the good news. Camila had been smiling all day, which could have been the cause. Olivia was staring at her strangely. On the other hand, Olivia will not reveal anything about Camila and me because I know she doesn't want to be exposed as my step-sister. I understand that Olivia's popularity and reputation at school are more important than mine.

Olivia is a coward and a wimp. Nonetheless, I like her. Call me a masochist or a martyr, but that's how strong my feelings for my step-sister are. Call me a hypocrite, but I expected her to change her mind and accept who she was one day. There are no hidden agendas. Not faking it.

I know she's afraid of what others will say or think of her, but I hope, I really hope, that Olivia will have the courage and confidence someday. And I'm willing to wait until that time comes.

"Zoey, can we go out?" Aubrey inquired as we sat down to eat.

"What do you mean, out?"

There are a lot of students in the cafeteria. The stunning one was on the other side of the table. Everyone was chatting, and I couldn't figure out what was happening because everyone was talking loudly.

"Would you like to go on a date with me?" Aubrey said something, but I couldn't hear her because the crowd was deafening.

"What? Sorry?"

Nova was eating, unconcerned about her surroundings.

"I SAID DATE ME, Zoey!" Aubrey yelled and stood up. That's when everyone heard what she said. The cafeteria fell silent.

I heard Nova's spoon fall onto her plate. And I was stupidly staring at Aubrey with my mouth half-open.

"Will you go out on a date with me, Zoey?" Aubrey asked, flushed.

The awkward silence remains. I'm at a loss for words.

"Zoey! What's your response?"

"Don't make the poor girl wait, Zoey!"

These are the words of the other students in the cafeteria.

"A-Aubrey, what the hell is going on?" I managed to whisper. My face is probably turning red at this point.

"Just get back to me later," Aubrey said. "Come on over, guys. I'll send you an update later." She smiled as she addressed the audience. She sat down and continued to eat. As if she hadn't just pulled some embarrassing stunt.

"Aww, you're such a buzzkill, Aubrey." I overheard the other students say, but they didn't seem to mind and went back to chatting and eating with their friends.

The students resumed their work as if nothing had happened, but our table was now awkwardly silent. Aubrey couldn't look me in the eyes, and Nova was unusually quiet.

Camila and Olivia were looking at us with daggers in their eyes. What are they so upset about?

We had finished our lunch and quietly exited the cafeteria. We went to class in the afternoon, but my two friends were still unusually quiet. Aubrey, I believe, is also attempting to avoid me. If one subject is completed, she continues to use the restroom. Nova was deafeningly silent as if someone had tied her tongue. She's not usually like this.

The class had ended, and it was time to go to the club. Nova was the first to leave, saying she needed to get to her club right away. Aubrey and I were the only ones who remained.

Aubrey walked alongside me because we were both heading to our clubrooms.

"So, uh," Aubrey began. It was awkward, but I didn't want to be rude to her, so I remained silent. "The, uh... Zo, I asked you a question earlier. What, uh, is your response?" Aubrey finally asked.

"I, uh, had the time to think about it," I explained.

"Really? So, what is your response?"

Yeah. I had time to think about it earlier. I wasn't really paying attention to our lecture because I was preoccupied with what Aubrey had said.

"You're my friend, and I love spending time with you and Nova. And..."

"Oh, Zoey, I see what you mean. That's a no, right?" she stated.

"I'm sorry, Aubrey. You are beautiful, tall, sexy, and talented, but I only see you as a friend. I really enjoy hanging out with you and Nova. We're doing silly things together and freely bonding with you. But—-"

"That's all right, Zoey. I understand. I grew to like you more than a friend after watching you in the competition yesterday. Maybe I was caught up in the moment as a result of that. And, to be honest, I was expecting it. But it's worth a shot," Aubrey said with a genuine smile on her face.

"Really? Are we still friends? Please?" I told her. We came to a halt and turned to face each other.

Aubrey is lovely. I couldn't believe she was asking me out. Aubrey Maya Park, a famous campus crush, wanted to date me. So it was stupid of me to turn her down. But what can I do? I only like Aubrey as a friend. Perhaps I will come to regret this decision in the future, but I deserve it, and I will accept the consequences of my decision.

"We're still friends, Zo. Nothing will ever change." When she said that, I felt a lot better.

"Thank you, Aubrey. Please, no resentment."

Aubrey nodded and smiled. I, too, smiled at her.

"Let's go to our clubs," she suggested. I responded with a nod.

We walked side by side again, this time closer because Aubrey was clinging to my other arm. Even though I had turned her down, I was relieved that she was still her usual self. Aubrey is a mature person, despite her appearance. That is why I enjoy having her as a friend. She's fantastic.

~*~

"DID YOU SAY YES TO AUBREY?" Piper inquired who had snuck up on me while we were on break.

I was dressed in my usual garb. A cap and a mask to keep my face covered. I'm wearing a hoodie and my jagger pants. I'm here now with my secret club. Piper, too, was a member. She is the club's president. Camila was also present, and the girl hadn't said anything to me since I arrived earlier. But she keeps looking at me.

"When did you become interested in my romantic life?" I inquired. "Also, please keep your voice down and avoid mentioning any names. I'm going to get arrested here. You are aware of my situation if I am discovered by other club members or students to be a member of this club, aren't you?"

"Yeah. Yeah. That is something I am aware of. You don't have to keep reminding me of that, "said Piper. "Is your head growing bigger now that you're the star dancer?" She was making fun of me. "Come on, tell me what you said in response to the first confession you received in front of everyone in the cafeteria."

That scene flashed through my mind once more, and I felt embarrassed. But I think it's more embarrassing for Aubrey's side.

And yes, I am a member of the Dance Club. How did I get here? Piper discovered my hidden talent entirely by chance.

During my first year, I thought I was the only one in the classroom. I was frustrated and angry about the bullying, and I needed to let off some steam. The only way I could do it peacefully was to dance.

I've been dancing since I was a kid. I've always liked hip-hop and dancing. My parents even enrolled me in a dance school, and I had a few classmates who were not from my old school with whom I competed. Camila and Nova are aware of this, but I stopped dancing when my mother died.

Then, on that fateful day, I couldn't take the bullying and the pain inside my heart any longer. Instead of crying, I decided to dance inside the classroom with my earphones on. That's when Piper noticed me, and ever since then, she's made it a point to persuade me to join the dance club. She also cheated on Miss Peyton. So, because the teacher was convincing, I joined the dance club on the condition that no one knew I was a member.

"We're friends," I replied to Piper.

"Oh? Friendzone? You're a savage." She was making fun of me.

I just made a silly face. "Said the one who always turned down a lot of her admirers every now and then," I retorted.

Nova's sister is famous at school. As far as I know, Piper is single, and many students wanted to date her, but she kept turning them down.

However, there was a rumor that Piper and Miss Peyton are a couple, which is why Piper keeps ditching her other suitors. I'm not sure if that's true, but I suppose that's Piper's prerogative.

Piper just stuck her tongue out at me, then stood up and said, "Okay, the break has come to an end. Let's get back to practice!"