Chapter 24 Choices We Can't Take Back
Mayzie spotted Bellatrix standing outside the school, her eyes already locked onto her. Usually, Bellatrix used a different entrance, and they’d meet up later at their lockers. But today was different. Mayzie didn't care about the change in routine; she desperately needed to talk. She needed advice on how to handle the massive mess she’d just made of her life.
The two girls hurried toward each other, neither noticing how frantic the other looked. When they finally met on the sidewalk, backpacks slung over their shoulders, they just stood there for a second, staring.
"I made a huge mistake!" they both blurted out at the exact same time.
The sidewalk was quiet since most students were dropped off at the main entrance. Mayzie glanced around, realizing this conversation was going to take a lot longer than the ten minutes they had before class.
"Do you have anything important in your first period?" Bellatrix asked, sensing the tension.
"No, just a lecture. You?"
"Same. Let's find somewhere quiet."
Mayzie led the way to a secluded stairwell where she knew they wouldn't be interrupted. They sat at the top, dropping their heavy bags beside them. For a moment, it was silent as they both waited for the other to start.
Bellatrix finally broke. "I ran into Clyde," she said. Mayzie already knew the messy history between them. "I was weak and answered when he called. Before I knew it, he was meeting me in the shopping district. We went to dinner, he asked for another chance, and he actually cried." She pinched the bridge of her nose, looking exhausted. "I took him back. I’m so stupid."
"I slept with Alonso," Mayzie confessed suddenly. "We were at his mom’s house, and she was practically begging me to give him a shot. When we got home, I wanted to see if I felt anything. So, I kissed him, and I didn't stop him when things went further." Mayzie balled her fists. "It was a total disaster. I realized right then that I didn't feel that way about him. But this morning, he was telling me how much he loved me and how long he’d waited. All I could think was that it felt like I was with a brother. It felt wrong."
Bellatrix's hands dropped to her lap. "So, we’re both stuck in relationships we don't want, but we’re the ones who started them. Now we’ll feel like monsters if we end it."
"I don't know why I can't love him like that," Mayzie whispered. "He’s a great guy. I should be thrilled he wants me, but I just feel empty. I love him as a person, but not like that. I’m terrified that if I tell him the truth, I’ll lose my best friend."
"I feel the same," Bellatrix agreed. "Even when I wasn't talking to Clyde, I always hoped we could be friends again someday."
They sat in heavy silence. It was easy to think of advice for someone else, but much harder to follow it yourself. Bellatrix felt a strange surge of conflicting emotions — anger and a flicker of jealousy. She almost wanted to snap at Mayzie for having exactly what she wanted and not appreciating it.
Eventually, Bellatrix leaned her head on Mayzie's shoulder. They looked out toward the school garden. This was Bellatrix's usual lunch spot, but they had only been here together once before.
"How did we get here?" Bellatrix sighed.
Mayzie didn't answer. She just stared into the distance.
Bellatrix squeezed Mayzie's arm, wanting to cry from the stress of a sleepless night. She knew Mayzie would just tell her that crying didn't solve problems, though. They needed a plan.
"I guess we just have to live with it," Mayzie said suddenly.
Bellatrix pulled back, surprised. "What?"
"We made a commitment. You’re giving Clyde a second chance, and I’m giving Alonso a first one. Maybe..." She sighed, "...maybe we’ve just been overlooking them. Maybe we can learn to love them."
She leaned back against the wall. "It was our choice to start this. We can't just walk away like it meant nothing, right?"
"But won't it hurt them more later?" Bellatrix asked. "To find out months from now that we never really loved them from the start?"
"If we try, maybe we will love them," Mayzie said, though she sounded unsure. "But you’re right. It will definitely hurt more later."
"I don't want to force it," Bellatrix muttered.
"I’m not saying force it. What I'm saying is to be open to it." Mayzie tucked her knees to her chest. "That’s my plan. You do what you have to, but I don't want to lose Alonso. Maybe I’m just so used to seeing him as a brother that I’m blind to what else he could be."
Bellatrix nodded slowly. "And maybe I’ve been so focused on Clyde's flaws that I didn't give him room to change. Maybe he really is a good guy now..."
"Bell!" a voice yelled from across the yard.
The girls stood up as a tall, blonde guy ran toward them. Mayzie watched him; he had a backpack over one shoulder and a book in his hand.
"What are you doing here?" Bellatrix asked as Mayzie joined them at the bottom of the stairs.
"Thought you'd be in class. Skipping school already? Naughty," Clyde joked. He turned his attention to Mayzie, and his reaction was so bold it caught Bellatrix off guard. "Well, hello! You must be Mayzie. I'm Clyde McLean." He held out his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Mayzie Kollins," she replied, shaking it.
"You’re really tall!" he remarked, even though he was much taller than her. He laughed. "You look like one of those girls in movies — the ones where they give her a bad haircut and baggy clothes to make her look 'nerdy,' and then the popular girls turn her into a project to make her hot."
Both girls stared at him, mouths open.
"Clyde!" Bellatrix shouted. "That was incredibly rude!"
He looked confused. "I didn't mean it that way! I just meant she’s really pretty under the 'disguise' she uses to keep guys away." He gave Mayzie a wink.
Mayzie felt a wave of anger, but she just rolled her eyes. "I’m going to class," she muttered, walking off in the wrong direction just to get away.
Bellatrix didn't even notice the wrong turn; she was too busy glaring at Clyde. "What is wrong with you? Why would you say that?"
"I was trying to be nice, I swear," he said, looking discouraged.
"Anyway, why are you even here?"
"I’m a student here now! My dad pulled some strings to get me in late. I’m starting a business degree."
"Why? You always said you hated school."
"I wanted to be near you," he said softly, taking her hand. "I didn't expect to see you until later, but then I saw you on the stairs."
Bellatrix sighed. "We won't even have the same lunch break." She checked her watch. "I have to go." She started to run off, but remembered Mayzie's advice about trying. She turned back to see him standing there looking dejected. "I'll see you after school. Meet me at the front gate."
He beamed at her. "I'll be there." As she walked away, his eyes followed Mayzie's retreating figure. With a quick nod to himself, he ran after her.
· · ─────── · 𓅪 · ─────── · ·
"Mayzie! Wait up!" Clyde's voice echoed through the crowded quad.
Mayzie was trying to sneak past a large tree where Dalton and his group usually hung out. Her plan to stay invisible failed miserably as the blonde guy she’d just met came charging toward her. She glanced toward the tree and saw four boys watching the scene.
Clyde leaned over, hands on his knees, panting for breath. "Sorry," he wheezed. "I really didn't mean to insult you earlier."
Mayzie saw Dalton stand up and start heading their way. She groaned. "It's fine."
"I just mean you're attractive and you hide it. I didn't mean you were ugly." He stood up straight. "I really want to be friends with you and... uh, Alonna?"
"Alonso," Mayzie corrected.
A flash of jealousy crossed Clyde's face, but he hid it quickly. "Oh, a guy. Well, okay. I want to be friends with him, too."
Mayzie's heart sped up as Dalton got closer. "Are you busy right now?" she asked Clyde suddenly.
"No, I’ve got a half hour before my lecture. Why?"
"There’s a coffee shop on campus. Let’s go," she said, desperate to leave before Dalton reached them.
"Sure, my treat," Clyde smiled.
"Mayzie," Dalton's voice growled behind her.
She forced herself not to jump and turned around. Dalton had actually brushed his hair today, pulling it back into a small ponytail. He was glaring at Clyde with pure resentment.
"Hello. Can I help you?" Mayzie asked, her voice cold.
Dalton's expression softened instantly when he looked at her. "I just wanted to see if you were okay... after Saturday."
"I'm fine, thanks." She kept her tone flat. She didn't want to be mean, but she definitely didn't want to give him any hope.
"I was going to ask if you wanted to grab coffee with us," he said, gesturing to his friends at the tree. They waved. "I know—"
"Sorry, no," she interrupted. "I’m actually going to coffee with Clyde."
Dalton's eyes snapped back to Clyde, filled with rage.
"It's okay, Mayzie. If you want to go with them..." Clyde started, sensing the danger.
"No," she said firmly, cutting him off. "I invited you, and you’re coming." She looked back at Dalton. "And you... you need to stop. I'm seeing someone now. It's serious."
Dalton froze. "What?"
"I'm already—"
"I heard you. Is it Arking? Blake? One of them?" He gestured vaguely.
She shook her head.
He shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets. "Then I don't care. I'll just win you over. Unless it's one of the guys I know, I'm not going to just sit back. Besides, you're probably making it up."
"I am not lying." Mayzie felt a twinge of guilt for using Alonso as a shield, but she needed Dalton to back off.
"Oh yeah? Who is it then?"
Mayzie hesitated. She knew Dalton could be violent and didn't want to put Alonso in his cross-hairs.
Suddenly, Clyde grabbed her hand. "She isn't lying," he said. He stepped forward and draped an arm around her shoulder. "I suggest you leave my girl alone."
Mayzie was stunned. What was he doing? Then it hit her — it was his first day. He had no idea who Dalton was or how things worked here.
Dalton stepped right up into Clyde's face. Clyde let go of Mayzie and stood his ground. They were the same height, but Dalton was much broader, built like a football player compared to Clyde's lean, athletic frame.
Clyde clearly didn't think it would get physical, but when Dalton's fist slammed into his cheek, he hit the ground hard. Students nearby began to scatter. They knew Dalton's temper; once he started, anyone nearby was at risk.
"Stop it!" Mayzie screamed.
Dalton didn't even hear her. As soon as Clyde scrambled back to his feet, Dalton swung again. This time, Clyde dodged and landed a solid punch to Dalton's stomach. Dalton's friends — Blake, Gustav, and Arking — came running over.
Arking grabbed Mayzie to pull her out-of-the-way while Blake and Gustav tried to jump between the two fighters, only to get hit themselves. For Clyde, this wasn't just about a girl anymore; it was about pride.
Arking held Mayzie back as the fight grew more chaotic. Eventually, he pulled her against him and shielded her eyes so she wouldn't have to watch the brutality. He wanted to protect her from seeing how much of a "monster" Dalton could be. Instead of being comforted, Mayzie reached back, grabbed Arking where it hurts, and squeezed until he collapsed in pain.
She spun around to see the fight. Gustav and Blake were now on the ground, looking like they’d given up, but Clyde kept pushing himself back up despite the bruises.
Mayzie sprinted into the middle of the mess and faced Dalton. With every bit of strength she had, she slapped him across the face. He was already bleeding from his lip and nose, but that hadn't stopped him. For some reason, her slap did.
"I hate you!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.
The rage in Dalton's eyes flickered out. "What?"
"I hate you! Don't ever come near me again! You’re a disgusting, violent monster! He did nothing to you, and you attacked him!" She was shaking, fighting back tears of frustration and fear for what Bellatrix would say. "You aren't welcome in my life! Stay away!" She slapped him again for good measure.
Dalton stood there, stunned, as Mayzie grabbed Clyde's hand and pulled him away. He felt like he should fall to his knees, but he forced himself to stay standing. He watched them run off, then looked down at his friends on the grass.
"What happened to you guys?" he asked dully. He didn't wait for an answer; he just turned and walked slowly back to the tree.