Changes?

"Zayn Snipes was alive all this time? His side chick or whatever she is, said he wasn't around any more and I assumed he died." Even in the locker room people were gossiping about me? Couldn't they talk to me directly. "Yikes." The same guy shrieked and stepped aside to accommodate Saintclair. I was surprised he was even here. I thought he was in police custody or something but I guess money talks. Saintclair's air around him didn't seem as menacing as before. It wasn't as calm either but there seemed to be something different despite the poker face he was pulling.

"The team captain is literally right there. Why don't you ask him where he went instead of whispering about him while he's in airshot." You're one to talk to Saintclair. "Go on, ask him." The guy was definitely scared of him and was hesitating heavily. Not to mention they're both stark naked in this weird position. "Go on Rajesh."

"Uh… Team captain, where have you been." He tried not to say it awkwardly but his voice cracked since he was so scared of the guy beside him.

"Remote vacationing, No cell service, Serenity."

"Alright!" He said even more awkwardly and backed away from Saintclair's glare. This made everyone so quiet and it was as if they were afraid to move and just communicated with their eyes.

"He doesn't have to be such a dickward." Someone muttered to the other on the other side of the room which he caught.

"I'm not being a dickward. I'm enforcing respect. Communication is key and if you want to know something ask. He's the team captain. It's rude to talk about him when he's right there." I would never imagine there would be a day Saintclair would defend me and it just set in the most foreign feeling ever.

"He never said anything."

"When has he?" The two stared at each from across the room and this all felt really awkward and uncomfortable. Not even I was able to move while this was happening.

"Um, okay can we drop this?" I needed to break the ice even though I didn't know how to. Saintclair just glanced over at me and shrugged and the room turned noisy again but the air was still heavy. I could finally breathe and not feel all the tension. I need to leave. Now I know many eyes were looking at me before but now I felt a particular pair boring into me. I looked up from my bag to make eye contact with Aaron who seemed to look at me expecting me to be happy to see him. Which I wasn't so I turned back to my bag. I had no time to waste on Aaron I already did and there was nothing else to look for.

"Um than-"

"Fuck you." Saintclair's hand face palmed me, shutting me up, not allowing me to speak. I was just trying to thank him for earlier even though it wasn't needed. I wasn't shocked or anything but I wasn't surprised either, just stumped at the shove.

"Hey." I whipped my head over to Aaron who was just greeting me and moving along but he stood next to me. "Can we talk?" I shrugged as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Shoot."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" I obviously knew why I was just playing dumb. It's fun to watch people admit where they did me wrong but I really wanna hear about the stuff from the drive.

"For what happened since we last saw each other." He played with his hands nervously as I shrugged.

"Ah, it's nothing. I'm fine."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me." The truth is I had no plan. All I was gonna do was wing it. I had an idea in my head to just play off everything, play friendly and turn around and remind him of what he's done to me and this is just the start. I could see in his eyes he felt guilty and like he had something else to say but I waved goodbye to him.

I walked back to class and I remembered why exactly I was feeling anxious when I sat behind her once again.

"Zayn!" Daniela joyously screamed taking her seat beside me. "I have to hold cheer tryouts later so I have no time other than now but I am just reminding you, the queen of hearts starts on Monday." Had no idea even though I'm part of a court. I couldn't tell if she was relaying this information to tell me I'm part of her court or just to support her in general. "I can't wait. I'm getting my dresses made right now and I think they're just- Muah!" She was so excitedly cheesing over this it brought me to a smile as well. I could see how much this meant to her and I was happy to help carry her there. "I have so much planned, especially for the events." Her eyes were shining so much. "Forgot to ask… did you two talk?"

"You mean Aaron." She nodded. "Uh yeah."

"And…?"

"What is there? I just said I had no hard feelings towards him and that was that. Can we stop talking about him?"

"What about Christian?" I completely forgot about that guy. He wasn't in class earlier but now he was here and I glanced over at where he was seated and he seemed the same. "Him and Elenore broke up after that whole incident." I had no idea. "He's just… around now. I don't know how things are going for him but I feel bad and I'm still hurt." It might sound cold to say I didn't care for Christian but I can't deny it. He racked up too many karma points with me to give a shit. I would like to fall into the same rhythm again but I knew in my mind it wasn't plausible.

"I haven't talked to him… I don't really plan to." She should understand that. "I never asked but how did Chantelle handle you leaving?"

"Like Chantelle does, it doesn't really bother him and he was fine I guess but I could tell he wasn't at all okay with it but it wasn't up to me and I hope I can make up for lost time." I knew nothing in particular about Chantelle other than what he perpetuated about himself or the side he showed to me but from what Daniela is setting up it sounds like he was playing it all off. "I don't want our relationship to be rocky despite our weird start." I didn't get it nor I had an understanding of their relationship which I regarded as weird. I don't know how they transitioned into a proper relationship but I couldn't help thinking it was weird. How do you adapt to a relationship with a start like theirs?

I spent the rest of my day kinda on edge. I don't know why but I wasn't liking my first day back. It wasn't going my way. I just expected it to be better. Not saying I expected open arms, but I wanted open arms. I kept feeling like I was outta of place and everyone treated me that way.

I opened up my locker for the last time for the day to see a letter with gold trimmings. I'm pretty sure this is Saleena's Quinceanera invite. I didn't even think twice that she didn't offer me one earlier.