Exposed...again

Do they think I fucking died? In front of my locker was filled with cards and gifts like I got hit by a bus or something the day before. What did Aaron tell them?

"Oh lord are you okay?" The lady in waiting I was pretty sure hated me yesterday, came up to me with a voice filled with concern. "Aaron told us you passed out and went home. I am so sorry. " Aaron really came through with his lying ass. Does that warrant people sending me gifts? Thank you. I'm grateful but it seems weird. "Saleena was so worried but she scored the most votes so she has it in the bag." At least my lack of presence didn't affect her voting. "You missed the first dance though which you have to fix and we heard the party choice. It's a costume party. She's going with tv show Characters. Shoot some costume ideas with her tomorrow. We might hear themes from the others later so we could outdo them so if you hear anything text it in the group chat." She didn't seem to hate me nor did she seem to like me but out of obligation she talked to me. It's the best I can get. "Oh wait, before I forget. A few girls dropped out or didn't receive much votes we're down to 10 girls." Wait, did Danie even get votes?

"Uh okay, see ya." I needed to ask, I needed to know. I feel like if that's the case I would feel more guilty. "Daniela?" Like she read my mind because a smirk spread across her face as she turned to laugh at my expression.

"What did you think I'm out already? I'm disliked not hated. I racked up votes with my good looks. How bout you? I heard you passed out, sorry for not calling. I was busy." She didn't even bring up the fact that I didn't inform her about the court thing. Did she really not care?

"Are you not gonna ask why?"

"About your dizzy spell or you not talking to me about switching sides?" She let out a faint laugh. "The faint was probably something to do with anxiety and you not telling me…. You care too much about what I think. I'm not four. I cry a lot but it's because I feel things deeply. At first I was really angry and then… I just wasn't. I don't care. It would have been nice to know but I get it. So are you two dating or you know?" She wiggles her brows at me which makes me cringe. Everyone keeps assuming. I feel like everyone has changed and grew while I'm still bitter. I feel like I still expect her to take things badly like before but she just doesn't care but why does it hurt now. That's disturbing.

"You know I don't date."

"I know but you already hit it or are you planning to?" She was seeing this as a joke but I didn't. "Don't look at me like that." She rolled her eyes at me. "What you don't like what I said. You f-"

"-Uck every girl I get friendly with, I've heard it." I kiss my teeth in annoyance. This wasn't amusing. Like I said before I feel like an open book everyone has already skimmed through. It doesn't feel good to hear that over and over. "People say I bend to the will of every guy I date. I guess it's true. Embrace it, don't be embarrassed." I don't think she gets it.

"You don't understand."

"I more than understand when people have beliefs on you. I am a living, walking example Zayn." In some ways but how can she be so okay with it. It doesn't make sense. I know I let the misconception that I'm a pompous asshole roll off my back because I know it's not true but something that has somewhat of a chance of being true being spread around kills me inside. "You care too much." I could see Lorel standing in the doorway glaring at me but I chose to ignore her. "Oh she's steaming."

"Are you high or something?"

"Oh I wish. Oh before I forget." She shoots me a message I could see from my lockscreen. "The theme if you didn't know yet is costume and I chose Celebrities. I think it could be trendy. You probably won't come to mine but if at the end of the night you stop by and show your face it would be nice." I would like to see her face light up when she sees me so of course I'll buy it.

"K."

I didn't think Aaron would lie for me because of tension but he did and now I feel like I'm in debt even if I shouldn't. I knew he was part of Ebany's Alice in Wonderland court even if all the members of their friendship group hated each other but still stuck together without Saintclair who now spends his time scowling at people and juuling on the side of the school building.

He changed his attitude somewhat as he was more easy to talk to at times but he still reeked of intimidation. He was still as scary and people still avoided him but he could be pleasant when he chose to. Maybe I should befriend him. No, he might try to kill me if I get on his bad side or if he finds out I'm the one who exposed him.

"Captain!" I hop at the sound of that voice. Why the hell is Saintclair calling me? He hates me. He would rather see me die than in the flesh. "Zayn?" I walk out with my heart pumping out of my chest to see Saintclair with the most malicious smirk spread across his face. He has something up his sleeve. "Let's walk." I don't want to go anywhere with this psycho. It was already scary to stand in the same bathrooms as him.

"What do you want? Do you need a drill list?" His smile didn't indicate this had anything to do with Track and Field but I wish it did.

"No, no, not needed. We have to talk about business." What fucking business? Did he find out about me and Mormon being in cahoots? Fuck if that is the case. We stepped into a blindspot and he looked around before settling his unsettling smile on me. "I know your secret." He said kinda sing-songy. Everyone just seems really high in this early morning. What secret, which one? "It wasn't easy to confirm but everything comes to light." I have so many things I keep to myself that I can't tell which one he's referencing.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. You need to be more clear." He huffed and rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. "This was a tipoff I got a while ago and I wrote it off because there was no way. You never gave off the vibe but I started paying more attention to you and now I know."

"Be more specific or show me I can't take your vagueness."

"You're ruining my enjoyment." His catty smirk dropped at the fact I still don't know.

"Show me the tipoff." I grabbed the phone out of his hand.

"I'm right, right." His smile was meeting both corners now as he menacingly looked down on me. I have no idea who this is but they were being so specific like they know me and they knew about my crush on Aaron. My eyes met his as I didn't find this amusing and his face shifted to annoyance when I wasn't moved by the message.

"And…"

"Is it true? Is this something you're already open with?"

"Yeah."

"So you like my ex?"

"Yeah." He wasn't liking my answers nor was he buying it.

"Zayn, you're not open with this. I know you. I know this is something you wouldn't want to be brought to the forefront." He got it in his head that he knows everything about me because he doesn't mind his business and remembers every little drop about me. "So can I go around telling people about this?" I really had to think long and hard before answering this asshole.

"Shut your fucking mouth before I crush your windpipe." Instead I answered in the way he expected.

"So you definitely like my ex. Okay, shoot your shot."

"Huh?" I expected him to want to kill me or beat the shit out of me but right now he stood in front of me with his hands in his pockets and shrugging everything off. "Don't you hate me every bone in your body."

"Zayn, if I spent all my time hating you my hair would fall out, you're just someone I dislike because I'm biased against you. You know people can grow right? I'm not Hulk smash Saintclair anymor- Wait no Scratch that, I am but like Bruce Banner keeping him under wraps. I realized you weren't my problem, it was Aubrey. I don't give a fuck about you." I feel both offended and relieved by his words. We do share a common enemy though. "The reason I wanted to confirm if you really do like Aaron is becaus- hell it pains to admit it but I need your help." Sounds like I'm about to save the universe.

"Like how?"

"You need to sleep with Aaron."

"Wait what the fuck?"