Chapter 5: Acting Strange

Narrator's POV

It's Monday, and Thalia, Karina, and Elkie are at their classroom talking near the door.

"When Zane and I entered the school, a lot of students are talking about you, Karina,"

"Yeah. I heard them saying that you are so rude and all to John,"

"Yeah, I agree with that,"

"If I were you, Karina, I should say directly to John that you don't like him. Why ignore him? You know that John is trying hard to court you,"

"Yeah. I feel sad about John,"

"Because, isn't it obvious that I don't like him by my action towards him?"

John passed by.

"It's John"

"Did he hear us?"

"I think"

"Oops! What if Zane heard? He is now friends with John,"

"No, he is sleeping. Zane is a deep sleeper,"

"Oh, you really know Zane,"

"Do you like him, Thalia?"

"Me? Likes Zane? No way"

"Denial"

"I'm not in denial. Indeed, I don't have feelings for Zane,"

"Ok"

John's POV

I was passing by when I heard Karina's voice saying that she doesn't like me.

When I was passing by their classroom, I lowered my head.

As I was walking, a lot of students are also talking about us during the team building.

I went back to class because it's almost time for class.

While the teacher is lecturing, I can't concentrate because my mind is thinking about what Karina said earlier.

I feel like someone is poking me, and it's my seatmate.

"What?"

"Sir is calling you,"

"Oh. Yes, Sir"

"Are you not feeling well, John?"

"Yes, Sir"

"You can go to the clinic,"

"Thank you, Sir,"

I went to the clinic and laid on the bed.

I think this is the time to give up. Karina said that she doesn't like me so it's useless if I keep on courting or bothering her. Yeah, that's it.

Reese's POV

It's break time, and Zane, Ronan, and I are at our usual place to go during break time.

We are talking when I saw John.

"John!"

I called John, but he just kept walking.

"Where's John?"

"He just kept walking. It's strange because he is lowering his head. I bet something is going on,"

"He is not bothering Karina either,"

"I wonder what happened to him,"

"Let's talk to him some other time. I think he wants to be alone," Zane said.

"Ok"

And we continued to talk.

Karina's POV

It's already the end of class.

"I need to go ahead of you guys because there's an emergency,"

"Ok. Take care, Karina,"

"See you tomorrow,"

"Yeah. Same to all of you,"

I went out of the classroom and walked outside.

While I was walking, I saw John went outside the classroom. He looked to my side, but he looked away and walked fast.

He is not bothering me either.

That's a good thing.

When I arrived at the bus stop, I saw John sitting. I sat as well.

I looked at him, and he is so quiet.

It's strange because John is so annoying, but now, he is so quiet.

"Ah, John?"

"Oh?"

I was shocked by his reply.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm going to grandma's house,"

"Oh"

A bus came after a few minutes, and it's not the bus that I'm waiting for.

John stood up and went inside the bus, not saying a word to me.

Why would John say something to me?

Why am I bothered?

"Miss?"

I was busy thinking about John's behavior today that I didn't notice that the bus is here.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I will go inside,"

I got on the bus and sat on an empty seat.

Zane's POV

Thalia and I are walking.

I was thinking about John because he is not the kind of person who would lower his head. After all, he is a jolly person.

"What are you thinking about, Zane? I think that's serious?"

"I'm thinking about John,"

"What about John?"

"Reese saw him today, and he said that John is lowering his head while walking"

"I think I know why,"

"Why?"

"I think John heard what Karina said to him this morning because when Karina said it, John passed by the classroom,"

"Karina said what?"

"That she doesn't like John,"

"Oh"

"You don't hear what we are talking about this morning?"

"I was sleeping"

"I know. You're a deep sleeper. I think that explains John's behavior today. He is not bothering Karina also. Wait. Are you worried about John?"

"What?"

"You're worried,"

"Nope"

"You're face says it all. This is the first time, Zane. The coldest man I met shows emotions that he is worried,"

"We are friends after all,"

"Yeah, but I'm happy for you, Zane. And it all thanks to me,"

"Yeah. Yeah"

Thalia is walking backward in front of me when I saw a hole nearby.

"Watch out, Thalia!"

I grab Thalia and pull her near me.

Thalia's POV

OMG! Zane just grabbed me by my waist and pulled me towards him.

I land on his chest.

I can smell his perfume, and I can feel his heart beating.

I am so close to Zane. My heartbeat is going crazy. I hope he wouldn't hear my heart beating because that would be embarrassing.

"Stop walking backward in front of me. There's a hole nearby, and if I didn't grab you, you would fall in that hole,"

"I know you would save me if I fall in that hole, Zane,"

I hope you will also catch me if I fall for you, Zane.

"How can you be so sure,"

"Oh, I am so sure because I trust you. You wouldn't do that to me,"

"Ok, ok"

And we continue walking.

I'm glad that Zane is worrying about other people. It's the first time that I've seen him with a worried expression because he is always in a straight face. Though he would smile and laugh, which is he is more handsome. I'm glad that Zane is showing emotions.

"Why are you smiling? You look like a crazy person smiling over nothing,"

"Just thinking about something,"

"What is it?"

"Secret"