Chapter 29

As they walked out of the building, Ariana hugged Anika. "What you did back there was awesome. It must have taken a lot of courage to slap Casey hard in the face," she said.

"Thanks, and she was asking for it," Anika replied with a smile.

"Thank God you're back. You looked like you wanted to rip Casey to pieces back there. You got me really scared," Ariana said, holding her chest. Anika laughed hard when she saw Ariana's frightened look.

"You don't need to be scared. I was just teaching her a lesson. Is she always like this?" Anika asked.

"You mean like a spoiled brat who thinks she has the world in her palm? Yeah, she's always been like that," Ariana replied.

"I didn't know that she was like that, and it makes me wonder, why would Zach date someone like that?" Anika said thoughtfully.

"Aren't you worried about what Zach would do to you? I mean, Casey is his girlfriend. He might be mad at you," Ariana asked.

"I don't care how he feels. I did what was right," Anika replied, glancing at her watch. "Damn, we're late for class!" They both ran to their class.

Over the weeks, Anika and Ariana's friendship grew stronger, and they became inseparable. They did everything together, and Ariana even spent nights at Anika's place. Her mom was improving and would soon be discharged, making her feel ecstatic. Everything was finally looking up for her.

One day at school, while Ariana was collecting her textbooks from her locker before her next class, Anika leaned on her locker with a smile.

"Hey bestie," Anika greeted her.

"Hi," Ariana replied.

"So have you heard?" Anika asked.

"Heard what?" Ariana asked.

"Ugh, do you even attend this school?" Anika facepalmed herself. "Zach's best friend Alvin is coming to town, and he's throwing a party on Saturday."

"So?" Ariana closed her locker.

"I was thinking that we should go," Anika suggested.

"No," Ariana replied bluntly.

"Why not?"

"I'm not a fan of parties," Ariana said.

"It'll be fun, I promise. Please?" Anika begged with puppy eyes. Ariana sighed.

"Can Annie come too?"

"Yes, we're going to have a blast together," Anika said excitedly.

******

During work, she asked Annie about it. She knew that she hadn't been making time for Annie and wanted to make up for that.

"Babe, can we talk?" Ariana asked Annie.

"Sure," Annie replied.

"I know that we haven't been hanging out much, and I'm sorry," Ariana said apologetically.

"Wait, you think I'm mad because you're spending more time with Anika? Why should I be mad? I'm just glad you have a friend at school," Annie said reassuringly.

Ariana smiled. Annie was indeed a good friend who always had her back and supported her. "So, Anika invited me to a party on Saturday, and I was hoping if you could come with us?"

"I'm sorry, Riley and I have a sleepover on Saturday," Annie said apologetically.

"Okay," Ariana replied understandingly.

Helena got better and was discharged from the hospital. Jack had already bought an apartment for her and gave her capital to start her own business. Ariana didn't know how to thank him. She felt a bit guilty because she had gotten engaged to his son, but she hadn't been putting any effort into getting to know Zach. She admitted that she didn't like Zach, but she should at least try to get to know him.

On Saturday evening, Anika and Ariana got ready for the party. The only party that Ariana had been to was a birthday party when she was much younger. She didn't know what this party was going to be like, but she was expecting it to be like the ones she had seen in movies. And she was right; the party was just like the ones she had seen in movies. Loud music, alcohol buzzing, boys playing pool games, and all.

They made their way to the bar and sat down. Anika's eyes searched for Zach, but she couldn't find him. Ariana's eyes scanned through the crowd, and she spotted Casey with Alvin. Alvin's hand was wrapped around Casey, and she found it very inappropriate. Wasn't he supposed to be Zach's girlfriend? Then why was he holding his best friend's girlfriend like that?

"Would you look at that?" Ariana stated, and Anika followed her eyes.

"Are you seeing this?" Ariana questioned. Anika's eyes widened at the way Alvin held Casey and the way they talked and laughed together made her blood boil. This traitor!

"I'll be right back," Anika stated as she got up and headed towards Casey and Alvin's direction. Alvin quickly let go of Casey's waist when he saw Anika.

"Hi," Anika faked a smile at them.

"Hey, long time no see," Alvin chuckled.

"Have you seen Zach?" Anika asked.

"He's upstairs in my room," Alvin replied.

"Thanks," Anika said before climbing up the stairs without bothering to knock. She barged into the room and found Zach lying lazily on the bed.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Anika asked incredulously.

"Chilling," Zach replied. Anika didn't want to beat around the bush so she went straight to the point. "I want to tell you something: I think Casey is cheating on you."

"Do you really hate her that much?" Zach asked.

"What? I heard about what you did to her, and now this?" Anika said confusedly.

"If you want me to break up with her, just say it. Stop bringing up this lame excuse," Zach said defensively.

"You think I'm lying? I saw Alvin holding her waist tight downstairs, and she definitely flirted with him," Anika said angrily.

"Now you're bringing Alvin into this?" Zach sat on the bed and scoffed in disbelief. Anika grabbed his wrist in an attempt to drag him from the bed.

"Anika, enough!" Zach yelled. Anika fell silent. This was the first time that Zach had raised his voice at her. She felt hurt and furious at Casey.

Zach knew he had hurt her feelings and stood up trying to hold her hand, but Anika just ran off from the room.

"Anika, wait..." He sat back on the bed, feeling frustrated.