Love Alarm [Based On A True Story]

No Regrets

Nat's words hit me like a bucket of ice-cold water to my face, sending chills all over me. It seems like everything around me has come to a standstill as I weighed her words in my head, still unable to register what she just said.

I can sense a hubbub growing around me, the noises of my friends clamouring around Nat in order to know what she meant by what she just said. I sense it all, and yet I can't bring myself to join in. why? There are too many reasons.

One. I'm still under shock. Zack knows. He knows about my crush on him.

Two. When did he know? Did he know all along, or did Nat just expose my identity like my friends interpreted that she would?

Slowly but surely, I turn my attention to Nat, who is trying to explain to an agitated Claire as to how Zack came to know about my identity. I watch her for a full minute, trying to study her expression and see if anything gives her away.

But I can understand nothing. Nothing at all. If Nat really did expose me, she does a fine job at hiding it. But I don't know for sure. I don't know if Nat really exposed me, or Zack just knew all along.

My heart rate which had picked up speed slowly began turning normal as the noises around me cleared out, bringing me back to earth. I can finally hear what Nat is saying.

"... And then she said that they knew all along, I don't know how because she won't tell me. She said they knew Ari had feelings for Zack." Nat says, rubbing her face on her hands as a dry chuckle leaves her lips, her eyes finally meeting mine. "Ari, I don't know how they know, but I swear I didn't tell my sister, nor did Riley. The only other explanation is..."

Nat trails off, unable to bring herself to say what we are all thinking, what I'm thinking myself. Because it's rather shameful on my part. However, Meave being Meave, blatantly admits it all. "The only other explanation is that Ari did a terrible job at hiding her emotions around Zack. I think he already got the vibes from you."

"Ugh." A groan instantly leaves my lips as I feel my legs give away, making me lean against the massive French windows that overlook the assembly field below. I facepalm myself, feeling the embarrassment as I feel someone pat me on the back trying to comfort me, although I don't know who it is.

Lunch break will soon come to an end, and I have no idea what is to happen. A plan that was to end with just an anonymous confession now suddenly turned into an embarrassing revelation, and now I have little to no clue as to what to do going forward.

What now? What's next? Zack knows me. Do I just leave things like this?

"I'm sure you don't plan on leaving things hanging like this now do you, Ari?" Tessa suddenly says, making me look at her. But I'm not the only one, for my friends are giving her the look too.

"You mean," Sandy begins with an eyebrow raised. "You want her to move forward with this? even after finding out the guy knows her identity?"

Tessa stares at Sandy like she has grown two heads, "So what if he knows? What are you scared of exactly? Are you scared that he would reject her?"