Love Alarm [Based On A True Story]

The Darkside

Zack had left the country a week ago. A month has passed since my moment of humiliation. The whole class is now aware of the incident that took place, but the drama that it caused was long over. No one cared about it anymore, nor did I.

I'm perfectly fine.

"Only a few days left till the second semester exams start. We will start revising from tomorrow so everyone better be prepared. Am I understood?" Mrs. McNille asks the class, but like usual, nobody responds.

Mrs. McNille stares from one face to another for a solid minute, wondering why even the bunch of students that usually answer her remain quiet. I don't know why the others are so silent, but I know exactly why I am. Yes, I was one of the students that answered to the teacher so when Mrs McNille's eyes fall on me, she brightens up.

"Ms. Manzel, do you have any questions?" She almost beams, preparing the answers in her head, answers to questions that never come.

"No ma'am. All good." I reply with a chuckle while Sandy nudges me with her elbow as she holds in her laughter. I can't help but do the same, because of which Mrs. McNille notices our little exchange.

Her face turns into a scowl as she eyes Sandy up to down, before her attention turns back to me. "Are you sure?"

"Wow, she's persistent." Sandy whispers in my ear, making me giggle despite the fact that the teacher's attention is all on me. I can't care any less. "Yes ma'am. I'm sure."

Mrs. McNille doesn't say anything after that. The class has ended, and we are back to our usual shenanigans.

"Guys I'm so scared! I'm so scared I can hardly think straight! What do I do?"

"Are you sure he knows?"

"Knows what?"

"Apparently Sebastian found out about Sandy's crush on him."

"He WHAT!?"

"Guys!"

"Damn! You a goner, Sandy."

"Seriously Meave? She's already chewing my brains with her whining; must you make it worse?"

"Only being honest, Claire hon."

"So, what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know! I don't know, I'm so scared!"

"Are you really?"

"Jesus Meave stop! Sandy, what has you so scared?"

"I... don't know. Rejection?"

"Ah. That. Well, there's only one person here who can help you with that. Ariana?"

Silence.

"Ariana?"

"H-huh?"

"Earth to Ariana. Where did you go?" Sofie asks with an eyebrow raised, while I can only blink multiple times as if waking up from a dream. I don't know how long I had spaced out, but judging from the way they are all staring at me, it must have been long.