Crushing On The Enemy

25- different

Soraya's POV

Oh, how I wish the weekend didn't have to end. Going back to school feels like torture, especially now that I have no friends. I decided to stay away from Nathan, Natalie, and Henry. Like Mom said, it's better to avoid them now that I'm not capable of revenge. At least I can do this for Bella. Mom has already left for her morning shift, which means I'll have to take the bus.

Walking to the bus station, I clutch the strap of my backpack tightly, my heart pounding with anxiety. I pray not to see any familiar faces. When the bus comes to a halt, I quickly step in and find an empty seat by the window, feeling a slight sense of relief as the bus starts moving.

But my relief is short-lived. The bus suddenly stops, and my heart sinks as Nathan steps in. Of course. I silently curse my luck, realizing that my seat is the only one available. He walks toward me with his usual confident stride, and I brace myself as he sits down next to me.

"Hey," he says casually, as if nothing has happened. I stare out the window, refusing to respond. Wasn't he the one who said he didn't want to talk to me anymore? I shift closer to the window, trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

Nathan chuckles, a sound that forces me to look at him. How does he get more handsome every day? I think to myself. And why is he smiling so much? Did he win the lottery or something?

"Why are you talking to me, huh?" I snap, unable to keep my irritation in check. "I thought you said I should stay away from you. You shouldn't even be sitting here. Why didn't you tell the bus driver to stop so you could get out the moment you saw me? Why not stand, at least? And why do you have that smile plastered on your face, huh?"

Nathan's expression shifts, his smile fading as he looks at me earnestly. "I'm sorry, Soraya," he says softly. "I'm sorry for everything I said on Friday." Just then, he brings out a single red rose. "Um, so there's this garden not far from here, and I kind of stole this rose for you," he says, holding the rose out.

Ugh why is he so cute?!

I look at it and then at him. "Look here, Nathan. I don't really care anymore," I say, trying to sound indifferent. "Keep your apologies and your rose to yourself."

I see the smile on his face falter, but I could care less. The bus arrives at our school junction, and we both get off. I walk briskly, putting as much distance between us as I can.

~~~

I manage to get through the first half of school without making conversation with any of them. Yes, I completely avoid Henry and Natalie as well. It's difficult, especially since Henry is my seat partner, and I can see the sadness in his eyes when I don't pay any attention to him. As the bell rings for lunch, I quickly gather my things and head to the cafeteria, finding a seat alone.

As I sit and scroll through my phone, I eat my noodles in peace, enjoying the brief solitude. Suddenly, a very petite and beautiful girl sits down across from me. She's dark in complexion, and her very long natural hair is neatly put in a sleek low bun. Her lost and timid expression reminds me of myself when I first arrived here.

"Hello," she greets, a slight smile gracing her lips.

"Hello," I reply, returning her smile. "Are you new?"

"Yes, please," she responds politely. "I'm in Science 1A. I got a scholarship to study here at the beginning of the term, but there were some issues, so everything got delayed. But it's sorted out now."

"Oh, okay. I'm glad everything is sorted now. I'm also new here. I'm in Science 3A. My mom transferred to this city for work, hence why I'm here."

She nods, looking a bit more at ease. "Oh, okay. How do you like it here?" she asks shyly.

"Well, it's okay. Great facilities and great teachers. I don't know about great friends, though," I say, a hint of bitterness in my voice.

"Same. Nobody even talked to me in class today," she confesses, her eyes downcast.

"Awww, I'm so sorry about that. What's your name?" I ask, feeling a pang of sympathy.

"I'm Judith," she says briefly, looking up at me.

"Nice to meet you, Judith. I'm Soraya."

"Nice meeting you, Senior Soraya," she replies, her smile widening slightly.

"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me. And about nobody talking to you, don't worry too much about it. Just loosen up and try to talk to some of your classmates, okay? Who knows, maybe they are also too shy to approach you," I say, offering her a reassuring smile.

"Okay, Senior Soraya. I'll do just that. Thank you for your company," she says, standing up with her plate in hand. She gives me a small wave before leaving.

I wave back and watch her walk away, her steps a little more confident than before. I sense eyes on me from a distance and know exactly who they belong to, but I decide not to look. It's for the best, I tell myself. I quickly finish my food and gather my things, eager to avoid any altercations. Exiting the cafeteria, I make my way back to class.

After our last class, all the Form 3 students are called to the auditorium for an announcement. The principal stands before us, her voice stern and commanding. " Your Mock exams will be starting next week. I urge all of you to prepare thoroughly," she says. As she speaks, I realize how distracted I've been these days, leaving me little time to read or prepare. This is the best time to refocus. As the meeting ends, we all file out of the auditorium.

"Soraya, wait!" I hear Natalie call out to me, and I start to walk briskly, hoping to avoid her. But she's quick, and in no time, she catches up to me.

"Why are you behaving this way?" she asks, her voice rising slightly. I can see the frustration in her eyes. "Nathan apologized, didn't he? So what's wrong? Okay, forget about Nathan for a moment. What did Henry and I do, huh?" she snaps, her tone sharp. But I remain silent, my eyes fixed ahead.

"Are you for real right now?" she says, her voice laced with disbelief. "Soraya, if I leave now, that's it. I'll never talk to you or look in your direction again." Her words hang in the air, a heavy threat that weighs on my heart. As much as I want to hug her and tell her how sorry I am and how much I miss her, I can't. I keep my silence, not even glancing at her.

She sighs heavily, her disappointment evident. "I thought you were different, but I was wrong," she says, her voice filled with hurt. With that, she turns and walks away, her steps angry and determined, leaving me to bear the weight of my choices alone.

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