The Bet

chapter 31: troubled minds [Mixed POV]

[Simons POV]

Two weeks had passed since Nick Kwon had asked me to be his boyfriend. Chills. Everything has been running smoothly, my relationship is going great, my grades have peaked, I have friends who love and care for me, I'm the co-leader of the writers club! I even joined the schools drama club. Really, I've got it all.
And other than class times, I haven't even seen Molly around, perhaps the saying is true; when you truly want someone gone they disappear. Almost forgot about the whole situation..

"Simon, hey!" Joshua called as he hopped towards me, his dark skin glowing in the sun. It was a very warm day despite it being early March, the both of us had our sweaters tied around our waists.
"Hii!" I waved, waiting for him on the grass, the trees shade giving my skin a blue tint. Behind him, I noticed Nick making his way towards me aswell, a big smile spread across my face. 
"How was English?"
"Eh, nothing special really. We just went over another Sylvia Plath poem called 'Daddy' it's quite sad actually." I said as Joshua crossed his legs.
"Ah, my class is still readin' the book, almost done though."
He stuffed his face with an egg sandwich and proceeded to look around the school yard like a gaurd dog.
"There's so much to learn, I just want to do some creative writing...good thing we also have analysis!" I said. Nick sat down in between the two of us.
"Oh yeah- since you're both here..."
"Yeah what's up?"
"Me and Cecily are going to the Emerald Park this weekend as a date, we were thinking maybe you guys would wanna join?" Joshua suggested catching our interest, Nick turned to look at me with an odd expression.
"Like...a double date?" I turned my head, he nodded in response.
"C'mon, it'd be great fun lads. Heard the new ride is really fun aswell." He persisted even though I had already made up my mind. "Yeah that sounds good, Nick?" I turned to face him, he seemed nervous.
"Emerald Park? The amusement Park with roller coasters yes?"
Joshua nodded.
"You're not scared of roller-coasters are you...?" I asked, examining his reaction.
"Of course not! I can go." Nick scoffed, trying to act tough but he didn't fool me, he always had a tell. Whenever Nick hides his feelings he picks on the skin of his fingers or digs his nails into whatever he's holding and he happened to do just that. "Nick it's okay if you're scared, I won't force you to go." I assured him but he insisted on going so I didn't think about it again. Perhaps he wanted to face his fears. 

"Has anyone seen Maya today?" Joshua interrupted making me realise that I infact haven't seen her all day. "No, maybe she's out?"
"I saw her this morning but she disappeared after that.."
"That's real weird, did she seem off to you?" I asked, there was a moment of silence between the three of us. I listened in on the sound of birds chirping.
"Yanno, now that I think about it she did act a lil weird, a little paranoid? I know that sounds silly but she kept laughin' and lookin' round." Joshua continued as he tapped his finger on his chin. I began to get lost in thought, trying to decipher her recent behaviour only to realise Joshua was right.
"That's real weird...we should look for her." I said and we began to look through the school. We split into three, Joshua went to the cafeteria, Nick went to the nurses office and I went to the writers club room.

The door was open so I stepped into the empty classroom and there she was, easier than I thought it would be. She was sitting alone at one of the desks, writing away. "Hey Maya, I haven't seen you at all today is everything okay?" I asked, stepping closer towards her.
I sat down beside her and she quickly shuffled her belongings into her neon pink bag.
"Oh! Hi, you frightened me hah" She chuckled, nervously looking around the room. Joshua's words started to replay in my mind, he was dead right, something wasn't right.
"Why, are you okay?" I asked once again. "Yeah! Yeah- of course, I just uh..I needed some...alone time."
"I'm sorry" She continued with a forced smile. Her eyes highly alert.
"No you're fine, we all have those days I suppose. Just a heads up next time yeah?" I smiled trying to reassure her, calm her down.
"Y-yeah"

"Also look if you need help with anything, we'll all be here for you--"
"Thank you Simon but, I have to go, to the restroom. I'll talk to you guys tomorrow, so sorry!" She said as she rushed off her seat, leaving me completely alone in the classroom. I followed her footsteps and made my way back outside, reflecting on our conversation. Perhaps I should have done something, stop her somehow. Maybe I could've said something more?

"Any luck?" Joshua asked in a pant, I nodded without saying a word.
"Well?" He asked.
"I found her alone in the writers club writing something but she immediately put it away and just left in a rush...said she needed alone time? I dunno, what if she's struggling with something??" I pouted.
"Yeah, I know she likes her alone time but she's been real on edge. We should talk to her."
"I'd like that, let's find her tomorrow and talk." I smiled lightly, plucking the grass around me. It was the best solution after all, I couldn't let her just suffer in silence, she's my friend. Friends care for each other.

[Mayas POV]

I rushed out of the classroom before the two could meet, I couldn't bare the thought of Simon knowing Molly has been following me around. He'd assume we're friends again and that I'm not trustworthy, they'd all hate me. Simon would be so hurt. I'm not her friend, I simply want to help, even if it costs me my nerves. "Molly?" I called out in the bathroom, a faint sound of keys rattling overtook the silent room. "I hope you don't mind but I'd like to take a stroll outside if that's okay...uh- only if you're up for it of course." I continued as she listened in, in one of the bathroom stalls.

There was yet another moment of eery silence, she was breathing heavily.
"Okay." She finally replied, her voice faint.
"Should I wait for you by the gate?"
"No, it's okay I can come out." She sniffled. She came out of the bathroom stall with a red nose, her eyes puffy yet dry.
"Are you alright?" I asked, gently touching her shoulder before she looked down at me and smiled. A wide grin spread across her face as if she had just heard the most amazing news ever. "Yep! I'm real good actually, all thanks to you! Thanks M, you're the best." She chirped, grabbing onto my hand and leading us out of the school. We took a stroll to the park and listened to the birds singing away in the trees. "Did you know that birds when they chirp they're not actually singing, they're claiming their territory." Molly interrupted out of the blue, the trees shade hiding her from the warm sun.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"What? What's so funny about that." She chuckled dryly.
"Nothing, sorry. It's really interesting actually, I never knew that. Thank you."  I forced a smile, trying to hide my fear. I wasn't scared of her, I was scared of hurting her. She seemed so fragile and I couldn't dream of saying something that'd offend her, it'd only cause more drama.
"Yeah...the more you know I guess!" She shrugged it off, I sighed in relief. We carried on walking before stopping by concrete stairs leading down to the river. We stood and observed the fish swimming peacefully in the water.
"I love fish! I used to own a golden fish actually, her name was Goldy!" Molly beamed making me laugh once again.
"Yeah I wasn't very creative with names as a kid, I'd probably name it something like...Maya." She continued with a smile, still admiring the fish.
"Do I resemble a fish?" I giggled as she turned to look down at me.
"No...I'd just like to see you on a daily basis like I used to, even if that means you're stuck as a fish in my tank." She replied before going completely silent, I took a deep breath in and listened in on the sounds of water splashing against the small rocks.

"Aren't they looking for you?" She said out of nowhere once again. I looked at her blankly without responding.
"Well, you've been spending lots of time with me recently, surely they must be at least suspicious by now. Unless you're not friends with them anymore!"  Molly continued.
"N-no! Course not heh, they're my friends...I just want to spend time with you!" I giggled nervously.
"Hm. Why?"
"Excuse me?"
"Why do you want to spend more time with me? Are you scared I'm gonna off myself or something?" She scoffed making my eyes widen.
"Wh--"
"You think I'm some lost cause huh?? Wow! Look at this loser, can't keep it together without her best friend around!" She spiralled, waving her arms around before firmly gripping onto my shoulders. Her nails digging into my shoulder blades.
"You think you're some kind of saviour don't you?" She continued, getting more tense with each word.
"N-no! That's not it at all--"
"Liar?! You're only thinking about the moment I finally screw up again so you can leave me and go back to your other friends! Nobody wants to have me as their burden, even you're ashamed of me, I can feel it." She hissed, pushing me away from her, her eyes became glossy.
"I like your company, you're my friend- best, friend!!" I argued as I stepped back towards her and looked her in her troubled eyes, she seemed so lost. "Fuck off." She said coldly, her tone soulless. It's like her personality did a complete switch, she seemed so happy a few minutes ago, I don't understand what I did wrong.