INTERTWINED FATES: THE RED STRING

CHAPTER 12

Tiana didn't know anything about the situation. Tiana walked through the quiet corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. Today was the day she would confess her feelings to Thyme. She had rehearsed the words a thousand times in her head, imagining the way his eyes would light up when he realized she liked him too. She clutched the small letter in her hand, a token of her affection, and took a deep breath.

As she approached the school courtyard, where Thyme usually hung out with his friends, she spotted him leaning against a tree, his attention focused on something distant. Tiana hesitated for a moment, nerves threatening to take over, but then she reminded herself of the countless times she had imagined this moment. She couldn't back out now.

"Thyme," she called out softly, her voice trembling slightly. 

He looked up, his expression softening when he saw her. 

"Hey, Tiana," he greeted her with a warm smile.

Tiana took a deep breath and stepped closer.

"There's something I need to tell you," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.

Thyme's smile faltered, and he seemed to sense the seriousness of the moment. 

"What is it?"Tiana swallowed hard, feeling her heart race. 

"I... I like you, Thyme. I've liked you for a long time, and I was wondering if... if you'd be my boyfriend."

The silence that followed felt like an eternity. Tiana watched as Thyme's expression shifted from surprise to something she couldn't quite place. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words seemed to catch in his throat. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Tiana, you're an amazing girl," he started, his tone gentle yet hesitant. "But... there's something you need to know."

Tiana's heart sank, dread pooling in her stomach. "What is it?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Thyme looked away as if gathering his thoughts. "I... I don't feel the same way about you," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. 

"The truth is, I've always had feelings for someone else."

Tiana felt her world crumble around her. She forced a smile, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill.

"Oh," she managed to say, her voice cracking slightly. 

"Who is it?"

Thyme hesitated before answering, his eyes filled with an emotion Tiana couldn't quite place. "It's Nabi," he confessed quietly.

Tiana's breath hitched, and she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Nabi? Her friend, the girl she had shared countless secrets and laughs with? The realization hit her like a tidal wave, but she kept her composure, refusing to break down in front of him.

"I see," she said softly, her smile still in place despite the tears that now shimmered in her eyes. 

"I hope... I hope things work out for you and Nabi."

Thyme looked at her with something like pity, but Tiana couldn't bear to meet his gaze.

 "I'm sorry, Tiana," he murmured.

She shook her head, forcing herself to smile wider. 

"It's okay, Thyme. I just want you to be happy." With that, she turned and walked away, her heart heavy with unspoken pain.

Later that day, Tiana found herself sitting with her friends, trying to find the words to tell them what had happened. When she finally did, the room fell silent as they processed the news.

"Thyme is such a jerk," Isa blurted out, her voice filled with anger.

 "How could he do that to you?"

Helena nodded in agreement, her expression stormy. "You deserve so much better than him, Tiana."

Tiana managed a weak smile. "It's okay. I just... I didn't expect it to be Nabi."

Kevin frowned, his voice filled with concern. 

"You shouldn't have to pretend you're okay, Tiana. You have every right to feel hurt.

"Steve chimed in, his tone supportive. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Tiana nodded, grateful for her friends' support, but the pain in her chest remained. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."

Meanwhile, across the school, Zade stood by his locker, feeling a mixture of disappointment and guilt. He had heard about the prank Helena and Isa had pulled on Nabi, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. He couldn't believe they had gone so far as to expose Nabi's relationship with him as a joke, especially considering how much it meant to both of them.

When Zade saw Nabi in the hallway later that day, he felt a pang of anxiety. What if she started to ignore him now, after everything that had happened? What if she regretted ever being with him?

But to his surprise, Nabi caught his eye and offered him a small smile. 

"Hi, Zade," she greeted him softly, as if nothing had changed.

Zade's heart swelled with relief, hope flickering in his chest. Despite everything, despite the prank and the way they had been caught, Nabi still acknowledged him, still smiled at him. Maybe, just maybe, she still felt the same way.

As he watched her walk away, Zade couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope. Nabi hadn't given up on them, and he wouldn't either. He would do whatever it took to make things right, to prove to her that their relationship was worth fighting for.