Echoes Of An Alpha

Chapter 24 : Confessions and distractions

The next day at school felt normal, at least until Zade caught up with me between classes. I had barely made it to my locker when he appeared at my side, leaning casually against the wall, his usual confidence masking the tension I could see in his eyes.

"Hey, Zara," he greeted, voice a little too casual.

"Hey," I replied, glancing up at him while grabbing my books. "You wanted to tell me something last night before Zoë interrupted?"

Zade shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... about that," he said, looking around like he was trying to figure out how to word whatever was on his mind. “It’s, uh... it’s kind of complicated.”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. "Go on."

He sighed, clearly not knowing where to start. “You know, things have been pretty weird lately—between everything going on with the Maledictixys, Kristen, the whole situation. It’s made me think about a lot of stuff.”

I narrowed my eyes. "What does that have to do with you hanging outside my window last night?"

Zade let out a nervous chuckle, not meeting my gaze. "Well... okay, let’s just say there’s been something on my mind for a while. And it’s, uh, not easy to admit."

I crossed my arms, leaning back against the lockers. "Zade, just say it. What’s going on?"

He sighed again, clearly stalling. “You know how Kristen and I broke up, right? I mean, obviously, you know that... but, uh, it wasn’t just because of... well, things between us weren’t working out. It’s... there’s more to it.”

I tilted my head, trying to piece together where this was going. "More to it? Like what?"

He glanced down at his shoes, clearly struggling with whatever he was trying to say. "I didn’t break up with her because of some fight or anything like that. I broke up with her because of... someone else."

I felt my stomach twist, suddenly uneasy. “Someone else?”

Zade finally met my eyes, the seriousness in his expression catching me off guard. "Yeah. There’s someone else... someone I’ve been thinking about for a while now."

"Zade, you mean you cheated on her" I said shocked and he laughed a little.

"No it's nothing like that" he replied and that confused me further.

"Then what are you saying?" I asked .

"The someone I've been thinking about is ...well it's... You" he said and I froze staring at him for a moment.

I turned on my heel before he could say anything else and began walking away.

"Zara, wait!" Zade called after me, but I didn’t turn back. It's like I blocked out everything .

It wasn’t until much later when I was in my last class of the day , as I replayed the conversation in my head, that I realized exactly what he had been trying to tell me.

It's impossible Zade is one of the guys every girl in school likes and he said he likes me. My life is turning out like a typical highschool movie. I felt like screaming but not because I'm happy.

The teacher was teaching and I was not even listening. Maybe this is a prank maybe Selene and Zade are conspiring against me. Maybe this is Selene's plan to humiliate me.

The bell rang and I was still lost in thought.

"Zara" Roshni said tapping me on my shoulder and I snapped back into my senses.

"Yes" I replied

"The bell rang 10 minutes ago, and I've been waiting for you" Roshni said and I looked at my watch.

"Ohhh I'm sorry but I have news let's go" I said packing my stuff and putting them in my bag and we both left the class .

I filled her in on everything that happened with Selene yesterday and everything that happened with Zade today.

(In my bedroom)

"B*tch what are you telling me?!".she asked

"You're parents wouldn't appreciate that language they'll think I'm being a bad influence I'm proud, and yes it's all so bizaar"

"Zade really confessed his feelings and Selene lied about not remembering anything " she said "how I wish I was living your love life right now" she continued.

"Enough of me and my troubles,how is it going with Chase?" I asked laying with my chest on the bed .

"There's no progress at all, at first I thought this project was gonna bring us closer well it did but we drifted back into the friend zone right after" she sighed .

"Project, Ohhh no Tyson ,the results are coming out tomorrow" I thought to myself trying to not make everything about me .

"It's okay I'll fix it all we need is a bit of Zara effect that's all" I said confidently.

"The Zara effect always works, OMG I can't wait to see what the Zara effect gets done this time" she said getting up .

"Let's do this! Well we'll start by texting him so take your phone and text him" I said and Roshni took her phone and opened her chats with Chase .

"And say what?" She asked .

"Okay firstly instead of using the hi ,how are you, I'm good ,what are you doing nonsense why don't we try something new"

"Okay I think I like where this is going" Roshni said.

I took her phone and began texting Chase texted back both Roshni and I kept the conversation alive for as long as possible. Until Chase texted this one thing the one thing we needed out of this conversation .

Chase: You're actually cool, so what do you say we go on an outing Saturday.

Roshni and I celebrated a little before we could answer we were losing our minds out of joy.

"Okay reply, reply but in a nonchalant way no matter what you do do not show him you want this." I said

Roshni: Sure why not
Chase: Okay we'll chat tomorrow at school then .
Roshni: I'll see you tomorrow then
Chase: Have a goodnight Rosh
Roshni: Goodnight

Roshni screamed "he called me Rosh he never calls me that" she said and I just had to join in on the excitement.

"Ahhhhh" we both screamed holding hand but quickly after returned to our serious expressions . We shook hands formally.

"You did well Roshni Kumar" I said formally.

"Ohhh I wouldn't have done it without you Zara Garcia" she replied formally.

"Well it's getting late ,I should get home see you tomorrow then" Roshni said looking at the time on her watch and it was eight o'clock I couldn't believe the time flew by so fast.

"Well then I'll see you tomorrow " I said lastly and she left .

I was now left with myself to deal with Roshni's presence distracted me from my reality and now that she's gone home it's time to face it again