IS MINE (Short Story)

part 8

Aiah's heart pounded in her chest as Jeremy's question hung in the air. His eyes, filled with hope and a touch of nervousness, bore into hers. She hesitated, her mind racing. She knew she couldn't give him the answer he wanted. Not now, not with the turmoil swirling inside her.

"No, Jeremy,I cant" she finally managed to say, her voice barely a whisper.
Disappointment flashed across his face, but he nodded understandingly. "It's okay, Aiah. I understand."
As dinner ended she walked away, a wave of relief washed over her, mixed with a strange sense of guilt. She knew she had hurt him, but she couldn't bear the thought of leading him on.
Her thoughts drifted to Maloi and Mikha, two girls who had captured her heart in

ways she couldn't explain. Her feelings for them were complex, a blend of admiration, affection, and something deeper. She had been hesitant to label them, afraid of the societal expectations and judgments that might follow.
The next day, as she entered the school, she noticed a palpable shift in

the atmosphere. Maloi and Mikha, usually so warm and welcoming, seemed distant, their gazes avoiding hers. A pang of hurt shot through her. Had they sensed her feelings for them? Were they upset or disappointed?
As the day wore on, the silence from Maloi and Mikha grew more deafening. Aiah tried to reach out, to break the ice, but her efforts were met with polite indifference. The once vibrant friendship seemed to be fading away.

When it was time for teacher Maloi's class, the tension was palpable. Maloi assigned a challenging assignment, one that Aiah was confident she could ace. She poured her heart and soul into it, staying up late to ensure every detail was perfect.

The next day, Maloi returned the graded assignments. Aiah's heart sank as she saw the glaring red zero at the top of her paper. She had made a few minor errors, but she was certain she deserved a much higher grade.

Confusion and hurt warred within her. Had Maloi intentionally given her a low grade? Was it a punishment for her feelings? Or was it something else entirely?
Aiah sought out Maloi after class, her voice trembling as she asked for an explanation. Maloi's response was evasive, her words vague and unconvincing.

"You just deserve a zero"

"What why!? "

"How do I deserve a zero"
Aiah said with a firm tone with a mixed of anger and confusion

"Your work is good,excellent actually
But you deserve a zero so you what you get"

"Is this because of Jeremy I just want you to know I rejected him for you and mikha! "

Aiah stormed out of the classroom, her heart pounding with anger and frustration. She couldn't believe her eyes. A big, fat zero stared back at her from the top of her assignment paper. Maloi, her usually kind and understanding teacher, had marked her work with a harsh red pen.

Aiah was certain she had aced the assignment. It was a meticulous analysis of a complex literary piece, and she had poured hours of effort into it.
As she marched down the hallway, her mind raced. She couldn't understand

why Maloi would do this. It wasn't like her to be so unfair. Aiah had always been a diligent student, and she had never received such a low grade before. She knew that Maloi was aware of Jeremy's feelings for aiah, and she couldn't shake the suspicion that this was some sort of petty retaliation.

Aiah's anger grew as she thought about the implications of this unfair grade. It could potentially damage her academic standing and jeopardize her future opportunities. She had always dreamed of attending a prestigious university, and this setback could derail her plans.
She reached her locker and slammed it shut, the noise echoing through the empty hallway.

Aiah leaned against the cool metal, trying to calm her racing heart. She needed to figure out what to do next. Should she confront Maloi directly? Or should she seek help from another teacher or administrator?

As she pondered her options, a wave of sadness washed over her. She had always admired Maloi, but now she felt betrayed. She had trusted her teacher, and her trust had been broken. Aiah knew she had to find a way to move forward, but the path ahead seemed uncertain.

MALOIPOV

Maloi paced her small apartment, a frown creasing her forehead. She couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that had been gnawing at her since she'd graded Aiah's assignment. She knew she'd been unfair, but she couldn't bring herself to admit it.

Aiah, with her bright smile and infectious laughter, had always been a ray of sunshine in Maloi's otherwise mundane life. But lately, something had changed. Aiah had started spending more time with Jeremy, and Maloi

couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. She'd always harbored a  crush one Aiah, and she was never embarrassed to show it to aiah
When Aiah had confessed her feelings for two other girls, Maloi had been both relieved and disappointed. Relieved that Aiah didn't return her feelings, but disappointed that she'd never have a chance. And so, when she'd seen Aiah's assignment, a surge of bitterness had taken over.

She'd marked the paper with a harsh red pen, giving it a zero. It was a petty and childish act, she knew, but in that moment, it had felt justified. She'd wanted to hurt Aiah, to make her feel the pain she was feeling.

Now, as she replayed the incident in her mind, she felt a deep sense of regret. She knew she had to make things right. She had to apologize to Aiah and admit her mistake. But how could she do that without making mikha mad?

Maloi sighed and sat down on her couch. She knew she had to face the consequences of her actions. She had to be brave and honest, even if it meant risking her friendship with mikha