Coincidences

Act LI

"I've been putting this into consideration for quite a while now. I think I made up my mind," she announced, trying to say so calmly.

"Then, who do you choose?" rambled Rocky, impatient.

"Um... I don't mean I want to go out with the person, but―."

Rocky hastily interrupted, "Jeez, just say it already." He was sweating like crazy, and, by that, I mean that I have never seen him this dripping wet. Dunno if it was the heat or the fact that we were hanging by a thread by just waiting for the final decision.

"I mean, if I say it, you lot could fight over it. It's not a good thing. You would be technically envious."

Ty said, "You have a point. Don't worry, we won't―."

"I don't care. Just say it." Rocky's face was starting to redden.

"Ok, ok," she articulated, the whole situation getting into her. "I'll say it. Don't take it that seriously."

I jumped in the conversation in the end, telling her, "Well, it is a serious matter, Zoey."

"I know, I know," she fussed. "Stop it, guys. I'm losin my patience."

The last thing we wanted to do was make her lose her patience, because we wanted to hear it that badly. I decided to follow the advice again, so that wouldn't happened. I suggested, "Guys, give her some time. She needs it."

The boys had a long gander at me, and they calmed down a bit, understanding my message.

"Sheesh, thanks," sighed Zoey. "I wanna to set aside this, this weight on my back, you know. I get it, you are friendly people, but this burden, it's putting a toll on our friendship. I don't want to have any more awkward moments when we meet. It's killing me. I bet the same thing to you. Please, after I tell you who I like the most, can we all be friends again?"

"Sure, no prob," we answered in unison.

"Ok, fine. The person who I like the most is no other than...," she rallied, release a small breath that intensified the suspense. We were all ears.

She completed the sentence with the following words, "...no one, because I like you all equally." She made a smile with all kinds of meanings unknown.

"What? Are you kidding?" Rocky bursted out saying. He had his jaw dropped, enough to fit tennis balls inside his mouth.

Ty, on the other hand, chuckled, "Well, you got us. Well played, Zoey."

I couldn't help but stand in awe. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It's like... we've been friend-zoned. I looked to Zoey, and I still couldn't believe that she was for real.

Zoey fanned herself with her hand. "Phew, it sure is hot in here. The clouds are disappearing; there's no more shade. Let's go inside." She began to walk to the door.

"I mean, you are seriously joking, right?" inquired Rocky. It looked like he thought the facts couldn't add up.

She measly responded with the same smile from before, "Yes, I'm serious. But I'm not joking. I just wanted things to go back to how they were, when we used to hang out casually and not worry about love paradoxes and etcetera. I hope my plan worked."

"Don't worry about it. I think it did," nodded Ty.

We halted by the door to leave. Open sesame.

Mr. Reed barged out with an irritated manner, different from his earlier attitude. He stormed, saying, "What in the world are you doing on the roof?! This place is strictly off-limits!"

"Johnny," I greeted, actually a bit shock by his sudden appearance. "Hello, um, again." They looked at me baffled when I called him "Johnny".

"Out now! All of you," he instructed, outraged. "Martin, I would like a word with you again."

"Again? You make it sound like I'm a delinquent!"

We descended down the stairs, surrounded by the echoes of Mr. Reed's lectures, and we heard the door shut behind us. What I didn't notice was that two figures stayed behind during all the fuss.