How To Be Beautiful.

The One where she knows where to place her sacrifices.

"Wait," I cried as I shoved my book inside my bag, following him out of the class and into the buzzing hallways.

"Zee?" I asked, more to myself than him as he kept walking towards god knows where. But I immediately shook off the thought, knowing that no matter how much of a blabber mouth she might be, she would never go around spilling secrets like that! "Nah, that can't be!" I exclaimed.

He came to a halt just outside the music room, which was practically abandoned at this time of day, unlocking the door before stepping inside with me in tow.

I shut the door behind me joining him on one of the benches furthest from the door and closer to the back windows, turning to look at him assuming he would talk now that we are all alone with only a few instruments to spy on us. "So," I started. "How do you know about this?"

I don't think the fact that he knew was what bothered me, but rather where he got his information from. "Is it me?" I sounded out my concern, and maybe the one and only reason I was obsessing over this. Was I that obvious?

And I could see he sensed my growing nerves as he shook his head, "He doesn't know," and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"He is a little too dumb to connect the dots," He joked, probably trying to lighten the mood. "You're both too in your head to notice anything that's going on around you." He added with a shrug.

"I am?"

"Pretty much yeah,"

"Why?"

"Not the problem now, is it?" He shook his head, bringing me back to my initial inquiry. "So, did someone tell you? Or did you just figure it out on your own?" I asked once more. "I would say a little bit of both," He shrugged.

"How?"

"You have to admit; you act like a love sick puppy around him!" He smiled. "Especially during our freshman year, which I bet was when you started liking him!" He added, looking at me for confirmation as I just nodded in agreement. There's no need to deny anything now! "So you knew since then?" I asked, pretty shocked by the new discovery.

"It was pretty obvious not to notice," He shrugged. "But did he catch on?" I asked. "Nah, just as I told you," He shook his head. "Too over his head to see what's in front of him."

"And what made you so sure?" I asked. He sure didn't believe I like Adam based on these observations! "You and the girls didn't make it harder for me to confirm my speculations," He chuckled, and I smiled knowing well enough they can be a little too much when it comes to our nonexistent romantic endeavor. "They do go overboard sometimes." I nodded, a smile still stretched on my face.

"And why tell me now?" I asked, curious to know why he chose to tell me now and not two years earlier when he first found out.

"Because I have a feeling you will do something dumb and I want to know what it is before you jump the rope." He smiled, raising his eyebrows knowingly.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion, not really getting what he was referring to. "Why did you ask about Senna?" He inquired, noticing my confusion, taking me back to what happened earlier at the cafeteria.

I looked at him, still confused as to where this conversation was going, but I answered him anyway. "Mmm, I don't know." I said. "Felt like the right thing to do, especially after how Zayna's been treating her." I added with a shrug. "And it kinda slipped out!" I wanted to add, but I didn't.

He nodded before looking me in the eyes. "You think he likes her, don't you?" He asked, catching me off guard.

I don't think I have admitted this to anyone yet, but I do believe there is some chemistry there. "I got no right to say who he should or shouldn't like, Zack," I shook my head.

"Not my point, Claire." He shook his head, disregarding my comment. "Do you?' He repeated.

"I do, yes," I admitted, "I think he is happier when he is around her," I added, despite the tug I felt inside.

"You think so?"

"I do, yes."

"But what about you?" He asked, and I looked at him in confusion. "What about me?" I asked.

"How do you feel seeing him around her?" And that was the first time anyone ever asked me that question.

How do I feel when he is around her? I feel angry at him and angrier at myself for feeling this way. I feel jealous that he is smiling down at her and not me. "It doesn't matter how I feel," I shook my head, shaking off these thoughts before they nest themselves into my head and consume me. "I don't have the right to control his life, whom he likes and whom he doesn't."

"But how would you feel if something were to happen?" He asked. "At least one of us gets his happy ending," I shrugged.

"So you'll be ok with it?"

"I guess as long as he's happy," I shrugged.

"You seem to know where to place your sacrifices," He smiled. "So you agree?"

"No, I don't." He shook his head no. "But it seems like you do."

"And I don't think I could be much of an influence on that," He said, already getting up. "And don't fuss about it too much, I won't tell," He added before turning to leave.

....

"Ready to go?" Asked Adam as soon as I approached him in the parking lot, where he was waiting by his car.

But I didn't take into account the girl standing by his side. "Hi," I said unsurely, looking between the two. What the hell is she doing here?

"Where are the others?" I asked, looking around for anyone to run to. I really didn't want to be alone in the same space as these two. "Ash just called. They stopped to get something from Zayna's locker." He explained. "They'll be right out." He added as I nodded before I dove back into silence, standing by the boot of his car.

I could hear them conversing, but I couldn't bring myself to join in. And I knew Adam wouldn't force me into a conversation unless I am comfortable enough to join on my own.

I am not gonna lie. I sincerely wanted to divert their attention away from each other, but I didn't know how to do that without making a complete and utter fool out of myself.

I turned around, keeping my eyes on the school mentally summoning the rest. And as if it worked, they emerged, not a second later, and I couldn't be more thankful for my summoning skills as they hurried in our direction, probably noticing the distressed look on my face.

And I could, for the first time, notice the extra pair of concerned eyes on me. "Hop in?" Asked Ash as soon as she was close enough, pointing at her car. But I shook my head no, "The project," I mumbled, and she nodded in understanding, her eyes making their way back to the couple. "Yeah, she is mine today." Nodded Adam. I'm yours, but we have an intruder in the way!

"We'll be taking Senna home before that, though," He added, looking at me for confirmation. "Oh," I nodded, not knowing what else to say. Like, maybe I would have said no if she wasn't standing right there! But knowing myself, I would have probably gave the same answer!

"Will you be ok?" Whispered Zay as she stood next to me. I shrugged, "I'll try," I assured her before turning to the car, as Adam clicked it open allowing me a quick escape into the passenger seat, before waving goodbye to the three standing outside my door, giving them a thumbs up and a smile. I am not going to prison, you know!

"I'm sorry I'm taking him away from you," started Senna with a smile as she got into the back seat. You are, yes. "Mom was stuck at work, and he didn't want me to Uber alone!" She added motioning towards Adam, who finally joined us, getting into the driver's seat.

I smiled, giving them a small nod. "It's okay. I wouldn't mind." I said, putting on my seatbelt.

Didn't want her to Uber alone, my ass!