Fate

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Alec was currently teaching the class like he was a normal innocent English teacher and I hoped he was. I just couldn't be too sure. I hadn't been texted at all while we'd been in class. I realized this proved absolutely nothing and I was likely being suspicious of a completely innocent guy. I just couldn't help it. However, I also couldn't help but remember it could be someone else after all. Just someone pulling a harmless prank that could mean nothing. One they were taking way too far for my taste.

"You're awfully quiet today," Zayn whispered, and I tore my gaze away from the front just briefly.

"Are you bipolar?" I questioned, surprised by my boldness.

He arched an eyebrow. "Why would you ask me something like that?"

"Oh, I don't know, just how different you act every time I see you."

"Well, are you a stalker? I don't ask you how your mental health is going. I hear you have a problem with it." I looked away from him quickly, hurt by the comment. Had I goaded him too far with my comments? I had to remember who he was and I needed to realize he could be mean if he wanted to be. Of course, Melinda would have told him about my anxiety.

My mental health was not a joke to me. I'd always dealt with a little anxiety but it had been steadily getting worse. It made me feel like a freak and I didn't need Melinda's boyfriend reminding me of that. For a full five minutes, I tried not to let my feelings crumble any further as I listened to Alec. He let us do some bookwork and sat down to grade papers. I looked down to focus.

"Ariel?" Oh, so it was Ariel, now? Not a loser? I was getting sick of this. "I shouldn't have said what I said earlier." He whispered with a sigh. No, you shouldn't have Zayn. "I know it's a big deal for you to deal with." He continued. So you decide to use it as an insult? "I just thought--"

"Zayn? You have a question?" Alec asked.

"Not for you," He responded.

"Then get back to work."

Even when Alec was trying to be stern, he sounded nice. Maybe he was some type of psycho. I was sure I heard Zayn mumble profanities under his breath but I paid him little attention as I picked my pencil up to start writing. The rest of the class went by peacefully much to my relief. No spitballs in the head today, which was nice. When the bell rang, I took my time grabbing my things.

"I don't think you're a slut," Zayn commented.

My eyes snapped to him not even knowing he'd still been there. I'd thought he would have already left like he normally did. Had that been what he'd been attempting to tell me earlier? He didn't think I was a slut. So he was saying he knew his girlfriend was lying? The fact he seemed to think just a little bit favorably of me was also a relief. It didn't change what he said.

"Why not?" I asked looking into his eyes.

"You don't seem the type."

"You know the type?" Might be the wrong thing to say considering his girlfriend was the type.

"I know and it's not you," he said before standing up. I watched his back as he walked out the door where Melinda was waiting for him. Just the sight I needed to see to round out my already horrible mood. I finally stood up, collecting my things and I looked to see if Alec was looking at me. He wasn't so I visibly relaxed as I walked toward the door.

"Have a good rest of the day, Ariel," Alec called.

"Thanks, you too," I said, not looking at him as I walked through the door.