Fate's Identity

Chapter 21

"We must be ready before midterms, everyone," Ms. Gomez says. "Please listen carefully, we need to get props settled down before the weekend..."

Bvvpp!!! Bvvpp!!!

My phone vibrates, and I slowly pull it out of my pocket. Who could be texting me in class?

I turn on the screen, and a text message from none other than Liam popped in my notification. My lips form a smile as my eyes travel across the room, seeing Liam setting his phone on his desk. I chuckle a little and turn back to the message. I read: I have something to tell you.

I slide my phone under the desk and shift my eyes back and forth from Ms. Gomez to my phone. I reply: Can't this wait. Ms. Gomez is going to catch us.

In a few seconds, Liam texts back. She's giving the same lecture she always gives. And yes, this can wait. But I'm bored.

My smile widens, wondering how bored he could be to be texting in class. I quickly remark back: Patience. She's almost done talking. We'll be up on the stage in no time. My eyes trail back to him, and beside him, I couldn't help but laugh lightly. I continue to type: Beware Zayn. He's practically drooling over your seat. I send him the text and close my phone.

I nudge Camila on the arm slightly and got her attention. Her eyes questions me, and I point my eyes to her sleeping admirer. She takes one look at the sleeping Zayn - leaning over to Liam's shoulders with his arms crossed - and giggles.

"Who was that?" Ms. Gomez questions, looking in the middle row. "Who just laughed?"

Camila and I exchange looks. Our smile fades into guilt. I closed my eyes, pressing my hands against the desk. I lift myself up, but before she can recognize me, someone speaks loudly enough to the point where I can hear them.

"I did," I open my eyes and see Liam standing. I slump back down and watch Ms. Gomez lecturing Liam.

"Mr. Payne, I can distinguish the difference between voices, and you don't happen to have a high laugh when you do. Plus it's someone from the middle row. That's where I heard it from." Her eyes shift to the restful Zayn. "Wake your friend up," she says. Liam taps Zayn in the shoulder. After a couple of tries, Zayn finally wakes up, immediately standing up beside Liam.

Ms. Gomez's eyes search the middle. "Is there something funny about this class that you couldn't hide no longer? If there is, please...share it to the whole classroom," she says. I lower my head, staring at my phone on my lap.

I can hear Camila struggling in her seat. Getting trouble was not a weird thing for her. But getting the center of attention was. I feel her standing up, hearing her announce, "I did it." I look up at her and shake my head.

"No, it was my fault," I said, standing up.

Ms. Gomez placed her hands on her hips, shaking her head in disappointment. I can hear others having their own conversation within their peers and some students laughing at us.

"Camila and Ally, please come down," she says. Camila and I did what she instructed. We stand up on the stage, making everyone see us. "Zayn and Liam, you too."

Liam and Zayn charge through the other students and step on the stage beside us. Ms. Gomez pulls us into a corner, speaking only to the four of us.

"Is there a reason why the four of you were disturbing my class?" Ms. Gomez whispers.

"I didn't do anything," Zayn calls out, taking a step back.