Fate's Identity

Chapter 30

Dinah and I sat down in the cafeteria. Dinah brought up the newly couple: Zayn and Camila.

"They are so cute," Dinah comments. "Innocent Camila and mysterious Zayn. Sounds like a match made in heaven."

"How did they get together?" I ask.

"Zayn asked Camila to be his girlfriend this morning," Dinah says. "Camila and I enter the building and walk through the student center. As we pass through the pool table, Zayn walks up to Camila with a beautiful red stem rose and kneel down on both his knees. Camila's cheeks turned really red. She wasn't expecting this. After exchanging a few words, Zayn finally asked Camila on a date. And Camila said yes." Dinah sighs happily, looking up at the ceiling as if she was daydreaming. "It was like a proposal."

I chuckle a little. Her dreamy look was too precious to not look at. "I'm glad that Camila is done playing hard to get, which reminds me. Is Lauren going to stop anytime soon?"

Dinah shrugs. "You know Lauren. She gets attracted to the bad boys. But she's not giving Louis a chance." Dinah's expression changes. "You know what? This sucks. We have three guys falling for you, Camila, and Lauren, and then there's Normani and Niall. Where's my man? It's not fine being the only one out."

I pat Dinah's back. "Your guy is coming. Just give it a little more time," I said. She nods her head and stares at her food.

I dig into my fruit salad. I let the sweet and fresh fruits fill my tastebuds as I swallow them with water. After a few minutes, someone taps me on my right shoulder, and I turn over my right shoulder and see the secretary beside me.

"You're needed in the office," she whispers.

I crease my brows and nod my head. After she walks back, I pick up my tray and stand up.

"Where are you going?" Dinah asks.

"The office," I answer. "I've been called for." Dinah nods her head, confused as I was.

I dump my tray and exit the cafeteria. I walk through the halls and enter the main office in the lobby. The secretary points to Simon's room as she speaks on the phone.

I enter Simon's office and see him with his hands covering his face. I sit down, preparing myself for what he has to say.

He uncovers his face, revealing his eyes to be fully red like he has been crying. I swallowed the lump that was beginning to form in my throat.

"Ally," his voice trembles hoarsely. Chills ran throughout my body. "I know that you haven't had the easiest among your sisters. And I'm truly sorry for punishing you. I might have went overboard because I can't stop my anger sometimes. And sometimes, I feel like you're hiding something from me. Is there anything you would like to tell me?"

I froze. My hands tremble a little as I wrap my arms around me. I don't know whether it was hot because of my cheeks or cold because of my fingertips, but I know that if I panic, I will screw myself over. I take easy, calm breaths and reply casually, "No, nothing."

His face was skeptical. Half of it was filled with doubt while the other opposed the former. "You sure?" He asks.

I pretend to think deeply, when, honestly, all I can think about is my guilt. I feel majorly guilty for running around with Liam. If Simon finds out, he will be furious. He already stated that he doesn't trust Liam. Who knows what he's going to be like when he finds out we are dating.

"Nothing," I reply.

"Okay," he says. "I trust you." I look into his eyes and knew he really meant that, which did not help me feel any less guilty. "Anyways, this morning, I saw an inappropriate sign about you. I investigated who would do such a thing. I look at the camera footages and found two girls, Jade and Jesy, hanging the sign. I brought them into my office and talk to them for a bit. Eventually, I told them if they were to disrespect another student again, they will be kicked out."

"What?" I ask.

"Jade and Jesy won't bother you or any other person anymore if they still want to finish school," he restates.

I let out a breath of relief that came out louder than it should have. I hope that it's true. I smile, and he returns it.

"Now, you may resume to whatever you were doing," he says.

I exit the office, feeling free, but I still know that Jade and Jesy can still hurt me. They always find a way, and it doesn't have to be me they have to hurt.

"Hey there, stranger," Liam's voice echo through my mind. I turn to the side and widen my eyes at his appearance. "Did I startle you?"

"A little bit," I reply as we walk through the halls.

"Why were you in the office?" He asks.

"Simon wanted to talk to me," I answer.

"Did it had something to do with Jade and Jesy?"

I stop in my tracks and repeats after me. "How do you know?" I ask.

"Jade and Jesy came to me and apologize for what they did," he explains. "I didn't accept their apology because they didn't apologize to you, and then, Jade went on about her life being unfair. I pitied her honestly."

"Liam, you should at least accept her apology," I said. "If they apologize to you, then it was good enough for me."

Liam shakes his head and raises his hand to grasp my hand until something stops him: publicity. He smoothly proceeds to rub the back of his neck, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "You have such a big heart, Ally. I don't get why you're showing them mercy."

"Because they deserve some," I answer. "Everyone deserves mercy. It's cruel if they don't. They, at times, showed me no mercy, so I know what it's like. It's not the best feeling in the world, and they don't need to experience that."

Liam nods his head. "I guess, you're right," he says. We proceeded to walk. "I have something to ask you." He holds his hands behind his back. I look up at him and smile. He continues, "So you know that there's an amusement park in the city? Would you like to accompany me to it?"

I wanted to express a yes, but I don't know if I will be free. "When?"

"Anytime this weekend," he says. "Zayn is going to ask Camila, so if you're worried, you and Camila can drive there, and we will meet up with you guys."

"I hope that works then," I respond.

He nods his head. "But afterward, we can explore some rides, eat, and enjoy the night."

I chuckle a little. "That does sound nice," I reply. I bring my hand up to touch his arm, but I was reminded that we had eyes on us. I drop my hand, resisting the temptation.

"What's your next class?" He asks. "I'll take you there."

My smile turns into a grin as I answer his question. We walk through the halls until we made it to Ms. Grande's class: Music Theory.