No Filter

Chapter X (10)

Ally's POV

I open my textbook ahead of the girls as they continue to chitchat on the new tea coming around school.

"You know that new intern lady," Dinah begins, "I heard that she is being pulled out because she let the students run wild during detention. And I heard that she and a student have feelings for one another." My brows crease, wondering why and how that happened.

"Who was it?" Lauren asks.

Dinah shrugs. "I am not sure. But word on the street says that it's Brett."

I scoff in disgust. "Please don't let that be true. She's older than him. Plus, it's not allowed for students and teacher to be dating one another. It's forbidden."

"Ooh, a forbidden love story is always nice," Normani says.

"Not always," I answer.

"So, speaking of forbidden, what did you and Liam do Friday night?" Camila asks.

I raise my finger and says, "First, it's not forbidden. It's just a feeling that makes it forbidden." Camila rolls her eyes playfully. I shrug and answer her question, "Nothing. He ended up cancelling it because he had a rough time in detention. And we haven't communicated this entire weekend."

"And what do you feel about that?" Lauren asks.

I shrug once more. I bat my eyes a couple of times. "I...I don't know." The girls exchange curious looks. "What do you want me to say? He probably went to go hang out with Sophia or something. We're not as close as we were then. He—I don't know."

"How do you feel? We want to be here for you," Dinah says.

"I feel..." I thought about it, "...like someone has let the air out of me. I feel like I was pushed to the side. When he cancelled, I was disappointed." Their eyes and ears seem to have wanted more. "That's it," I concluded quickly.

Lauren shakes her head. "Nah. Come on, tell us how you feel. We know that you like him, Ally. It's not a crime to fall in love with your best friend. So just embrace it and tell him."

"You think?" I question. They all nodded their heads. I shake my head though. Fear of rejection, fear of betrayal, and fear of abandonment were left a pit in my stomach. I shake my head. "I don't know if he feels the same."

"Don't worry about that," Lauren says. "If he doesn't, then you'll move on. But if he does—"

"What if he does?" I question myself. The air thickens, and my hands tremble at the thought. What if he does like me back? I don't know what will happen. We're just friends, but the thought of us becoming something was scary yet exciting.

"Just tell him when the time is right," Normani says.

"I don't even know if I feel anything," I raise my hands up in defense.

They all exchange looks. "Stop lying to yourself," Dinah says. "We know. And you know how you feel. Quit denying it." I bite my bottom lip, swallowing a little.

I guess.

I nod my head. "Okay, I will tell him," I said. I reopen my book and begin to flip through the pages until something pops up in my mind. I raise my head and ask, "How should I tell him?"

"We'll help you, but first, study," Lauren says.

I look down on the page and begin reading. We study for Chemistry, helped Camila and Dinah study for Psychology, and made some snacks for the movie we watched. By the next morning, we got up and get ready for school.

By 7:45, we left Dinah's house and cramped up in one car. Dinah and Lauren take the front while the rest of us occupy the back. Even though it was short, we sing along to the radio and did some small dancing.

Before I knew it, the bell rings, and I walk into Journalism. I take a seat in my regular spot and set my textbook and notebook on the desk. As seconds fly by, Liam enters the room, looking like he hasn't slept in days. Bags appear under his eyes, and he grew more facial hair.

I wave at him with a smile as he takes a seat next to me. He responded with the same gesture, but only less. He faces the front quickly as if to avoid confrontation. And I can feel a void in between us. Something stood in the middle or there was something missing to connect us. He seemed more distant and reserved than before. Something must've happened with Sophia over the weekend. Maybe, a fight? I was usually the first person he would tell, but since he started dating her, my position has been degraded. I miss how it used to be. Almost every problem we had, we always tell each other, but it's like things have change. But nothing has really change. Except now, there is an attraction to him that I can't seem to resist.

The teacher stood in front of the class and begins to lecture our work for the day. I took notes and listen to each section.
—
I walk down the hall and enter the gym. I was hoping to find Liam in here. However, he wasn't, but Harry and Louis were. They stood by the stage, sitting crisscrossed. They were in the middle of a hand game until I interrupted. "Hey,"

They turn their heads and smile at my presence. "Hi," they greet.

"Is there a problem? Can we help you?" Harry asked, seeming to have read my facial expression.

"Um, yes," I answer. "Do you guys know where Liam is?"

"I think he was looking for you," Louis answers. "He might have walked into the music room."

"Thank you," I said. I turn around and exit the gymnasium. I trot down the stairs to the first floor and follow the curved hallway. On the way, Niall and another classmate pass me. "Hey," I call out, stopping.

Niall lifts his eyes and stops, along with his partner. He smiles and replies, "Hi, Ally."

"Have you seen Liam?" I ask.

His eyebrows furrow. "I think I just saw him walk into the math room," he answers.

"Okay, thank you," I reply.

We part, and I pass three doors until something catches my eyes. I stop and backtrack to a room. I stare into the room and crease my brows. Liam was in the room. But it wasn't only him. A teacher accompanied him.

I take a step close until I realize how close and intimate they were staring at one another. Chills ran down my spine, and I feel my cheeks burning. I bite my lower lip, observing more and more. I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but I know by their gesture that he was trying to comfort her, and she was saddened.

I turn away at a certain moment. I feel the blood running through my veins as an unfamiliar feeling overwhelmed me. Like my blood boiling. At first, I didn't know how being envious would feel. Being envious was never a feeling that I felt. But I felt it. Just the way those two connect, it's something. They had tension, and I can feel it too.

And it's weird too. She is a teacher, and he is a student. I know age doesn't matter, and I shouldn't judge. But I can't help but notice that.

I take a step out of view from the classroom. I lean against the wall and smack myself.

Ally, you're overthinking and over-reading things.

I walk away and head to the next period, pushing every thought away.