On Friday, Clair arrived at school early, eagerly anticipating seeing Zach again after three days apart. She headed directly to her homeroom teacher to update her on the classes she had missed. After sorting out her additional schoolwork to catch up, she made her way to her locker to retrieve her belongings. Upon reaching her locker, she was surprised to find Nally standing behind the door of her locker. Clair recognized her immediately by her chiffon dress and fancy shoes, which she used to wear regularly. Their lockers were located only two compartments apart.
"You're early today too. Preparing for the exams?" Clair greeted.
Nally recognized her voice, feeling a surge of nervousness. Her breath quickened momentarily, but she quickly composed herself and returned the greeting as casually as possible while still facing her locker. "Oh, you're back. What happened to you?" she asked.
"Just some family stuff," Clair replied, gathering her books.
With a determined look in her eyes, Nally removed the thin scarf from around her neck. She closed her locker door and approached Clair, who was still busy at her own locker. "You've been away for quite a while. Some things have already changed," she said calmly.
Clair heard her, but didn't fully grasp her meaning. As she turned to ask for clarification, she found Nally staring directly at her. Before Clair could utter a word, her eyes fell upon the necklace around Nally's neck. It was identical to the one Zach had given her before.
"Your... your necklace," Clair mumbled, her expression a mix of confusion and concern.
"Oh, this? Zach gave it to me. I'm not entirely sure what he meant by it yet, but I have a pretty good guess... Actually, I think we both do," Nally said in her usual cheerful tone, a victorious expression on her face.
"Sorry, but I need to hear it from him first," Clair replied, disappointment evident on her face.
"I don't think that's necessary," Nally said, lifting her phone screen to show Clair a photo of her and Zach at the carnival.
Clair's reaction stirred an unfamiliar sensation within her, a different kind of pain.
"Zach's been trying to live a normal life, but whatever happened between you two... it messed him up," she said. "He told me he couldn't sleep, couldn't focus. He even thought he was losing his mind. And I knew it was because of you."
She paused, watching Clair's next reaction.
"I think you're selfish, Clair. You treat him like something you can throw away and take back whenever it suits you." Another pause, longer this time, her gaze fixed on Clair.
"I'll prove he's mine now. After that, you leave and don't ever come back," Nally said, her voice trembling with tension and desperation.
A brief look passed between Clair and Nally. Then Clair slid the books back into her locker, closed it, and walked off toward the exit without saying anything.
Nally watched her leave until she disappeared around the corner. After a moment, she adjusted her scarf back over her shoulders, glanced once more down the hallway, and turned toward their classroom.
As Zach entered the school gate, he spotted Clair rushing down the stairs of the building at a rapid pace. Something seemed off about her. With one hand pressed against her chest, she hurried toward the parking lot on the left side of the building. It hit him then, something might be wrong. He dashed after her, attempting to catch up, but she reached her car before he could get close. He watched as she drove off through the exit gate at an unusually high speed.
YOU ARE READING
Divine & Wicked: The Strayed Memories (Book2)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Zach awoke a few days after his surgery, his mind foggy and his heart empty, as though his life had been reset. He moved through what he believed was his normal routine, unaware that fragments of a forgotten past were slo...
