Chapter 8 - Quits 1.0

"Come on, let's go," one of Selene's companions said, tugging at her arm.

But Selene remained rooted to the spot, unable to pull her gaze away from them. The way Yohan kissed that transfer student stirred an unfamiliar ache in Selene's heart, she cannot explain.

"Selene..."

An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she turned away and walked off.

Zea pulled away from Yohan's lips the moment she noticed Selene and her crew leaving. Startled, Yohan was caught off guard, for some weird reason, he didn't want that kiss to end.

Zea couldn't help but chuckle at the blush that crept across Yohan's cheeks. "Don't tell me this is your first time?"

Yohan's face flushed even deeper, unable to meet her gaze. He couldn't find the right words to say. Because, yes—it was indeed his first time.

"Of course not."

A mischievous grin graced Zea's lips.

"What are you smiling at?" Yohan asked, annoyed.

Zea's smile widened, and she tilted her head slightly. "The headband... Is that for her?"

Yohan's expression hardened. His gaze avoiding hers.

"No, it's for someone else."

He grabbed the mop, gripped it tightly, and silently resumed cleaning the floor. The atmosphere between them crackled with unspoken tension, but neither of them dared to break the silence.

****

THE FOLLOWING DAY, Zea casually walked into the hallway. She could see students whispering and gossiping. Worse yet, it felt like she was the subject of their conversation. She tried her best to ignore them as she made her way towards their classroom. But as she entered, she was immediately met with cold glares from her classmates, as if she had committed a crime.

Totally cofused, her gaze fell upon the girl huddled under the table, crying. Some of her classmates surrounded her, trying to comfort her.

"It's this bitch's fault!" one of the girls shouted at her.

Selene's sobs grew louder.

Zea chuckled in disbelief. So this girl is playing the victim card... Zea muttered to herself.

One of the girls made a move to shove Zea but, but Zea caught her arm. o matter how hard the girl struggled, Zea's grip held firm, not giving an inch of space.

"Let her go!"

The group closed in on Zea, ready to gang up on her. But before they could get close, she pushed them back with one blow, causing them to fall to the ground.

"That hurt, you bitch!" one of the girls screeched.

"Indeed! I'm a bitch." Zea looked down at them, her gaze sharp and piercing.  "You guys should have known better before you started messing with me!"

But a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulders. "Guys, that's enough!"

Zea turned her gaze, only to find Selene sobbing as if she were an innocent angel, her face glistening with tears.

Zea couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the sheer audacity of Selene's perfectly orchestrated act.

Damn! Give this woman an Oscar! Her eyes almost rolled out of her head in annoyance at this girl's performance.

"I'm sure if she know about me and Yohan, she would never do such thing."

"No! She's still a flirt."

"It's only the first day, and she's already causing trouble."

"Yeah! Damn, she's so easy to get!"

"It's her fault, stop being too kind Selene!"

Damn, her minions are getting to my nerves... Zea could clearly hear all the whispers circulating around the classroom.

"I said enough! Stop bullying her. It's not Astrid's fault!" Selene intervened, but it only fueled Zea's irritation.

"Then whose fault is it?"

A cold and firm voice echoed in the room. He entered the classroom, his gaze sweeping over every students who had been saying all sorts of things against Zea. No one could meet his gaze, their mouths sealed shut. He turned his attention to Selene, whose eyes were still filled with tears from her Oscar-worthy performance.

"Selene's right. It's not Astrid's fault," he said as he cast a gentle glance at Zea. He walked toward her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "It's not her fault if I like her."

And where the hell did that come from? Zea whispered to herself.

She wanted to kick him in the balls, but she decided to go along with Yohan's act. After all, it was better this way than being bullied by the entire class. Besides, it was part of the plan. To get really close to Yohan and proceed with the plan.

"Why are you doing this to me? I thought we were okay?" Selene began to cry again.

Yohan furrowed his brows, looking genuinely puzzled. "We? We are a 'We'? Since when? Did I ever court you?"

Selene fell into a stunned silence, mortified by Yohan's words in front of their classmates.

"I'm just being nice. Don't tell me you fell for me just like that?" Yohan's voice held a touch of disbelief.

Everyone's eyes slowly turned to Selene.

"Oh, by the way. Somone is waiting for you outside, from the engineering department, right?"

Selene's eyes widened, and even her girlfriends, who knew her dirty little secrets, were surprised.

How did he find out? Selene wondered to herself. She quickly glanced at the door, catching sight of a guy in a college uniform who seemed to have been standing there for quite a while.

"He's said he's your boyfriend?" Yohan teased.

Whispers spread like wildfire through the classroom, and curious onlookers gathered outside, eager to witness the unfolding drama.

"Oh, wait, what did you call him yesterday? Your boy toy?" Yohan taunted.

Selene's jaw nearly hit the floor, her mind scrambling to come up with a response. She felt trapped, unable to find the right words to defend herself.

The guy stormed off in anger. And if Zea wasn't mistaken, he was the same guy who was with Selene yesterday.

Selene hurriedly chased after him. It's much better to leave than be trapped inside the room, suffocated by the judgment of her classmates. The conversation in the classroom didn't stop even after everything that had happened.

Yohan's arms were still around Zea's shoulder. His gaze slowly fell on her. "We're even now," he whispered. "I don't owe you anything from now on." He removed his arms from her shoulder, walked to the back of the room, pulled his hood over his head, and settled in for a nap.

"Nice move..."

Zea was slightly startled to hear Ethan's voice coming through her earring listening device.

"By any means necessary, you should get close to that kid."

"Roger that..." Zea responded and let out a victorious smile.