CHAPTER 7:
then we were talking, and laughing about Mrs. Blue, who always wanted perfection
After that, Zack and I walked together toward the café.
It wasn't something we discussed. There was no pause where one of us asked the other.
We just moved at the same time, our steps falling into rhythm without effort. The hallway buzzed around us—voices overlapping, lockers slamming, laughter echoing—but it didn't feel overwhelming today. Not like before.
"So," Zack said, swinging his bag slightly,
"we need to talk about the cafeteria meat."
I glanced at him. "Again?"
"Yes," he replied seriously. "No one knows what animal it comes from."
"That's because it's probably safer not knowing."
"That's exactly what they want you to think."
I laughed before I could stop myself. The sound surprised me. It felt lighter than usual, like it hadn't been weighed down by a hundred thoughts first.
"You laugh like you're not overthinking," he said, glancing at me.
"I overthink everything," I replied. "This is just a break in the system."
He smiled faintly. "I like this version."
Before I could ask what that meant, we reached the café doors.
The smell of food spilled out into the hallway, familiar and strange at the same time.
"You know," he said suddenly, stopping just short of the entrance, "you should be our class president."
I froze.
"What?" I stared at him, certain I'd misheard.
"I'm serious."
I frowned. "Why would you even say that?"
"Because you notice things," he said. "And you listen."
I scoffed. "No one respects me. Especially Luke." I rolled my eyes. "You're joking."
Zack laughed as we stepped inside. "You underestimate yourself."
Before I could argue back, my eyes caught on someone near the counter.
Berry.
She wasn't laughing like before. She stood alone, her arms folded tightly, pretending to scroll on her phone. Her posture looked stiff, defensive—like she was bracing for something.
Seeing her like that stirred something uncomfortable in my chest.
I slowed my steps without realizing it.
Zack noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
I hesitated, then sighed. "I shouldn't have pulled you away from her earlier."
He stopped walking.
"That wasn't fair," I added quietly. "I acted without thinking."
Zack looked at me for a moment, then said, "Do you want the truth?"
I nodded.
"I'm glad you did."
I blinked. "What?"
"She wasn't listening," he said honestly.
"And I didn't know how to leave without being rude."
"So… you weren't okay with it?" I asked.
"Not at all."
Relief washed through me so suddenly it almost made me dizzy.
"I thought I was being childish," I admitted.
"You weren't," he said. "You were honest."
Something warm settled in my chest.
"And," he added, his voice softer now, "I like that you didn't pretend you were fine."
For a moment, we just stood there, surrounded by noise but somehow separate from it.
"Come on," he said eventually. "Before the mystery meat disappears."
I laughed. "You're impossible."
"Cautious."
We got our lunch and found a table near the window. Sunlight spilled across the surface, warming the space between us. This time, it was just us. No crowd. No people hovering around him. And for the first time, I didn't scan the room for familiar threats.
We talked.
About school. About teachers. About how unfair exams were designed to make people doubt themselves. About nothing important and everything at once.
I didn't even notice the time passing.
At some point, Zack leaned back slightly and asked, "Can I ask you something?"
My shoulders tensed. "Okay."
"Why does Luke treat you the way he does?"
The question landed like a stone dropped into still water.
My chest tightened, memories rising—blurred, tangled, heavy. I felt them press against my ribs, demanding attention. I smiled instead.
"Maybe I remind him of someone he knows," I said lightly.
Zack nodded. "I see."
But his eyes said he didn't.
Before the silence could stretch too far, a loud voice cut through the café.
"Zack! My boy!"
I looked up.
Ray.
Class D's president.
He drew attention without trying. A few heads turned automatically as he walked over, unbothered by the looks. He dropped into the seat beside Zack like it belonged to him.
"Mrs. Blue nearly ended my life today," Ray announced. "I swear she enjoys watching people panic."
Zack laughed. "She lives for fear."
"Jane," Zack said, "this is Ray."
Ray extended his hand. "Nice to meet—"
"I already know him," I cut in.
Ray burst out laughing. "And she exposes me immediately."
Zack frowned. "Wait, what?"
"Sports day," I explained. "He knocked me over."
"Accidentally," Ray corrected.
"And then won," I added.
Ray shrugged. "Still counts."
Conversation flowed easily after that. Jokes, banter, stories about teachers and events. I watched how naturally Ray handled attention, how confident he was without being loud.
"How do you get votes so easily?" I asked him.
"Sports," he replied. "Social skills. And not caring too much."
I nodded slowly, filing that away.
"Did Ashley become the leader of Class B?" I asked.
Ray opened his mouth, then paused. His eyes shifted.
Berry.
"She might know," he said. "She's from Class B."
Zack stood up. "I'll ask her."
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
"You're going to ask her out?" I snapped before I could stop myself.
The words came out harsher than I meant. Anger flared through me—sudden, confusing, undeniable.
Zack froze. "What?"
Ray raised an eyebrow. "Wow."
I felt heat rush to my face. "I mean— if you want to— you don't have to—"
Zack stared at me for a second, then laughed softly. "No. I meant ask her about Ashley."
"Oh." I looked away quickly. "Right."
The bell rang, saving me from further embarrassment.
Outside the café, Berry stood near the steps, her posture tense. Zack approached her gently.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She hesitated. "I wanted to apologize. I crossed a line earlier."
My breath caught.
"I didn't know everything," she added. "I won't interfere."
She walked away before either of us could respond.
As we headed back inside, Zack glanced at me. "You got angry."
"I misunderstood," I muttered.
"But you cared," he said softly.
I didn't answer.
Ray lingered beside me for a moment. "Luke still bothering you?"
My breath hitched.
"Some people don't like being ignored," I said carefully.
Ray nodded. "If you ever need someone loud enough to shut him up, I'm good at that."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Classes ended. Bags were packed. Chairs scraped against floors.
When the final bell rang, Zack and I walked out together.
The campus was quieter now, washed in late-afternoon light. Most students had already left. Shadows stretched across the ground, and the air felt heavier somehow—like something unfinished was waiting.
Near the notice board, someone stood alone.
Berry.
She looked nervous, shifting her weight, clutching her bag tightly. When she noticed us, she froze.
Zack slowed down. "I'll ask her again," he said quietly.
Before I could respond, he stepped away and walked toward her.
Before I could stop myself, panic flared in my chest.
I didn't think this was the right moment. Not now. Not when everything already felt too close to breaking.
"Wait, Zack," I said quickly, rushing forward and grabbing his sleeve.
He turned back, confused. "What is it, Jane?"
I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my shirt. "I… I don't think it's a good idea to ask her right now."
"Why?" he asked gently. "What's wrong?"
"I need to go home," I said, the words tumbling out too fast. "I need to hurry. So… could you drop me?"
The moment the sentence left my mouth, regret hit me.
Why did I ask that?
I could walk home. I always did.
Was I really this stupid?
Zack's expression changed instantly. His face brightened, eyes lighting up with something close to excitement.
"Yeah," he said without hesitation. "Of course. We can ask her later." He paused, then added, softer, "You're important to me— I mean, my friend."
My heart skipped painfully at that.
We walked out of the school together. The afternoon air felt heavier, warmer, like it was pressing something unspoken between us.
Suddenly, a black BMW pulled up in front of us.
Zack opened the door and gestured toward it with a small smile. "After you, Jane."
I laughed, surprised despite myself. "Thanks, Zack."
I slid into the seat, the door closing softly behind me, and for a moment, everything else faded—the questions, the tension, Berry waiting by the notice board.
The car pulled away from the school.
And I didn't look back.