After finishing her meal, Hailyn carried her tray to the disposal station, still reeling from the chaos at their table. The aftermath left her both surprised and slightly miffed, having been left alone by Clair. As she was about to return to their classroom, Zach approached her.
"Hailyn, what happened here? Was it Tryan? They were all looking at him," he asked her.
She scowled, blaming him, "It's all your fault." Moving closer, she narrowed her eyes, questioning, "Are you hiding something?"
Confusion clouded his expression. "What are you talking about?"
She looked down her nose at him. "I'll uncover the truth, Zach. I will."
"I'm not hiding anything," he replied, a hint of confusion still lingering in his expression.
She arched an eyebrow in response.
"Are we talking about Clair?" he asked.
She narrowed her eyes again.
"I didn't do anything wrong to her... Well, earlier, I didn't respond to her question because I wasn't sure of what to say... But I regret it now. I shouldn't have done that, not after she treated me to a nice restaurant and introduced me to her cousins. I didn't intend to be rude. I was just caught up in my emotions and---" His words were abruptly interrupted.
"Wait, what? You went out with her? How did that happen? I became her friend before you." She gasped, her tone upset. "Have you two known each other for a long time?" she questioned.
"No, that was just part of my job as her escort." he answered promptly.
She frowned. "I don't understand why she's interested in you."
Baffled by her words, he inquired, "Where is she? I have to make things right before she gets the wrong idea."
"She left me here. I don't know where she went," she replied in a somber tone, glancing downward. Then, she lifted her eyes to meet his again. "I'm not going to lose to a clumsy guy like you. I will be Clair's best friend. Mark my words." she declared before turning and walking away.
*****《•》*****
As Zach returned to their classroom, he saw Clair's seat was empty. Only ten minutes remained before the alarm signaled their next class.
He went into the hallway on the left and looked out the window to check the parking lot. Her car was still there. He held on to the wall and wondered where she might have gone at that time.
Without a specific destination in mind, he hurried to the rooftop only to find the top floor door locked. Turning towards the school's park, she was nowhere to be seen. He caught his breath as he reentered the building. He pondered his next move just as the alarm startled him. Troubled and anxious, he returned to their classroom, peering through the small glass window to find her seat still empty. He was about to turn the doorknob when something suddenly flashed through his mind. Without second thoughts, he dashed away again.
As he entered the library, he made his way to the far end of the shelves. He pulled open the first curtain he saw. He continued unveiling the others until he reached the window where he usually slept. He saw a silhouette behind the curtain and knew someone was there. "The alarm went off. Did you hear it?"
A heavy silence hung between them.
His nerves tangled with concern. "Are you... not okay?" he asked, his worry etched across his face.
YOU ARE READING
Divine and Wicked: The Fallen Heart (Book1)
Fantasy(Fantasy•Romance) COMPLETED Claireth, despite her divine status was entrusted with a heavy responsibility and burdened by her unique nature, suffered the cruel twists of her fate. Betrayal and heartbreak inflicted deep wounds upon her. Tormented by...
