Chapter 6 The Unknown Truth
The clock's minute hand seemed to rewind to that day.
Late students had to stand in the hallway as punishment.
I stood there with a serious face, feeling ashamed as the teacher's voice droned on from the classroom. But Daniel didn't care. He tilted his head and said, "When did you get so uptight? Can't you forgive me for something so small?"
His nonchalant attitude just made me angrier.
I stomped on his toes, and he winced in pain. I smirked, but wasn't ready to forgive him.
The humiliation I felt kept gnawing at me.
When the bell rang, Daniel and I walked into the classroom together.
Some nosy classmates started teasing, "Wow, you two are always together, even getting punished together! What were you doing last night? Did you sleep in the same bed and oversleep?" The girl leading the teasing had a mocking tone, and everyone gave us weird looks. Daniel's face grew serious.
I remembered Daniel's words, "Or did you enjoy us being paired together?"
I thought, 'Fine, Daniel, watch me deny it!'
I slammed my book on the desk, and the room went silent. My classmates stared at me, shocked. I usually stayed quiet and let them tease me, but not today. I walked to the front, glaring at the gossiping girl until she looked away.
"Listen up, everyone. Daniel and I are just neighbors. We go to school together because we live close by. Sorry for the misunderstanding, but we're not lovers. Stop spreading rumors or making jokes about us! Otherwise, I won't let it slide." My words were clear and firm.
Everyone was stunned, even Daniel. His friends sighed, "Daniel, your sidekick just ditched you!"
Daniel pretended not to care and muttered, "Boring."
He walked out, leaving all eyes on me.
I don't know what gave me the courage to speak up like that. With Lillian's support, I walked back to my seat, feeling dazed all morning.
In the afternoon, during PE, the sun was blazing on the field.
I was resting in the classroom with some girls when Lillian rushed in, panicked. "Jane, Daniel's fighting on the field, and there's blood!"
"What?" Despite my words, my actions betrayed me. I dropped everything and ran to the field, even spraining my ankle in my hurry.
Under the scorching sun, I saw a crowd around the basketball court. Limping, I pushed through, silently chanting, 'Daniel!'
I admited, I was weak. How could I let go of eighteen years of feelings so easily?
I always cared about Daniel.
"Make way!"
The crowd parted at my shout, and I saw Daniel in the center, facing off with another guy. Blood streamed from a head wound down to his chin, dripping onto the hot rubber ground.
Daniel was protecting Zoe, who looked scared. But I saw a hint of cunning in her eyes. Maybe she wasn't as innocent as she seemed. Just a suspicion, though.
From their conversation, I figured out the other guy was Zoe's ex, Victor Craig. He seemed confused. What was supposed to be a peaceful breakup talk had turned into a fight with Daniel.
Victor yelled at Daniel, "This is between her and me! Stay out of it!"
Daniel shot back, "Breakups happen, but you slandered her. You're the one who cheated."
I sensed a misunderstanding. I even caught Zoe's quick smile before she put on a pitiful look, clinging to Daniel.
Victor said, "She cheated first and twisted the story, that lying bitch."
Daniel replied, "Don't shift the blame!"
Victor insisted, "I'm not!"
Daniel glanced back at Zoe.
Her tears were the perfect answer.
Daniel and Victor started fighting again, and I tried to pull them apart, limping.
But how could I separate two tall guys fighting?
I ended up getting caught in the scuffle, falling to the ground, and my sprained ankle swelled up. The truth about Zoe and Victor's breakup stayed a mystery. Most onlookers believed Zoe was the innocent victim. They needed someone to pity, to feel noble.
In the end, Daniel and Zoe got together quickly.
"Jane!"
Lillian's call snapped me out of my memories. She waved her hand in front of my face until I focused. "You always zone out when it comes to Daniel! You need to change that habit!"
I stayed silent.
"You haven't even heard the rest of the gossip about Zoe!" Lillian shouted, seeing my silence.
She was always so fiery, so I had to appease her, "Go ahead. I'm listening."
Seeing my pleading look, she finally started, "Actually, the one who really cheated was Zoe!"
Sure enough! My worst fear had come true.