EPISODE THIRTY-THREE 33: CHLOE.

**HADIZAH'S POV**

We finally started the second semester, and our timetable had shifted. My first period now consisted of Social Studies.

Mrs. Sharon, our teacher, was a friendly-looking woman with quirky glasses. "This semester, we'll be focusing more on community service and how we can assist those less privileged than ourselves. We'll be visiting places like-" She was interrupted.

"The club," Jeff said, and the class snickered.

"She said help the less privilege, not go around at start partying," Peggy said.

"Mr. Anderson, I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior in my class," Mrs. Sharon said sternly.

"I'm sorry," Jeff said, his insincerity palpable.

"From next week, we'll be visiting orphanages, going to the slums, and everything in between," Mrs. Sharon continued.

"Oh my God, I hate the smell of poor people. It makes me gag," someone muttered.

"Yeah," others chorused.

"It's about helping your country rise above its challenges," Mrs. Sharon said firmly.

"Well, she's not a citizen of this country," Maya said, pointing at me.

I couldn't believe it. What had I done to deserve this? My patience snapped. "At least I'm more useful than you, who claims to be a citizen of London," I shot back, the courage surprising even me. I braced myself for the fallout.

The class went silent, and Maya shot me a death glare.

I knew I'd face repercussions after class, but it felt worth it.

"Back to class and behave yourselves, everyone," Mrs. Sharon said.

I glanced at Julian, who shot me one of his signature killer smiles. My heart fluttered, and I blushed uncontrollably.

When lunch arrived, I found Julian at our table.

"You've started standing up to the people trying to f**** with you," he said.

I gave him a look that made him aware of his language.

"Okay, fine. Sorry for the language," he said.

"Better," I replied, and he pulled me close.

"Julian, stop it," I said, though my heart raced at his touch.

"What, you don't like when I'm close to you?" he teased.

"It's not that. I've just been breaking a lot of rules lately," I explained.

"Fine, I'm sorry. I'll start avoiding you. I don't want you breaking rules for me," he said.

"No, Julian. I don't want that. It's just... I don't know," I said, struggling to find the right words.

"Just what? Please explain," he urged.

Before I could respond, Ava approached. "Can I sit here?"

I didn't know how to respond.

"You can-" I started, but Anna interrupted.

"You're not welcome," Anna said, flanked by her friends, Bianca and Tracy.

"Looks like Petros wasn't told her opinions don't matter," Ava retorted.

"Hadizah, wasn't she the one who talked bad about you?" Anna asked.

I was at a loss for words.

"Who are you to interfere in our friendship?" Ava demanded.

Julian watched, disinterested in the drama.

"You know what? You've always been a stupid bitch," Ava said.

"Whoa, did you just call me that? I'll show you what a real bitch looks like," Anna snapped.

"Hey, you guys shouldn't cause a scene. Shouldn't Hadizah get to choose her own friends?" Julian intervened.

"Thanks," I mouthed to him.

"Yeah, that's a great idea," Anna said, shifting her stance.

"Yeah, choose your friend, Hadizah," Ava added.

I was torn between Ava and Anna, both of whom were dear friends. I needed to find a way to resolve this.

"You shouldn't make me choose. You're supposed to help me, both of you. You're supposed to be my friends," I said, holding both their hands.

"Seriously, you expect me to be friends with this dumb blonde?" Anna said.

"Oh, you think you're any better?" Ava shot back.

"You both are impossible," I said and ran off.

I was exhausted from everyone telling me what to do. Why couldn't they leave me in peace? Why did I have to suffer for everyone's insecurities?

"Nick!" Julian called.

I ignored him and kept running. Yes, call me a coward, but I'd rather run away from my problems than face them.

He caught up and grabbed my arm. "Please stop running away from me. I don't like it. Please stop running off," he pleaded.

"Julian, I really want to be left alone right now," I said, frustrated.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just leave me alone for now," I said.

"Fine, I'll leave," he said, his dark eyes losing their usual spark. I felt a pang of guilt for making him sad, but what could I do? I've always been a mess.

I wandered the school grounds, the hauntingly beautiful melody of a flute catching my attention. It was calming, easing my worries. I felt like I had heard it before but couldn't quite place it.

I was shocked to see the person playing. "Michael, you play the flute?" I asked, smiling.

Before he could respond, he seemed to lose his breath. His green eyes reddened due to his asthma. He pointed to his bag, indicating his inhaler.

I scrambled through his bag, found the blue inhaler, and handed it to him, gently patting his back. He took two puffs and seemed to recover.

"Alhamdulillah," I said, relieved.

"Thank you," he managed.

"You're welcome," I replied.

"You helped me when I didn't even ask for it. For that, I'll always be grateful," he said.

"It's fine. Who knows? Maybe you'll help me later on," I said.

"Hadizah, I'm sorry for how I treated you. I think we got off on the wrong foot. I was a jerk because I didn't want to get attached. I hope we can be friends," he said.

The idea of the aloof Michael wanting to be friends felt surreal. Maybe I could help him with his loneliness.

I let out a light chuckle. "If Michael Williams wants to be friends with me, who am I to decline? And I'm sorry too; I wasn't a good friend to you either. I think it's a fair trade."

"How I wish we could just shake hands and seal the agreement," he said.

"Aww, too bad," I said playfully.

"Please let me drop you home today," he said.

"What is it with you and always wanting to drop me off? But okay, you can," I said with a smile.

"Hi, Michael. Long time no see," came a voice I didn't recognize.

"Chloe?" Michael said, shock evident on his face.

**MICHAEL'S POV**

My shock was an understatement. What was Chloe doing here? I hadn't seen her in over three years, and she was wearing our school uniform.

"Chloe, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"That wasn't the welcome I was expecting," she said.

"Hi," Hadizah said.

"Who are you? Michael, is she one of your girlfriends?" Chloe asked.

I was mortified. How could she just say that to her face?

"Seriously, Chloe?" I said, trying to maintain composure.

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I meant 'girlfriends,' not 'girlfriend,'" she corrected.

"I think I should leave now," Hadizah said, making her exit.

I took a long look at Chloe. She was even more beautiful than when we were together. We were never officially in a relationship, just close friends who were there for each other during difficult times. She had always hoped for more, but I only saw her as a friend.

"Are you done checking me out? Let me know," Chloe said.

"What? I wasn't even looking at you. And again, why are you here?" I asked.

"What does it look like?" she replied.

"Okay, don't tell me you're enrolling here at Kings and Queens Academy," I said.

"Yeah, but don't worry, it's just for a semester. My mom has some business to attend to," she said.

"Fine. Welcome to my school. How have you been?" I asked.

"I've been good and I've missed you, waiting for you every day to just call me but you never did" she said.

I knew what she was talking about and I felt kinda bad for what I did, I hope one I make it up to everyone that I've messed up my relationship with.

"I'm sorry but I'll make it up to you I promise, but I have to go now," I said.

"Whoa, didn't think a girl would make you this impatient. Is it because of that Muslim girl with the eyepatch?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked, although I had a good idea of what she was hinting at. I just hoped she wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

"Forget I said anything. I have a class," Chloe said, walking away.

"What the hell?" I thought. She started a conversation and then walked off. Girls were so unpredictable.

**The Next Day**

As I walked through the hallways, I sensed something was brewing. My curiosity was piqued.

"Chase, do you know what's going on?" I asked.

"I don't know, man. I don't think it's true, but there are rumors about Hadizah and Julian, and there are pictures," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I think you should see for yourself," he replied.

I pushed through the crowd to see what was going on, in the middle of that I heard some people cuss at me.

"I'm sorry," I said

What I saw made my throat leap through my heart, I was shocked and I knew this wasn't the girl I like, she is better than this.

There were posters and pictures of Hadizah and Julian all around and all the school's group chat for my class.

The pictures were so inappropriate.

Hadizah was with Julian and what I saw, I can't even explain, there were.....

WRITER'S NOTE :

Hmmmmmm..... Looks like shits about to get real, I'm having serious hunch about what might have happened. So sorry for the suspense. We finally hit 2k reads, we are getting somewhere.

QOTD :

People push you to your limits, but when you finally explode and fight back. You are the mean one!!