CHAPTER 10

ZAYN CARTER

The cafeteria was loud—too loud. Students were talking over each other, trays clattered, and someone across the room burst into laughter so obnoxiously that I nearly turned to see who it was. But I didn't. I didn't care.

I sat at my usual table, scrolling through my phone, barely paying attention to the conversation happening around me. Cole, across from me, was halfway through his lunch, but I could tell his mind was somewhere else. Probably thinking about Fay.

Not that he'd admit it.

I glanced up and saw Fay sitting with Ari and Blair at their usual spot. She was laughing at something, her hands moving animatedly as she spoke.

I tapped my fingers against the table once before turning to Cole.

"Hey."

He looked up, mid-bite. "Yeah?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Ask Fay if Ari's joining the sports meet."

Cole blinked at me, chewing slowly, as if trying to figure out why I was asking. "What?"

I sighed. "Just ask her."

He smirked, putting his fork down. "Why don't you ask her yourself?"

I shot him a look. "Because I'm asking you to do it."

He leaned forward, grinning like he just figured out the secret to the universe. "Why do you care?"

"I don't."

"Then why are you asking?"

I exhaled sharply. "Cole, just ask."

His smirk deepened, but he pulled out his phone anyway. "Fine, fine." He tapped out a message, glancing up once at the girls' table before looking back at his screen. It didn't take long before his phone buzzed with a reply.

He checked the message and then looked at me with an amused expression. "She says no."

I frowned slightly. "No?"

"Yeah, Ari's not running in it," he said. "Apparently, she's not into sports meets."

I leaned back in my chair, considering that. Not that it mattered to me. Not like I cared or anything.

Cole, however, was still watching me.

"Happy now?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Whatever." I picked up my drink and took a sip, ignoring the way he was still grinning like an idiot.

ARIENNE CALLOWAY

"Come on, Ari, just join the medical team!" Fay whined, practically bouncing beside me as we walked through the crowded hallway.

I sighed, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. "Fay, I already told you, I'm not interested."

"But why?" she pressed, stepping in front of me to block my way. "It's not like you have to run! You can just sit there, hand out bandages, and pretend to be useful!"

I gave her a blank look. "Wow. What an inspiring speech."

Fay groaned dramatically, clutching my arm. "Please?"

Blair, walking beside us with her boyfriend's arm draped over her shoulder, chuckled at the scene. "Fay, just admit it. You want Ari to join so you have an excuse to be near Cole."

Fay gasped, placing a hand over her chest like she'd just been accused of a crime. "That is not true!"

Blair raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

Fay huffed. "I mean—okay, maybe a little. But that's not the only reason!"

I sighed. "It kinda sounds like it is."

Fay turned to me, her hands clasped together in a pleading motion. "Ari, please. Just this once! I don't want to be the only one there without my friends."

"You won't be alone," I pointed out. "You'll have Cole."

She blushed instantly. "That's not the point!"

I exchanged a look with Blair, who smirked knowingly.

"You know she's not going to stop until you agree, right?" Blair said, resting her head against her boyfriend's shoulder.

"Yeah, I figured." I glanced at Fay, who was giving me the biggest puppy-dog eyes I'd ever seen.

I sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll join the medical team."

Fay squealed, grabbing me in a tight hug. "YES! You're the best, Ari!"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling a little. "You owe me."

"Of course! Anything you want!" Fay said excitedly. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"

Blair chuckled. "This should be interesting."

I wasn't so sure about that.