CHAPTER 2
But he was interrupted by the teachers and students who had begun to leave the café, heading to their respective classes.
He glanced at them, then at me, and finally walked out. Yet, his words kept echoing in my heart.
Yes, I have lost both
But why did he sound so serious?
Why? Why?
I was breathing hard, lost in my thoughts.
Then Zack noticed me, walking heavily, and approached. "What's wrong, Jane? Do you need to visit a doctor?" he asked, concerned.
Hearing his voice made all my overthinking stop. It was so soothing. So kind.
"Nothing. Nothing at all," I replied.
"Then see you in our science class. Oh, I almost forgot—you left your keychain in the café. Here you go."
I thanked him and walked to my science class, but why did his voice calm me so much? I didn't know.
Maybe I would find out the more I talked to him.
I entered my classroom and sat in my seat, still glancing around for Zack. Suddenly, he called my name.
"Jane, are you looking for me?" he asked with a playful smile.
My body panicked, and I snapped, "Zack! You scared me!"
"You look beautiful when you're angry," he said, making me blush.
"No, I wasn't looking for you. I was looking for our teacher. Okay?" I said, trying to sound firm.
"Sure, you were," he teased.
Our science teacher then entered and began the lesson, but my classmates, especially the girls, stared at me with angry expressions. Luke, too, watched me jealously. Why? What had I done?
"Jane, try to focus on the teacher," Zack whispered.
"Yeah, you're right," I muttered.
But I couldn't focus all day—not because of them, but because of Luke's words. He was more toxic than usual.
Finally, school ended.
As we were leaving, Zack asked if he could walk me home. I stammered, "Y-yeah, totally fine."
We walked together, though everyone still stared and whispered. "Look at her trying to become his girlfriend,"
someone said. Another whispered, "She was lying about her goal just to get attention."
The word attention pierced my heart. I never needed their approval—just someone to help me understand the meaning of life.
I started to quiver. Zack noticed and said softly, "Don't care about them.
They only know who you are on the outside. They don't know your pain. They aren't worth your tears."
"So… you know about me?" I asked.
"Maybe. I don't know everything about you, Jane, but I do know you're a good person."
His words melted my heart. But what he said next scattered it.
"You're the second person I've spoken to kindly," he said.
Second person? I didn't understand, but we soon reached a point where we had to part ways.
I waved goodbye and entered my house. Maybe he meant his mother.
Inside, my grandmother Elizabeth noticed me blushing. "Well, well, Jane, my honey, why are you blushing?"
"No, grandma, I'm not," I said, laughing nervously.
She smiled fondly. "You can't hide it from your grandma. There's a boy behind that smile, am I wrong?"
"Well, grandma, you're right. There is a boy. He's a transferred student, but he's nice to me."
Grandma cried softly, smiling. "After two years, I see you smiling with your heart."
"Ah, grandma, don't cry," I said, hugging her tightly. She wiped her tears and asked, "Now, tell me his name."
"Zack Fin," I said with delight. She looked shocked.
"Why the shock, grandma?" I asked.
"It's nothing, honey," she replied hesitantly. "It's a beautiful name, honestly."
I sensed she wasn't fully honest. But before I could ask why, my phone rang—it was my best friend, Heather. I smiled and went to my room.
I lay on my bed and texted her.
"Hey, Heather."
"Hello, Jane! How have you been? It's been four months since we talked."
"Yeah, do you know how much I missed you? Not because you're funny, but because I was lonely."
"Sorry, Jane. I shouldn't have left you after your father died. I still regret it."
"It's okay, Heather. It's not your fault. It's always been mine."
I started crying while typing, but she called me. I wiped my tears and answered.
"Hey, don't think it's your fault. Wipe your tears. Even if I can't see you, I know you're crying."
"You really know me, don't you?" I whispered.
"Looks like someone had a good day. Tell me, who's the boy?"
"You read me like a book," I said.
"That's why I'm your best friend. Now tell me about him."
"Well, he's a newly transferred student, Zack. Handsome, kind…" I explained everything, from start to finish, and she listened patiently.
"Thanks, Heather, for listening," I said.
"It's okay. By the way, I'm coming to the U.S.A. in a week," she said.
I was over the moon. "Really? That's wonderful!"
"I'll explain later. Take care," she said, hanging up.
I changed my dress and began studying for my test.
Then my phone vibrated—97 messages from the school group chat. Curious, I opened it.
Ashley had written: "I'm coming back to the U.S.A., GUYS!!!"
Then a direct message: "Ready to cry?"