"I ended things with Masha."
"What?" Kai and I both exclaimed, "Is it because of what she did to Marina and the fight?"
"Partly, but mostly because I don't think we are a good fit."
"How did she take it?"
"Not well. She lashed out at me and accused me of cheating."
"Cheating? With who?"
He hesitated, shoulders shrugging, before he answered, "Marina."
Kai and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"I can't blame her. Everyone thinks you and Marina are more than just friends. I warned you about dating within our school, town, country..."
"Universe?"
"Nailed it!" I said and continued, "The chemistry is undeniable, Alek," I replied. "Everyone sees it except you. Who wouldn't get a little jealous? I know I would."
"Count me in on the jealousy train," Kai chimed in, and we both burst into laughter.
"I can't take advice from a boy who has a crush on his teacher," Alek fired, a slight grin on his face. "Get a girlfriend your age, you jerk," he added teasingly.
I then leaned in, a glimmer of playful defiance in my eyes. "It's not just a simple crush; it's love," I declared in a tone that carried a hint of seriousness and romance.
Kai raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and prodded, "What? Who? And how have I never heard about this?"
"Well, Mr. Lover Boy over here has a crush on Mrs. Spencer, and the reason you've never heard about it is because..."
"You have a crush on Mrs. Spencer!" Kai blurted out, his voice carrying shock and disbelief.
"Like I said," I affirmed, "it's not just a crush."
Kai, eyes wide, asked incredulously, "Oh wow! Isn't she a married woman? And how old is she, 50?"
"Hey! She's 49," I retorted, "don't ever disrespect her like that."
"Have you considered it being admiration or respect and not a crush?"
"You're wasting your time, Kai. We have told him that. The crush will end soon, don't worry about it too much."
"I'm so speechless," Kai muttered, genuinely taken aback.
"When she got married," Alek began, his laughter bubbling over. "Zane cried the whole day. Zara and I spent the better part of the day consoling and assuring him it's just a matter of time and it'll be over eventually"
Both of them erupted into laughter. "You could have thought he had a chance to begin with. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I miss the old Zane, who had a new girlfriend every other month."
Frustration was bubbling within me, and I tried to deflect the spotlight from myself, aiming it squarely at Kai.
"Why don't you tell us about your little crush, Kai?" I said, shooting a playful but probing look at him, the corner of my mouth curling into a sly grin. Kai, caught off guard, attempted to change the topic, but Alek, ever the curious one, wasn't going to let it slide.
"You have a crush? On who?"
"Just some girl," Kai finally admitted, evading the specifics.
"From our school?"
"Yeah, from our school. In fact, Zara knows her," I chimed in, emphasizing with a knowing smirk. "You know her too, very well."
Kai shifted uncomfortably, offering a vague promise: "I'll tell you once I confess to her."
"Good luck, bro. She better say yes."
"Speaking of Zara," I began, "what's going on with her? She hasn't been herself lately."
"You noticed it too? She hasn't spoken to me in three days. She avoids eye contact and refuses to eat at home. I'm so worried about her, but I can't help if she refuses to talk," Alek revealed his growing unease.
Kai's sudden silence was noticeable, as if he were burdened with a secret. His demeanor gave away his inner turmoil. And as realization dawned upon me, I connected the dots: I'd seen Zara and Kai talking frequently in recent days, despite Zara's self-imposed isolation.
"You know something," I pressed.
"Who, me?" he hesitated.
"Yes, you. You know what's going on with Zara?"
"I don't."
"Yes, you do."
Kai paused, visibly torn, before finally admitting, "She begged me not to tell; I can't betray her trust."
I could sense the desperation in Alek's voice as he beseeched him, "Please tell me. I need to know what's going on with her."
Kai went quiet again, the weight of his knowledge pressing down on him. I could see the regret in his eyes. "All I can tell you is Bus 399. You can figure it out from there."
"That's the bus I take to work; what does it have to do with her?"
"No way!" I exclaimed, a realization dawning. "She found out."
"Found out what?" Alek, still puzzled, inquired.
"About your job."
Alek, processing the information, took a deep breath. "Oh no, so that's why she avoids eye contact? She probably feels so guilty."
"Knowing her, she's definitely beating herself up over it. You have to talk to her," I advised.
"I will, Zane, and thank you, Kai."
"No problem. But don't tell her I gave you a hint. She won't trust me with anything."
"Don't worry, I'll act like I don't know."
"Okay"
As the conversation continued, I couldn't help but notice a subtle bruise around Kai's wrist and pinky finger. It was a faint yet distinct discoloration that suggested a recent impact. Curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to ask about it. He initially attempted to hide his hand, as if embarrassed, but then he shrugged it off with a nonchalant tone, "Oh, it's just a minor accident, nothing serious."
"You always have bruises on your body? Are you a professional fighter by night and a student by day?" I asked, not thinking deeply into it.
"That would be fun," he replied, and we eventually laughed it off.
We spent the rest of the break deep in conversation. The mood lightened as we shared stories and laughter. Somehow, the talk naturally led us to the topic of Marina.
"She doesn't talk to me either".
"Oh, poor soul. How did you manage to get all the women in your life to not talk to you?" I asked teasingly.
"Shut up, clown," Alek replied lightheartedly.
"Could Masha have said something about you to her?" Kai inquired,
"I'm honestly not certain. What could she have possibly said? She avoids me like a plague."
"Does it hurt?" I playfully probed, a mischievous glint in my eye.
"What?"
"Your heart, does it hurt?"
"You've got to be kidding me," Alek replied, exasperation evident in his voice.
"I want to know too. Does it hurt?" Kai joined.
He looked at Kai, mouth wide open, in shock. "Not you too. I can't believe you've roped Kai into your delusions."
"Yes or no?" I pressed on.
"I'm not answering anything,"
"That's a yes."
"A loud one," I added.
Alek looked at us in disbelief before answering, "I'm just sad. Why wouldn't I be? She's my friend. If you refused to talk to me, which I hope you would, I'd be sad as well."
"Oh wow," I responded, a touch of sympathy in my tone. "You're a tough one to crack, aren't you?"
"So, you don't even care that she's gotten close to Emerald?"
Alek paused thoughtfully before replying, "I don't. I'm happy for her. At least I won't be causing her pain anymore."
"You do realize he's liked her for a long time, and she turned him down because she thought she had a chance with you. And now that she's talking to him, I think she's given up on you completely. Still don't care?" I probed further.
"I care because she's like a little sister. I want her to be happy, and I'm glad she has given him a chance.
"Wow, you really don't like her at all," I remarked in disbelief. "I thought you were going to be a little sad, but look at how unbothered you are. What a heartless human"
Alek was resolute in his stance. "I've told you many times I see her like a sister."
"Was there a point in time when you liked her?" Kai asked.
"No," Alek responded firmly.
"Of course, you would say that," I retorted. "Why were you so worried when she broke her ankle?"
"Because I care about her. I would do the same if..."
"If I hurt my ankle too. Oh my goodness, stop with that," I cut him short. "I've caught you several times staring at her, and that's not how you stare at someone who is 'just a friend'."
"Oh yes, I've seen it too," Kai added, chiming in with his observations.
"And he's only been here for a few months." I remarked, pointing at Kai.
"It's because you put him up to it," Alek defended. "I don't look at her differently; come on, guys."
"Except you do," I firmly stated.
"Oh my goodness," he sighed, his hand resting on his head in exasperation.
"Alek dear, there's something you're not telling us," I persisted, my hands lightly brushing his shoulders before he pushed it away. "I thought we were friends. What happened to sharing our deepest secrets and telling each other everything?"
"There's nothing to tell."
"Oh wow. I feel so betrayed. I'm broken. Are we really friends?" I teased, adding a dramatic flair.
"Stop being so dramatic," he said with a half-smile. "I told you the truth."
Kai, realizing that Alek wasn't about to open up about his feelings, took a more serious tone. "If you really like her but can't admit it for whatever reason, then I hope you won't regret your decision later. You might be missing out on finding something real. Carefully think about it."
"There's nothing to think about," Alek murmured and went silent, his gaze distant.
We later retreated to class after a long break filled with laughter and teasing.
♡♡♡
When I was sixteen, I made a promise to myself. I promised to never forget who I was, to never forget where I came from, and those who selflessly walked beside me. I promised to make my friends proud and fulfill each of my dreams, for it is easy to lose yourself in my line of work.
One of those dreams was to have a family of my own. A big, harmonious family of five beautiful children and a loving wife. I admit that in my younger years, I used to be quite infatuated with the idea of dating and had a new girlfriend every other month. My life was a whirlwind of short-lived relationships, and I relished the excitement of meeting new people. No one could truly discern what I desired deep down.
I yearned for a nurturing and comfortable home, a place where my children could find peace and comfort after a long day. A place where they would feel secure and free to share their concerns. My dream was for my wife and children to come to me, confiding their worries and sharing their troubles, knowing that I would always be there to support and guide them.
I wanted the relationship Marina had with her parents, and now I want what she has with Lexie. She's only five and she sees her as her world. I want my children to be as close as Zara and Alek are. I want them to find friends like Kai. I want to be in a loving marriage, just like Alek is. How lucky would I be?
They do not know that they have been living my dreams.
I have all the material wealth, but where is what my heart truly desires? Was such a life just not meant for me?
Maybe, just maybe, my luck is waiting for the right moment to reveal itself and patience is all I need.