chapter 12 - friendship

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"Amy, I saw you with Zahn yesterday," said a classmate.

"You saw me...?" Amy's voice panicked.

"Yes, you both were going somewhere."

"Oh, I was just taking him to the medical room! After all, he was feeling unwell," Amy covered up quickly.

"Are you both that close?" the classmate asked with curiosity.

Amy waved her hand with a nervous smile. "Not really. We got to know each other since we were part of a group project."

"Still, you must be able to talk to him, right? He is so distant and unapproachable... but he is so attractive. Amy, can you help me get close to him?"

"No, you can't...!" Amy immediately shouted, her voice rising a bit too sharply.

"What happened?"

Amy calmed herself, taking a deep breath. "I mean to say... he is way too cold and aloof, he is too strict, and all he cares about are his books. He hardly talks to anyone."

The classmate sighed. "That's true..."

Amy took a breath of relief, glad that her cover story had worked.

"Anyway, our college is going to host a stage drama after the exams. Are you going to participate this time, Amy? Your performance was amazing last time."

"Oh Thank you, I'll go check it out."

Amy walked down the corridor of her college, her eyes scanning the notice board. The poster for the upcoming stage drama caught her eye.

Her heart raced with excitement. She had always loved playing characters and had participated in stage dramas quite a lot of times.

She quickly made her way to the drama club.

Inside, Students from various majors were chatting, practicing lines, and filling out audition forms. Amy approached the sign-up table, where a friendly senior handed her a form.

"Hey, Amy! So are you interested ?" the senior asked.

"Of course!" Amy grinned, filling out her details. "What's the play this year?"

"It's a modern adaptation of a classic," the senior replied. "Here are the scripts for the auditions. Choose the role you want to try out for."

"Thank you"

Amy took the script, her eyes she scanning the roles. Then a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey, Amy," Elliot said, walking towards her with a confident smile. He had a script in his hand, clearly intending to audition as well.

Amy's smile faded, replaced by a look of mild irritation. "Elliot," she acknowledged curtly, not bothering to hide her lack of enthusiasm.

Elliot seemed unfazed, "I see you're trying out for the drama again. I am too."

Amy sighed inwardly. She disliked him even more since he had ruined her burger date with Zahn by claiming nonsense things about their relationship. Still, she tried to remain civil. "Good luck with that."

Elliot smiled, seemingly oblivious to her disinterest. "Thanks. You too. What role are you going for?"

Amy shrugged. "Not sure yet. Just looking through the options."

They stood in awkward silence for a moment before Elliot spoke again. "Look, Amy, about last time... I know I messed things up with you and Zahn. I'm sorry."

Amy glanced at him, kind of surprised by his apology but still not trusting him. "Yeah, fine."

He shook his head. "Yeah, I know you won't believe me, but I did feel bad. It's okay even if you don't trust that. Although, can we just practice some lines?"

Amy considered his words. "Alright then"

Amy left the drama club. She realized that practicing with Elliot, although unexpected, hadn't been so bad. He seemed to have similar interests, but she still didn't want to forgive him. Nevertheless, she was more excited about the upcoming auditions and quickly went to Zahn's house to share the news with him.

As she walked through the door, she spotted Zahn working on his laptop. A mischievous smile formed on her face as she tiptoed over to him.

Without warning, she leaned in and gently bit his ear. Zahn jumped, his face turning a deep shade of red. "Amy!" he exclaimed, trying to sound stern but failing to hide his blush.

She giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You seem so shy, how fun."

Zahn frowned, his cheeks reddening. "I'm not shy."

"You are."

To prove her wrong, Zahn gently cupped her face in his hands and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a tender, passionate kiss. Amy was surprised but responded, her hands finding their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer.

For a moment, nothing else seemed to matter. Not even Amy's excitement over the drama.

When they pulled apart, Amy remembered about it again. "Zahn, I gotta tell you something!"

"Yes, Amy?"

"You know what? I signed up for the auditions for the upcoming stage drama," she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Zahn smiled but then gave her a concerned look. "That's good, but make sure you don't neglect your studies, okay?"

Amy rolled her eyes playfully. "I know, I know. I'll balance everything. Besides, it's something I love doing."

Zahn clicked on the college website. "Look, the datesheet has come out for the semester exams."

"Urgh! This ruins my mood! But anyway, I will still manage. The stage drama will be after the exams anyway."

He sighed, " fine, but you must balance."

While Amy was excited for the audition of the stage drama, her happiness didn't last long as something spoiled her whole mood.

Amy was with Noah and Ruby, looking at Noah's sketches. "Woah, Noah! You are so good at drawing," Amy exclaimed.

Ruby chimed in, "I know, right? I can't even draw a circle well."

He laughed, "It's nothing, guys. I'm not that advanced."

Amy spoke, "To be honest, I feel like you are in the wrong major. Art suits you better."

Noah sighed. "Yeah, I like art, but I don't know if I will find success. There's already a lot of competition. Taking another major felt safer."

Amy put her hand on his shoulder to support him. "It's okay, Noah. You have to believe in your abilities. You are really capable."

Noah smiled, feeling touched. "Thank you, Amy."

Ruby directed her question at Amy. "This way, Amy, aren't you also in the wrong major? You like acting and participate in stage dramas."

"Ah, I hadn't thought of going in that field, though. It sounds so impossible... What about you, Ruby? Have you thought about your career?"

"I never felt the need to worry. My family is rich and has businesses. So they will help me out anyway," she flaunted.

"Oh, look, Noah, we're both so unlucky! We don't even have the rich card like Ruby." She grinned, nudging Noah playfully.

Noah laughed, "And we're also confused young adults, aren't we?"

They all laughed together, enjoying their lunchtime.

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Meanwhile, Mia decided to confess her feelings to her crush, Mark. She felt a deep connection to him and couldn't wait any longer.

Mia found Mark by the lockers and took a deep breath. "Hey, Mark... Do you have a minute to talk?"

Mark looked up, a bit surprised but smiled. "Sure, Mia. What's up?"

Mia nervously spoke, fidgeting with her fingers. "Mark... I... I really like you..."

Mark's smile faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably. "What? You like me?"

Mia felt confused seeing his shock. "What happened...? Do you not feel the same?"

"Mia, I know you're going to be badly hurt, but I have no feelings for you. I just treated you like a friend. Why did you even develop feelings for me?"

Mia became even more hurt. "But I thought you might be interested in me... You were talking to me quite a lot."

He sighed, finally revealing the truth. "I'm really sorry... but I just wanted to know about Amy and get closer to her."

Mia's heart sank, her excitement turning to icy disbelief. "What?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "You've been using me to get to Amy?"

Mark nodded, "I'm honestly really sorry... but don't tell Amy that I was using you..."

Her anger flared up. "You are so disgusting, Mark! Still being shameless!"

Mia left the spot, finding an empty place to let out her emotions. Tears formed in her eyes. I am really a fool... I thought I'm the one he liked... but it's always Amy; she gets all the attention...

Then a thought occurred to her. Yesterday, she noticed Amy and Mark talking. At that time, she didn't give it much thought. Is it possible that since I told Amy that I had a crush on Mark, she decided to steal him from me? Right... she just wants to be the center of attention!

Feeling a mixture of heartbreak and anger, Mia started looking for Amy, her mind racing with thoughts of betrayal. She found Amy in the courtyard, laughing with others.

"Amy!" Mia shouted.

Amy and the others were shocked, seeing her furious expression. "Woah, what's wrong, Mia? Why do you look so angry?"

Mia marched up to her, tears of anger in her eyes. "You! You always have to be the center of attention, don't you?" Her voice was sharp.

"What...?"

"Mark likes you, not me! He only talked to me to get closer to you!"

Amy's eyes widened in shock. "What?! How dare he do-"

"It's all your fault!" Mia interrupted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're too busy being perfect and getting all the guys to notice you. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel?"

Amy felt a pang of guilt and hurt. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "I don't get you... you know I'm already dating. And most importantly, why would I steal a guy from my own friend?" Her eyes reflected a mix of pain and confusion.

Ruby tried to sort it out, "Mia, you might be hurt, but you can't blame Amy like that."

"Shut up! You don't understand!" Mia spat, her words cutting like knives. "I know you are also hiding your relationship so you can enjoy being with others too, right? You know what? Ever since I knew you, Amy, I just ended up becoming a background character! Now you couldn't bear to see my happiness. You ruined everything, Amy you are so selfish! "

Amy recoiled as if she'd been slapped. "Don't say that... I'm so sorry for everything you felt because of me. I never intended to hurt you or make you feel this way." The hurt in her voice was unmistakable.

But Mia had already turned and walked away, leaving Amy standing there, her heart aching with the weight of her friend's harsh words. She watched Mia's retreating figure, feeling the sting of betrayal and the deep hurt of losing a friend.

Noah was equally shocked. "I never expected Mia would be feeling all this..."

Ruby sighed, "really what's up with her?..but It's okay, Amy. Don't mind her words. She just spoke in anger... she will realize it later."

Amy stayed silent, then started heading somewhere.

"Hey, Amy, where are you going? We have a class!"

"Let me be alone for a little while. I will contact you later..."

Saying so, Amy left.