Kendra stands at the door, glaring at Alina and Lizzy. The room falls silent as she strides over to them.
"Were you eavesdropping on our conversation? Has it come to this extent?" Lizzy asked, eyeing Kendra, who had just entered the class with both hands on her waist, glaring at them.
"I don't have time to entertain your foolish talk now, Lizzy. I'm not referring to you," Kendra said, turning her gaze to Alina. "Alina, you can't go to Marcus' home because I can't allow that."
"What do you mean you can't allow that? You don't have any say in this matter," Lizzy snapped at her.
"Yes, I do if I am his fiancée."
"Fiancée? What is she saying, Alina? Do you know anything about this?"
Alina shook her head. "No, I have no clue what she is talking about."
"Well, you do now. Marcus and I are engaged."
"Is she alright?" Lizzy said, looking at Kendra like she had lost her mind. "You're losing it. Have you forgotten your boyfriend is Evan, not Marcus?"
"Me and Evan are not your problem or concern. I am going to say it again, don't ever come to Marcus' house or you will have me to contend with."
"Get the fuck out," Lizzy snapped at her as Kendra walked away. "You don't scare us one bit. She is such a bitch."
"I know, but don't mind her. Let's head to class," Alina said tiredly as she began to walk.
"Wait," Lizzy called her back.
Alina stopped walking and turned back to hear what Lizzy wanted to say.
"I forgot to tell you, I won't be coming over to your house this evening. My mom said I need to escort her to visit Aunt Mary; apparently, she is not feeling well."
"Oh no! I hope she is okay. Your aunt is such a sweet soul."
"Yeah, I know. So you're not mad?"
"No, of course not. Actually, I forgot to tell you I will be going to Marcus' house after school," said Alina.
"Why? And I forgot to ask, where did he take you yesterday? I called you all day, but you did not pick up."
"Well, whose fault is it? You allowed him to take me yesterday after school," Alina said with a hint of anger.
"Come on, Alina, don't blame me. He promised not to harm you, and I thought he wanted to apologize for being a jerk. You know I can't actually win against Marcus in a fight," Lizzy said, shaking Alina playfully on her shoulder. "You know I am all talk but no power."
Alina smiled. "Whatever, I thought you said you could fight. You even said you could beat up Kendra."
"Of course I can," Lizzy said confidently. "I can definitely take that girl on," she said as they both began to laugh.
"So, what does Marcus want from you, Alina?" Lizzy asked.
"Well, yesterday he took me somewhere. I don't even remember where, but he got wounded."
"How?" Lizzy asked curiously.
"Well, he fell pretty hard, and now his leg is wounded," Alina said, trying to mask her nervousness.
"Oh my gosh, is he alright?"
"Yeah, he'll be fine," Alina said.
"So, why does he want to see you?"
"I don't know," she shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, you better go. You know he's your new landlord," Lizzy said, laughing.
Alina chuckled as they both walked to class.
The school had just let out, and students were milling around outside, chatting and heading home. Lizzy and Alina were outside the school premises, discussing when someone interrupted them.
"Alina," someone called her. She turned and saw Evan behind her.
"Evan," she looked at him, and the memory of yesterday at school came flooding in. Evan knew about her feelings. Alina felt as if the ground should open up and swallow her, her face colored with embarrassment.
"Hi, Lizzy," Evan said. "Can you give me a moment with Alina? I want to discuss something with her."
"Of course," Lizzy said, grinning and whispering to Alina, "I think he's going to confess his love. You better tell me everything tomorrow."
Lizzy gave Alina a playful nudge and started to walk away. Alina grabbed Lizzy's hand, pleading with her eyes, but Lizzy just winked and pulled away, leaving Ali alone with Evan.
Evan noticed that Alina did not want to be alone with him, probably because she was embarrassed. "Why, don't you want her to go? You don't want to talk to me?" he said, acting as if he was hurt.
"No, no, Evan, it's not like that," she said, scratching her head nervously. "I just don't know what we want to talk about."
"Well, for one, about yesterday."
"What about yesterday?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
"Well, I heard everything. I just wanted to let you know, I never knew how you felt. Kendra totally deceived me. Give me a chance. I want to put things right."
Alina was nervous and confused. This was what she had wanted all her life; she had dreamt about this day, but now that it was happening, she felt torn.
She still liked Evan very much, but Marcus would be mad at her if she started going out with Evan. She still didn't know if there was something going on between her and Marcus.
"Alina," she's called back to reality. "Why don't you give me a chance? Let's talk. What about now? Can you give me your time so we can talk? It's very important."
"No, I can't. Not today. I already have plans," Ali said.
"With who, Marcus, I guess?" Evan queried.
Alina did not answer.
"Come on, Alina, you've been spending too much time with him already. Can't you spare a little for me?" Evan tried to convince her.
"Well, I really—"
"Please, Alina," Evan cut her short. "Okay, I promise you can still go and see him. I won't take too much of your time."
"No, she can't," a boy's voice interrupted.
Evan and Alina turned to see who it was and saw Joe standing beside them.
"What did you say?" Evan asked angrily at Joe. "Why are you eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"First of all, I did not eavesdrop, and secondly, I said she can't see you today. She has an appointment."
"With who, may I ask?" Evan asked with a smirk. "You?"
"No, not me," Joe said as he held Alina's arm and pulled her to himself.
Evan equally held her other hand and tried to pull her to himself.
"You two, leave me alone!" Alina snapped at them, yanking her hands free from both boys, her voice trembling with anger.
"Alina, just hear me out!" Evan pleaded.
Joe stepped closer to Evan, his fists clenching. "Back off, Evan," he said, his voice laced with anger.
Evan lunged toward Joe, and the two boys were about to exchange blows when Alina stepped between them, shouting at the top of her voice, "Stop!"
The two boys froze, looking at Alina. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.
"This is ridiculous! I can't deal with this right now. Both of you need to back off and let me think!" she said.
Evan and Joe looked at each other, then back at Alina, their expressions softening.
"Alina, I just want to talk. Please," Evan pleaded.
"And I'm just looking out for you," Joe explained.
Alina looked from one boy to the other, feeling torn. She knew she had to make a choice, but the pressure was overwhelming.