As I hurried to my next class, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling Maeve had left me with. History had been a good distraction, but now I was heading to Chemistry, and my thoughts kept drifting back to what she might reveal during Biology. It was hard to focus with so many questions swirling in my mind.
I slid into my seat just as the bell rang, pulling out my notebook and textbook. Mr. Harris, our Chemistry teacher, began his lecture on chemical reactions, but my mind was only half-present. I jotted down notes mechanically, trying to absorb as much as I could while still thinking about Maeve's cryptic words.
The class seemed to drag on forever. I glanced at the clock every few minutes, willing the hands to move faster. Finally, the bell rang, releasing us for the next period. I packed up my things quickly and made my way to Biology, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
As I walked into the classroom, I saw Maeve already sitting at our lab table, her expression unreadable. Rachel was near the front, chatting with a few classmates. I took a deep breath and approached Maeve, sliding into the seat next to her.
"Hey," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "Ready for class?"
Maeve gave me a small smile. "Always. But we should talk before prof starts."
I nodded, leaning in slightly so we could speak without drawing too much attention. "Okay. What's going on?"
Maeve took a deep breath, her gaze shifting to Rachel for a moment before returning to me. "Look, I know I haven't been the easiest person to get along with. And I know you probably think I'm just trying to stir up drama, but there's more to it."
I waited, my heart pounding. "Go on."
"Liam's statement at the party wasn't just gossip," Maeve began, her voice low. "Rachel and I used to be close. Really close. And yes, there were feelings involved—more than just friendship. But when her boyfriend came into the picture, everything changed. Rachel chose him over me, just because of her reputation and popularity as the queen of this school."
I look down processing her statement and revelation, I furrow my eyebrows and bit my lip, as I could feel Rachel's gaze on me as she talked with a few of our classmates.
Before I could react, the class stands as Mr. Kanazaki our Biology professor has already entered the confines of the classroom. Known for his strict demeanor, it gives me no other choice but to communicate through whispering or notes in our notebook, which may be more subtle.
I gave Maeve a quick nod, indicating that we would continue our conversation discreetly. As Mr. Kanazaki began his lecture on cellular respiration, I flipped open my notebook, pretending to take notes while I scribbled a question for Maeve.
"Why tell me this now?"
I slid the notebook over to her, keeping one eye on Mr. Kanazaki to avoid his scrutiny. Maeve glanced down, then back up at me, her eyes filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. She picked up her pen and wrote a response.
"Because you're in the middle of it now. And you deserve to know the truth."
I read her words, my mind racing. Maeve's admission added a new layer to the already complicated dynamics between us. Rachel's involvement with Maeve wasn't just a simple case of high school drama—it was deeply personal and painful.I wrote back.
"So, what do you expect me to do with this information?"
Maeve hesitated before responding, her pen hovering over the page.
"Just be careful. Rachel has a way of manipulating people to keep her perfect image. She doesn't want the truth to come out."
I frowned, glancing up to see Rachel looking back at us with a curious expression. I quickly averted my gaze, focusing on the front of the classroom. Mr. Kanazaki was drawing a diagram on the board, explaining the Krebs cycle in detail.
I wrote one last note.
"Why now, Maeve? Why involve me?"
Maeve's response was swift and direct.
"Because you're next...I don't understand how or why she has this fascination for you..but understand that after her interaction with you, reminded me of how we were close."
She stops writing for a moment and takes a deep breath before continuing.
"She has a different fascination for your than she had with me...but it is without a doubt that she will throw you under the bus when needed. You don't have to take my word for it, but I know that she's been giving you 'special' treatment correct?"
After reading the last statement, my cheeks flushed as I was reminded of my unusual hot moments with Rachel, the kissing, the jacuzzi, and how she brushed it all off chalking it up as a one time thing with me.
I nodded, feeling the sting of those emotions from that night. Seeming to notice my pain, she holds my hand, giving it a squeeze to reassure me, along with a small understanding smile. I nod as well, allowing me to smile on my own and understand the situation.
She goes to whisper when our professor was writing on the board, "I'll see you later okay? You need a break." She says patting my shoulder as she goes back to intertwining our hands together.
I closed the notebook, processing her words. The implications were heavy. Rachel had always been kind and supportive towards me, but Maeve's revelations painted a different picture. If what Maeve said was true, Rachel's actions were driven by a need to maintain her reputation, even at the cost of those close to her.
The rest of the class passed in a blur. Mr. Kanazaki's voice droned on about ATP production and cellular respiration, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was caught in the middle of something much bigger than I had anticipated.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, I packed up my things slowly. Maeve stood up and gave me a final look before heading out of the classroom. Rachel approached me, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Everything okay?" she asked, glancing at the closed notebook in my hand. "What did she say to you?"
"Yeah, I'm okay" I replied, forcing a smile. "It wasn't anything important, she just convinced me to join them for lunch."
Rachel nodded, her eyes searching mine for a moment before she sighed. "So, are you going to lunch with them?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to disappoint Sophie and the gang, they placed a lot of effort in for me." I say looking away, avoiding her gaze.
I can feel the mood shift, and her smile falters slightly, possibly feeling hurt, that I'm cancelling our plans for Meave and the gang, but they also deserve my attention.
"Well I won't stall you, I'll see you tomorrow then?" She asks as she takes out her phone
"Yeah well-" I say before being cut off by the call of Meave and the gang.
"Joanne, we'll be at the rooftop okay? Don't take too long," Meave called out enthusiastically before leaving
"I guess that's my cue," I say with a sheepish smile
"It seems so" Rachel says, now with an unusually cold tone as she turns to leave
I also headed to the rooftop sighing at my interaction with Rachel, I didn't mean to do that, but would also like to distance myself in order to not get too attached to her, if she really did that to Meave...then I mustn't get too close, or else I'll get hurt.