The group nodded in agreement, and Romeo felt a sense of relief wash over him. His friends understood him, and they knew he'd never compromise his values.
Selena rushed into the classroom, her eyes welling up with tears as she struggled to hold them back. She collapsed into her seat, resting her head on her locker as the tears she had been fighting to hold back finally streamed down her face.
Her friends, Emilia and Sofia, who were sitting nearby, immediately noticed Selena's distress. They exchanged concerned glances, and Emilia reached out to put a comforting hand on Selena's shoulder.
"Selena, what's wrong?" Emilia whispered, her voice soft with concern.
Sofia leaned in, her eyes scanning Selena's face. "Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice equally soft.
But Selena just shook her head, unable to speak as the tears continued to flow.
My heart felt like it was losing its life. The scene from the bathroom kept replaying in my head like a cruel taunt. My crush on Romeo was a painful secret I couldn't shake off. Why did it hurt so much whenever I saw him with others, especially with Priscilla? I felt broken, vulnerable, and consumed by jealousy.
I knew we couldn't be together. Our family backgrounds were worlds apart, and Romeo would never stoop so low as to be with someone like me. I was unworthy, or so I'd been told. But why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't I just erase these feelings and move on?
As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, my eyelids began to droop. The questions swirling in my mind grew quieter, and my breathing slowed. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep, my head still resting on my locker.
The sound of the teacher's voice and the rustling of papers faded into the background as I slipped into a restless slumber. My dreams were filled with images of Romeo and Priscilla, their faces blurring together as I tried to reach out to Romeo, but he kept slipping away from me.
I was trapped in a never-ending cycle of heartache and longing, unable to wake up from the pain that had become my reality.
I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. Emilia and Sofia were standing over me, concerned expressions on their faces.
"Selena, what's wrong?" Emilia asked softly, shaking my shoulder gently.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. The classroom was empty, the only sound the creaking of the old wooden desks.
"What time is it?" I asked, my voice hoarse from sleep.
"It's dismissal time," Sofia replied. "The class is already empty. We're the only ones left."
I looked at my friends, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "I'm sorry, guys. I fell asleep in class."
Emilia and Sofia exchanged a knowing glance. "What's going on, Selena?" Emilia asked gently. "You can tell us. We're your friends."
I sighed, feeling a lump form in my throat. I didn't know how to explain what was going on. I didn't even understand it myself.
"It's just...Romeo," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
Sofia's eyes widened. "Romeo? What about him?"
I shook my head, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. "I don't know. I just...I saw him with Priscilla in the bathroom, and it just hurt so much."
Emilia's expression softened. "Oh, Selena. I'm so sorry. We had no idea you still had feelings for him."
I looked down, feeling a tear roll down my cheek. "I don't know why it hurts so much. I know we can never be together. But seeing him with someone else...it just feels like a knife to the heart."
Sofia put a hand on my shoulder. "We're here for you, Selena. We'll get through this together."
"Let's go home," Sofia and Emilia said in unison, carrying their backpacks.
"you guys should be going, I'll catch up with you at the school gate. Let me just pack my things," I replied.
Sofia nodded. "Okay, we'll wait for you at the cafeteria. I want to buy something to eat. You can find us there."
I watched as Sofia and Emilia left the classroom, Sofia dragging Emilia behind her. I couldn't help but smile at their antics.
"Come on, Emilia, it's just a little walk," Sofia said, teasingly.
"I'm tired, Sofia. My legs hurt. They have no strength anymore," Emilia replied, playfully exaggerating her exhaustion.
Sofia glared at her, laughing. "You're not going to get out of buying me a snack that easily."
I chuckled to myself as I watched them disappear into the hallway. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my friends. They always knew how to make me smile, even on my worst days.
As I looked around the empty classroom, I took in the familiar sights. The whiteboard at the front of the room was streaked with leftover marker ink, and the teacher's desk was cluttered with papers and textbooks. The fluorescent lights overhead cast a pale glow over the room, illuminating the rows of empty desks and chairs.
The walls were adorned with colorful posters and charts, remnants of past lessons and projects. The classroom's windows let in a sliver of natural light, casting a warm glow over the otherwise sterile atmosphere.
The air was stale, filled with the scent of old books and dust. The silence was almost palpable, a stark contrast to the usual bustle and chatter that filled the classroom during lessons.
I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of nostalgia wash over me. This classroom had been my second home for the past few years, and I had shared countless memories with my friends and classmates within these walls.
I stood up, stretching my arms over my head to shake off the lingering sleepiness. I began to pack my things, shoving my books and notebooks into my backpack. I zipped it up, slung it over my shoulder, and took one last look around the empty classroom to make sure I hadn't left anything behind. Satisfied that I had everything, I headed out of the classroom, closing the door behind me.
As I walked down the deserted hallway, I noticed Romeo standing in the middle of the hallway, his eyes fixed on me. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.
I walked past him, trying to appear nonchalant, but I could feel his eyes on me, watching me. I didn't dare look back, fearing that I might get caught up in his gaze again. I kept walking, my heart pounding in my chest.
Romeo's face turned black with anger as she walked past him, hiding her face as if she had seen a ghost. He strode after her, his long legs quickly closing the distance between them. Before she knew it, he had grabbed her hand, his fingers wrapping tightly around her wrist.
He spun her around, pinning her to the wall with his body.
I felt a jolt of fear as I looked up at him, his eyes blazing with anger.