NINA
It's thirty minutes after closing hours, Gracie left awhile back saying she had an errand to run for her mom. And I've been out here waiting to catch the sight of Zane but I haven't seen him yet. "Did he forget we are to meet and discuss about our project?" Or did he ditch me? "God" I don't want to fail because of him. Let me check the classrooms one last time.
The halls are quieting down with just a number of students filing out for the day leaving the school eerily empty. Thank God It's closing hours where i could walk and gather my thoughts without the weight of curious stares or whispers.
As I rounded the corner, I stopped abruptly.
There, against the lockers, was Zane. His hands were gripping a girl's waist as he leaned into her, their lips locked in a heated kiss. The girl giggled between breaths, her fingers tangled in his messy black hair. (I thought he had a girlfriend)
My stomach dropped. I felt like an intruder, a voyeur into something private. My heart thudded painfully as I took a step back, intending to slip away unnoticed. But I wasn't fast enough.
Zane's sharp gaze caught mine mid-motion. His lips froze against the girl's for a second before be pulled away, smirking. The girl turned, confused, but Zane waved her off without a word.
"Leave," he muttered to her, "the girl stomping away angrily," His eyes never leaving mine.
Panic surged through me as I turned to flee, but Zane was quicker. He strode towards me with long, purposeful steps, his expression dark and unreadable.
"Going somewhere, Princess?" he called, his voice echoing down the empty hallway.
"I...I didn't see anything," I stammered, clutching my backpack like a lifeline. "I was just....
"Just spying? Zane interrupted, his tone mocking. He stopped a foot in front of me, towering over my small frame. "What, you think I wouldn't notice?"
I wasn't spying, I said quietly, my voice trembling. I swear, I didn't mean to..... I was just looking for you to talk about our project....."
He laughed coldly, cutting me off. "Of course, you didn't mean to. You never mean to do anything, do you? Always so timid, so innocent." He leaned closer, his words dripping with venom. "Tell me, Nina...what are you even doing here? Trying to get a closer look? Hoping to learn something?"
My face burned with humiliation, and I shook my head vigorously. "No, I was really only looking for you, for us to go over our project.
"Relax," he sneered. "It's not like you'd know what to do with a guy even if one wanted you. Which, by the way no one does." He said. Not even acknowledging the fact I said, "I was only here for our project."
I felt like I'd been slapped. I took a shaky step back, my eyes filled with unwanted tears. "Why are you saying this?" I whispered.
"Because it's true," Zane said cruelly, his smirk widening as he saw the hurt in my eyes. "You're a little mouse, Nina. Scared of your own shadow, always trying to disappear. Guys like me? We don't go for girls like you. You're not interesting, you're not exciting. Hell, you're not even pretty."
My breath hitched, the tears spilling over before I could stop them. I looked away, desperate to escape, but his words pinned me in place.
"Face it," he continued mercilessly. "You're invisible. And you know what? That's exactly where you belong."
I couldn't take it anymore. Without another word, I turned and ran, my footsteps echoing down the hallway as sobs tore from my throat. I didn't stop until I was outside, the cool air hitting my tear-streaked face like a slap. I leaned against the wall, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath.
Zane's words played over and over in my head, each one cutting deeper than the last. I pressed my hands to my ears as if that could down them out, but it was no use. For the first time since starting at this school, I felt utterly defeated.
My vision blurred by tears and my chest tightening painfully. I gasped for air, clutching at the straps of my backpack as if that would steady me. My thoughts were a mess, Zane's cruel words playing on repeat in my mind. "(not even pretty...invisible...that's where you belong)"
My breaths came faster, shallow and frantic. The world around me tilted, and I pressed my back against the cool brick wall, sliding down until I was sitting on the ground. My hands trembled as I tried to press them to my chest, willing myself to calm down. But the more I tried, the worse it got.
"I can't breathe," I whispered to myself, tears streaming down my face. "I can't...I can't..."
The sound of distant footsteps barely registered through the pounding in my ears. But they grew louder, more hurried, until a familiar voice broke through the haze.
"Angel?"
I blinked up to see Luke, his soccer bag slung over one shoulder, his bright blue eyes wide with concern. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked dropping his bag and crouching in front of me.
"I..." I shook my head, unable to form the words. My breaths came in quick, shallow gasps, my chest heaving uncontrollably.
Luke's face softened. "Okay, it's okay. You're having a panic attack," he said gently. "But I'm here, Nina. I'm not going anywhere. Just focus on me, alright?" I looked at him, my tear-streaked face pale and frightened.
"Breathe with me," Luke said, sitting cross-legged in front of me. He took a deep breath, slow and steady. "In.... and out.... just like that. Come on, Nina, you can do it."
I tried to mimic him, my breaths shaky and uneven at first. Luke kept his voice calm, repeating the rhythm until my breathing began to slow. "That's it," he murmured, his tone soothing. "You're doing great. Just keep going."