High School Mayhem

~~~72~~~

Chapter 72: Love
~Zerenity~

I slump into homeroom holding my hand to my head. I have a splitting headache. I got zero sleep last night.

Why does the world feel like it's spinning faster than it should be?

It's making me tired... and confused. I don't even know why.

Maybe it's because Zane and Dove are no longer together and I wanted them to be together forever. If that's the reason, then I just need to get them back together and it'll all be fine. I smile before Zane sits in his seat ahead of me.

"Don't think about it." He growls lowly.

"What?" I wonder.

"Don't do what you're thinking of doing. I know you want to get Dove and me back together but it's not worth it." He shrugs not turning to face me. "She'll be leaving in summer and she obviously doesn't want this."

"But you guys--"

"No. Zerenity. End of discussion."

"I just want to help--"

"If you want to help," he turns to me, his eyes stained red and his mask is crooked, "just forget you so-called ship, 'Zove' even happened." He turns back around and I'm speechless. "It's simple. At least tell me you can do that."

I bit the inside of my cheeks to hide my hurt and I smile at him though he can't see me. "Y-Yeah, okay. I'll try."

Without even wanting to my mind flashes back to the day Gene broke up with me.

**

"Gene, I don't understand," I whine. "Why are you breaking up with me? What did I do wrong?"

"I already told you, you didn't have to do a thing. I'm just done." He huffs and leans against the lamp post in front of us.

"But why?" I push.

"Just forget it!" He shouts causing me to jump back. "Just forget that 'we' even happened." He walks off. "You should be able to figure that out at least."

I don't follow him and try to swallow my tears. I turn to see my reflection in the window of a shop. I try so hard to smile at myself but it doesn't work, I end up frowning as tears spill. Not being able to stand the sight of myself, I sprint off. Where would I go? I had no clue.

**

Even if Gene was joking and we're back together, that still hurt. Why so many breakups lately?

Gene and I. Zane and Dove. And even on a friendship level, Laurance and Lyrvanna.

Is the world running out of love? Is... everyone going to be alone? Maybe this is how the world ends, it runs out of love. Is that why the world is spinning quickly?

We can't run out, love is everything. It's all we need. Why is this happening?

I mean sure, Gene and I are dating again but... we aren't the same either. When we talk, he's only half there. Does he only half care about me? Is half of him missing? Should I try to help him? Would I only get in the way?

Universe... please show me that there's still some love in the world.

"Hey." Travis sits next to me. "Why such a sad face?"

"Sad?" I smile at him. "What do you mean? I'm just thinking... about the world."

"You can't fool me, Zuri," he smiles back at me and says in a playful whisper, "I know everything about you." He sounds like he's jokingly but he's genuinely worried and being serious.

"I really am just thinking." I nod and look out the window next to me. "Do you there's enough love in the world for everywhere?"

"Where'd that come from?"

"My brain." I smile at him again. Suddenly, my stomach twists and I don't know why but words rush out of my mouth before I could think about it. "Everyone should love everyone but how does someone know when they--" I turn to him and stare him intensely in the eyes-- "love someone."

"Woah!" His eyes widen. "Where.... Where did that even come from?"

"I don't know!"

"Don't tell me you..." this time he's staring at me intensely, "think you love Gene."

"I didn't-- I don't kn-- I was asking you!"

"I don't know how to tell!"

"Do you love anyone?"

"Woah!" He chuckles uneasily. "Wow! That-- I-- You-- U-Um-- We-- U-Uh..." He lets out another uneasy laugh.

"That was a crazy question, I'm sorry." I laugh. "Besides, you'd tell me if you had a crush, right?"

"Yeah... I sure... would." He nods slowly. "Yep. Mhm. Totally."

"Really? You don't seem sure?"

"I'd tell you, eventually." He says.

I sigh. "At least that's something. Random question, do you think Zane and Dove loved each other?" Zane tenses in front of me and I turn around to see Dove sitting behind me with her eyes wide as she stares into space in shock.

Travis shrugs. "They both kept their feelings under wraps, I wouldn't know. You'd have to ask one of them."

"Zane told me to just forget about it. I have to forget about Zove now." I sigh. "What about Lyrvanna and Laurance, do you think they secretly love each other?" I turn toward them to see them both stare at me wide-eyed before turning toward each other looking away. Lyrvanna groans and accidentally bangs her head on her desk.

"Zerenity, I have no way of knowing how to answer these questions. I have no clue." Travis shakes his head slowly.

"Oh. I just wanted to know if there was still love in the world." I shrug and lay my head on my desk as the tardy bell rings. "That's all."