"ook, Lia, you're a really nice girl and you're really pretty, but I just don't feel the same. I think we're better off as friends."

I froze, his words not really computing in my brain.

"I gotta go, I'm already late," He dashed off without another word, quickly rushing back to his car.

I just stood there for a few minutes, wondering what the hell just happened. I just poured my heart out to him and he just gave me a brush off—with a lousy excuse to boot.

It was worse than a rejection. At least with a rejection I would've known what was wrong.

My phone buzzed and woke me from my shock.

Stella: The bell's gonna ring where are you?

Me: I'll be there in a min

I ran to my school, which was only a few feet from the Starbucks I was just in. Once I got inside, I slowed my pace to a swift walk and walked into my first period class.

Ms. Lawrence gave me a dirty look as I arrived just as the bell rang. The teachers were strict on tardiness but I somehow always got away with it.

I sat in my seat, trying to ignore Stella's curious gaze. She tapped me on the shoulder and spoke quietly but also excitedly,

"So, what happened with—?"

"Don't you dare say his name." I gave her my best glare.

"I wasn't going to, sheesh," Stella rolled her eyes, "But I'm guessing it didn't go too well."

"I got the f word."

"Ouch," She made a face, "Friendzoned, huh? You know it's not the end of the world by getting friendzoned, you could still possibly get out of that friendzone, you never know-"

I covered my ears, "You don't have to keep talking about it."

"Sorry, sorry," She shrugged then lit up, "I know what will cheer you up, shopping and then spa day!"

"I don't know, I kind of just feel like eating ice cream and watching Netflix." I sighed, only wanting to be alone, though a spa day did sound awesome.

"Well, I feel like shopping today."

"Have fun," I retorted and that's when Ms. Lawrence called on me.

"Miss Deliz, when did Plautus die?" She challenged and I fumbled for the answer.

"At the end of his life?"

The class laughed and the teacher shook her head. Stella didn't say anything else which I was grateful for.

All I could think about was what happened this morning, the scenario running over and over like a broken record.

I tried not to think about it but it haunted my every thought. Why would he reject me? Was there something wrong with me?

After Latin and Calc, Taylor and Nicole practically jumped on me during break.

"So, how did it go with you-know-who?" Taylor asked excitedly.

"Sorry, don't know what you're talking about." I retorted bitterly.

"He turned her down." Stella interjected.

"Friendzoned?" Nicole figured it out and Stella nodded. I slammed my locker and they all jumped.

"That asshole." Taylor shook her head. "We should do something tonight."

Stella nodded vigorously at me, "That's what I said."

"And I said I'm fine with Netflix and a tub of ice cream."

"We could have a girls night." Nicole suggested but I turned them all down.

"I'd really just rather be alone." I told them and they finally backed off.

"Hey, did you hear about the new students coming over to our school?" I was grateful Stella changed the subject.

"Wait, what?" Nicole asked.

"Yeah, there was some sort of accident at the school and they had to move their students here. I heard they're all coming tomorrow." I kind of zoned out after that, not paying attention to anything they were saying.

The day passed by uneventfully, just the usual drama.

When I got home, I found Mom brewing tea and Dad putting away groceries.

"How was school?" Mom asked and I shrugged.

"The usual." No way I was telling them about the guy who broke my heart.

"Any homework?" Not like I was actually going to do it.

"Not really."

I put off doing my homework, just wanting to take a long nap and forget today ever happened.

.•*•.

Baby even though I hate ya

I wanna love ya

I want you, you, you

And even though I can't forgive ya

I really want to

I want you, you, you

I woke up to "Problem" by Ariana Grande. I groaned, not wanting to leave my bed. Getting up was always the worst part of the day.

But Dad opened my door and pulled the sheets off of me, "Good morning!" He yelled and I grabbed my pillow and put it over my face.

"Go away." I muttered. "Leave me here to die."

"Come on," Dad turned on the lights and I finally got up.

When I got to school, it was a total mess.

The parking lot was in a massive grid lock and when I finally got inside the damn school, people were everywhere. It was a mob, I tell you.

I looked at my phone for texts and sure enough, there was one from Stella.

Stella: Come to the main lobby classes are postponed today

I found her standing infront of the auditorium, texting rapidly.

"Hey," I greeted and she smiled in relief.

"Thank God you're here. What the hell is going on?" She gestured to all of the random people in our school.

"I have no idea. But are classes really postponed?" That would be such a score.

"That's what the announcement said."

"What announcement?"

Just then, the intercom came on and Stella pointed to the ceiling,

"All students report to the auditorium. All classes are temporarily postponed."

All of the people in the lobby started heading to the auditorium, which Stella and I were stupidly standing infront of.

"Hey, watch it!" I hissed as we got trampled on by the huge mob.

"This isn't a zoo," Stella flattened her skirt and smoothed out her hair after the mob got through.

That's when I saw him.

My heart froze and I couldn't speak. He was standing right there, talking to someone in the office.

I pulled Stella to the side, around the corner.

"Hey, the auditorium is that way." She objected.

"That's him. That's the guy." I whispered and she did a double-take.

"'King of the friendzone' guy?" Stella asked and I nodded painfully. She frantically looked around for him, "Where? Where?"

She peaked her head around the corner but he'd already left. He was probably in the auditorium by now.

"He's already gone."

"Damn. Why is he even here? Unless—" She gasped sharply, "He's from the other school."

"That's not good." I gulped. That would mean we might share the same classes. Oh, why did my life have to suck so badly?

"Whatever, it means nothing. He's nothing." She reassured me and I almost believed her.

Principal Galante gave a lecture about how Mystic High was being renovated so Rivier Prep offered space for their students. She also explained that it would only be for three months until the school year ended and to be nice.

Everyone snickered at that last part.

Rivier Prep and Mystic High have been rivals in everything. Sports, theater, chess, money donations, anything and everything two schools could compete in.

I just couldn't believe Mystic High was merging with us. The guy who crushed my heart attended the same school that was moving into ours. That's just too coincidental, too strange.

We spent the whole day showing the new kids around since our school was pretty big. Stella and I showed two girls named Grace and Yanny around. They were pretty nice, not what I expected from someone who went to the same school as "the King of the friendzone".

There was a note on the kitchen table when I got home.

Visiting Grandma, should be back around 8. Heat up the pizza in the microwave for dinner

- Love Mom and Dad

I ignored their note and instead took out the chocolate fudge ice cream and big scooper. I turned on Netflix and clicked Grey's Anatomy.

I'd already been through two episodes when I heard a noise coming from upstairs. It sounded like a thump. I ignored it the first time, going back to my Grey's.

But then I heard it again; this time sounding like it came from the bathroom.

I muted the TV and listened carefully. I heard nothing but still decided to investigate.

"Who's there?" I asked in the open silence. I grabbed the Swiffer cleaner leaning on the wall. I clutched it like it was my security blanket and slowly ascended the stairs.

When I got to the top of the stairs, I swore. I should've brought my phone as a flashlight or actually turned on the lights.

I felt around for the light switch, getting a little creeped out by the total darkness.

"Boo."

The voice was so close to my ear that I screamed and swung the Swiffer cleaner at the person behind me.

I finally found the light switch and exhaled in relief.

It was only Roan.