chapter 2

ZARA : New beginnings.

It’s time for a fresh start. I’ve decided to put everything behind me and accept my place as just Jace’s best friend. I should have known my boundaries long ago. Confessing my feelings to Jace would do nothing but ruin the friendship and bond we’ve built. I don’t want that.

I’d rather bury the thought of ever being more than his friend than risk losing him entirely.

Three months have passed, and Jace has dated at least three different girls while I sit quietly, watching, getting heartbroken, and still giving him advice.

But what choice do I have?

I’ve also been trying to glow up and lose some weight before college, but that seems impossible. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, which makes it harder to lose weight and easier to gain. I do all the right things, yet nothing seems to work. Lately, I’ve just been low, emotionally drained after graduation.

Jace and I once promised to be each other’s armor. We even got admitted into the same college, just like we planned.

And, as usual, I’ve been the loyal friend, covering for him, even helping him write his entrance exam while he got wasted with his then-girlfriend.

My heart breaks a little as I scroll through his recent I*******m story. I thought I was over him, but clearly, I’m not. Still, I pretend I am by commenting and supporting him.

Jace is surrounded by three different girls at the beach, perfect smiles, perfect legs, perfect bodies.

I sigh and react with a heart emoji.

Almost immediately, my phone rings. It’s Mom.

I pick up.

“Zahra, have you gotten to the apartment yet?” She asked.

“No, Mom. I’m still on the way.”

“Why is the truck driver taking so long?”

I lean my head out the window. We’ve been stuck in traffic for a while now.

“Mom, there’s bad traffic.” I replied.

She let out a breath.. “What about Jace?”

I twitch my lips. Jace?

Well, he’s already at school. I’m the one moving all our stuff to the apartment we were assigned..since we promised never to leave each other and stay in the same place.

Funny how I never really thought about the consequences of living with Jace. Phew.

“Mom… Jace is in school already. He’s handling our registration,” I lie, covering up for him.

In truth, he’s probably out meeting new girls.

"Okay, Zara. Mom misses you already. Be a good girl in school and don’t forget to keep me updated. Love you, baby." She stated.

A smile crossed my cheeks when I heard those sweet words. I love Mom too she’s my favorite person in the whole world. Apart from Jace, she’s the only one I have. Dad died so early…

"Love you too, Mom. Will keep you updated," I replied, and within a few seconds, she hung up. I heaved a deep breath after taking the phone from my ear. This is totally a new start.

I looked out the window again, but we were still stuck in traffic.

My phone buzzed once more and it was Jace on faceTime.

I sucked in a sharp breath and picked up.

"Heyyy, Zee! What’s good? You gotten to school yet?" he asked. He was still at the beach, lounging under a straw cabana while a girl in a bikini rested against his chest.

"No… I—" I stopped midway because the girl cut in.

"Who’s she?"

"My sister," Jace replied instantly.

My lips twitched. Yeah. That’s the zone I’m in.

"I’m stuck in traffic, Jace," I said, bracing myself so my voice wouldn’t sound hurt.

"You good, Zee?" he asked again. He must have noticed the shift in my tone..he always does.

"I am. Just… you went to school and left me carrying all our stuff."

"Zee, I’m meeting new friends. We already talked about this, you agreed." He reminded me. Yes i did agree, but seeing it now, it seems a bit unfair or maybe I'm just jealous.

"I did. It just feels unfair," I murmured, trying not to sound as jealous as I felt. I wish that girl would just move away from him.

"Don’t worry, Zee. I’ll get you burritos," he said with a wink.

Ugh. There he goes again.

"I don’t eat burritos anymore. They’ll make me gain weight."

"C’mon, one time wouldn’t hurt," he teased, making that cute face that always melts me.

I stayed quiet, pretending to think.

"Fine," I finally said.

"I love you so much, Zee," he said before hanging up immediately.

I let out a deep breath.

Sister zone it is.

After the long traffic, we finally got to the school’s assigned apartment. I had the keys, and all I needed to do was double-check the details to avoid walking into someone else’s place. There were so many similar-looking apartments around. I scrolled through my email to confirm the floor. We were supposed to be assigned to a two-room apartment, and thankfully, the universe decided to make things easy for me, it was on the first floor.

The truck driver began unloading Jace’s and my things. Just staring at the pile gave me a pounding headache.

I hesitated, rubbing my forehead as I assessed the mountain of boxes.

“Do you need a helping hand?” the truck driver asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Yes!” I replied instantly. He chuckled, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

We started moving the stuff inside. I unlocked the door to the apartment number written on the key tag. According to the documents, it was supposed to be a two-room space with a small living room and kitchen—but when I stepped inside, I froze. It was a three-room apartment.

I frowned and glanced down at the keys again. We’d been assigned the first and last rooms. Did that mean someone else was going to share the space with us?

The driver helped me move everything in, and I thanked him before he left.

For a moment, I just stood there in the living room, hands on my waist, scanning the space. Everything looked neat and well-arranged, surprisingly clean. I had expected to start off with sweeping and scrubbing, but it seemed whoever lived here before us left it spotless.

I shook my head and sighed, deciding to focus on what needed to be done, moving Jace’s stuff into his room and arranging it for him, as usual, before setting up mine.

A few hours later, I was finally done with everything — cleaning both rooms, unpacking, and arranging every single thing I could think of.

I collapsed onto my bed, lying flat on my back, eyes fixed on the ceiling. My body ached, but it felt good to see everything in order. Still, a small thought slipped through my mind.

I wonder what’s going to happen from here.

After a while of drifting in my thoughts, I started hearing sounds coming from the kitchen. My heart skipped. Was someone in here? Could it be that the third person had already been assigned?

That’s unfair. Jace and I were supposed to be together, alone.

The noise continued, faint clinks and movements that didn’t sit well with me. I sat up, my chest tightening, and slowly got off the bed. The three rooms faced the living room, and from there, the kitchen was visible. I tiptoed to my door, hesitating for a moment before pushing it open just a little.

The sight that met my eyes made my heart leap. Someone, dressed completely in black, was standing by the fridge.

My pulse quickened. A thief?

I clamped a hand over my mouth at the thought. But we had just moved in. How could a thief even know that? Still, panic surged through me. What if I got attacked?

I needed to do something. My eyes darted to the mop stick leaning against the wall in my room. That could work. He was still at the fridge, a perfect opportunity.

I grabbed the mop and tiptoed closer, every step making my heartbeat louder. Just as I raised the stick, ready to swing, he turned and his hand shot up, catching my wrist midair.

My breath hitched. I froze. I was caught.

“Who the heck are you?” he asked, his tone sharp and low.