Friday - November 18 (At School)

Vylad's P.O.V.

I yawned as I jot down the lecture being taught in class today onto my notes. From the corner of my eye, I see Zane yawn as well from beside me.

I slightly chuckled at the sibling psychic abilities that I just confirmed, once again.

Even though Garroth and Zane wouldn't listen to me when I say it. It's their loss. They could've become superheroes with me.

Yes, superheroes.

Since it was the middle of November already, all my injuries were healed, thankfully.

Our Biology teacher was rambling on about our project on observing natural life growth, a.k.a. taking care of a fake baby for 1 or 2 weeks.

You know, the usual assignment where you and your partner needs to play mom and dad.

Damn, I need a girlfriend.

From the corner of my eye, I see Zane whisper something to Aphmau - who was also beside him, making Zane in the middle of both of us - which made her laugh.

They would make a good couple, to be honest.

But, with Aphmau's situation... I don't think a relationship will help her one bit.

I sighed in sadness for my long-time best friend.

"Okay now, I will be picking the partners. Girl and boy pairs, no boy and boy, neither girl and girl. This is Biology class, not Match.com. Bring your love lives outside the classroom." The class chuckled at our teacher's words.

I soon learned that I will be paired off with Sasha.

Welp, it's time to play both mom and dad.

Zane was also paired off with a girl I barely knew, making me grow curious about who Aphmau will be with.

I look two seats in front of me to see Travis fiddling with the papers of his notebook.

Oh no.

Please no. For both of their sakes.

Our teacher coughed before continuing, "Hmm, let's see... for Mr. Valkrum..." Our teacher stops to glare at a smirking Travis, "Throw her at me, teach!" Travis says making most of the boys in our class laugh.

"You'll be paired off with Ms. Phoenix... Aphmau."

The color drained instantly from both me and Travis' face.

The silence of the room was cut off by Aphmau's loud voice. "Sir, please let me switch! Let me be with anyone else," She protests with a slight crack in her voice.

I don't blame her... playing mom and dad for a project with Travis? That isn't fair.

"What the realm is with the two of you? Always wanting to switch to other pairs... you've been doing this for all of the classes you're with together, I heard." As our teacher says this, I feel Travis gulp before hesitantly speaking up.

"Sir, please, Aphmau is right... It would be best if we did switch partners." Travis' voice strains as he said Aphmau's name. Not uttering it in a long time.

I looked over to Aphmau with concerned and sad eyes, she smiled to me... but I knew it was forced.

I do see Zane completely and utterly confused, looking between me and Aph, occasionally looking at Travis as well.

By now, the class was used to the unspoken strain between Travis and Aphmau, not reacting as severely as Zane is. If I was in Zane's place, I know I wouldn't be used to it either. Never will.

"I honestly don't know what is going on between the two of you, but my decision is final. You need to fix whatever is happening since the two of you will be partners. Travis, your grades are dropping and Aphmau can help you with that. So, are you-" Our teacher's rant was cut off by Aphmau standing up from her seat.

"Then I won't do it."

"E-Excuse me?" Our teacher asks and the rest of the class stared at Aphmau with furrowed eyebrows and a confused look. "I won't do it. I won't do the project." She repeats, and I see the hesitancy in her eyes.

My mouth was slightly agape at her words, I know how much graduating with high grades is important to Aphmau.

Has it really come to this, Aphmau?

"Ms. Phoenix, do I need to remind you that your are causing yourself a grade by doing this?" Our teacher asks, still quite baffled at Aphmau's bold statement.

"I don't care, I won't do it if Travis is my partner." Like Travis, her voice strained as she said Travis' name. Not saying it in a long time as well.

I noticed Travis' head being hung low the whole time.

"You know what? Fine, fine! I'll change your partners, but still, Ms. Phoenix, Mr. Valkrum..." He trails off, glancing between Aphmau and Travis just like how Zane was doing right now.

He sighed and said sadly, "It's not good graduating high school with bad blood."

Great, even the teachers are on their trail.

The only ones who know what happened between them is me. Vylad Ro'Meave.

You could count the Shadow Knights, as well. Though, they're just that street smart to notice and guess that something did happen between them and there is some history there which turned out to be right. They are very smart fellas, in all honesty.

"I know you know what is happening or what happened between Aphmau and Travis. You need to tell me, Vylad..." Zane whispered to me in a low voice, I look up to meet his intense blue eyes before opening my mouth.

"I-"

Then the bell rang.

Signaling the end of school.

By that time, our teacher was already done saying the rest of the partners for this project. I didn't catch who Aphmau would be paired up with exactly, but I knew whoever it was, it was okay with her.

Aphmau quickly shot up from her seat and rushed to the outside, being the first one to leave the class.

Since it was a Friday, Aphmau took her car to school, Zane riding with her while I took Zane's car by myself.

Even if this is the case for today, I would be willing to leave the car and ride with Aphmau if she needed to vent out.

I completely forgot about Zane and shot up from my seat, "Aphmau!" I called out as I raced to the outside, grabbing my bag. Though, I did spare Travis one more glance which he responded with a hesitant nod.

"Vylad!" Aphmau runs to me when she spots me through the crowd of students rushing towards the main doors. Once she did, she hugged me tightly, sending me slightly backwards. I smiled sadly at the action and hugged her back.

"Do you need to talk?" I ask her as she went on to nod, "Yeah, that would be-" She was suddenly cut off by a familiar voice.

"No, she doesn't. She is going to talk to me," Zane says, pulling Aphmau off me.

She looked at me hesitantly before I gave her a reassuring nod and smile.

"I think it's better if you talk to Zane about it already." I said honestly, which she nodded back to.

"Okay."

He deserves to know the story, after all.

Aphmau's P.O.V.

It's been almost 2 weeks since the kiss I had with Zane.

We didn't talk about it as much, there was really nothing to talk about. But I did feel the closeness we had since then. A different kind of closeness.

The 'fake couple' thing is still going on, but we never kissed again after that date. Even though we were a fake couple, we were most importantly best friends.

"Aphmau, I've had enough. Tell me what's going on. Tell me what Vylad knows and I don't. Tell me what happened between you and Travis."

With that, I dragged him through the doors of school, into my car. Driving him to our spot.

To tell him everything.

~~~~~

Next 2 chapters will be quite dramatic. And an emotional rollercoaster will be opened for you guys to ride on.

Get ready, it's going to be one heck of a ride!

I hope you still enjoyed this small filler chapter with the Zanemau moments. Thank you for the support and love! :D

Please vote, comment, share, and all that good stuff!

Love ya!

-DreamsCPape