A week later, I was at Capital again. As I was waiting for class to start, I saw Zac and Kate talking. This shouldn't have bothered me, because they were friends, but for some reason, it did. Before I had time to think about it that much, though, class started.
After class, I saw Zac and Kate together again. I saw him say something softly, and she answered him with a huge smile. This worried me even more. I walked over to them quickly. "Hey guys, how's it going?" I said cheerfully.
"Monica, Zac asked me out!" Kate exclaimed.
I could not believe my ears. Zac Hanson, teen superstar, cheating on his girlfriend? It did not seem real. "That's great," I said, "but I thought Zac was going out with Anne."
"He told me he'd broken up with her, that she wasn't right for him."
This I knew was wrong. If Zac had broken up with Anne, I would have heard it from her. I was about to say something when I saw Zac looking at me with a pleading look on his face. Please don't tell, the look said. I decided that I wouldn't say anything just yet, to Kate or to Anne; I'd wait and see what happened with the three of them.
The next Thursday, I had my chance. Anne decided she wanted to come with me to Capital. I was worried about what would happen if she came, but of course I couldn't say anything. On the way, I was strongly tempted to tell her about Kate, but I didn't. I'd just let Zac try to talk his way out of that one.
As we entered the building, the first thing I saw was Zac and Kate, kissing. I hoped that Anne hadn't seen, but that hope was in vain, for immediately I heard a gasp of shock and rage come from next to me. "How could she??!!" she said furiously. "How could he??!! I honestly thought he liked me! Obviously I was wrong! Well, if he doesn't like me, then it won't matter if I do this!" She began to walk over to them. I tried to hold her back, but she pulled away and continued towards the kissers. I followed at a distance.
"How could you!?!?!" she yelled. Two heads turned towards her.
Kate said calmly, "What is your problem? My boyfriend and I were having a private moment here, if you don't mind." Zac tried to stop her, but she continued, "He broke up with you a long time ago, and now he's dating me. And I would appreciate it if you left us alone and found yourself your own boyfriend."
"What do you mean, he broke up with me???? We're still going out! And if he's going out with you, then we have a problem."
Zac's cheeks were flaming red. "Anne, I'm so sorry. I meant to tell you sooner, but I never found the right moment. I just don't think we were meant to be. I know I should have at least broken up with you first. I don't know why I didn't. But...I'm happier with Kate."
Anne replied icily, "Yes, I can see that. Well, I know where I'm not wanted." She left the building and went back to the car.
When Anne left, I thought it would be calmer. But then I heard Kate say to Zac, "Why did you tell me you had already broken up with her? I don't date cheaters." With that, she went into the gym, where class was about to begin.
Zac stared after her until she was out of sight. Then he turned to me. "Monica, why did this happen to me?"
"Well, Zac, I think you know why," I said gently. Despite what he had done, he didn't deserve to have everybody turned against him.
He sighed. "Yeah, I do." He threw up his hands in despair. "I wish I'd never met her!"
"Who, Anne?" I questioned.
"No, Kate. Now that I think about it, I really think Anne was the one for me. I just couldn't see it."
I could say nothing. I just smiled sympathetically and went into class, where I ignored Kate.
Chapter 21
Love Takes Time
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