Imya’s eyes widened. She whispered under her breath, “There’s no way this is happening. I swore I’d never fall in love again. So that I wouldn’t hurt anyone. No one should get hurt because of me. And yet, I’ve fallen for two people… What if I must choose between them? Oh my god, what is this I’m feeling?”

Sarayu thought, “Why did my stupid brother make me be a jerk to Imya?” She put her hand on Imya’s shoulder. “Hey… I… I know we’ve established that we hate each other, but… Are you alright?”

Imya tried her hardest to fake a smile. “Of course. I’ve never been better.” Imya stood up and walked towards the classroom door. Mrs. Albano grabbed Imya’s wrist.

“Where are you going?”

Imya pulled her wrist away from Mrs. Albano’s firm grip. “I-I… I can’t take this anymore. What I’ve been doing for the past three years… It’s all wrong!” Tears welled up in Imya’s eyes. “I can’t break their hearts… I’ve done it so many times before and I love them too much to do that to them!”

“Imya, what are you talking about?”

“I should just kill myself. I’ve been keeping a titanium knife in my jacket for years, maybe it’s time I used it! Not like… It's not like anyone would care if I died anyway. And certainly, no one would care less than me.” Imya fell to her knees. “Why? I do what everyone wants, I put everything and everyone before myself…”

Ezume rolled his eyes. “Oh, give me a break. You’re faking for attention.”

Imya looked up. “That’s not what this is about.” Imya stood up and ran away. Sobbing, she ran home and collapsed in Christian’s arms.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t believe I cried in front of my entire class.”

Christian hugged Imya tightly. “Hey, it’ll be okay. Just calm down, go back there, and don’t pay attention to anyone telling you that you aren’t worth it.” He kissed Imya on top of the head.

Imya smiled. “Thank you, Christian.”

Christian smiled back. “Tea?”

“Yeah… That might help me calm down a little bit.”

“Hmm… Let’s see… We have peppermint, jasmine-”

“I’ll take peppermint, please.”

Christian blushed. “How is she so damn cute?”

After a few minutes, Christian handed Imya a light blue mug. “Careful. It’s hot.”

Imya smiled. “Just like you.” She took a small sip of the tea. “Aww… You remembered how I like vodka in my tea.” She looked up into Christian’s eyes. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I truly don’t deserve you.”

“Hey, that’s not true. It’s the other way around. I don’t deserve you.”

When Imya finished the tea, she set it down on the counter. “I guess I should be going now. The second period’s about to begin.” She kissed Christian on the cheek. “I love you.”

“I-I… I love you, too.”

Imya grabbed her bag and rushed down the street to school.

Mr. Collins, the science teacher, stopped Imya on her way into the classroom. “Hey, Imya, I heard what happened in language arts. Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I went home and calmed down for a bit. My fr- um- boyfriend, Christian, helped me calm down.” She looked away. “Heh. Now I’ll have to get used to calling him my boyfriend and not my friend.

Mr. Collins smiled. “Just let me know if you need anything.’

“Okay. Anyway, which unit are we on currently?” Imya smiled sweetly.

“I-I… We’re talking about symbiosis.”

“Ah. That was one of my favorites at my old school. Humans and Earth, while commonly believed to be in a mutualistic relationship, are truly in a parasitic relationship. Humans benefit from the resources Earth gives, and our beautiful planet is being harmed by it. However, if we keep this up, with the pollution and everything, the Earth will die, and we’ll go with it.”

“I-I never thought about it like that.”

“Hey, I’m an expert on more than just sex.” Imya smiled and sat down at an unoccupied desk in the back.

Ezume snickered, “What’s wrong? Did you miss your mommy?”

Imya shook her head. “No, I missed my boyfriend.”

“Fine. Don’t tell me.”

“It’s true.” Imya smiled. “Damn, he’s skilled. It’s difficult to make me moan, yet he can get me on my knees, screaming with pleasure in a matter of seconds.”

“I- Uh…”

Imya chuckled, “Got a problem there?”

Mr. Collins walked up to the board. “Okay, class. So, we have a new student that’s made quite an impression, if I do say so myself. She arrived after lunch on Friday, so some of you guys here don’t know her, you just heard rumors about her.” He smiled. “Come on up here, Imya.”