Zachary had his head down, staring intently at his notes as we walked by. I could feel an explosion of emotions from my fellow students around me, all eagerly watching my expression. I quickly made my way down the aisle to my seat in the back. Casimir was close at my heels since we shared the same desk space.

I was feeling a little blindsided, wondering why no one told me he was returning to school. We had reached an agreement regarding the attack but things were just getting back to normal and I wasn't looking forward to being the subject of school gossip for the next few weeks yet again. My eyes met Zola's who seemed tense as she watched me pass. Zachary had once been seatmates with Azar but I guess the teachers had decided to get him as far away from me as possible, sadly, while still being in the same classroom. One of the Madisons had traded spaces with him and she seemed positively gleeful, as she had a sizable crush on Azar. I wanted to give the fire elemental a meaningful look but thought better of it, taking my seat and getting out my supplies instead.

The next few hours were agonizing and I was amazed I managed to take any notes whatsoever. There was a space in between teachers and I leaned forward to poke Zola angrily.

"Thanks for telling me about Zachary!" I hissed sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she retorted. "Check your messages!"

I tried to discreetly go for my phone before realizing it was not with me. In my rush to get to school, I must have left it at home. I groaned internally as the next teacher showed up and it was time to begin our last period before lunch. When the lunch bell finally rang I saw Zachary rocket out of his seat and straight out the door. His friends Scott and Will went after him, calling his name in an attempt to get him to wait. I decided to linger in my seat while the bulk of my classmates left for the cafeteria. Zola slowly turned to face me, waiting for Madison to stop flirting with Azar before speaking.

"Oh my god."

"I know," I replied, reaching to grab my backpack.

"They didn't even put him in another class! I cannot-"

"It's fine," I insisted.

Zola's jaw dropped and she smacked her hand atop her desk, causing Maayan to jump slightly.

"Are you serious?! Diana no!" she scolded. "How are they allowing this? You need to complain."

I could tell she was mad which was going to make it even harder to explain the civil compromise Zachary and I came to. But it was now or never.

"Guys, can you give Zola and me a minute alone?"

Casimir, Azar, and Maayan all complied with my request although I could tell they didn't like the idea of leaving me alone. I knew at least one of them would be lurking outside the door while we talked. I looked up at Zola's face and her expression was one of confusion.

"This is not how I wanted to tell you but I had no idea he would be back in school so soon, or at all," I grumbled.

"Tell me what, Diana?"

"I wanted you to know before anyone else," I began, taking in a deep breath. "The fact is that I reached a compromise with Zachary. In exchange for paying my medical bills, I'm not pressing charges." I heard my voice wavering toward the end but I managed to keep it together. I was having a hard time maintaining eye contact as the waves of betrayal and anger washed over me.

"So it's true," she whispered.

"What?"

Zola stood up suddenly, snatching her bag as she glared at me. "I told them all there was no way you would agree to something like that!"

"Zola!"

"After what he did to you, to all of those girls..." she said, trailing off. Her gaze fell to the floor and I could see her eyes grow watery. "I can't believe you would let that creep slide like this."

I had no words, I couldn't defend myself without explaining about Terra and the wraiths. I wanted to tell her everything but that would just put her in danger. Zola took off her glasses, rubbing at the edges of her eyes with her sleeve. She shoved her frames back on her face, reaching into her bag to pull out an envelope. I was frozen as she slammed it on my desk before stalking away.

"Z-Zola...please."

But she didn't stop or even turn around to look at me, her indignation was clear to me and I knew better than to follow. I felt crushed because I didn't expect her to take it so badly. I sunk back into my chair, fighting the urge to cry. My eyes fell on the envelope Zola had left and I was reaching out for it when I heard a noise. The door opened and Azar stepped inside. He approached me, a glum expression on his face.

"I'm guessing that did not go well?" he offered, stopping at my desk. He shoved his hands into his pants pocket, slouching. I just shook my head and focused on the heavy envelope in my hand. I opened it to find a stack of photos, all from my birthday party inside. I laughed weakly as I flipped through them, amused by all the shots Zola had managed to sneak in. When I got to the end I found the photo of myself and Casimir smiling at each other. Azar had been looking over my shoulder and I didn't even bother to hide this picture, embarrassing as it was.

"Woah, when did she take this?" he asked, reaching for the photo. As he examined it, I let my head fall onto the table, enjoying the cool feeling of the tabletop against my hot skin. I felt ill with dread.

"Zola hates me," I mumbled.

"She doesn't hate you," Azar scoffed, tucking the photo in the back of the stack.

I shot him a look before burying my face in my arms, willing myself not to cry. Sometimes I wondered if people forgot that I could read others' emotions. Zola was very angry and I knew there was little I could tell her would appease that rage.

"Come on, Casimir is getting you some food. Let's go eat downstairs," Azar urged.

"I'm not hungry."

"You're always hungry."

"Well, I'm not right now!" I snapped. I was being childish but I couldn't face going down to that cafeteria with all of those students gossiping about me and Zachary. At least before I had Zola and Sunita to help shield me from all of the negativity. Oh god, I have to tell Sunita, I lamented. Azar was silent after my outburst, he pulled out Casimir's chair and sat next to me as I brooded. He was antsy, I'm sure because he wanted to sneak off to smoke one of his okashis. I was fighting back another round of tears when I felt his hand pat my head.

"Cheer up kid."

I looked up at him, recalling my dream from this morning. "You called Taya kid once."

Azar froze at my words before pulling his hand back, a wary look on his face. "Oh?"

I sat up in my seat taking in his appearance as I confessed. "I had a dream about you."

"Was it a good dream?" he joked, leaning back in his chair.

I made a face, my tongue sticking out for a brief second. "I wanted to talk to you about it alone before school started but..."

"What new revelation do you have this time?"

I paused, unsure if I wanted to go into it now but fate had gotten us alone so I went for it. "That you and Taya had the same mother," I answered.

(to be continued in Part 2)