Chapter 34 Illusion
Mia was a true Northerner, small but often mistaken for a Southerner. She was straightforward, outspoken, and had a strong sense of justice, hating any wrongdoing.
After paying, Mia and I each grabbed a hot dog and walked into the stationery store.
My mind was all over the place, and I grabbed a bunch of stuff but forgot the paint. Mia reminded me, so I quickly went back to get it.
After buying the supplies, I wasn't in the mood to hang around. I rushed back to the dorm with the paint, worried Zoe would find out I knew her secret.
Panicking, I messaged Brad on Facebook, "Brad, I just saw them getting a room together. Should we catch them in the act?"
Brad replied almost instantly, "Art major ain't your thing; you should consider the police academy instead."
'Fine, if we’re not catching them, no need for career advice. Brad can be so annoying, insulting without a single curse word.' I threw my phone down in frustration and went to sleep angrily.
Just before I fell asleep, it hit me. 'Zoe isn't afraid of being caught dating two guys, so why should I be? I'm not the one cheating. I did nothing wrong, so why should I be scared?'
What I couldn't understand was why Zoe was so openly meeting up with someone else. 'Wasn't she afraid I'd tell Daniel? And Brad is also at the Northern Institute of the Arts; she must know that. Wasn't she worried it would get back to Brad? Or maybe she just didn't care anymore. Is this the power of love?'
John was tall and handsome, with a wild streak that attracted girls. But in terms of looks, Daniel definitely beat John.
I just couldn't wrap my head around what Zoe was thinking.
The next day, Mia and I went to the school cafeteria for lunch. As soon as we walked in, we saw Zoe and John sitting together, feeding each other.
Since Brad came back, he had been taking care of me, so I rarely ate in the cafeteria. We either went out to eat or he ordered takeout to my dorm.
That day, Brad had to leave campus and wouldn't be back until the evening. He said he'd order takeout for me, but I declined, saying I wanted to eat out with my roommate.
If I had known what would happen next, I would have waited for Brad's takeout in the dorm rather than go through that ordeal.
Zoe, with her sharp eyes, saw me coming and immediately distanced herself from John, pretending nothing had happened. She waved at me to join them for lunch.
I couldn't be bothered with her and planned to ignore her.
But she just couldn't help herself.
Zoe said, "Jane, Daniel asked you to watch over me 'cause he was concerned about me being here solo. Is this your idea of looking out for me? Vanishing for days without a peep? Poor Daniel still thinks you're his friend, but you're nothing but a phony. What a letdown."
I didn't want to stoop to Zoe's level. If she didn't provoke me, I would pretend I didn't know anything. As for the truth, Daniel wasn't stupid; he would find out eventually. Even if he didn't, living a lifetime with the woman he loved might be another kind of happiness he wanted.
But Zoe just didn't know when to quit and kept provoking me.
Since she came at me, I had to show her I wasn't a pushover.
If she wanted to dig her own grave, I wouldn't stop her.
"Someone acts all pure and innocent on the surface, but behind the scenes, she's a whole different story. I can't even bring myself to spell it out." I shrugged, letting her figure it out.
This kind of sarcasm was the most tantalizing.
"What do you mean? Speak clearly!" Zoe threw down her fork and demanded sharply.
John looked up from his plate, his gaze dark and menacing.
It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria was crowded. Hearing the commotion, people started looking our way.
How much did these two want to be the center of attention?
"Exactly what I said. Don't you understand?" Zoe's shrill voice made my ears ring. I turned to leave but then stepped back and added, "By the way, ever heard the saying, 'You can't hide anything forever.' Don't be too arrogant."
Maybe out of guilt, Zoe's face turned pale. She stared at me with a panicked look, and John's gaze became even more terrifying, like a wolf ready to pounce.
Zoe stubbornly denied, "I didn't do anything. Stop slandering me."
"Oh," I deliberately dragged out the word, giving her a knowing look, "I didn't say anything specific. Why are you so worked up?"
Zoe and John exchanged a glance and said nothing more.
But John put down his cutlery, stood up, and slowly walked over to me, looking down at me as he spoke, "Jane, right? We're schoolmates, so let's act like we didn't see a thing. Otherwise, it won't end well."
The last sentence was said through gritted teeth, chillingly.
After he finished, he walked away with big strides, leaving Zoe sitting there with an ashen face.
My gut told me John was dangerous and might harm me.
As a girl far from home for school, I wasn't sure I could handle someone like him.
I only had one class in the afternoon, so I was free by three. I went for a walk by a small pond near the academic building.
Just as I found a spot to sit, Zoe appeared, blocking my path. "What did you mean by those words?"
I couldn't be bothered with her and stood up to leave. If I had known I'd run into her here, I wouldn't have come. I'd rather go back and paint.
But she wouldn't let me go, blocking my way with a venomous glare.
If looks could kill, Zoe would have killed me already.
This must be the real Zoe, not the gentle and weak facade she showed Daniel.
A girl from an upper-class family in Northport, with a well-rounded education, couldn't possibly be naive.
I suddenly remembered the conversation I overheard in Emma's garden that evening and admired Emma's insight. Zoe was indeed not simple.
I thought of Daniel, the fool who liked Zoe unconditionally, while Zoe's heart belonged to John.
'Is Daniel really going to come out on top in this love game? Or will he end up losing it all and regretting his decisions?' Realizing I was getting lost in irrelevant thoughts, I shook my head to clear them.
It was none of my business.
Brad and Helen had already warned me, and I didn't want to get involved in her mess. But Zoe blocking my way and demanding answers had successfully angered me.
I used to be good-tempered, but I wasn't weak. Zoe couldn't control me.
I sneered and moved closer to her.
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