CHAPTER 176

**ZION**

Clark raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with disbelief.

“Un-fucking-believable. Zion, the notorious king of getting whatever girl you want, just let that chick walk away? The one who was practically rubbing herself all over you?”

Ro leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful, almost like he was analyzing me. His arms were crossed, his expression shifting between disbelief and amusement.

“I can’t believe it either... Our boy, the one who used to leave girls breathless, didn’t even break a sweat... pushed a hot chick away without even getting her in bed?”

I stayed quiet, knowing exactly where this was going. Their eyes were already on me, waiting for a response.

Jesus, they were right... I had become a fucking cliché. The flirty stares, the fake smiles, the constant attention—I used to soak it all up, bask in it like I was some kind of goddamn king. It was effortless.

I was such a fucking fuckboy... all I ever did was chase pussy, never caring about anything or anyone else.

Now? It's suffocating.

Every touch that isn't hers feels like poison, every laugh that isn't hers sounds like nails on a chalkboard. 

Every goddamn moment someone else looks at me like I belong to them, it makes me want to tear everything apart.

I used to think I had control. That I was the one running the show, pulling the strings. But now?

She’s destroyed that.

Now I’m just a fucking mess.

“Shut the hell up, you idiots,” Harry snapped, shaking his head in frustration.

“Of course, he’s done screwing around. 
Did you morons somehow miss the wreck he turned into when Winter stopped talking to him? The guy was a fucking disaster. He actually wants to make things right with her. And you really think banging some random chick is gonna help with that? He’s changed—open your fucking eyes. But I guess that’s too complex for your thick-ass skulls to process, huh?”

Clark shrugged, a cocky grin tugging at his lips. “What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right? I mean, come on—Zion playing the loyal, lovesick puppy? It’s cute, really. But you could have a little fun on the side. Just keep it quiet, no one has to know."

Ro didn’t hesitate—she smacked him hard on the back of the head.

“Ow! Shit!” he hissed, rubbing the spot. “I was kidding, alright? Fuck.”

Harry shot him a deadly glare. 

“Not the time for jokes, Clark.”

My jaw clenched, heat flaring under my skin. Was he serious right now?

I leaned forward, voice low and cold. “You think this is a fucking joke?”

His grin faltered. Good.

“Well, it wasn’t fucking funny,” I grit out, my jaw tight. 

“She’s not some backup plan or flavour of the week. I’m not doing this for show—I want her. Only her.”

He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to something razor-sharp. 

“And if you ever suggest I cheat on her again, even as a joke, I swear to God, I’ll make sure you choke on those words.”

Clark raised his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk never fully left his face.

“Alright, damn. Chill, lover boy,” he muttered. 

“Didn’t realize the Zion Royal was suddenly a one-woman man.”

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly, testing me. 

“Guess I just miss the days when you were the cocky bastard who didn’t give a shit about anything—or anyone.”

He shook his head, still chuckling under his breath.

She’s clearly got you twisted up in knots, and I’m all for love and whatever...But you’ve gone full soft. Like, Disney-prince soft. Giving up girls for feelings? Damn. What’s next—writing poetry under moonlight? And seriously, what’s your grand plan? How the hell are you going to get into Winter’s pants by talking about the weather?”

I scowled, slamming my fist down on the table. 

“Shut the fuck up. It’s not just about getting into her pants…”

All three of them raised their eyebrows in unison.

“Okay, fine—I do want that,” I snapped. 

“But more than that, I want to be in her life—as more than just a friend. I want her heart, not just her body.” My voice tightened with frustration. 

“And yeah, I embarrassed the hell out of myself talking about the fucking weather. Happy now?”

Clark burst out laughing again, nearly doubling over.

“Oh man, I swear, when you started talking about the weather?” Clark snorted, doubling over with laughter. 

“I almost pissed myself. You sounded like a damn meteorologist, not a guy trying to win a girl over. That was comedy gold.”

His laugh echoed across the table, loud and relentless. 

“Damn, you’ve really lost your touch.”

“Don’t start,” I muttered, jaw tight, my patience hanging by a thread.

Harry leaned in, smirk tugging at his lips like he was enjoying this a little too much. 

“What the hell happened to you, man? You used to have girls falling over themselves just to get a look. Now you’re out here giving weather updates like that’s your secret weapon?” He chuckled, shaking his head. 

“If you want Winter’s attention, you better wake the fuck up. You're heading straight for disaster territory.”

Ro didn’t say a word. He just sat there, arms crossed, eyes locked on me with that unreadable stare. 

Not laughing. Not smirking. Just watching like he could see right through all the bullshit.

And that, somehow, felt worse than all the jokes.

Clark shook his head, adding 

“I mean, you should’ve seen Winters's face. It was like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to laugh or bolt in the other direction. The awkwardness? Man, it was so thick we could practically taste it.”

I gritted my teeth, the irritation bubbling up. 

“Yeah, well, thanks for the reminder, guys,” 

I shot back, trying to keep my cool. 

“Like I needed your fucking opinion on how awkward I was.”

I ran a hand through my hair, the tension gnawing at me. 

“It’s not like I wanted to look like a fool, alright? I’m trying here, alright? It’s just... Winter’s different. And maybe I’m not so damn smooth anymore. But I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

I pushed my chair back, my hands clenching into fists. 

“Anyways... If you’re done with your expert advice, I’m heading to the cafeteria. Are you assholes coming or what? Or are you just going to sit here and judge my entire life some more?”

Without waiting for an answer, I stood up and grabbed my bag. 

The others followed suit, and we all walked out of the classroom together.

Clark was the first to break the silence, as usual.

“So, what’s the next move, genius? Got some master plan to escape Winter’s friend zone, or are you just gonna keep playing weather man?”

I didn’t even look at him as I muttered, 

“Fuck if I know. Maybe get her some flowers or some shit. Who the hell knows what works with her?”

Clark let out a loud, mocking laugh. 

“Flowers? Seriously? Are you gonna win Winter over with a bouquet? What’s next—are you gonna serenade her under her window with a guitar?”

He shook his head, smirking. 

“Man, that’s real smooth. Might as well throw in a box of chocolates and a ‘Be Mine’ card while you’re at it. Real Romeo shit.”

I shot him a dark look, but the truth stung—I’d actually thought flowers would work? 

What the fuck was wrong with me? 

I needed something better, something that would make her smile... something that would make her really happy. And the worst part? I had no clue what that was, and it pissed me off. 

My friends didn’t get it though. They had no idea what it was like to want something—someone—and not know how to get it.

Ro, walking beside me now, kept his voice serious. 

“I get it, man. Winter’s different. But don’t start acting like you’re some saint all of a sudden. You’re just gonna screw things up even worse. Be yourself—the real you. Not this fake bad boy shit you’ve been hiding behind.”

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to snap. 

“I never said I was a saint, Ro. Yeah, I was a playboy, but I’m done with all that now.”

Clark shot me a look of mock sympathy. 

“You know, if you keep this up, you might actually become a halfway decent guy. Wouldn’t that be a twist?”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing my bag. “Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, asshole.”

They kept offering their advice as we made our way to the cafeteria, but I wasn’t hearing a word of it anymore. Their voices faded into the background.

Winter was all I could think about.

I needed to prove to her that I wasn’t the same guy I used to be—

I wasn’t her bully anymore. I wasn’t the asshole who twisted her words or made her cry, the one who tormented her and made her life a living hell. I wasn’t that person anymore.  

She said she forgave me, but did she truly? 

There was still this damn wall between us—one I couldn’t seem to break down. 

I had to fix this, somehow.

As we walked into the cafeteria, my entire body went rigid, the air thick with sudden tension.

What. The. Fuck.

There she was—Winter—sitting at a table, smiling, talking…

And right fucking next to her, practically breathing down her neck, was some guy I didn’t recognize. 

Some smug-looking bastard who clearly thought he had the right to sit that close, to touch her with his fucking eyes.

Rage surged through me like a goddamn wildfire.

My jaw clenched, fists curling at my sides.

Who the fuck was he?

And why the hell was he looking at her like that? 

Sitting in what should be my fucking spot, like he belonged there?

I could feel my pulse hammering, vision narrowing, the sound of—his laugh—twisting in my chest like a knife.

She was supposed to be pissed at me.  

Not looking at another guy like that. 

Fuck my life!