Chapter 11: The Truth?
Third Person POV:
Zoe went inside the empty Girls' Bathroom and started crying on the sink counter. Frankie came inside a moment after, "Zoe?" Frankie said as she approach to the former Actress.
"I hate feeling this way!" Zoe yelled as tears trail down her cheeks, "Maya needs to realized the truth about Tori!"
"What do you mean?" Frankie asked with confusion, "Tori's a very nice girl. Any girl would be lucky to have her as a girlfriend!"
Zoe looked her, "Are you hearing yourself!?" She said, "Tori's evil! She's just acting nice!"
"Zoe, you're just exaggerating." Frankie sighed
"No I'm not! She confronted me earlier and show me her true color!" Zoe argued, "This is so messed up! I'm so messed up!"
Frankie just embraced her best friend with a hug, "No, you're not messed up, you're just hurt."
"Then why do I feel so broken?" Zoe sobbed
"I don't have all the answers, but I know you'll eventually heal." Frankie said as she continued comforting Zoe.
After school, Maya and the guys were rehearsing for the Battle of the Bands, which is getting closer. When it was break time Maya suggested to the guys to play a new song she wrote. The guys look over the lyrics and they love it, so they approved it. Maya also explained whole thing about the song.
"Do you think we can make it work?" Maya asked
"Yeah, I'm sure we'll make it the best performance ever!" Miles smiled as the guys agreed
"Totally!" Tristan winked as they started practicing the new song.
Maya's POV:
Tristan and Zig went home, while Chewy and Miles were cleaning up the rehearsal room, "Alright, I'll see you guys later!" I waved
"Bye Maya!" Chewy and Miles said simultaneously as I left the room.
I was about to go outside and leave, when I heard Frankie calling me upstairs, "Yeah?" I answered
"Is okay if I talk you alone in my room?" Frankie asked with hope.
Well I have nothing else to do, yet I'm wondering what she wants to talk about?, "Sure! I have time!" I answered as I went upstairs and follow her up to her room.
I went inside, her room looks so beautiful! There are posters filled with outfits, Paris, souvenirs, and more. On her desk were picture frames filled with her and her family, but mostly pictures of her and Zoe when they were little. If Tori were here, she would be more shock as I am.
"Please sit!" She said as I sat next to her on her bed, "I heard your rehearsal earlier, you guys sound great, I love the song. Did you wrote it for Tori?"
I give a slight nod, "You can say that." I said
"You're a really lucky girl to date a hottie like her." Frankie commented
I don't know where this is leading to, "Uh yeah..." I nodded as I change the subject, "Frankie, what do you want to talk about?" I asked
Frankie sighed, "You do realized that Zoe's hurting?" She asked
I know she's trying to make her words less negative, but I know she's saying that Zoe's hurt because of me, "I know, I just want to make it up to her. I'm sorry, it's just complicated." I answered
Frankie just look at me, "I know you're still with Tori, but I can tell that your eyes are going to another direction." She said, "You feel the same way about Zoe do you?" I only nodded, "What about Tori?"
"I don't know?" I replied, "I want to be with Zoe, it's just..."
"What?" Frankie lead me on
"I know you and Zoe are intimate before, and you're back for good. What if Zoe and I dated, then she gets bored with me and starts..." I trailed of because I didn't feel comfortable finishing it.
"Starts getting intimate with me again?" She finished for me, I can tell she's a little hurt.
"Frankie, you are a great girl, it's just, you know Zoe longer than I do. You seem to understand her more than me, she might fall in love with you. I don't want to get hurt again!" I said as tears trailed down my cheeks, "But if getting hurt is to be with the person you love, then I'll take that risk!" I wiped my tears as I filled my heart with courage.
Frankie put her hand on my shoulder, "Maya, Zoe loves you, ONLY you. Zoe is many things, but she never cheats on the person she loves." She continued, "You know, Zoe told me you look totally hot and sexy in a bikini. Zoe was totally wet when she was thinking about it and I didn't mean swimming pool wet." She laughed as I started laughing with her, "See, do you feel better?"
I nodded, "Yeah, you're very funny, thanks!" I said, "I guess I was just jealous about you and Zoe. I guess there's nothing for me to worry about."
"You're right, but if you want to pursue, Zoe. I think you need to end it well with Tori." Frankie smiled
"I think Tori will understand." I smirked, "Also, can you do me one favor?"
"Sure, what is it?" She asked
"Can you try to convince Zoe to come to the Battle of the Bands? It would be great if she was there." I said with hope.
It took Frankie a while to answer, "Hmm, it's takes a lot to convince Zoe, but I'll give it a try." She nodded
"Thanks Frankie!" I smiled as she and I joined for a hug.
"No problem, Maya. I'm just glad everything is clear between us." Frankie smiled as we form a new friendship.
Zoe's POV:
(Two Days Later: Battle of the Bands)
For the past two days, I haven't made any personal contact with Tori, especially Maya. Unfortunately, I still have to sit with them during lunch and Frankie isn't helping much on trying to help me avoid Maya. But I was glad that Maya didn't talk to me at all, yet I felt sad because I feel like she's wants me to avoid her.
Now it's Saturday and today, The New Beginners are performing for Battle of the Bands, to bad I'm not going. Frankie and I are in my room doing our 'errands', well actually getting each other's nails done. "Okay we are done with our nails! Can we just go to Battle of the Bands and hear Maya and the guys play?" Frankie begged, shaking her hands.
I'm getting irritated of her begging me about going, "No! We're staying here! Quit irritating me!" I snapped as I realized what I said, "I'm sorry Frankie, I didn't mean to snap." I apologized
Frankie accepted my apology, "I'm sorry too. I just really want to go." She said, "Unless you want to make out or something..." She suggested
"Umm..." I started, "...I'm not in the mood for lip locking." I said, it wouldn't feel right making out with Frankie when I still have feelings for Maya.
"I was kidding about the making out part." Frankie giggled as I giggled back
I can tell Frankie is getting bored, she always makes jokes about anything when she's bored. I decided to give in, "Alright, I'm letting you go to Battle of the Bands." I said
Her head pop up, "Really? Seriously?" She asked as I nodded, "Yes! Thank you Bestie!" She cheered as she gave me a quick hug and stand up.
"Wish them good luck for me!" I slightly smiled
"Wait, you're not going?" Frankie said as her smile faded, "Maya and the guys would love it if you're there. Plus, free entertainment!" She said trying to convince me.
I shook my head, "No, I'm fine here." I said
Frankie just look at me with expressionless face, "Okay, I'll see you later." She said as she grabbed her bag, waved, and left.
I sighed as look down at my feet. I grab my favorite nail polish and started applying it to my toes. "Just keep yourself busy." I said to myself.
Maya's POV:
We're at the park, where Battle of the Bands are taking place, and me and the guys were setting up our equipment, backstage. I look out in the crowd to see if a certain someone decided to come. "She's not here." I whispered to myself
"Maya, we should do some last-minute rehearsals." Tristan said as I nodded, "You okay?" He asked as he noticed my expression.
"Yeah." I answered
He gave me quick hug and put his hands on my shoulders, "She will be here okay?" He smiled as I nodded, believing him.
"I hope so." I said as we went to the side to rehearse with the guys.
Third Person POV:
Frankie arrived at the park where the Battle of the Bands is taking place. She briefly watch another band play on stage until she noticed Tori. Tori is sitting alone in the bench and she is wiping her tears away. Frankie couldn't help but approach to the other girl. "Do you mind if I sit?" Frankie asked
Tori look up at the younger girl, "No, I don't mind." She shook her head
Frankie sat next to Tori and turn her face, "Are you okay?" She said as she handed Tori a tissue.
Tori grabbed the tissue and gently dab her face, "Yeah, I'm fine." She answered
"You want to talk about it?" Frankie asked as she put her hands on the older girl's lap.
Tori shook her head, "No, it's nothing. I'll get over it." She smiled as she change the subject, "Where's Zoe?"
"She's at her house doing 'errands'." She said, "I tried convincing her to come, but she wanted to stay home. Can you convince her to come?"
It took Tori a while to answer, "After how I treated her earlier, I'd probably convince her NOT to come." She said
"Please Tori, talk to Zoe to convince her, I can feel Maya has something in her sleeves to make peace with her." Frankie begged
"Well, I don't want to let Maya down, so let's go." Tori said as she stand and gently hold Frankie's hand as Frankie blushed without the other girl knowing.
Frankie and Tori arrived at Zoe's house. After they knock, Zoe answered the door, "Frankie? Why are you here? I thought you're at Battle of the Bands?" She asked
"I was, but we're here to talk to you." Frankie said
"We?" Zoe said with confusion as she saw Tori coming out, behind Frankie, "What is SHE doing here!?" She said raising her voice.
"Zoe, can we just talk?" Tori begged
"I have nothing to say to you!" Zoe hissed
"Zoe can you please hear out Tori?" Frankie begged, "I know how much you hate her, but just give her a change to talk!"
Zoe just looked at them then looked at Tori, "Okay, but you only have 5 minutes, and you're gone!" She said
"That's all I need." Tori nodded as Zoe gestured them in.
All three girls sat on the sofa in the living room, "Your time is running out, so if I were you, I'd start talking." Zoe said
"Okay..." Tori started, "You have to come to Battle of the Bands, Maya has a big surprise for you!"
Zoe scoffed, "Whatever's the surprise, it wouldn't change anything." She said
"It will because Maya's in love with you too." Tori confessed as the revelation shock Zoe, "She really loves you back."
Zoe swallowed, "But you and Maya..." She tried to talk.
"She broke up with me a couple of days ago..." Tori confessed
(Flashback)
Tori sit down next to Maya, "Okay?" Tori said feeling scared, "Can you explain what happened?"
Maya took deep breath, "Tori, I just realized Zoe loves me..." She confessed, "And I know it's hard for you to hear it, but I feel the same way about her."
Tori took a deep breath, "So what are you saying?" She asked, like she knows what's going to come next.
"Tori you're a great girl and I loved you and I will cherish all the times we've spent together, but things change and it's best if we just break up." Maya answered as she can see Tori processing what's happening.
It took Tori a while to answer, "That's what I'm afraid of, I knew it's going to happen somehow, but I wasn't ready to end it." Tears trail down her cheek, "I thought we would have a second chance, I thought it will go back to the way it use to. I feel like it's my fault I let you get away, now someone else owns your heart."
Maya wiped her tears, "I don't blame yourself it just happened, I thought it's our second chance too, but I can't get Zoe off my mind. I was afraid to do this, I was afraid I might hurt you. Breaking up is best for the both of us." She said
Tori nodded, "You're right, I guess we were never meant to be together. But I'm afraid to lose you." She said in fear.
"You'll find someone better, Tori, someone who will treat you like a princess." Maya said and continue, "And you're not going to lose me, I'm still here for you. Even if we're not in a relationship doesn't mean we can't be friends." Maya explained, "I want to be with you as your friend...your best friend."
Maya noticed a smile forming on Tori's mouth, "I would love to be your best friend, Maya. It's way better than nothing." Tori finished as we embraced for a friendly hug.
As they let go they started giggling, "So are we cool?" Maya asked
"Yeah, we're cool." Tori nodded, "By the way, now that I realized it, you're not that hot for me..." She winked
Maya gasped, "Well then, you're lost!" She argued with a hint of sarcasm.
Tori stand up, "Whatever, just eat your breakfast, we're going to be late for school." She said as she put her empty plate in the dishes.
(End of Flashback)
"Is that why you were crying earlier?" Frankie asked Tori.
Tori nodded, "I'm still getting over the break-up, but I know it's best." She said as she look at Zoe, "And Zoe, I really do want to be your friend."
Zoe arched one eyebrow, "Really? Because it doesn't sound like it when we confronted a couple of days ago." She said getting serious, "Or are you just acting nice again to trick me?"
"You're right Zoe, I was just acting, but I was acting the other way around." Tori started smiling
It confused Zoe even more, "Okay I don't get you, Tori." She said, "What do you mean?"
(Flashback)
Tori just gave Maya a look, "I know when you're lying. You can tell me anything." She said
Maya just look at Tori as Tori was waiting for Maya to answer, "I never expect Frankie to come back." She said
"Are you jealous of Zoe and Frankie?" Tori narrowed her eyes.
Maya scoffed, "What!? No!" She said as Tori just look at her, "Okay, maybe a little, but you know how intimate they were! Plus, I was trying to let Zoe confess that she loves me!"
"And what she said?" Tori asked
"She said she never love me that way." Maya sighed, "But I know she's lying, I can see it in her eyes. All I wanted is to hear her that she loves me, then I can truly believe it."
"So what's your plan on hearing that 'I love you' from Zoe?" Tori asked
It took a while for Maya to get an idea, "I know! You confront Zoe and act mean to her!" She said
It shocked Tori, "What!? But I just befriended Zoe earlier, now you want me Bitch out on her?" She said
"It could totally work! She still knows we're together and if you act all Bitchy to her, she'll definitely confess that she loves me!" Maya said
Tori gave in, "Fine, I'll act mean to Zoe, for you." She said
"Great! I'll tell you the rest of the plan later!" Maya said
"Maya Matlin, you are the craziest person I've ever met. I can't believe I dated you." Tori said, shaking her head as Maya just sarcastically rolled her eyes.
(End of Flashback)
"So you acted all Bitchy just to make me confess that I love Maya!?" Zoe said with shock.
"Yeah and it worked!" Tori let out a sorry smile.
(Flashback)
"I surrender okay, you win Tori..." Zoe said as she went by the door, unlock it, and open it, "...you win." She wiped her tears, went out and closed the door behind her.
Tori took a deep breath, "You can come out now, she's gone!" She said as the closet door open and Maya came out, "So did you hear her?"
Maya nodded, "Yeah, loud and clear." She smiled, "Now that I know she loves me, I just have to do something, to show her that I love her too."
"And I'm sure Zoe will be happy to see it." Tori smiled
(End of Flashback)
"Wow Tori, I was wrong about you. You're not a Bitch after all." Zoe realized
"And you're not as bad as I thought you were." Tori said, "Zoe, I seriously want to be your friend. I just want to forget our evil past and move on. I'm sorry if I ever make you feel uncomfortable in any way."
"I should say sorry, I let my feelings and my attitude get in the way. We could have been friends a long time ago and I want to start now, if you want me to." Zoe slightly smiled
"Of course Zoe, I want to be your friend." Tori smiled, "Come here!" She said as she and Zoe give each other a friendly hug.
"Hey want to join in!" Frankie argued
"Then why are you just sitting there? Come here!" Zoe gestured as Frankie went into the hug.
After the three girls hugged, they let go and Frankie check her time, "Hey, The New Beginners are up in 10 minutes!"
"Then we better run if don't want to miss them play!" Zoe said as she fix herself.
"So you're coming?" Tori smiled
"Of course! I want to see what surprise my future girlfriend have for me." Zoe smiled as she grab her bag.
"Then we better get going! Let's go!" Frankie yelled as they run to the door.
"Wow you're so pushy, I love that!" Tori winked as Frankie let out a smile.
Frankie, Zoe, and Tori quickly walk to the park to see 'The New Beginners' play. Also, Zoe is looking forward to what surprise Maya have for her at the event.
"Don't worry Maya, I'm coming!" Zoe said, breathlessly trying to keep up with Tori and Frankie, who are behind her.