Chapter 14: Truth are the lies, Lies are the truth

Beth was crying as she ran away from Zach. She didn't want to cry, but the tears just fell and fell out of her eyes. She bumped into Arnold who was standing near one of the staircases, looking at her, then at Zach from afar.

"Beth," Arnold said as he caught her by the arms.

Beth was stunned as she saw him.

"What happened?" Arnold asked, "What's going on? Did Zach do something?"

"No," Beth muttered, "It's okay, I'm fine, I—"

He held her hand, "Are you sure? Why are you crying?"

"Just…It was just a misunderstanding…"

"I'll talk to Zach if you want to."

"No, don't, please—"

Just then, Zach came walking up to them, "Beth," He said, "I'm sorry, I—"

Beth shook her head, "No, no," She said, "You were right. I should be happy for you."

"Happy for him?" Arnold asked, "What…why?"

"Zach's staying in Ohio after grad," Beth said, composing herself, "He'll be teaching in Jesse St. James' school."

Zach took a deep breath.

"For real?" Arnold asked, surprised.

"Yes," Zach said silently.

"Wow," Arnold said, "Wow, congrats, man," Arnold said, extending his arm out for a handshake, "That's..great. If I pass in The University of Massachusetts, I'm gonna take up Clinical Psych and, who knows, right? Maybe I can come back here, be your school's own in-house doctor…" Arnold laughed, "Well, we'll see…" He looked at Beth, "Bethie, what about you? Plans?"

"Creative Writing," Beth replied almost immediately, "Univ of Massachusetts, of course." She fixed her gaze on Zach, almost angrily. Arnold looked at her, then at Zach.

"Cool," Arnold muttered chillingly.

"Yes, great.," Zach said sarcastically.

"Why don't we go out sometime? You know, with you and Sophie. I'm sure it'd be wonderful.' Beth said through gritted teeth.

"Sure," Zach said, looking at her, as if wanting to shoot her balls of fire, "If that's what you want, be it."

"Good," Beth said, "Deal. Valentine's Day. Breadsticks."

"Good."

"Arnold, let's go," Beth said.

Arnold looked from Beth to Zach, took a deep breath, gave Zach a nod and walked away with Beth.

Xxxxxxxxx

Beth ran up to her room, crying as she arrived home.

"Beth?" Quinn said, "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Beth said, "I just…" She sniffed, "Just…stressed. Really…" She tried to smiled, "I'll just..head to bed. See you."

And with that, she closed the door.