Chapter 17: Valentine's and Broken Hearts

The conversation was forced between Arnold, Beth, Zach and Sophie. The place was beautiful, they were at a lake near McKinley High, a table set under the moon and stars, and the rippling of the lake was beautiful, but it couldn't hide the tension that was building.

"It's really great that Zach's staying with me here," Sophie said, "He'll be a very good teacher,"

"Yes," Beth said, stabbing the pork chop with a fork, "Seeing that he clearly doesn't like teaching and made that decision on short notice." She said sarcastically.

Sophie looked at Zach, "But you want to, right?"

"Of course I want to," Zach said. He then looked at Beth, "Unlike Beth here who I never knew was interested in Writing. She always wanted to go to Yale, you know? Get into the drama program like her mom. I know you've resented Quinn before but that aprt I will never forget."

"This isn't about my family."

"Of course," Zach said, "It's about you."

Beth rolled her eyes, "This Valentine's is really good, you know?"

No one answered.

Sophie took a sip of her drink and then, "The fireflies are really beautiful," She said, "Mind if I go by the lake and take pictures?"

"Yeah, sure," Zach smiled.

"I think I'll accompany her," Arnold said, "Photography. Cool."

"Go ahead," Beth smiled. She and Zach watched Sophie and Arnold go by the lake, taking snapshots of the fireflies.

Zach looked at Beth, "This has to stop." He told her.

"They seem to be enjoying it—"

"No, Beth," He said, "I mean it. This thing…this…war between us. It has to stop."

"And how do we do that?"

"Break up with him."

Beth laughed, "Are you insane?"

"I'm serious, Beth."

"Like you can break up with Sophie? I know you. You won't do that."

"Not tonight, no," He said, "But I will. I promise. You just have to end this thing with Arnold first."

"He's our friend."

"We've already hurt him, them." He said, "We have to stop."

"And why?"

"Because I love you."

Beth was stunned. "Zach," She said.

"I love you, Beth," He repeated, "Always have. And I'm so sorry. I know this is all my fault," He went on, "I made this all complicated, and now we have to make things right. But that will happen only if you'll agree. Let's end these…complexities."

"But if we get together, we'll hurt them."

"We'll hurt them more this way."

She sighed.

"Please," He said, "I love you, Beth."

"And how do you know if I feel the same way?"

"If you didn't, you won't be making these crazy decisions of getting into the university of Massachusetts—"

"Like you and staying here."

"I know," Zach said, "That's why I want to make this right."

She smiled slightly after biting her lip, "Okay," She said silently.

"Okay?"

She nodded her head.

They then noticed that Sophie and Arnold were making their way back.

"Talk to him," He said, "I'll talk to Sophie."

"Okay."

"Serious talk?" Arnold said as he and Sophie came up to the table.

"Ah, no," Beth said, "Not really."

"Good," Arnold said, smiling, "Because I have something to say."

They all looked at each other, wondering what it was.