Chapter 24: Free
"Beth, wait!" Zach called out the following day as he saw Beth at the school parking lot, "Talk to me," He grabbed her by the arm as he saw her.
"For the last time, Zach," Beth said, "Stop."
"Tell me you don't love me."
"What's your angle? You know that Arnie's just around, if he sees us—"
"Then it'll be good," Zach said, "At least now we won't lie to ourselves anymore."
"You're ruining everything."
"We both are, Beth," He said, "I don't want any more Sophie. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. Why don't we just start being honest to ourselves and to everyone else?"
"Like it's that easy?" She said, "And besides, Zach, just because you were supposed to have called me doesn't mean I feel the same."
"Yes, you do."
"And you know that?"
"You told me, remember? Last Valentine's?"
She took a deep breath, "Even if I did, it doesn't mean a thing. Because we didn't choose each other."
"But we can now—"
"You can what?" Arnie asked, arriving behind Zach.
"Nothing," Beth muttered.
"That doesn't look like nothing to me." Arnie said.
"I love Beth." Zach said.
"Zach!"
"Excuse me?" Arnie said.
"I said, I love Beth," Zach repeated, "I'm sorry, Arnie, but I have to tell you the truth. And she loves me too."
"Zach—"
"What's he talking about?" Arnie asked, "Is this true?"
Beth's eyes filled up with tears.
"Beth, just say it." Zach said.
Beth's lips trembled, "I'm sorry," She said, "Arnie, what's Zach's saying, it's not...It may have...If it was real, it was..." She took a deep breath, "I'm choosing you." She said, "Arnie, I do like you, okay? And we'll get married."
"That's a lie." Zach said.
"Zach," Beth said, "Just go."
"Fine, live in a lie all you want!" He sighed and walked away.
Beth took a deep breath. "Arnie," She said.
Arnie took a deep breath as well, "I hope you know what you did. I'll just see you tomorrow." He said and walked away, as well, leaving Beth more alone than she already was.