THIRTY-FOUR
Aliya
PRESENT
My reputation at school has noticeably improved. No one shouts insults at me anymore, and I don't find dirty notes or animal organs in my locker.
The students who used to bully me now keep their distance, scared that they might end up with the same fate as McKinney.
Because he hasn’t dared to show his face at school since.
But he’s not the only one I haven’t seen for the past two weeks.
Milan has disappeared too.
Ever since he left my house, I haven’t seen him or heard from him.
His absence at school feels strange. Not seeing him in the hallways and with his usual seat empty, it’s like a part of the regular dynamic is missing.
But what frustrates me the most is the fact that, after everything that happened between us, he hasn’t reached out.
And he even told me that he wouldn’t leave me hanging this time.
It’s just like before when he ignored me after talking to Elena. I thought our relationship was slowly changing, but every time we take a step forward, he takes three steps back.
I shouldn’t be thinking about it and should just enjoy my peaceful school days without worrying about what he’s doing, who he’s with, or if he’s okay.
Even reading about Lio and diving into Milan’s and his past has only stirred me up instead of making me feel closer to Milan or him.
I sit down with Silver in the break hall. I’d gotten used to spending my time at school alone or with Adena’s fake friendliness but having someone who doesn’t pretend feels like a nice change for once.
“Any news about your bad boy?”
I roll my eyes at the nickname. Even though I haven’t told her anything about Milan and me, she seems to already know everything.
“No.” I poke at my muffin.
“Maybe you should ask them then.”
Silver nods toward the basketball table behind me. I glance over and see Damian and Shin talking with the other basketball players. McKinney’s seat is empty, just like Milan’s.
I turn back to her. “No.”
If he wanted to talk to me, he would’ve reached out by now. He’s made it more than clear that he doesn’t care. That whatever happened between us was just sex and nothing more.
Silver studies me for a few more seconds but decides not to push any further. My phone vibrates on the table, drawing my attention.
I have a notification from Tristan.
My heart sinks as I hesitantly open his message.
After Milan’s outburst with him, I expected Tristan to remove me from his social media and never contact me again
TRISTAN: Are you going to reply if I text you, or has your possessive boyfriend already blocked all your social media accounts?
I suppress a smile at his jab. It’s like he hasn’t changed at all.
ALIYA: I’ll reply. And besides, he’s not my boyfriend.
TRISTAN: Not your boyfriend, huh? Does he know that too?
I roll my eyes. He seems to be enjoying the opportunity to make fun of Milan.
But suddenly, I remember how they interacted, and I type out my next message before hitting ‘send’.
ALIYA: How do you two even know each other?
It’s possible they ride motorcycles on the same track and have run into each other a few times.
TRISTAN: You don’t know?
What’s that supposed to mean?
I furrow my brows as the next message pops up on my screen.
TRISTAN: We’re rivals.
Rivals?
ALIYA: Like in a competition?
TRISTAN: Bingo.
That explains the tension between them when they talked last time. Maybe that’s why Milan lost control. Not because I was close to another guy but because I was close to his rival.
TRISTAN: Actually, we’re going head-to-head tomorrow.
I stare at the screen, my eyes wide, as the meaning of his message sinks in.
A motorcycle race. Tomorrow. Against Tristan.
Moments like this always remind me that I barely know anything about Milan.
The realization hits, leaving a bittersweet taste in my mouth. I’m disappointed that I had to hear it from Tristan and not Milan himself.
“You okay?” Silver pulls me out of my thoughts, and I nod before returning to my phone.
TRISTAN: Seems like your possessive boyfriend didn’t bother to mention it. Why don’t you come and cheer for me instead?
It’s strange how much Milan influences my life, even when he’s not around.
And it’s annoying.
Why am I wasting my time worrying about him when he doesn’t even bother to reach out? How many nights in the past two weeks have I slept with the balcony door open, hoping he’d visit me again?
Tristan’s invitation lingers in my mind as I take a sip of my lemonade.
How would Milan react if he saw me at the racetrack tomorrow?
I glance over at the basketball table and see Shin heading to the vending machine. This is my chance.
“I’ll be right back!” I grab my bag and leave Silver with a confused expression.
“Hey Shin,” I call out, catching his attention.
He turns around, raising an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on me. “Uh … Can I help you with something?”
“Can you take me to Milan’s race tomorrow?”
His eyes widen before he quickly shakes his head. “No way.”
He turns back to the machine to pick a drink. I expected him to refuse, but I’m not giving up that easily.
“Why not?”
“ Why not? Do you want him to tear me to pieces? He’s already mad at me anyway. I can’t afford any-” He cuts himself off, like he almost said too much. “Anyway, no. I’m not taking you.” He waves his hand dismissively, as if trying to shoo me away.
“Come on, Shin,” I plead. “It’s important.”
I just want to see him again, even if it’s from the stands.
Shin’s grip tightens around his drink can. His expression screams ‘no’, but he seems to hesitate under my persistence. “Seriously, this is a bad idea. Milan would skin me alive if he found out.”
“We’ll take you.”
Shin and I both turn to Damian, who’s approaching us with a mischievous grin.
“Absolutely not,” Shin glares at him angrily.
“Don’t be such a pussy, Shinichiro. If Servant wants to go, we’ll take her with us.”
The fact that Damian’s so eager to take me raises questions about his motives. I don’t trust this guy. But despite my reservations, I need to be there, and Damian seems to be my only shot at getting to the race.
“This is such a bad idea.” Shin mutters as he walks past me.
“Be in front of the school at 9 a.m. tomorrow. See you then, Servant,” Damian calls out to me before following Shin.
As I watch them walk away, I can’t help but think about Milan. The thought of him makes my heart flutter with a mix of emotions.
I hate that he hasn’t contacted me in so long, but I can’t shake the undeniable attraction I feel for him.
After almost two weeks, I’ll finally see him again tomorrow.