The Recall Trials Chapter 13: I Wanted Her to Notice Me, But Not Like This

"I’ll be right back," I told them, then quietly stood and made my way toward the restroom.

I went straight to the locker with my number on it, pulled out a towel, and headed for the bathroom. I needed a shower, badly. The sweat from that nightmare had feeling sticky and restless. Maybe washing it all off would help clear my head.

I stepped into the stall, turned the water on, and let it run down my body. For a second, everything felt quiet again. I turned the water off for a mont to lather up so soap, eyes half-closed, trying to relax.

Then the door creaked open.

"What the—" I looked up.

"Holy shit," soone gasped.

I blinked hard, water still dripping down my face. It was Zaara...standing right there in the doorway. Her eyes dropped before she even realized.

"I’m so sorry!" she said quickly, still frozen in place for a second too long.

She looked again. Still staring.

"Zaara!" I called out, but she finally snapped out of it and slamd the door shut.

I just stood there, dripping, naked, stunned.

What the hell just happened? She saw everything.I an....Everything...

I wanted her to notice , but not like this. It Was Supposed to Be a Quick Shower.

I quickly rinsed off the soap, then grabbed the towel and wrapped it tightly around my waist. My face was burning.I was so embarrassed I didn’t even want to step out.

As I reached for the door, I noticed sothing pink hanging on a hook by the corner of the bathroom.

Oh god... was that a girl’s—? I turned my head away fast, trying not to think about it.

Why the hell was I even still in here?

I finally stepped out of the bathroom, still dripping and holding the towel like my life depended on it. And there she was.

Zaara.

Still standing right outside the stall.

There were at least fifteen other bathroom stalls in here.... why was she hovering near mine?

I froze. She was avoiding my eyes, shifting from foot to foot.

"I—I’m sorry. I didn’t an for that to happen. That was... yeah, seriously awkward," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck like it could erase what just happened. I’d officially ruined everything. And out of all the people in the damn world, it had to be Zaara, the one girl I actually had a crush on, who walked in and saw completely naked. Why the hell was I getting turned on while staring at her? This had to be the most humiliating night of my life

"I didn’t see anything," she said quickly, her eyes still not eting mine.

Yeah, sure. She didn’t see anything.

Her cheeks were even redder than mine, and she was smiling..like, trying not to smile but totally failing. She rushed into the stall beside mine without saying anything else.

And I just stood there, half-horrified, half-sohow grinning like an idiot.

I was in the locker room getting dressed, pulling out a fresh grey jumpsuit ...the second pair with my na printed on the chest. Technically, we all had one spare. I changed into it quickly but then just stood there, fully dressed, but hesitating to step back outside.

"How the hell do I face her now?" I muttered.

Just then, the door creaked open and Zaara walked in. She didn’t look at . She just went straight to her locker and shoved sothing pink into it.

Oh. My. God.

It clicked. She must’ve barged in earlier to grab her underwear from the bathroom. That’s why she ended up walking in on .

I took a deep breath and walked up to her, scratching the back of my head like a guilty kid. "Zaara... please don’t tell anyone what just happened," I said, trying to laugh it off.

She didn’t say anything at first. Then, with a dramatic gesture, she zipped her lips shut. "I won’t spill such a huuuge secret," she said with a smirk, emphasizing the word in a way that made it obvious she was teasing.

Emphasis on huge. Her eyes flicked down, then back up to my face with a smirk as her cheeks turned red.

I stood there, stunned, my face burning again. Was she ssing with ? Was that another joke?

"Bullshit..." I muttered, the realization hitting .

"No, no, no," I groaned, marching straight back to my bed, praying I could sleep this embarrassnt off.

The next morning, a loud blaring alarm from the speakers snapped us awake. It was the kind of noise that makes you want to punch a wall. My body didn’t want to move at first. It didn’t even feel like morning yet. More like 5 a.m., and they were just trying to ss with us.

"Good morning, contestants," that sa cold, robotic voice ca through the speaker. "Welco to Day Two of the Recall Trials. It’s ti for your next ga. Anyone who refuses to participate... will be eliminated."

The word eliminated snapped my eyes open instantly. No way I was risking anything like that, not after what we saw yesterday. Not when survival was literally the only thing that mattered now. I sat up straight.

Before I could even stretch properly, the n in black overalls marched in, and started directing us. We were taken down a long hallway until we reached this place that looked like an aquarium.

And wow—it was beautiful.

Glass walls surrounded us, glowing in a soft bluish hue. Jellyfish floated like ghosts in water.. Tiny colorful fish darted around coral reefs. It was peaceful...honestly, too peaceful for a death ga.

Then that damn voice returned.

"This next ga is called Never Have I Ever," it said as we all gathered in a corner of the room.

The lights dimd slowly, and a single spotlight lit up the middle of the space.. Almost theatrical.

"This is not a team ga," the voice continued. "When your number appears on the screen in front of you, walk into the spotlight and wait. You will be asked a question. If you’ve done it...admit it. Only the truth. If you lie... you will be eliminated."

"Now," the voice paused. "Let’s begin."