Zendaya Imagines (GxG)

Oh man, here she comes.

You grip your books tighter, already bracing yourself for whatever Zendaya Coleman is about to say. You hated her. God, you hated her. Not just because she made your life hell, but because she made it impossible to move on.

"Y/N! Come with me."

Her voice is different this time—less commanding, more unsure. But you don't trust it.

"What do you want, Zendaya?" you ask, exhaustion lacing your tone.

"Just follow me."

You narrow your eyes. Absolutely not. You were done playing whatever game she was running. But before you could refuse, she gently tugs your wrist, and something in her expression stops you.

Reluctantly, you follow.

She pulls you into a dimly lit janitor's closet, shutting the door behind you. You immediately cross your arms, stepping back.

"Why are we in here?" you demand, voice cold.

Zendaya exhales sharply, running a hand through her hair. She's nervous. Good.

"We're here because I need to tell you something," she says.

You roll your eyes. "Oh, this should be good."

She hesitates, then finally speaks. "I never meant to hurt you, Y/N. I never meant to—"

"What, bully me?" you cut her off, anger bubbling to the surface. "Because you did. Over and over again. What, did you wake up one day and just realize you've been awful?!"

"It's not like that!" she insists, stepping closer.

"Then what is it like, Zendaya? Please, tell me, because I'd love to know what made you think ruining my life was okay!"

"I didn't mean to ruin your life!" she shouts back, frustrated.

You laugh bitterly. "Really? Could've fooled me."

She clenches her jaw, then takes a shaky breath. "I did it because—because I was scared."

You scoff. "Scared?"

"Yes, Y/N, scared!" she yells. "Rachel found out I was gay, and I freaked out, okay? I knew if I didn't act like I hated you, she'd tell everyone! And I—" she exhales shakily, looking away. "I didn't want to lose my friends again."

Your stomach twists, but you don't let yourself feel sorry for her.

"So, you threw me under the bus instead? Made my life a living hell so you could keep yours comfortable?"

Zendaya's face crumbles. "It wasn't like that."

"Yes, it was!" you snap. "You pushed me, embarrassed me, made me feel like I was nothing, all because you couldn't handle your own feelings!"

She squeezes her eyes shut, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I know," she says, voice trembling. "And I hate myself for it."

You shake your head. "I don't care how bad you feel, Zendaya. You don't get to come here and expect me to just forget everything."

"I don't expect that!" she blurts out. "I just—I couldn't keep this inside anymore. I like you, Y/N. I always have."

Your breath catches, but you quickly shut down whatever reaction tries to surface.

"No. You don't get to say that. You don't get to tell me you like me after treating me like garbage!"

"I had to," she argues.

"No, you chose to."

Silence fills the closet.

Zendaya swallows hard, her eyes glistening. "I know I don't deserve forgiveness. I know I don't deserve you. But I swear to god, Y/N, if I could take it all back, I would. Every single second of it."

You blink, and suddenly, there's a lump in your throat.

"Why now?" you whisper.

"Because I can't lie to myself anymore. I can't pretend I don't want you in my life. I can't pretend that every time I hurt you, it didn't kill me inside. And if I had just been brave enough to be honest, maybe none of this would've happened."

You exhale sharply, running a hand over your face.

"Do you know how much you hurt me?" Your voice is barely audible.

"Yes." She steps forward hesitantly. "And if you never want to speak to me again, I'll understand. But... I had to tell you the truth."

Silence.

Your chest aches with everything you want to say but can't.

You look at her—the girl who spent so long making you miserable, but also the girl standing in front of you, raw and vulnerable, begging for something she doesn't even believe she deserves.

Your head screams walk away.

Your heart tells you to stay.

You sigh. "You're lucky you're cute."

Her head snaps up, eyes wide. "Does that mean—"

You roll your eyes, but there's a small smile tugging at your lips. "We can start over. But you earn my trust this time, got it?"

A slow, hopeful grin spreads across her face. "Got it."

You shake your head, sighing. This is such a bad idea.

But maybe, just maybe, it's worth it.