C1 One

Zoey's POV

The night passes by agonizingly, yet thankfully slow.

I had plenty of time to myself for thinking and okay, let's be frank here, who is to say no to a pair of bedazzling blue eyes and the hands that could whip up such ambrosial mac and cheese?

Moreover, if I choose to say no, I know half of the conscious female population would flock over like Siberian cranes during their seasonal migration, to him. And I don't like the sound of that. It's not like he doesn't already has at least two fan clubs waiting for his autograph.

And because of all this thinking, I only manage to catch some sleep at 3 in the morning.

I wake up, drowsily. I drag my heavy body off from the bed, into the bathroom to start getting ready for school.

Most of the times, I don't need an alarm clock to wake me up. It's natural for me to wake up at the regulated time.

After shrugging on a random band tee I found at the back of my closet and some jeans, I pick up my backpack and head into the kitchen.

I pick out a cup of yoghurt and sit down at the counter and begin to eat quietly.

My eyes flicker to the clock on the wall. I nearly splutter out the mouthful of yoghurt in my mouth. Shit!

10.47a.m.

How in the world did I not notice that?

I hop off the highchair, pick up my bag, finish my yoghurt in record time and sprint off towards the direction of the school. I was never a sprinter, but I'm pretty proud of the speed I'm going at. I can feel the wind whipping past my body as I run. It feels good at the moment, but I know that in less than a minutes' time, I will be panting like a dog.

Within a shocking time of 6 minutes and 51 seconds, here I stand, outside of the classroom, panting very uncouthly.

My right hand reaches out to the doorknob, but instantly, my left hand grabs onto it, halting the movement.

Clearly, my right brain is the quick-witted one.

Now why would I barge into the class, when at least three quarter of the lesson is already gone? Not to mention, I would have to face the angry wrath of Mr. Porter.

"Good job, left hand," I grin. I can use the remaining time of the lesson to study in the library.

I turn towards the direction of the library, and start walking.

-

The thing I love about this particular school library is that there's this study corner that is extremely quiet and conducive for studying. The books here are amazing too, they are very exclusive and practical. I love how they are neatly arranged and it's so easy to locate any book I possibly want. I love that it has this unique smell lingering in the air, it's not a pungent scent, but a light and homelike one. Oh, and they have those gigantic beanbags here too. I think that's the highlight of the library, at least, it is to me.

I put down the book I have on hand, 'Beneath This Man' by Jodi Ellen Malpas. I've just started on it and I'm pretty intrigued to finish it soon. Three more minutes and I'll have to head back for my next lesson. After that, it'll be lunch. Yay!

I begin to gather my stuff to make a move.

-

As I walk down the hallway, I hear a guttural voice.

"Why the fuck is she not picking up her phone?"

Then some scuffling.

"I swear to god this girl doesn't even check her phone for life."

Then footsteps.

"Why is she doing this? To prove a point? Why the fuck is she doing this?"

I continue walking towards the source of the voice. It sounds very like Chris, or is it him?

Just as I am about to poke my head out from the wall to confirm my assumption, a body crashes into mine.

"Fuck me, can you- Zoey!"

Without any warning, he engulfs me in a tight hug, then releases me, but keeping me only a few inches away from him.

I watch in amusement as Chris' face twists from anger and annoyance, to relief and elation. I giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"You."

"Me?" He looks bemused for a moment, then, his eyes harden. Oh no. "Why didn't you pick up my calls?"

I let out a tense breath, "I had it on silent. I was in the library."

"Where were you this morning?"

I laugh lightly, "I slept in late, came here, thought it was a bad idea to interrupt Mr. Porter's lesson, so I sought refuge in the library."

A smile slowly climbs its way onto Chris' face.

"I'm rubbing off you, huh? Skipping lessons now, Ms. Summers?"

I grin. "Yes, you're a bad influence."

His expression changes and he takes a step closer.

"I was worried. I thought you wanted to avoid me, you promised me today, but then you disappear without an answer. I was worried that something happened, but I didn't dare to check on you in case you are really trying to avoid me."

My heart tightens, he was actually worried for me.

"I'm not trying to avoid you. I slept in late, came to school late," I glance at my watch, "and now I'm late for my next lesson too."

Chris smiles.

I continue, "I'm sorry for making you worry, why wouldn't I be okay?"

"You are usually very prompt and punctual when you come to school and you didn't pick up my calls."

"I had it on silent since yesterday night. The buzzing was really annoying, I couldn't concentrate on my work. I didn't bother to check my notifications either."

Suddenly, he looks guilty.

"What?"

He laughs, "I was the one who was trying to burst your notifications."

I shoot him an incredulous look.

"We're late for our next lesson," he points out.

"I pointed that out since thirty seconds ago."

"You want to ditch?" Chris grins.

"No!"

"Why not?"

"I've missed all my lessons in the morning already. I can't afford to miss one more."

"You've already missed so many lessons, missing another one wouldn't make a difference." He smirks. I scowl.

He has a point...

"That kind of makes sense." I turn to him and just as I am about to agree with him, it dawns on me.

"You're really rubbing off me! You're a bad influence, I've never agreed to ditch lessons with my friends."

That puts a huge cheeky grin onto his face.

"I'll like to rub off you in other ways," he says suggestively.

"What do you mean?"

Chris shakes his head, "That's for me to know and you to find out."

I decide that it'll be useless for me to harp on, after all, Chris is known for his persistence in keeping his mouth zipped.

"Now, let's put the remaining time to good use," I clap enthusiastically.

"Don't tell me you're going to the library."

I don't reply, and begin to skip my way to the library. I hear him mutter something under his breath, before he jogs up to me.

-

"Evelyn! Can I borrow your notes from today?"

Then I turn to Xavier.

"Xavier, I need yours too."

Then Genesis.

"Genesis! Yours too."

And lastly, Jacob.

"And you! Yours too!"

Everyone sitting at the table looks at me in confusion. I sigh, "I slept in late and missed all of my morning classes."

Levi burst into laughter. Jacob, Xavier, Evelyn and Genesis looks at me understandingly and hand over their notes to me.

"I love you guys so much, except you, Levi."

"I was wondering why you weren't there for English Literature. I mean, it's one of your favourite subjects." Jacob speaks, with his mouth full of fries.

"English Literature is your favourite subject?" Chris asks from beside me.

"One of my favourites. I like maths too."

He nods, then resumes eating.

"Zoey, if you need help with the notes, I can meet you at the library after school to explain them to you," Jacob offers. He is really a kind friend.

"Will you really do that? Thank you so much!"

I can feel Chris tensing beside me, but I brush it off and continue with my food.

After I am done eating, there is around 15 minutes of spare time before lunch ends. I guess Chris takes this opportunity, and pulls me out of the cafeteria.

"What are you doing?" I ask as he releases my hand from his grip.

"Will you go out with me? The waiting is driving me insane."

Sincerity and hope glimmer in his eyes. My insides uncoil and melt.

"Yes," I murmur.

"What?" His undivided attention is now on me, making me squirm uncomfortably.

"Yes, I'll go out with you." My voice is small and quiet.

Chris stares at me for a moment, and I almost thought he blanked out on me.

"Oh thank god," he breathes out, closes his eyes and wraps his arm around me. I laugh, does this make him that relieved? I return the hug and he hugs me closer.

"Today, 6 in the evening, dress casual. I'll be over to pick you up. We'll have a one-hour class on baking, then we'll go for dinner."

Woah. "Baking?" I squeak excitedly. I've been wanting to bake for a long time, but I was too lazy and I know that I'll screw things up.

"Yes, baking. Not very badass, but I think I can handle it."

I laugh.

"Okay, we need to go for our classes now, they start in 3 minutes." I pull away from him.

"Just so you know, I'm happy that I said yes." We begin to walk to the classrooms.

"Well, just so you know too, I'm more than happy that you said yes."

"I know."

"You do?"

I mimic his actions from just now, hugging the air, "Oh thank god."

Chris grins. We stop outside my classroom.

"I'll see you later."

"Bye, later."

-

After school has ended, I spend the next hour in the library with Jacob, clearing up any doubts regarding what I've missed the whole morning.

Once again, I'm totally impressed by how precocious and knowledgeable Jacob is.

Out of nowhere, Jacob says, "You know, Chris was freaking out really badly when he found out you weren't in school."

I shift my attention from the wordy notes to Jacob.

"Really?"

He nods, "He was bugging Genesis and Evelyn and basically anyone that shares a class with you. We were trying to tell him that you've probably overslept or you just didn't feel like coming to school, but he was so jumpy. We tried to get him to go over to your house so that he can check on you, but he was insistent on not doing that. What is going on between you two?"

I flush, wow, he was that worried?

"We're going out later on," I simply reply.

"Ahh, finally."

"Finally what?"

"It's obvious as shit that Chris likes you, and vice versa."

I flush deeper.

"I saw him tensing up earlier on when I asked you if you needed help for all these," he shakes his head, smiling, "I've never seen him like this. It's kind of entertaining."

I remain quiet. What do I say to this?

"Now," Jacob claps his hand together, producing a deep sound, "let's finish this shit fast so you can go home and make yourself pretty for the date."