Chapter 16

ZACK POV

“Zack my boy,” coach came and walked beside me putting his arm around my shoulders, “That was a very good game,” he praised me as we walked into the Mike’s house.

“Thanks, coach,” I smiled, “It’s the team,” I told him.

“I have a few people from various universities that interested in you, my boy,” he said.

I smiled again at him, “I appreciate it coach, but may be you could introduce them to the others. I’m not making football as my career.  I think you know that,” I explained.

“Yeah,” he nodded, “I know and I understand. I wanted to hear it from you before I introduce them to the rest. I know your targets Zack and I know you going to make it and I’m proud of you no matter what you choose,” he smiled.

“Thanks again, coach,” I shook his hand.

“So, you’ve decide which college to attend?” asked Danny.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “I’m looking at Harvard.”

“Wow, Harvard,” he seems amazed.

“Yeah, just like his father and his father’s father,” added Brad.

“Yeah, I have to keep the tradition going,” I chuckled. “What about you guys? I know Brad is choosing UCLA,” I asked them.

“I don’t really know yet. Harvard too big for me,” Danny chuckled, “I’m looking at Stanford but Lisa wanted me to try NYU caused she wanted to go there. Her grandparent is in New York.”

“Amy and I looking at Princeton,” joined Mick.

“What about you Ryan?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet,” shrugged Ryan. “But whatever I choose, Sue promised to always be there for me.”

“Wow, you all have discussed with your girlfriends?” I amazed.

“Yeah, what about you? Have you told Zara?” asked Brad.

“No,” I shook my head. “We never discussed about this but I know she will support me no matter what I’ve choose and I’ll do the same for her.”

“Yeah, I’m sure she will,” ensured Brad

“Could you believe it that in a few months time we all will be headed to different college? With different environment and different kind of people?” said Danny thoughtfully.

“Yeah, making new friends,” added Mick softly.

“But no matter what, we will still remain friends forever,” I told them, raising my bottle of beer up.

The rest of guys nodded their head in agreement and clicked their bottles with mine, “Yeah, friends forever,” they said in unison.

I couldn’t help thinking about college after that. It will be a few months left before I will be heading to college leaving everything behind me, including my beautiful Zara. I know I’m going to miss her more than anything. Yeah, I’m really going to miss her. Even now at this hour when she’s not with me, I’ve already missing her. What will happen when we apart? Will our love grow stronger? Will she miss me as much as I’ll miss her?

Well, I wouldn’t know what going to happen in the future but at this moment what I wanted to do is, to endear every moment I’ll have with her. Cherish the time we had and pray that our love will survive till end. What I know right now is I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

I don’t know why but all of the sudden I didn’t feel like spending my time with my friends but keep thinking about Zara. I looked at my watch and it’s already shown 12.00 am but I knew she’s not sleeping yet. I went out to the garden taking out my phone and started to dial her number.

She answered my call after 2 rings. I smiled, she must be thinking about me too, “Hey,” I heard her sweet voice through the phone, “Is the party’s over?” she asked.

“No, not yet,” I told her, “I’m still with the guys.”

“Oh,” she surprised, “Why are you calling then? To tell me you’re enjoying yourselves,” she teased.

I chuckled, “No.”

“What’s wrong?” she sounded concern.

“Nothing,” I said softly, “I just missed you.”

She laughed, “We will see each other tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I know, but I can’t help missing you,” I told her.

She chuckled, “Well it's already late you just have to wait tomorrow.”

“Hmm, I can't wait to see you tomorrow,” I said to her.

“Well, if that the case you have to come and see me early in morning then,” she teased.

“I'll be there before dawn,” I teased her back.

She giggled, “Hmm, I'll be waiting.”

“I love you,” I said to her seriously.

“I love you too,” she responded in the same tone.

“Zack, you’re coming?” suddenly Brad came out calling me. I gave him a signal that I'll join him soon.

“I have to go,” I told her, “I let you have you beauty sleep now,” I teased.

She chuckled, “Yeah, goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, make sure you dream of me,” I teased her again.

“Hmm, I'll try,” she teased me back.

I laughed, “I love you,” I told her again.

“I love you too,” she said softly.

“Forever and ever?” I asked.

“Hmm, forever and ever,” she replied. I smiled and kissed the phone loudly so that she could hear it.

She laughed, “Goodnight baby,” I said to her again before turning off the phone feeling so happy and in love.