CHAPTER 8

ZARA POV

The bell finally rang indicating it’s the end of the day. I was closing my books when Mrs Edward, my English teacher called me. “Miss Duncan, can I speak to you for awhile?”

“Sure,” I said making my way to her desk.

“Ms Duncan, I’m very impressed with your essay yesterday,” she told me proudly. “Amazing what you are able to write in just a short period and I know you would come out with something much more interesting if given a week.” She continued with a smile. “Therefore, I would like to recommend you to be one of the columnists for our school newspaper. Would you like that?”

“Oh! Yes. I would love it, Mrs. Edward.” I happily told her.

“Good. Meet me at our press room in an hour. I’ll introduce you to Rick Cornwell, the school Chief Editor. They’re having their weekly meeting today.” she said gathering up her thing and make her way out.

“Yes!!!” I was jumping in joy. My day ends with something great. Something I love doing. Something I’ve been doing in my former school. I was dancing my way back to my desk to pick-up my things when I heard someone says “Somebody look like she’s very happy.”

I turned a round and found Zack’s smile widely at me. Gathered my things I quickly went to him. With a big grin on my face I told him the good news.

“Well congratulations,” Zack says extending his hand to me which I happily accept.

“Thank you. I can’t wait to tell Jenny.” I’m babbling to him. “I’m so excited! Come on, quickly, Zack,” pulling his hand to walk faster with me.

We found Jenny at her locker and told her the good news. “I’m so happy for you Zara,” we both were hugging and jumping happily.

“Do you want me to stay back and wait for you?” she asked but she's looking at Zack.

“No, it’s ok. I can go home myself. Don’t worry,” I assured her.

“I can send you back”, interrupted Zack looking at me. “I have football practice today. I don’t mind.”

“You would?” asked Jenny excitedly. “Oh, Zack, you’re such a darling. That’s settle it then but make sure you send her home in one piece, ok?” Jenny winked at him.

“Of course, I promise. I assure you no harm will come to her,” he smiled and winked at me.

I just shook my head when Jenny kiss me goodbye and walked to her car. Walking back to our locker I said to him “You don’t have to send me back, Zack. I can go back myself.”

“Zara, I want to send you back. Anyway, I’m having my practice and I’m sure you’ll finish your meeting the same time as mine. So there is no problem at all.” assured Zack.

One hour later, Zack send me to the press room. “If you finish early, I’ll be at the field, ok?” he told me.

“Yeah, see you,” I nodded. Just as I about to enter the room, I saw Mrs. Edward and went over to greet her. We both enter the press room together. I can see everyone eye was on me. Thank god they didn’t glare.

“Mr. Cornwell,” calls Mrs. Edward toward a blond guy standing near a table talking to a girl. He turned and greeted Mrs. Edward, “Hey, Mrs. Edward, Good Afternoon.”

He looks at me ups and down and then smiled evilly at me. He looks like Edward Cullen except his skin is not as pale and his lips is black due to heavy smoking, I guess. So it’s confirmed he’s not a vampire. Phew!

“Good Afternoon to you too” replied Mrs. Edward. “I want to you meet Ms Duncan. She’s the one that I’m been telling you about. Zara, meet Rick Cornwell, the School Chief Editor,” she introduced.

Extending his hand, he smiled “Hmm, I definitely know who she is Mrs. Edward. Everyone in the school does. It a pleasure to meet you personally Ms Duncan, you really are beautiful as in the photo, well maybe more.”

I’m blushing at his statement but yet accepting his hand shaking it. “Please call me Zara.” I said.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to discuss things,” she said leaving the two of us.

 “Have a seat,” he offered walking around the table to sit down with the evil smiles still on his face. “So, how does it feel being Zack’s next prey?” he asked me sarcastically and smirked.

 “For you information Mr. Cornwell, I’m not Zack next prey or victim or what so ever you put it,” I explained to him with the same sarcastic voice he used on me. “I am just his friend. For your further information, I’m not only befriends with him, but I’m also befriends with Brad, Jason, Mick, Ryan and almost every guy and girls in the school. It just so happen that his locker is near to mine and he has been a gentleman to show me around the school. Does every girl who is close to Zack will become his prey?”

 “Well knowing Zack’s reputation, yes, you can assume any girls who are close to him will be his next prey,” he responded.

 “If that the case Mr. Cornwell, you should act as a hero. You can prevent this thing from happening. You know, by putting a “Beware of Zack “ signs in the school, telling girls to stay away from him especially to a new girl like me so that we won’t become his next prey, but instead, you just would love to wait and see and make a bet when will it last.” I smirked.

Upon hearing my words, he glared at me. “Well, let’s not waste time on discussing on Zack. Lets get down to business,” he said adjusting his seat. “As you know, you will be one of our columnists. You have to submit you article to me via e-mail latest by Sunday afternoon so that we can get them out by Monday. You may write anything you want and no foul language to be used. I would not edit your writing; I will only check it, so whatever you wrote, it will be published.” he arrogantly explained. I just nod my head indicating that I understand what he said.

 “You will be given a press pass, even though you are not one our reporters and you are supposed to attend our meeting every Tuesday at 4.00 pm,” he continues. “It is clear? Do you have any questions?”

 “Not at the moment,” I told him.

 “Good. We be having our meeting soon and then I can introduce you to rest of the members.” He stood up and I did the same.

The meeting last about one hour later and I quickly make my way to the field. I saw Zack still have not finished his practice. He looked up and saw me. Smiling, he waved making a signed asking me to wait. I nodded and sat on the bleachers watching them.

While watching him, I suddenly remembered Rick’s words about me being Zack’s next prey. An idea struck to me. I know what to write for my first article. Quickly, I took out my laptop from my backpack and start typing it before I could forget.

I was so caught up with my writing I didn’t realized that Zack has finished his practice. Suddenly he was sitting besides me with this football gear. “What’re you doing?” he asked.

 “I’m writing my first article,” I said smiling at him.

 “Can I read it?” he asked glancing at my laptop on my lap.

 “Later. Go and change first. Eww, you stink,” I playfully covered my nose pushing him away and laughing at him.

“Alright, but promise me you let me read it,” he said standing up smiling.

“Yes, definitely, I want you to be the first to read and comments,” I said and off he go.

Minutes later I realized Zack was already sitting besides me. I can smell his cologne. Looking at him, I smile “Ehm, I like that smell. Nice”.

 “I know you do. That why you can’t resist me.” He said with a wide grin showing his beautiful white teeth.

“Zack, behave,” I said to him with a serious tone like a teacher telling his students to behave themselves.

He just laughed. “Sorry. I’m just telling the truth.” I gave him a deathly glare.

 “Alright, alright,” putting his arms surrendering. “I’ll behave. Now can I read what you’ve type?”

 “Sure, but it’s only half way done.  I’ll show you again once it completed, I need your feedback,” I handed him my laptop for him to read what I’ve typed.

 “No problem. You can count on me,” he said taking the laptop and put it on his lap reading. “Oh! You write about us,” he said looking at me surprisingly. I just smile. “Read on,” I nudged him.

He continued reading it and suddenly he’s smile naughtily at me “Ooo… somebody admitted I’m a gentleman and charming.”

 “Well I have to compliment you a bit. You the main character in my article,” I said blushing looking down at my feet.

He laughed and continued reading it again. Suddenly his face became serious when he asked me, “Did Cornwell said you are my next prey?”

 “Well…” I hesitated. “Not really. I’ve heard someone say that,” I lied.

“Tell me who said it to you. I'm going to smack their face to pieces,” he said seriously. He curled his hand into a fist and looked like he’s ready to kill somebody.

 “No. Zack,” I tried to cools him down. “I just heard it somewhere. I didn’t even know who said that. Please don’t fight with anybody because of me. Promise that Zack, please,” I pleaded holding his fist with both my hand. “Please.” I said again looking into his eyes when I see he didn’t budge.

 “Alright,” he said softly. Holding my hand and staring at me straight through my eyes he continues “I want you to know one thing Zara, you are not my next prey or victim.  You’re not even my collection. You never were. I seriously want to get to know you and be with you. I..”

I hushed him putting a finger on his lips, not letting him say anything else, “Zack, you don’t have to explain. I know. See, I even wrote about it. Don’t worry.” I put my hand on his cheek and continue “I just want people to have a clear perception on us. I don’t want them to keep on glaring at me until their eyes popped out.”

His faces soften towards me. Smiling he asked “Are you going to tell them we’re lovers?’ his eyes twinkles. Oh, the corky Zack is back. He winked playfully at me.

 “Of course not!” I resorted. “Do you want me to be killed by the girls?” showing a horrified face to him.  He laughed at me.

 “I’m going to tell them that we’re friends,” I told him as a matter of fact.

 “Aw, Zara, “he whined. “Can’t we have something more that than? Please…” he begged and making a cute puppy face at me.

It’s my turn to laugh, “If you behave, I might consider.” I smiled naughtily at him.

 “Don’t worry. I will behave myself until you can’t resist me and you will be the one begging me to be your boyfriend,” smiling naughtily at me.

 “We shall see about that,” I challenged him and laughing loudly with him