Chapter 9

ZARA POV

Zack send me home right after he finish reading the rest of my article. Even though I was tired, I’m feeling very happy with what had happen at the end of the school today. It starts off badly but ends up beautifully. I have to admit that after one day spending my time with him, I’m starting to feel comfortable being around him. I love his corky attitude making me laugh and sometime glare at him. I have to admit too that he can be very charming and gentleman at times. Maybe he’s right I might be the one begging him to be my boyfriend. I laughed at myself.

Jenny and I have just finished our homework in my room when she asked “Have you got any idea what’s to write on your first article?”

“Yes, I have. I’m going to write something about me and Zack.  I’ve actually has started part of it while waiting for Zack just now. You want to read it?” I said walking to the table where my laptop is.

“Yeah, I would love to,” she responded eagerly.

 Open up the page, I pull a chair for her to sit. “Please comments,” I said to her.

“No problem,” she nodded. Sitting down she reads the article quietly.

“What do you think?” I asked.

“Hmm. Interesting,” she admitted. “Is Cornwell the one who says that you are Zack’s next prey?” she asked looking at me.

“How do you know? Zack asked me the same questions, but I tell him no. He looked like he’s ready to kill someone,” I replied.

“Rick Cornwell has been having grudge against Zack since last year,” Jenny told me.

“Why? What happen?” I queried.

“Well, Rick has been accusing Zack trying to steal his girlfriend. You know Cynthia Canning, our head cheerleader.”

“Really? Did Zack really do that?” I asked not believing what I heard.

“It has been the biggest gossip last year. At that time, I'm not even coupled with Brad yet. I just heard it from Amy. Rick caught Zack with Cynthia alone in a room during one of the party they have to celebrate our football team after they win the championship. The thing is he found Cynthia lying naked on the bed while Zack was full dress and he accused Zack trying to seduce and steal his girlfriend. Funny isn't it?” chuckled Jenny.

“Everyone knows that Cynthia has always been trying to get Zack attention since, forever I think.” she laughed. “But Zack was never interested in her. They said she only used Rick to make Zack jealous but Zack just keep ignoring her as if she doesn't exist. That's why that night I think she can't take it anymore. She's the one who been trying to seduce him, but Rick can't accept the truth. He's so blinded by his love to her. Stupid guy, huh?” she shrugged.

“Rick has made full used of his power on our school newspaper to tarnish Zack reputation, but everyone just don't give a damn about it caused they know who Cynthia really is. You know a tut..tut..” explained Jenny. I laughed when she censored her words.

She then continued, “Rick has been trying to compete with Zack since high school. Everyone in school knows that. Do you know that Zack is always the Top student for his class while Rick is always the second best? Rick was really pissed off when Zack was nominated as our school president while is not. Not a single vote for him at all. However, Zack decline to take the post saying that he wants to concentrate on being the Football Captain,” explain Jenny further.

“However, he still trying to make people see that Zack is the bad guy. That's why whenever he sees Zack getting close with any girl, he will make it a headlines. Letting people know that Zack is a player who changes his girlfriends as often as his changes is cloth. I was actually believed Zack was that kind of guy even though Amy kept telling me otherwise. That's why at first I was quite worried when I know he's been following you on the first day. I scared he might use you like he did with other girls, but Brad has explained to me everything. He only closed with the girls because they have the school project together. That's why I only saw them with him like 3 days or a week. Almost every girl in the school has been dreaming of becoming his girlfriend, but he never shows any interest. They are the one who's making the first move not him. That's the reason why they were glaring at you, caused you managed to get Zack attention. He’s the one who made the first moved and they know they don't have the chance anymore,” she smiled.

I laugh “Zack and I are just friends ok. They still have a chance to try to win him. I can assure you that.” I told her. “That's what I going to explain in my article.”

“Yeah, right,” she chuckled. “You want to bet? I bet that by the end of the month you and Zack will be a couple. You'll see.” she challenged and raised her eyebrows at me.

“Yeah, we'll see,” I said accepting her challenge.

****

ZACK POV

“Morning, Zara. Have you finished you article?” I greeted her the next morning when I saw her at her locker.

She gave me a sweet smile, “Morning. No I haven't. Just need a few more details to be added in. You want to help me?” she asked at the same time taking her books from the locker.

“Sure, love to.” I responded eagerly and at the same time snatching her schedule. She just rolled her eyes at me, “When you want to do it? After school?” I smiled putting the schedule in my backpack.

“Don't you have your football practice today?” she asked closing her locker.

“No, so I was thinking we can do it together after school at yours or my house,” I suggested entwined my fingers with hers and walked to our class.

She didn’t pulled her hand away and shrugged, “Sure, my house would be better I guess.”

“Alright, you ride with me after school?” I nudged her playfully.

“Yeah, sure,” she nodded. “Jenny is having her cheerleader's practice today,”

“Great,” I grinned happily.

She was feeling better today. She doesn’t seem down like yesterday and ignored all the stares and glares she received from the girls in school. We walked together to our classes holding hands like a couple. Boy, I do feel like I’m in cloud nine. I couldn’t stop grinning and smiling the whole day and even when we drove back to her house after school.

“Aunt Monica, I’m home,” yelled Zara as we entered pulling my hand to follow her to the kitchen, where her aunt was.

“Hey, you two,” greeted her aunt smiling at both of us. She was standing at the counter cooking or backing something.

“Hey Mrs Cunningham,” I acknowledged her.

“What you’re cooking?” Zara asked cheerfully and looking at counter. “Hmm. Chocolates cookies, lovely,” she said taking a piece and put it in her mouth.

“Yeah, you’re right. Are you two hungry? You want something to eat?” her aunt asked looking at both of us.

Zara looked at me and I shook my head, “No, we’re fine. We just going to go upstairs to finish our work. Ok?” Zara told her.

“Ok. I’ll bring some cookies for you two later,” she to us.

Zara smiled, took 2 pieces of the cookies and handed one to me. She pulled my hand to follow her to her room. Yeah, she holds my hand again.

“Hmm. Nice room,” I complimented her when we entered the room. Her room was painted light red with a bed in the centre covered with abstract red color bed sheets, a dressing table at the side of the bed and reading table near the window. A Liverpool banner was hang right on top of the reading table, “Very girly,” he teased.

“Thank you,” she smiled, Make yourselves comfortable.”

I smiled naughtily at her and she glared at me before shooting me a warning, “Not too comfortable please. Please remember to behave yourselves, no hanky panky or I’ll throw you out,” pointing at the window.

I laughed, “Zara, you always think badly about me. I always behave myself. You said it yourselves that I’m a gentleman and charming guy.”

“Yeah, right,” she mocked and I keep on laughing.

I put my backpack on her bed and saw a portrait hanging on the wall behind her bed, “Are those your parents?” I asked.

She turned to look at what I was looking, “Yes. They are.” She said softly.

 “Now I can see where you get that beauty from,” I said still looking at it. “You mother is beautiful. You look exactly like her but I have to admit I love you better,” turning to look her who came standing besides me.

“Thank you,” she blushed. “People did say I look like her, but I think she is more beautiful than me. Her nose is smaller than mine,” she touched her nose.

I bend to looked closer at her, “Yeah, you’re right. You do have a big nose,” I teased pinching her nose. We both laughed and she slapped my hand but I couldn’t help looking into her beautiful brown eyes, “But you have beautiful brown eyes that suite your beautiful brown hair.” I said pushing a strand of hair covering her eyes behind her small ears. “I can see it shine whenever you laughed or smile and it turned to dark brown when you’re angry,” drowning myself into it.

She just stood there staring back into my eyes. I moved closer and my eyes were on her lips. God, I wanted taste that sweet lips of hers again and I know she wanted it too cause she move closer to me.

Our lips were inches away when we suddenly heard her aunt called at the door, “Zara?” and we jumped apart.

I quickly sat on the reading chair and turned on her laptop while she replied, “Yes, I’m coming,” and walked to the door.

 “I have some cookies and orange juice for both of you,” I heard her aunt told her.

 “Thanks” she responded and placed the tray beside me.

I looked and smiled nervously at her. “Sorry, I got carried away. You’re not going to throw me out through the window, right?” I teased.

 “Well,” she pretended to be serious, “I forgive you but if it happens again I’m going to do just that.”

“Hey, it’s not entirely my fault. You didn’t stop me. You want it too, right? Just admit that you have falls into my charms,” I raised my eyebrow playfully at her,

“Zack, I’m warning you,” she warned.

“Yes, ma’am,” I playfully saluted her, “I’m sorry. Won’t happen again unless of course you want it,” raising my eyebrow naughtily at her once more. She laughed and playfully slapped my back.

Life has been so good throughout the week. We spend most of the time together during and after school as I was helping her with her articles and sometimes her homework. I still keep her schedule during school hours. She finally completed her articles and submitted them on Friday but we still hang out on weekend with the girls and guys, going to the movies and mall.

Her first article was published on Monday and you could say that she was so excited and happy. Well, since it was published the girls in school stopped glaring at her and become her friends. What did she wrote in her articles that make the girls attitude changed towards her? Well, she wrote that I’ve being a very charming guy, (ahem, of course I am) helping and showing her around the school, which is partly true (well the other part I think you know why). She even wrote in her articles that she’s doesn’t feel that she would be my victim or prey because I’ve been a good friend to her since she knew me. She also wrote there’s nothing special between me and her, a part which I’m not very happy with and have been debating with her not to put that in.

“Wow, Zack, I’m so, so happy,” she said wrapping her hands around my arms the very next day after her articles was published on our way to our classes. “The girls have stopped glaring at me and they want to be my friends.”

I rolled my eyes at her, “Yeah, I know you’re very happy.”

“Aw, Zack,” she whined, “I thought you are happy and proud of me.”

“I am, but I still don’t like that part you put about us. I promised you that I’m going to change our status to lovers soon,” I stressed to her.

She laughed, “Hmm, I can’t wait,” she teased and kissed my cheek. Wow, now I’m the one who’s stunned.