13 | Z A C K

The first thing I did the next day during lunch time was to search for Jenna. I plan to apologise for what happened the other day. We had all our classes together but I was unable to talk to her. She seemed distant and sad during the classes and she answered none of the questions asked by the teachers.

I found her sitting alone and playing with her food, her eyes flickering side to side as she reads the open book in front of her. A wave of compassion crashed inside me when I realised that she's the only one to have an empty table. The cafeteria is filled with students eating together, their voices and laughter saturating the air.

"Jenna."

She stops playing with the fork and looks up almost immediately. "Zack."

I quickly sit opposite her and placed my forearms on the table. "Listen Jenna, I have to apologise..."

She intervened "please don't. I don't want your apology, Zack. Daisy had always being this way to me. It's normal. I accept her the way she is and I hope that she'll accept me the way I am in the near future."

From the sad look on her face, I know she's hurt by her sister's maltreatment. Jenna is just a fragile girl. She can easily be broken and left alone to heal. I don't care about Daisy's cold attitude anymore. I'm willing to strike up a friendship between Jenna and I. That way, she wouldn't be alone.

"No. You don't deserved to be treated like that" I reach out and place my hand on top of her warm one. She quivered when she felt my cold ones and looks at me confusedly.

"It's okay. Your sister actually apologised about it. I told her it's enough. I know Daisy loathe me on sight but she'll always be my sister." Her eyes spoke of a beautiful soul when she smiles. I knew right then, that all she needed was my friendship, something steady to hold onto and in time those eyes would shine as they were born to.

"Would you like to become friends with me?"

She looked at me then, her eyes drilling into mine. I could see an endless depth of sorrow, pain and contentment. I know that what I just offered would be cherished by her. It's exactly what she needed in her life. It's a quick choice made at the right time, I decide.

"You don't know how long I waited to hear this from anyone." She blinked by the tears threatening to roll down as she spoke.

I gave her hand a quick squeeze in assurance. "But I'm here for you. In case you need anything, consider me at your disposal. I want you to count on me. There's nothing I would not do for those who are really my friend."

Her smile widens and her eyelashes rest on her cheeks for a while. A cute dimple appears on one side of her cheek as she sniffles. "I never thought you'll be the one to approach me, the fugly, unattractive, plain looking nerd."

"Why would you say that? We're all humans, Jenna. We're all the same."

She shook her head and stares at our joined hands. "You're the most popular guy in this school, Zack. You're handsome, charming, intelligent. Guys like you date beautiful cheerleaders like my sister. It's wrong for you to be friends with the nerd."

A sideway glance at the crowd confirmed my suspicion. The students are curious as fuck to know why I approached the nerd. Some of them didn't even make an effort to conceal their curiosity but I honestly don't care. The only thing I'm worried about is Daisy finding out. She'll do anything, including blackmail to set a barrier between Jenna and I.

"I don't care about what they think. Just do what you want to do."

She removes her glasses, wipes away the tears rolling down her cheeks and put it back. "I'd love to be your friend."

"I think Romeo and Juliet deserve an applause for this wonderful, marvellous scene!" A familiar voice from behind me said.

Peyton stepped forward with a satisfied smirk on her face. Following closely behind her is Daisy, Jupiter and two other girls. They're all dressed in similar outfits and their leather jacket.

My friends arrived at the scene abruptly, each holding a tray of their lunch. Their smiles dropped when they saw the girls surrounding a terrified looking Jenna.

"Please, stay away from us, from my brother. We don't appreciate you trying to control his life. We don't want to be friends with you, Candy."

Because I refused to explain why I allow Daisy to ruin my life, Maya thought I was just being a coward. She decided to take matters into her own accounts and deal with the situation.

"I actually wasn't talking to you," Peyton said sassily.

"And I wasn't talking to you either." Maya shot back.

The air is so tensed it could snap and if it doesn't, I might. The cafeteria is a little bit quieter, the crowd watching to see the drama unfold.

"Oh shit, I don't want to see some cat fight between two infuriated alphas." Eric senselessly said. He would have receive a few glares during a normal day but this is a different one.

"This bitch is willing to do anything to have my life, including my boyfriend. She's obsessed me, I'm pretty sure she has a shrine of my photos that she masturbates to every morning." Daisy said figuratively.

Shock riled through the crowd and they gasped, some of them chuckling. I've never heard something so pathetic than what she just claimed. I know Daisy hates her sister but I never thought it would take to that extent.

"How could you? She's your sister?" Maya couldn't shut her mouth.

"As well as I'm your brother's girlfriend, right Zack?" Dare to. Her eyes spoke but she said nothing.

Instead of replying, I chose to change the topic. "What do you want, Daisy?"

"I want to sit with you but I want her gone. She's just trying to take my place which unfortunately, I would allow. Bye girl."

Jenna picked her text book and stood up. Her eyes were red and swollen from the sobbing she had silently done. Before I could stop her, Maya did. She firmly gripped Jenna's wrist and refused to let go.

"She's not leaving. The only person or rather the persons leaving are you and your squad."

Daisy's squad burst into a hefty laughter instead. We were expecting the opposite but I'm not quite surprised at the reaction. Daisy placed her knee on the table and used it as support for her crossed hands.

"Sweetheart, don't act too quickly. I understand this is your first controversy with the bad girl and I'm proud of your braveness. Except that, learn to talk to your superior in the most civil way." Daisy didn't wait for Maya's response. She climbed on the table and picks up Jenna's tray with the leftover intact.

"Fellow students of Maxwell High, whose table is this?" She shouted at them.

"The cheerleaders!" They immediately replied in union, the cheerfulness obvious in there voices.

"This table is exclusively ours. We always have lunch here. Only cheerleaders are allowed." Peyton explains as Daisy climbs down.

"All these tables are the school's property, not yours." Leslie spoke for the first time.

"Well, in that case, we claimed it as ours." Her eyes swiftly moved back to mine. "Zack sweetheart, I don't want to miss lunch. Why don't we sit like a perfect little family and eat?"

Jenna stepped forward to speak but wasn't given a chance to. One minute, Daisy is holding the Jenna's tray of leftovers and the next, the pasta is all over Jenna's body. It crowned the top of her head sliding down to her eyes and stuck in her hair. I could hear laughter from around the cafeteria but I ignored it.

"Maya, can you take her to the restroom please?" I have to deal with Daisy's craziness before she drives me insane.

"Sure."

Jenna was embarrassed. I could see the pain and her soul drowning in this persona she'd carved to fit a world of indifference. To make matters worse, the crowd wouldn't stop making fun of her. I heard a few of them calling her harridan moo, which is very offensive to me.

After Maya and Jenna's departure, I stepped closer to Daisy, who was smiling at her victory. Jenna loved, she had deep feelings, she showed kindness and generosity of spirit.
My body lost its strength long ago. My mind shattered and the rest of me followed suit.

"We talked about this."

"We did, but I don't fucking care. I'll do it according to my own rules." I hissed and turned to go. "Where are you going? Don't you want to eat with me?"

Without as much of a second glance, I walked away.

***

"Maya, it's none of your business."

She paused to stare at me for a split second before she shuts the car door. Leslie put the car in gear and drive away.

"Relax, I'm not Maya. I would ask you about your relationship with Jenna and Daisy Coleman." Shawn said as we walk over to my car.

"Dude, you're more complicated than I thought. Having rival sisters as your friends isn't a very good idea." Eric said.

"I'll see you guys in a few hours." I'm going to pick Eden from school and drive back home. After having a quick snack, I'll return back for the football practice.

I slid inside the car and started to drive. I didn't make it far before I noticed a familiar figure in loose jeans, an oversized hoodie on top and a beanie. So tousled by the wind, her long hair looked matted and dull. As I drive closer to her, I studied her face expression.

It was difficult to describe her blank face. Her eyes look tired and restless and her bangs were swept to one side. She looks calm and walks like a camel. I pulled over and grinned when she noticed me.

"Need a lift?" I cocked out a brow, one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the door.

She smiles widely when she saw me, her hands gripping the straps of her bag. "No thanks."

"Common, get in."

"I'm sure where I'm going has nothing to do with where you're going. Thanks but I don't needs ride," She declared.

"Tell me where you're going. Maybe we're on the same path."

"Medwin hospital." She said, finally giving up.

Not only Medwin hospital a few blocks away from Eden's school, it is where my father works. "Wow, that's where my father works. Common, get in. It's a few blocks away from my sister's school."

"I don't want you to be l..."

"One little ride would hurt, Jenna. In fact, my sister would be very happy if she finds out about how gentleman I am to give you a lift."

She giggled and shook her head in defeat. She rounded the car, opened the passenger door and climbed in. She carefully puts her bag on her thighs before flashing me a heartwarming smile. I smile back before I continue driving the car.

"So, in what department does Dad belongs to?" She questioned.

"He's paediatrician." I shortly replied.

She nodded her head in amusement. "That's wonderful. It's something I intent to be in the near future. I love children and I'm willing to do anything to save them."

Her heart is practically made of gold. While most people find her disgusting and nerdy for their liking, the younger ones like her, almost instantly. She's very good at interacting with them. Her relationship with Eden is enough to made up my mind about her.

"You're going to make a very good paediatrician." I commented.

She looked away and pushed back a strand of hair bang that got lose in the wind. "Thanks."

We fell into a comfortable silence, our ears deafened by the sound of the wind blowing and car tires rolling against the asphalt road. I wanted to ask why she was walking alone but I kept my mouth shut. Maybe I hadn't noticed before that she walks home by herself.

During the ride, she either drummed her fingers gently against the dashboard or stared at buildings as we sped past them. I slowed down before the enormous signboard which indicates the Medwin hospital. It's the best nonprofit academic medical centre in Denver with dozens of different certified doctors, administrative and allied hospital staff.

"Thanks a lot, Zack. I really appreciate it. Bye." She heartily said before opening the car door and getting out of the car. She shuts the car door but stops to stare at me.

"You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow."

Her eyes rest, not unblinking but slowed, yet the effect is soft and inviting instead of harsh. Old feelings that I forcefully buried within me begin to rise to edge. I couldn't put into words the overwhelming feelings that are about to take over my body. I quickly averted my eyes to stop myself from overstepping the outer limits. I'm her sister's baby daddy for God's sake.

As I drove away, one thing was clear in my mind: I met the Coleman sisters for a reason.

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