The Stonner's Chick

10

Zara POV

The weekend went by, now at present, we have two days for the exams to start and then two weeks holidays. Zoya went to Spanish class to collect model papers from her classmates.

I sat in my regular seat and took out my French notebook, the classes are empty with a few students who are here to clarify their doubts. Usually, most of them wouldn't attend school before the exams. With a soft smile playing on my face I started revising the words and sentences.

“Hey." Someone said from behind me. I felt their hand on the back of my seat. I tensed but relaxed soon...

I looked up from my seat to see Miya best friend of Veronica standing beside my desk.

Though she is a good girl and different from Veronica, I still have doubts about why she came to my desk and saying hey.

"Maybe Veronica sent her to play some trick with me ” my inner self whispered. She is awkwardly smiling at me while I looked at her with wide eyes.

I put my all thoughts away and asked her politely "how may I help you?"

"I'm sorry to bother you but I seriously need your accounts notebook. I was absent for the last three chapters, they are important and you see we have two days left for exams. Can I borrow your notes? I will return it back by evening,” she asked.

"Okay but I need it by school ending, ” I replied. Accounts is the additional subject which we have to take if not psychology. 

Her face lit up like she won something, "thank you so much, you are definitely a sweetheart, ” she said taking the notebook from my hands.

I blushed because I don’t get compliments daily and she is Veronica’s best friend.

"I better start copying everything, see you later." She waved her hand before going to her desk and plopping down checking her notes and mine.

I started revising mine, I suddenly remembered my dad. It still hurts remembering the past, I played with the pencil as thoughts and images played in my mind. I shook my head taking a deep breath.

I decided not to think about the past and waste my day. I went through all the notes, and when it’s time for lunch Zoya joined me. So after the exams, Zoya and her boyfriend are going on a trip for two weeks. I'm happy for her. After school, we both went to a cafe which was recently opened and ordered our favourite drinks before going to work.

I always loved to cook or do art. They both were my momma’s favourite pastime. She is the one who always made so many delicious foods and used to paint. I feel like she is behind me looking at me and my work when I'm doing the cooking or doing the art.

In these two months, Zoya and I became close, she is an amazing girl. I'm lucky enough to have her as my friend.

"What are you doing this vacation?" Zoya asked. Hmm, I thought for a while about my planning’s, to be honest, there is nothing that I wanna do.

“Seriously, I don’t have any plans. probably sitting in my room watching Asian tv shows or drama’s, playing with Zoe, ” I said.

"That’s so boring Zara, why don’t you join us. It will be fun,” Zoya said.

“Nah, I don’t want to be the third wheel in between you and your boyfriend. Though you don’t say anything your boyfriend will be planning for my funeral if I join,” I said making her laugh.

“Yeah, If I had a boyfriend and we both decided to go for a vacation, someone joins us. I will definitely plan to murder them. I can be evil sometimes.” I laughed shaking my head. 

"Guess what happened while I was in Spanish class?" Zoya asked. Her eyes light up when she remembered something. My gaze went to the door as a group of friends entered the cafe. Adam and I shared a looked before he smiled and walked over to the group.

"What happened? Did your classmates refused to give you model papers?"

"Haha, why would I sound excited if they refused to give the model papers."

"Right... What happened."

"Veronica's friends were there when I was in the class. They were talking about Veronica and that hot guy Lorenzo." Now my interest grew in the gossip. 

"Oh?"

"There was a private party among their groups at Veronica's place. She wanted to brag about Lorenzo in front of her cousins but Lorenzo decided to skip the party which made Veronica furious. They were saying he didn't answer any of Veronica's calls which made her a laughing stock before her cousins," Zoya grinned widely.

I nodded my head, I didn't know that it was Veronica who was calling Lorenzo. Surely his phone was vibrating all the time which made him turn it off. I didn't ask him nor we talk about his personals or mine for a fact.

"Anyway, let's go before it starts pouring," Zoya said looking outside.

"Yes." I stood up from my seat, walked into the kitchen to tell others bye before leaving.

Zoya dropped me home, "bye-bye girlfriend ” she shouted waving her hand like a manic. I laughed before opening the door.

*

"I made this printout of important questions and topics. Just prefer this when you are done with the present topics," I tell Lorenzo handing him the printouts. He took them from my hands and I walked over to my laptop and printer to print the other subjects.

"The blue marked are very important, you can use my French textbook if you want," I say biting my lip as I click on the print option.

"Wow, you have made all this?" I heard him ask.

"Yes, I make notes for myself and decided to give you the printouts. It would be helpful to you," I reply.

"Your notes is detailed and these printouts too." I shyly smile looking at the screen. He walked over to where I sat and placed his hand on the back of my chair leaning down to look at the screen. I tensed feeling his warmth and face. 

"You enjoy writing notes and writing them down neatly?" He asked looking at the screen.

"Hmm yeah. I like to search and write it down." He hummed taking the papers from the printer.

"So you want to do bachelors in business administration?" he asked looking at me. I turned my head, my eyes widen at how close his face is. I slightly moved my chair and he chuckled standing up straight.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?" his brows in confusion.

"I'm actually interested in arts but I can't take bachelor in arts," I tell him.

"Why can't you? If you are interested in arts then go for it. Why did you take economics and accounts as the additional subjects when you can take arts and sculpture?" I blink my eyes, that question is quite personal and I don't want to answer the question.

"I'm interested in economics and business," I easily lie. I don't think he believed my words.

"Good, I'm interested in business administration," he said sitting on my bed and facing me. I turn in my chair and face him.

"You are going to take bachelor of business administration after high school?" I ask him.

"Yes, I need to get A+ in all the subjects and be in the top ten topper list if I want my dreams to come true," he said leaning on his palms.

"Huh?" 

"My dad... He kept a condition, usually after the completion of my high school I need to work under my dad in the office. He kept a condition that if I don't get A+ in all the subjects he will consider my cousin instead of me. And I don't want that. My dream is to take over my dad's business and start my own..." he spoke while I listened to him.

"That's the reason you are studying and doing the practice sheets daily?"

"Yes, can't ignore a single day. He will be checking my unit test papers and practice marks."

"What are your favourite subjects?" I ask him.

"I started liking accounts and economics these days. Business management has been my favourite from the start."

"What about you?" he asked.

"English and accounts, I don't like economics. It's my weak subject." He laughed, "Weak subject?"

"Yes, I can't concentrate on economics for more time so I make important notes." I staple the papers and hand them to him.

"Here, I gave you all the subjects and keep them carefully," I tell him.

"You could've simply sent me the PDF files, why did you print them all?" 

"You won't be concentrating if I send you in the form of PDF."

"True." 

"And don't worry about the exams, you are improved and you will do well in all the subjects. I won't say you will get A+ but A is for sure."

"You corrected the test papers?" he asked.

"Yes, wait a minute. I will give your test papers." I stand up from the chair and go over to my study wardrobe where I kept his test papers. I conducted the mock tests as he wanted to write mock tests.

I'm kind of proud that he is working hard to get his grades up and, to be honest, he is doing well in all the subjects.

"You need to work on French and chemistry paper," I tell him handing the papers. I watch him as he goes through the papers. 

he is wearing a warm blue sweatshirt, his blue eyes are vibrant in excitement. His long legs stay still in black jeans with white socks covering his feet. I recently discovered that he has a tattoo on his left forearm of Mountain and sea with a bird.

He always wore full sleeve t-shirts or sweatshirts or jackets to school. A few days ago he removed his jacket and I was able to see the tattoo. He is attractive up close and when he gives that real smile I feel the butterflies and flowers growing in my stomach.

We didn't open up about ourselves, we talk about random things about school and classes. Sometimes when he is in good mood he speaks about the things that he finds interesting. He looks up and I look down, I don't want him to know that I have a crush on him.

"Thank you, Zara. Let's go downstairs and have our dinner. I think Grace and Henry are waiting for us," he said standing up picking his bag. I nod my head, he kept all the printouts and his books in the bag. He stands before me and I have to look up at him.

He placed his hand on my head, patting my hair. he chuckled looking at my flushed cheeks. He rarely comes closer or touches me. The only thing he does is, placing his hand on my head.

*

I wait for Zoya to come out of the washroom, pulling the strap of my bag on my shoulder I look at the students who are standing in the corridors with their eyes fixed on the books. We are having our accounts exam today. 

"Come let's go," Zoya said walking out of the washroom. She takes her bag from my hands.

"Did you get your period?" I ask her.

"No, I just felt like I got my period but I didn't dirty my panties. I just pray that I don't get stomach cramps while writing the exam." We stop near my exam hall, Zoya's exam hall is beside mine.

I saw Lorenzo and his friends walking to this hallway. He is talking with Devin while the others are laughing. I scan him from head to toe. He is wearing a black sweatshirt and black pants. His fair skin and vibrate eyes standing out grabbing everyone's attention.

"What are you looking at?" Zoya questioned and I quickly looked away.

"Nothing."

"Anyway, thanks for sending the PDF last night. It helped girl." I smile at her. I lick my lips and turn my head to see Lorenzo.

I saw him who is already looking at me, we don’t talk in school, we just have eye contact for five seconds and that’s enough for us two to say all the best.

He gave me a slight small smile before entering his exam hall with his friends. I won't be seeing him for the next two weeks. He told me that he is going on a vacation with his friends after exams. I don't think we would be continuing our tutor classes after these exams. 

Lorenzo improved a lot in a short period of time. He is a quick learner if he shows interest. Now that he can learn alone and I know he can manage on his own. 

"Let's go, the exam will start in three minutes anyway," Zoya said.

"Yes." I take my hall ticket and pen pouch out. Keeping the bag outside the door, I enter the exam hall. The desks are filled out. I take my seat and wait for the exam to start.

The answer booklets are passed then question papers. The exam continued for three hours, I handed the booklet to the invigilator before leaving the exam hall.

You can see the excitement on everyone’s face’s, they have those relaxed smiles talking with their friends. I looked here and there for Zoya. She was worried about today's exam. I want to know how her exam went. 

"Perra!" Zoya shouted running to where I'm standing. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment as everyone around me turned their heads. She hugged me tightly that it was hard to breathe.

“Zoya, you gonna kill me. Can't breathe,” I said.

She let me go from her tight hug, saying "hay! you love tight hugs,"

“Yeah, yeah I like tight hugs, not death hugs where you murder me by your tightness, ” I said.

"Yeah, my boyfriend also says the same. Babe, you gonna kill me by your tightness,” Zoya said making a face.

I made a disgusting face, "Eww, I didn't mean that." She rolled her eyes before laughing.

"Come on we will go to the supermarket, then movie night, ” I said.

"Yes."

We went to the town’s supermarket and Zoya started picking all the things which are more than what we need for tonight.

"i don't think we need all that..." I say pointing the things in the cart.

"Shh... We need all the snacks and if we can't finish them then you store them. Now let's go to the cupcake section." She runs to the other side and I push the cart towards where she ran.

We never had a movie night before, we decided to have a movie night and sleepover before she goes on her vacation with her boyfriend. I checked my phone hoping for a message from Lorenzo but I'm disappointed to see no notifications.

He usually sends me a text about how his exam went. "You want this or this?" Zoya asked holding two cupcake packets.

"The right one."