Zenon's Game Chapter 105

My junior year had begun with a bang. Maybe this year wouldn't turn out so badly after all.

My relationship with my mother was on the mend, now that I returned her necklace. Heidi was still dealing with her breakup by asking me if Zenon could invite her out everywhere.

What else?

Mr Albert still regarded me with distrust whenever he saw me.

I still had no clue who was writing the mystery letters to blackmail me.

I was back on the mathlete team, enjoying my after-school work shifts at Lola Rae.

And my previously broken heart was full again. More full than I thought possible.

As for Julia, I cancelled my subscription to her issues.

I parked my beat-up car outside Axel's house. He was spending the weekend in bed, after being released from the hospital.

I held a bouquet of flowers in my hand. I'd picked them out of Mrs Albert's backyard for him. I knew she wouldn't be pleased with me, but what's new?

*Zenon's perspective*

"Photo time," Gloria said as she shoved the boys closer together.

Bryce grinned with his puffy black eye. Zenon leaned on a crutch and Axel wore an arm brace. The three amigos stood for the photo in Axel's living room.

Apple cider was being heated on the kitchen stove, which Axel had spiked with brandy when Gloria wasn't looking.

She had control of the TV that was playing Casablanca in the background. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman's voices mixed into the background.

It was a chilly autumn day. Axel's parents were not at home this weekend and the boys were keeping him company while he recovered.

Candace arrived at the doorstep and rang the doorbell. Gloria went over to open it.

"Hello dearie," Gloria enveloped her in a bear hug, "Welcome home! I've got some apple cider brewing that will be a real treat. And we'll redo our photo now that you're here."

*Candace's POV*

Coming out of Gloria's bear hug, I felt the warmth of the fireplace and the smell of Gloria's home cooking. Another black-and-white movie was playing on the TV.

And she called it home. It's the first time I've ever been somewhere that welcomed me 'home.'

The boys came to the door to see me, and their eyes traveled from my face down to my... flowers.

"Are you picking Zenon up for your date?" Axel asked, "With flowers?"

"What's happening?" Zenon looked astonished.

"Are we crashing your date right now?" Bryce questioned.

Then Zenon stepped forward to talk to me privately, "I was going to pick you up at your house. I have our whole date planned."

He was standing close to me, holding my arm softly and I hit him with the flowers. "These aren't for you. I came to check on Axel."

"Well then! Don't smash my gift on him!" Axel said, reaching for the flowers with his one good hand.

As the gift exchanged hands, Zenon stared down at the freshly plucked bouquet, "Are those from my gar.... Never mind."

Without the others seeing, he raised a suspicious eyebrow at me. He'd recognized them from his backyard.

I shrugged meekly back.

The apple cider was taken off the stove and poured into five glasses. Gloria added cinnamon sticks and placed them on a tray. Like moths to a flame, Bryce and Axel gravitated to the kitchen.

Zenon's hand rested on my elbow and he pulled me back.

I felt myself touch his chest as I stepped back, and his warm body enveloped me. The butterflies in my stomach started to flutter again as my nervousness for our date returned.

"There's nothing to be nervous about, Candy," he whispered into my ear as he felt my body tense under his touch. "It's our first date. I want it to be the first of many."

I gulped. I hadn't expected that he would be here when I arrived, so I was now thinking of all the things I should've done: perfume, breath mints, nicer outfit.

"We're meant to go in an hour, but why don't we cut to the chase now?" he suggested.

He waited for my response. I couldn't turn to face him just yet – my stomach was only starting to calm down before it started freaking out again – but he saw my head nod.

I'd be crazy not to.

"Hey, we're heading out," Zenon called out to the kitchen. He put his coat on and walked towards the door.

It was surprising how quick he was; how ready he was for our date. Bryce, Axel and Gloria came out to watch us.

"You won't stay for snacks?" Gloria asked us, making me really hesitate.

As wonderful as Zenon is, I do like my snacks.

Zenon pulled the front door open and replied, "Candy and I have a date that's three months overdue."

Three months overdue. Is he saying he-

"Candy?" Bryce repeated. Zenon had accidentally called me by my nickname in front of them. "Her real name's Candy? Is everythinga lie?"

"BYEEEE!" Axel yelled from his door, waving a handkerchief he must have stolen from Gloria. He dabbed the handkerchief against his nonexistent tears, "They grow up so quickly."

Zenon and I walked down Axel's front lawn, towards the cars parked on the side of the street. He took longer than usual, using a crutch for his injured leg.

There were some minor logistical issues around getting to our mystery date location. We had both driven to Axel's house. Ywo cars and one date...

"We're taking my car," Zenon decided, pulling his keys out of his pocket.

"But I'm the better driver," I argued.

Remember to never forget the-

"That's extremely debatable," he disagreed, "And I know where we're going," he said as the winning point.

I reluctantly got into the passenger seat. We all knew I was the better driver, but he had the better car.

I nestled into a comfortable position. This was a familiar spot, sitting in the passenger seat of Zenon Albert's car while he drove out. He gave me control of the stereo, handing me the AUX cable.

I like that we share similar tastes in music. Music was one of the first ways we connected on the camping trip this summer. After the other counselors had rejected me by the bonfire, Zenon came to join me. He ate my sandwiches and we sat side-by-side, listening to my playlist.

I glanced over at him now. The boy who had been there for me in more ways than I could remember. He felt my eyes on him and glanced back. Our eyes locked.