Zenon's Game Chapter 173

~Zenon's POV~

I got into my car with Little Miss Bo Beep in the passenger seat.

"Zenon, you better make sure he doesn't get teased because of this," mom told me from outside our front door, "I will not have rumors of domestic abuse coming into this household."

It was 7.45AM and I was being forced to bring my half-brother to school.

"Don't bleed anywhere," I told Jake as he reached to turn the heating on.

He hated being in my car. I hated him in my car. But here he was, in my car.

The guy had a motorbike to prove he was a daredevil. Show me a daredevil that doesn't know how to duck a jab.

I even gave him a warning before I did it.

"I know why I'm angry at you. Why are you angry at me?" Jake asked, though his words came out muffled from his injury.

Because you don't know how to take a punch.

"No anger," I shrugged, "Just tolerance."

"You tolerate me?" Jake snapped, "Nice."

What else would I say to him? You sing too much?

My eyes gravitated across the street to her house. These days, Candy was the only person who could take the edge off.

Hers was the only voice that didn't sound like background noise.

I wanted more of her. I've said so many stupid things in my life, but I was sure of this one. Candace was everything I wasn't and that made me mature.

I wanted more time with her. Why is it that when we're alone together, we get interrupted? Why is it that we don't spend every night together?

Because we're in high school.

We have parents, exams, sports, friends and college looming in front of us. Senior year kicked off in high gear. The stress, the pressure, the commitments. I'm just listing things at this point.

What I wouldn't do to go back to summer camp.

Simpler days in a little cabin, just the two of us – and a bunch of hyperactive eight-year-olds. But they weren't that bad.

"Zenon, why aren't you driving?" Jake asked me.

I had stopped my car on the side of the street to look at Candy's house. Her car was parked in the driveway, next to that garden gnome she always talks about.

Damn near as much as she talks about that raccoon.

Jake looked at the time, "Zenon, we're going to be la-"

"Talk less. Doctor's orders," I said, pushing the door open.

I thought I punched him in the jaw, but he's still chirping.

The fact that Candy's car was still by her house meant she hadn't gone to school yet. I was so sure that she passed out and was not going to wake up for school.

I went to get her.

Candy is not a morning person.

I lived with her this summer and it's one of the first things I learnt. After I got my laptop crushed under her rusty old car. So technically, the second thing I learnt.

Candy has many moods. And since I'm on zero hours of sleep, I'm here thinking of them.

Before coffee Candy... Singing in the shower... Flailing in nature... Math Candy

Every one of those temperaments were frustrating and endearing at the same time.

I ran a hand through my hair. Why do I keep repeating her name? Maybe I was going insane. That's it. She's turning me crazy.

My half-brother was sitting back in my car, looking like a watermelon, while he waited for me to return.

He can wait.

I twisted the handle and pushed open the door to number 4.

"Zenon Albert," Mrs Turner exclaimed as she saw me enter through the unlocked front door.

I'd forgotten to knock.

Candy's mom had a briefcase in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. She lowered her cup and looked like she was drinking me up instead.

This woman gives me the chills. I've never told Candace. I don't want to interfere in her relationship with her mom.

"Were you heading out?" I asked, holding the door open for her. Encouraging her to exit.

"I was on my way to work but I can be a bit late," Mrs Turner replied, putting the coffee cup on a ledge by the door.

No coaster. My mom would've freaked.

"I'm here for Candace," I said.

That should really be obvious by now.

"I see," Mrs Turner remarked, getting settled into a conversation I did not want to have. "You two still dating?"

"Yes."

Last time I checked.

"I can give you some coffee while you wait for her. She's un-stylishly asleep on the couch," Mrs Turner offered, walking towards the kitchen, "The coffee's freshly brewed."

"I'm alright," I told Mrs Turner, walking in the opposite direction to the living room. "We're late for school."

She didn't seem too concerned that her daughter was missing school. Didn't Candace have a sister in my year? Florel or whatever her name was. Where was she?

My thoughts evaporated when I saw her.

My Candy sleeping on the green couch. Her hair formed a little halo around her head.

She was sprawled over the couch, one leg drooped on its arm and an arm over her stomach. Her face was squished against the fabric and her mouth was open wide, drooling. She was wearing yesterday's clothes, wrinkled now.

I knelt down in front of her and lifted her hair out of her mouth. "Candy?"

I also checked her pulse.