Zenon's Game Chapter 184

This is really going to hit my coffee allowance.

I wondered who complained against me. Could it have been the same blackmailer – whoever that was?

The one constant since junior year began is that there's someone out there, who knows my habits, and is out to hurt me.

I dialed a number and Cynthia picked up.

"I'm actually free tonight," I admitted, "Still a chance I can come for dinner?"

"Yah. My parents just started cooking. You'll meet my crazy family."

"What do you want Zenon to give you for Christmas?" Cynthia asked me. We were sitting in a little alcove by her living room. "How about himself wrapped up in a red bow and nothing else?"

I had to think about that for a second.

"I want a puppy for Christmas!" one of Cynthia's little sisters screamed, running up to us.

Her house was chaotic with four siblings under the age of twelve. Toys were littered across the living room, like miniature safety hazards. Her parents were in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

Cynthia grabbed hold of her sister before she ran into us and told me, "A puppy... or Zenon with his puppy dog eyes?"

There's a theme here.

I laughed at her. Her sister squealed and wriggled out from the trapped position, before running off to play with her brothers.

"Think about it," Cynthia insisted, "Maybe you could ask him to do that s*e*xy move on court where he scores and then flicks his hair? I swear so many girls go to his games just for that move."

I looked down at the colorfully embroidered cushion on my lap. We were nestled in a cosy alcove, inhaling the phenomenal smells coming out of the kitchen. Her parents were cooking dinner together.

"I don't know what to get him for Christmas," I confessed, finding it hard to think of what to get someone who has everything already.

"Lingerie?"

"For him?"

I couldn't concentrate on Christmas presents when I didn't know how I could afford them.

"Any non s*xual gift ideas?" I said for a start, glancing at her siblings playing in the living room.

"How am I supposed to know? I'm not the one dating Zenon Albert," she said, "But if I was, I don't know what there is to complain about it. He is 10 out of 10 fine."

"What if I mess up?" I asked, more to myself than to her.

I've never really said this out loud, but I haven't been honest to myself either. I'm scared. Dating Zenon has felt like diving headfirst into a One Direction album.

He's got so much energy. He plays basketball with equal skill and speed. He runs and boxes in his spare time. He keeps everyone moving. But I love catching him in his calm moments, when he's sitting still and leaning his hand against his messy hair. When his blue eyes gaze down, and he absentmindedly plays with my hair. Those are my favorite moments.

"Have you said the L word?" she asked me.

"No."

"Do you think you will?"

"If I do, I think he should be the first to know," I answered with an exaggerated wink.

It was a good question though. Do I love him?

Do I know myself enough to love someone? Do I know what that word even means?

"No! How many times have I told you not to eat play-doh?" Cynthia told off her younger brother, holding play-doh out of his reach.

"It's Coco Nutty!" he cried out, jumping up high to try to take it from her, "I can eat it!"

"Don't eat it!"

He went off in a huff, whining that his older sister was being mean. She placed the play-doh on a high shelf and returned to our alcove.

"Have you ever thought of being a summer camp counselor?" I asked her, "You'd be really good at it."

"No way. I don't need to surround myself with more kids to torture me," she sighed, wrapping the blanket around her before she sat back down, "Hey Candace, can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure."

I didn't expect the usually confident Cynthia to become a bit nervous. She said, "I've had a crush on someone since freshman year. I didn't know him, because he was one of those older guys that everyone had a crush on. I never thought I'd have a chance."

She looked over at the kitchen, hoping her parents wouldn't hear. The clattering of pots and pans strongly indicated that they wouldn't.

"He's a senior so he's halfway out the door and this may be my last chance. Especially since you're..." she inhaled, finding it difficult to name her secret crush.

I realized that Cynthia was happy to talk about her fantasies of Jimin or even Zenon. But this one, she was pretty tight lipped about.

"Do you think you could help me?" she asked, "You're dating his best friend. Do you know if he's seeing anyone? Do you know if he could be interested in me?"

"Who?" I asked, "Who do you mean?"

It was a toss-up. 50% chance Axel, 50% chance Bryce. I didn't want to presume.

"Axel," she revealed, "I have a crush on Axel Thomas."

I couldn't help myself. My first reaction was shock and then I wanted to squeal in excitement. I had to resist that urge because I didn't want to scare my new friend away with weird squealing sounds.

"No way!" I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice down but the excitement up, "You like Axel! I have no idea who he's dating or if he's dating anyone, but I'll check."

"Please be subtle," she begged me.

"Subtle? I am the definition of subtle."

That's a lie.

I was too excited to disappoint her. She knew me well enough to be nervous about my self-proclaimed 'definition of subtle.' I'll get an A for effort.