Zenon's Game Chapter 189

"I think you'll change your mind after you hear my next part of the plan," I rubbed my hands in glee, "Bryce invited us to his 'winter place', whatever that means, for new years. Axel is going to be there. What better than a romantic week together with no interruptions and the excitement of new years to take it up a level?"

Her eyes opened wide. "Where's Bryce's winter place?"

Great question.

I checked our group chat. "Dubai."

Dubai?!

I double checked the group chat. "It's in Dubai! Do I even have a valid passport?"

How much is a ticket to Dubai? I can't go on this trip! I can't afford this trip.

"I really thought it was going to be in a nearby neighborhood," I muttered, "Like in summer he lives in Alpine and in winter he moves his clothes to another house."

"No! I want to come. I had no idea Axel would be in Dubai for New Years," she suddenly thought of something and her enthusiasm deflated, "I wish I could but there is no way my parents will ever allow me. You've met them and they're protective. I'll ask them but chances are close to zero. Will there even be parents there?"

"Hopefully," I nodded, texting that question into the group chat. "A house where the responsibility lay with Bryce, Axel and Zenon would be the most irresponsible thing."

Cynthia was running through the scenario in her mind, "If I tell my parents I'm going on a trip to another country to stay at a guys' place... they'll kick me out of our house."

I wouldn't know. My mom has kicked me out the house before and I slept in my car for 3 days.

"OK don't look now," Cynthia said, staring at someone behind me, "But your ex-boyfriend is walking towards you."

"Really?" I asked, staring at someone behind her, "Because my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend is walking towards us too."

Ironic timing.

We both turned around at the same time.

Bianca Rodriguez always looked dressed for a VSCO moment. I'll give her that.

She was in a navy mini skirt, tight white shirt and navy cardigan. She even carried a matching handbag. There's no way a textbook could fit in that handbag, but maybe that's irrelevant.

Maybe I'm just missing the point of school.

Cynthia and I were chatting beside her locker when I saw Bianca. She saw me and began walking towards me. That's never happened before.

"OK don't look now," Cynthia said, standing in front of me and staring at someone behind me, "But your ex-boyfriend is walking towards you."

"Really? Because my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend is walking towards us too," I replied.

It's like they coordinate these moments.

"One...two...." Cynthia counted, "Three."

We both turned around at the same time.

It took me a moment of staring at a sea of students before I recognized Kaden. Staring from one ex to another... it struck me how different Zenon and I were for each other.

"Queen Bee has been distracted," Cynthia reported back to me, now keeping tabs on Bianca, "We can make a run for it."

"What do you think he wants?" I asked out loud, focused on the ball of bad energy heading towards us.

Cynthia offered her opinion, "Hm, what to ask your girlfriend after you break up? Maybe he's looking for some feedback."

I answered, "How not to be a di-"

"Candace," Axel intervened, "It sounded like you were about to swear."

I don't know where Axel came from, but I was relieved to see him.

He must have seen us spinning 180 degrees for no apparent reason. Cynthia and I had just been cornered... by Medusa on one side and demon spawn on the other.

He looked in the direction I was staring at and sighed, "Him again? I can't go anywhere without seeing him anymore."

"Me neither," I said, "It's like a nightmare that won't stop."

"I'll stop it," Axel said and walked ahead of me, intercepting Kaden's path.

I couldn't hear what he said but he pressed his hand firmly on Kaden's shoulder and stopped him in his path. Demon spawn averted. If only Axel could take on her next.

Zenon had decided to stay friends with Bianca. But me and Kaden... As far as I was concerned, we had nothing in common anymore.

I glanced over at Cynthia who was staring longingly at Axel. Not subtle.

"Your future boyfriend is a hero," I teased.

She said, "I wish he could save us from her too."

I can't decide who I dread to see more. Kaden or Bianca... spinach or kale.

"Watch her call out my age," I predicted.

Bianca always finds a way to mention how I'm 'just a junior.'

Finally, Bianca stopped in front of us and we faced up to her. Actually, not that far up. With her heels on, Bianca wasn't taller than me.

"Hello Candace and Candace's friend," Bianca greeted us.

"Hello Beeanca," Cynthia greeted her back, with an equally judgmental tone.

Bianca ignored her. "I heard you were thinking of joining our seniors only group trip to Bryce's place this month."

Cynthia glanced at me and mouthed, "Two seconds."

"Bryce invited us," I said, referring to both me and Cynthia.

"He did? He's a softie when people beg," she said, "But if I were you, I'd rethink going. What you have only works in this little town. Your cutesy, clumsy vibe won't fly in the real world."

I'm not clumsy. I'm uncoordinated. And there is a difference.

Cynthia took the words out of my mouth. "This is some fresh out the oven bullshiiii-"

"No one asked you anything," Bianca told her, "Your existence in my life depends on her relevance," she pointed at me, "Which is fading fast."

"Don't disrespect her," I defended Cynthia, but Cynthia didn't need defending.

"Girl," Cynthia said, "you better move. I'm wearing boots and your dainty little feet are inches away from my next step."