Zenon's Game Chapter 34

He walked to the back, where a guy was already sitting comfortably in a chair. The teacher asked everyone to settle down. Everyone did, except Zenon, who stood in front of this boy.

"Mr Albert, would you please take a seat so that class can begin."

Zenon did not say a single word. He just indicated 'move' with his head. The boy hesitated for a moment and then grabbed his things and stood up.

The teacher didn't want to interfere in whatever power move that was. He addressed the boy, "There's a seat in the front here for you, Mr Maxwell."

Everyone watched Zenon sit down in his new chair and run a hand lazily through his black hair. Someone took a picture.

"This semester in comparative government, I will be taking you through the different political structures, policies and challenges that other countries face. My name is Mr Laghari and I will be your teacher on this journey," he said, beginning to write his name on the board.

I subtly glanced back at Zenon. A girl was flirting with him and he couldn't understand what she was asking him for. She repeated it, bending forward to show off more of her-

"Mr Albert, is there something you would like to share with the class?" Mr Laghari interrupted them.

Zenon didn't skip a beat, already losing interest in the girl he was talking to. "I'm more concerned about your side of the classroom. Isn't that where the teaching is supposed to happen?"

The class laughed.  What a j*e*r*k.

School ended, and I was one of the first out the door. I power walked across the premise to the bike stands. I was on a mission that I didn't see Zenon swerve around students to chase after me.

"Candy," he called out.

I kept walking.

"Candace!"

Go ahead, say my name. It won't make a difference.

"Hey, hey!" he jogged over. His hand touched my shoulder, making me stop. "What's wrong with you? I've been calling your name."

"Now you notice me? I seemed pretty invisible to you before."

"There's the real you," he remarked at my attitude, "Welcome back."

"Don't test me."

"You know I will."

I folded my arms across my chest, pushing aside the dirty thoughts racing through my mind. Test me, Zenon.

"What do you want?" I demanded.

"Your number."

My arms dropped to my side and my mouth was slightly ajar. I couldn't hide my surprise.

"Give me your number," he repeated.

I watched him slide his hand into his back pocket and pull out his iPhone. He unlocked it and handed it over.

"Relax, I'm not flirting with you. You still owe me for my laptop and I'm going to cash in on it."

I stared down at it. After all we'd been through, we still hadn't exchanged numbers. I slowly dialed my digits and then saved it under my name. Truthfully, I never expected to be a number in his phone.

"I'll text you when I need something."

"I won't hold my breath," I growled and turned to face the bike stand.

He grabbed my wrist and spun me round. "What's with the attitude? We had a deal, remember?"

"Yeah well that deal didn't involve you being a jack-a-ss!"

"What are you talking about?"

I grabbed my bike and yanked it out of the stand. "You were a j*e*r*k to the teacher, a j*e*r*k to that boy in the chair you stole and a j*e*r*k to me. You ignored me when I tried to say hi so don't come over here to play nice when no one's watching."

"I didn't see you," he explained, trying to console me, "You're not exactly the type of girl I'm used to remembering."

"Is that meant to make me feel better?! You're a jack-a-ss, Zenon Albert!"

"OK, poor choice of wording," he admitted.

"Get over yourself!" I yelled and got on my bike.

And for the first time, he noticed what I was riding. A tricycle with pink ribbons flowing out of the handle bars. He stared down at it.

"Is that your bike?" 

What a mood killer.

Bottles of coconut rum, vodka and pineapple juice were scattered across our kitchen counter. My mother was using her cocktail shaker to strain the liquid into martini glasses.

She accidentally spilled some.

"Can you mop that up, Candace?" she asked, sipping her bikini martini.

I was already scooping stray ice cubes into my hands. I dropped them into the sink. Mother poured another one for my sister.

Heidi was in the backyard, soaking up the sun for a glorious tan. It's amazing how one woman could give birth to two such genetically diverse people. Heidi was gorgeous, and I was not. Heidi was arrogant, and I had nothing to be arrogant about.

"Matt asked me out last night. He's picking me up for a movie date at 5," Heidi said, coming inside to pick up her martini.

For the record, that's not the boy she was blowing in my red chair.

"Isn't that a bit early?"

"What do you know about dates Candace? No boy has looked twice at you."

She had a point. My ex hadn't exactly been exclusive.

Anyway, I didn't mind. There is nothing better than having nothing to do. No stress. No problems. I didn't have to change out of my pajamas. I could eat what I wanted, where I wanted – no judgments from anyone. So out came the cookies and ice cream.

I received a text from Julia. Sorry, I can't make it over tonight. Lexi's having the girls over at her place. You can come if you want.

I messaged back, Would Lexi mind?

Julie took twenty minutes to respond. I spent my time productively staring at the wall.

She said you'd have to bring sthg. Like guac.

I know what that means: don't come.

That's ok. I'm pretty tired anyway. I waited for Julia to respond but she didn't, so I added, Have fun.