Zenon's Game Chapter 36

Zenon whispered in my ear, "Pretend like you're signing these and don't turn around."

"Zenon, this feels so shady-"

"It's ok. I need to make it look like you're my mum, which is why they can't see your face."

It's ok?!  Nothing about that was OK.

I stared down at the already signed papers in my hand. "Why isn't your mum here? Doesn't she care that you're having physical therapy?"

"I don't want to freak my parents out. I'm already healed anyway."

"That's for the doctors to say."

"I don't need to slow down my training for this, ok?" He was talking about his basketball.

"When it's at the expense of your health you do."

Our voices were picking up and Zenon became conscious of that. He lowered his voice, "My coach approves. This is all above board."

I shoved the clipboard against his chest, having not signed a single thing. Not that it made a difference. Everything was already signed. He took it back to the front desk and then returned to lead me out of the therapy clinic.

"Are you sure you're ok?" I asked him, worried that he may injure himself even more now.

He took his foot off the gas pedal and slowed down as we neared his driveway. We had eaten a steak and vegetable dinner and were almost home. 

There was a convertible parked in the center. A beautiful girl sat on the edge of the car, her wavy blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. She was in a black cocktail dress with a s-lit that revealed her long legs and black converse sneakers.

Her arms were wrapped around a Tom Ford model. I'm only kidding. I don't know if he's a model, but he looks like one. Slicked back brown hair, a navy-blue suit. (image above)

"My sister," Zenon said darkly.

He parked the car behind hers. I didn't know much about Zenon's sister. She was a year older than him and in college now. Growing up, every parent would always compare their kids to her. She was the gold standard of our neighborhood. The perfect daughter.

I watched Zenon eye the guy she was with. For most people, growing up in her shadow would have been tough. But for Zenon, he created his own standards.

"She likes me to intimidate her boyfriends," he said.

I stared from him to her and then to the oblivious Tom Ford model. Hot sibling dynamics must be difficult.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Candace," he said, barely paying attention to me as he got out of the car.

He walked towards the boy who visibly tensed at the sight of Zenon. Zenon looked confident in his hoodie, not needing a suit to surpass his sister's boyfriend. They shook hands tensely.

"Morning!" I greeted my mother and sister at breakfast.

They were eating chopped strawberries and bananas over a thick layer of creamy yogurt. I added some cinnamon to my bowl.

"You slept early last night," my mother said, "When I came home I saw your lights were out."

Heidi scoffed, "She's a grandma."

"Actually, I wasn't asleep. I was out," I said, remembering my mini adventure with Zenon.

I expected mum to be annoyed for not telling her where I went. Instead, she laughed, "Who would take you out? Batman?"

"No. Zenon Albert."

They stared at me.

And then they split their sides laughing. I should have stuck with Batman.

"Either you've become a comedian or you're crazy. Go on Candace. Have some breakfast and get to school."

I stopped off at the Coffee Bean on my way. I finally had my car back, though it smelt of Heidi's perfume. And coffee was my next step, where I inject personality into my body.

I am nothing without it.

Heidi says I know nothing about relationships. But I've been in a committed, monogamous relationship with coffee for the last three years.

Anyway, enough procaffeination (#punning) 

I arrived at school and parked in my usual spot under a tree. A very unpopular spot, but I never get grief over it. I walked into school with my coffee in hand and made a beeline for my locker.

I was humming to myself as I ruffled through the textbooks in search of my calculus one. I placed my cup on the surface. Julia was nowhere to be seen so I definitely didn't expect any greetings this morning.

"Hey."

I jumped and knocked my coffee cup over. 

"Zenon!" I yelled out, as the cup fell.

He reached over my shoulder and grabbed it before it spilled all over my books.

Zenon's reflexes were insane.

"Thank you," I said, surprised that nothing had been ruined. 

I took the cup out of his hands and our fingers brushed as he let go.

His arm was still over my shoulder, and he slowly pulled away. I took a deep breath and turned around to find myself inches away from his flawless face. He stepped back, and I pretended like I didn't feel the shivers race through me. I slipped my book into my backpack, zipping it up.

"You think I'm embarrassed by you, don't you?" he muttered, his arm leaning against my metal locker.

I noticed the worn, blue leather bracelet around his wrist. His bicep flexed.

"You think I'm afraid to show people that we know each other," he continued, watching my discomfort with a small smirk.

He knew being this close to me was making me feel all kinds of feels.  And he was talking about how I called him out for purposefully ignoring me in the hallway.

"I don't care either way." I lied.

He smirked, not believing me for a second. "Is that right?"

"Yeah. You care what people say, Zenon. You have a reputation to protect."

"And what do you have?"

"Nothing," I answered truthfully, "So I have nothing to lose."