Zenon's Game Chapter 56

I sat in my corner during Comp Gov. I wondered if I should ask Zenon what he meant by the kiss yesterday. I knew he cared about me in a non-romantic way... but a small part of me hoped...

I shook it out of my mind.

It was already wild that he kissed me at all. The man saw me cry for goodness sake.

Zenon was sitting on his desk, talking with Bryce and some other guys who surrounded him. The teacher walked in with our homework in his arms.  That was the cue for class to start.  Zenon didn't seem to care.  

He looked over and asked me from across the room, "You interested, Candace?"

I glanced up from reading last class' notes. Everyone in between us stared. One girl moved out of the way, since she was blocking Zenon's view of me. He really has too much power in this school.

I suddenly felt very self-conscious in my little oasis, while Zenon sat like a king in the center of his group.

"Interested in what?" I asked. The kid's cute, but he's delusional if he thinks I've been listening to his conversation, hanging on to his every word.  

"Bryce's place after school."

I glanced at Bryce, who did not look pleased about this. But before I could respond, Mr Laghari started class.

"With Mr Albert's permission, I would like to begin," Mr Laghari announced, sarcastically.

Zenon turned around on the desk, almost surprised to see the teacher in his own classroom. "Permission granted."

Zenon then turned to me with an I'm waiting for your response look.

I'll write you, I mouthed, pointing at my notepad. I didn't want to speak during class.

Zenon shook his head and mouthed back a clear, No.

But I didn't listen. I was already leaning over my notepad, scribbling a message onto a spare page. It was exciting to write my first note to a friend in class. I see people do it all the time. It looked fun.

I folded it and asked the girl next to me to pass it on to Zenon. 

She looked at me weirdly, took the note.... and opened it.

She opened it. I stared at her, "Uh, that's private."

She read it and passed it along. The next person also read it before passing. Is this what usually happens?

I looked at Zenon. His arm was leaning against the table and he dropped his head against his hand. He was embarrassed for me. This must've been why he didn't want me writing notes to him.

Oops. 

He knew this was going to happen but, of course, I hadn't listened.

Finally, it landed on his desk. He sighed and flicked it open.

I concentrated back on class, knowing that I was not going to be receiving a response from Zenon any time soon.

I waited until class ended before running over to his desk to apologize, "Sorry, I didn't realize-"

"It's fine," he said, slinging his backpack over one shoulder, "But you know you could've texted me, right?"

I don't know why that didn't cross my mind. 

"I never had many chances to pass notes to friends so I-"

"I get it," he repeated, "But to answer your note, it's 15 Mont Carson Street. I'll drive you."

He walked out of class, leaving my note folded on his desk. I picked it up. Why wasn't real life like the movies? Everyone passed notes in high-school TV shows. I really thought this was still a thing.

I heard Zenon's voice from the other side of the class door, "Mills, do you have a bathing suit with you?"

I stared after him. "Why would I need that?"

I don't come to school with a beach bag. Why would I need a swimsuit?

He disappeared, and I called out, "Zenon! I'm not beach body ready!"

Maybe TMI. But he needs to know.  A girl can't be surprised like this.

I had no idea what was in store for me.  All I know, is that this was the first time Zenon asked me to go somewhere with him, no favors attached.

That doesn't count as a date, does it?

Bryce lived in the nicest part of town. His driveway had a fountain in it and, for whatever reason, his family had imported a cactus for their garden.

We found five briefcases by the front door in different shades of brown. They had been flown in from Milan for Bryce's dad. I was staring at them when Zenon touched my arm and led me across the marble foyer. Large glass doors opened out into a luxurious garden.

I had no idea Bryce lived like this.

There was a blue pool with a blowup white swan floating in the middle. His friends were sitting in the shade, surrounded by cactus trees and flowers in bright blue pots.

"You're back," Oma greeted him, as she relaxed under the shade of a fashionable straw hat, "You've been too busy for us, Zenon."

I recognized Oma from school. She was a super popular senior and head of the Chemistry club. Her best friend was Bianca.

"Does everyone know Candace?" Zenon asked, slowing down so that I was in front of him.

I felt exposed. All eyes on me. This was the same group I had accidentally bumped into in the classroom my first day. The one that was having a private lunch party.

"Millayyy, come over and have a drink," Axel called out to me, raising a pitcher of spiked lemonade. 

"Hi," I waved back. 

I was nervous about being here, but his warm welcome was soothing. Bianca didn't say anything. She was looking me up and down, up and down, as if her eyes were locked on repeat.

Bryce stepped forward, "Why do I recognize her?"

I remembered him passed out on the couch at Axel's party. His drool on Axel's pillow.

"It's hard to recognize you with your eyes open," I joked. Zenon smiled behind me and put a comforting hand on my shoulder. 

I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach, but they were dancing to their own soundtrack. His hand lowered down my back, passing between my shoulder muscles, sending chills through my spine.  His touch was soft and his movements were smooth.  

I wanted to close my eyes and savor every feeling... but that would look weird in front of his friends. 

It was encouraging to feel his support. Zenon knew this was a tough crowd and wanted to be vocal in making me feel welcome. Bianca didn't get the memo.

"Can someone explain to me why a nerd's been invited? She's not even in our year," Bianca huffed, "You're in the year below."

"But she's on a higher level," Zenon answered easily, as if comebacks were second nature to him. "If you want me to stick around Bianca, behave."

O.K.  Zenon is not afraid to fire shots. I was starting to admire that in him.