Zenon's Game Chapter 70

The last thing I expected to see when I woke up was....

Zenon Albert, Jake Albert, Axel Thomas, Chioma Dozie, Bianca Rodriguez and Bryce. Or should I say, Roland Chadwick the Third.

Foncy.

And yet there they were, bizarrely dressed in matching colors as if they were auditioning for a 1990s pop band – in navy blue, white, black and gray.

"Hello?" I croaked.

"Hello? It's me..." Axel sang, wildly out of tune but points for Adele style emotion.

Meanwhile Bryce went retro with: "Hello darkness my old friend..."

Zenon smacked them both and looked guiltily down at me. He knew I didn't want to get involved with his mayhem anymore. The boys straightened up and tried to behave. They stood stiffly with their hands clasped behind their backs like school children.

"Can we focus back on me for a second here," Heidi interrupted, "I don't understand why you're talking to Candace like you know her.  I'm the one you came for."

"No. You're not," Zenon said, "I don't even know who you are."

He did not hesitate to burst her bubble.

"You're being disrespectful in their house," Jake muttered.

"They've shown Candace so much respect," Zenon retorted sarcastically.

"It's her family," Jake fired back.

"And you're mine," Zenon smirked, "But I didn't request that either."

"OK!" Axel interrupted, steering Zenon away from his brother, "Dude, you can't be rude to her family. If you want to get the girl, you need to be liked."

Zenon wasn't used to altering his behavior for anyone. He said it like he saw it.

Heidi looked aghast, "S- s- so, you're here... but you're not here for me?"

Zenon's blue eyes landed like lasers on her. "You can leave now."

"It's technically her house," Bryce pointed out, not wanting to get involved though.

"She can still leave," Zenon raised the question, "Unless you want her to stay."

"Well... no."

Damn. Zenon was firing shots today.

I watched the whole thing unfold with fascination. This was the first time Zenon has met Heidi. And he left her looking like a deflated balloon.  Honestly, her face scrunched up in shock as she realized he was here for me. 

I was surprised that he was still here for me.

"You?" she repeated, staring at me in abject horror, "How could it be you?"

And then, my mum came back into the picture. Just when my family couldn't get any more embarrassing... they did.

She waltzed into the conversation, staring at the boys like they were puppies in a pet store, "There are so many of you. How do I pick?"

"You don't mum," I croaked like a bullfrog. My swollen face matched.

"So gorgeous," mum sighed, weaving around Bryce and going on to admire Axel, "I can't take it. It's like I'm hosting auditions for the new James Bond movie here."

Axel gulped in fear. Bryce made no sudden movements.

"Forgot to mention this part," Jake apologized. 

Bryce and Axel had arrived late to our impromptu congregation and missed Part I of Mum's Inappropriateness.  Terrible movie, never wanted a sequel. 

Jake dodged out of the way before mum could stroke his arm. 

"So suave," she purred, "Such gentlemen."

Before I could say anything, he took the words out of my mouth, "I think we should leave Candace to rest. Zenon and I have intruded on her enough."

"No! Don't go!" Heidi begged, throwing herself into the mix, "I just ordered Dominoes."

"Oh well that changes everything," Axel agreed to stay.

Axel and food.  It's an eternal love.

But Bryce pushed him towards the door. The girls had already walked out without saying goodbye. They'd been itching to leave the moment they walked in. Our house was pretty bare after financial struggles post my father's departure, and the girls didn't approve.

Jake was the last to leave. I felt my heart quicken at that.

He paused by my couch and gently tugged at the cushions under my head, "I'm sorry if I freaked you out today. I'm happy to go at whatever pace you want."

I nodded, still at a loss for real words.

"You have no idea how happy you made me when you said yes," he added, "I can't wait for our date."

Our date. 

He seemed a little nervous to admit it. I smiled shyly back. And he retracted his hand and walked out, saying goodbye to my mother and sister along the way.

Heidi had no words left within her except for a screech. 

She then gasped, "A date?! The most popular people in school were in our house. And they came for Candace! What just happened?"

"Nothing," I answered, closing my eyes, "I'm not ready for anything to happen."

This day can end. I want it to end. I was about to end scene, when mum interrupted.

"Hold on. They're still in high school?!" she asked, putting down her cappuccino.

She suddenly realized how inappropriate her behavior was. 

"Oops."