Zenon's Game Chapter 89

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I reluctantly looked away from Zenon. Cynthia had texted me.

"I have to go," I apologized.

"You're not eating with us?" he asked, surprised, "We have lunch in room 109."

"I can't," I said, "Cynthia's waiting for me outside."

Sure, I like the guy. But ovaries before brovaries.

The day was chilly. Wind knocked over my orange juice and I returned it to my tray, half spilt. Cynthia was used to having a table indoors, so this was her first time braving the elements. She was shivering.

Summer was a distant memory.

"Here, do you want my sweater?" I offered, "I'm wearing two layers underneath."

She shook her head, "I prefer to freeze."

The sweater was ugly, I guess.

And Cynthia was a trend setter. "This bench is so uncomfortable. I can't believe you sit here in the winter too. Join our table in future."

I laughed, "Do you think you'll join your table in future?  I'm sorry you got kicked off.  I should've asked Axel if we could bring your friends to the party."

"Nah, girl, I'm excited you invited me. If they're going to get jealous about it, that's their problem. You're too nice for this system, honestly. F*ck 'em."

"It was a fun night, wasn't it?" I smiled.

"Epic. I still can't believe he has an underground lair. It's insane," she exclaimed, popping grapes in her mouth, "Totally insane. And I wasn't even the one who got a song written about me."

"Oh, yeah," I sighed, putting my tray on the bleacher beside me. My empty burrito wrapper almost flew with the wind. "I can't believe it either. I didn't realize he felt that way."

"What are you talking about? He asked you out on a date."

"Yeah, but it's a no-pressure, getting-to-know-you kind of date. The song he wrote was a love song," I exhaled, feeling overwhelmed.

I hadn't spoken candidly to anyone about this. There wasn't really anyone I could speak to. Lately, I've been going to Zenon but...not about this. He was involved.

Cynthia stared at me with a horrified expression on her face, "Are you... are you actually hesitating? You do realize he's the hot, mysterious new boy with an amazing voice and guitar skills. Not to mention, he's been a total gentleman towards you."

"When you put it like that, I sound crazy."

"Yeah, you do. A date with Jake will be great," she laughed, and checked the notifications on her phone. When she put it down, she focused on me again, "OK. Spill. What's holding you back?"

I took a deep breath. Do I admit it? Do I say it to her? Once I put it out into the universe, I can never take it back...

"I have feelings for Zenon."

My revelation fell flat. She looked at me, "OK. Everyone does."

"Right," I had to accept that, "Well, so do I and... and that's what's holding me back."

Cynthia replied, "I'll phrase it differently. I love BTS and I'm already married to Jimin in my mind, but I'm not going to stop dating people in reality."

"Ok but I am talking about reality. Zenon is at our school."

"You think he actually likes you? How?" she quickly added, "No offence. I mean, he's like the most famous senior of all-"

"I get it. That's not what I-"

"They're both hot. Both brothers are smoking," she said.

"It isn't about the looks. I enjoy our banter. Zenon makes life fun, he's honest as h*e*l*l and we click."

"I've never heard anyone talk about him like that."

I realized then that maybe Zenon was also lonely... if most people treated him like a commodity.

Maybe that's why we found each other.

"I think he's changing," I admitted, "I really think he's starting to be more considerate."

"Isn't that what every girl says? I can be the one to change him," she mocked a high pitch girl's voice, "He's the player but I own the game."

I sighed, "I know. That's exactly what I'm thinking; there's no way he can change his ways. His reputation is infamous... but I can't help how I feel. AndI can't ignore the man I've come to know."

"No way," Cynthia leaned towards me like this was the gossip of the century, "Are you saying he's told you he's into you?"

"No," I answered, "But he's shown me."

Cynthia screamed.

I was waiting for Jake to reply to my message. I had asked for time to talk. I needed to tell him. We were not going on any date.

I didn't want to have this conversation in whispers during our English Lit class to hear his side in the lyrics of a song. As poetic and cute as those scenarios are, I want to be honest. I want to be truthful. And my fear of hurting his feelings... has clouded me from that.

Have you had lunch? - Jake

I received his message just as Cynthia and I returned to the cafeteria to put our trays away. My burrito belly and myself were very full, but...

I could do with seeing you. Something to brighten my day - Jake

"He's here," Cynthia alerted me.

I looked around and saw the rustle in the cafeteria as focus shifted towards the group that had just walked in. Zenon, Axel, Bryce and Bianca.

He's here. She was talking about Zenon.

"Cynthia! Is that your new friend?" a girl's voice mocked us.

It was Lexi, taunting us from the table where LUCKY always sat at. Julia was sitting in Cynthia's seat, eating a salad.

"You saying I can't have friends without your permission? Get outta here," Cynthia flipped them off, before she warned Julia, "Don't get too comfortable in my chair. Recognize who put you there."

Savage.