chapter 56

Zara cleared her throat again. "Chemistry. Almost all teachers have asked me to help you with their respective subjects. So, do you have a free period today?"

"You tell me," said Ryan as a gang of girls went past them giggling.

Zara waved her hand in front of him. "Hello, are you even listening?"

"Um-hmm"

"What did I just say?"

He took her waving hand in his and pinned her against the wall. His mischievous blue eyes held her gaze as she gasped. "Chemistry...our chemistry...it will be electromagnetic."

He released her hand but kept his firmly planted on the wall. Zara gulped unnecessarily. Her voice came out as a squawk, "I was talking about our school subject."

"And, I was talking about my subject," replied Ryan pushing her glasses up her nose. Zara's body pleasantly shivered though her brain asked it to the opposite.

"Leave my hand."

"Your hand is free, Z." She realized that she had been holding her hand up in the air even after Ryan had released it. She felt completely foolish. She slapped her notebook on his chest and walked away hurriedly before saying, "That's my assignment. You can refer to it and complete yours."

Ryan chuckled at the effect he had on her, even now. "Hey, but you were going to help me. I can't do it alone." Zara didn't reply and didn't turn around. She continued hurrying away, her hair dancing in the air. Ryan held her book close to his chest and kept looking at her retreating figure until she disappeared down the stairs.

Zara went to her classes, her heart tingling at the sensation of Ryan's touch. She scolded herself for the millionth time, and her brain worked furiously to avoid further embarrassment around him. Veronica was absent that day, so Zara's day dragged on for eternity. She wasn't comfortable being around anyone except her best friend, and Ryan was intruding on her personal space as if he owned it. She wasn't sure if she should be angry at him or hug him for making her feel the way she had never felt before. Having nothing else to do, she texted Veronica.

What's up? Can I come over to your place? Getting bored to death alone in school

She then sent a text to her mother. Should I get something for dinner while coming home?

She then waited for a reply from either of them while drumming her fingers on the table. Her thoughts were interrupted by Rebecca, who came over.

"Hi, Zara, What's up?"

Rebecca had avoided Zara at all costs until now. She disliked her partially because Zara was good in studies and partially because she had sensed that Ryan would be spending a lot of time with her. Even Zara was surprised to see Rebecca come and talk to her. Unsure of what to say, she just smiled. Rebecca got straight to the point, "Ryan is only putting up with you because of the teachers. There is no need to create sympathy for yourself in his eyes."

"I am not trying to gain his sympathy; in fact, I don't even want to be near him." Liar, liar cried her heart.

"Good for you."

"You should better keep him in check; he can slip pretty quickly given the way his eyes roam around the campus."

"Stay in your limits, zombie," growled Rebecca.

Zara was spared answering her when Veronica's text popped up. Sure, come over. Also, get sandwiches while coming. She grabbed her stuff and stomped on Rebecca's feet before walking off. Rebecca howled in pain while Ryan, who had been watching them from a distance, chuckled. This is going to be fun, he said to himself.

Zara started walking out of the campus. There was a small café just outside the school that served breakfast and tea. Veronica loved the sandwiches from the school cafeteria as she could always request Mr. Turner to add a bucketful of cheese in hers, but Zara didn't want to walk in that direction. Especially when it was lunchtime, and she was sure Ryan and Rebecca would be eating there.

She went to the café and ordered sandwiches and a coffee for herself. The sandwiches would take time owing to Veronica's special request for extra cheese, pepperoni, and no cabbage. She sipped her coffee and rummaged her bag for her phone that had just received a text from her mom. No, honey, I guess I will be late again today. You and Veronica have dinner. At least her mom wasn't upset over her anymore. Her mother had seen Zara go back to studies and had decided to drop the birthday fiasco.

Zara knew her mom was working overtime so as to afford her tuition fees. She thought of working part-time in the summer vacation so as to share the load. She replied, Okay, Mom. I'll be at Veronica's place, eat something, and don't let your stupid boss make you work too much. Love you.

When she looked up, she saw a black car parked outside the café. She wasn't sure if it was Ryan's car, so she thought of getting a good look at it. She walked to the car and looked at herself in the windowpane. It was indeed Ryan's. She looked around, but he wasn't there. Against her better judgment, she ran her hand through the car. Memories of her birthday night flooded her vision. She recalled of the long drive, how he had lifted her to sit on the car's bonnet, how it had felt to be embraced by his strong muscular hands, if only for a moment, how he had made her feel special and wanted. She tore her eyes away from the car and continued walking.