chapter 56

When Ryan didn't show up for a few days, Zara consoled herself that he would come around. However, the days blurred into a month, and there was no sign of him. Zara was going mad, thinking Ryan had left her for good but then scolding herself that he wasn't hers to leave in the first place. She could hardly concentrate on classes or school. She had barely escaped getting grounded by her mom for a week for missing school and was now thinking how her life had changed after meeting someone. Surely, she was better than those girls who would weep on their beds, crying for someone.

She pulled herself together and tried focusing on studies again. However, her mind wouldn't stop. She felt an unnatural connection to Ryan, an inexplicable thread that tied her to him. Veronica had tried improving Zara's mood by getting her favorite food, movies, and whatnot, but Zara was behaving strangely for a girl who had vowed to never be mad for a guy. Finally, V announced, "Let's go shopping."

"What, it's month-end! We both are broke." 

"Well, you don't need money to go shopping, honey."

Despite multiple protests, Zara found her seated beside Veronica, who pulled up her car outside the dollar store. She asked Zara to go shopping while she spoke to the owner. Zara grabbed a few items and put them in her bag when nobody was watching. Veronica continued talking to the owner suggestively as Zara made her way out of the store. 

She giggled at Veronica, who motioned her to run for the car as she kept the owner busy looking elsewhere. Zara reached the car and was putting the items inside when a hand caught the bag.

"That is stealing, miss."

Panicked, Zara dropped the bag. As she picked the bag and got up, her eyes traveled the length of long legs, strong hands, and a loose black shirt before she met a pair of brown eyes. A handsome young man stood between her and the car's door. 

Zara tried to keep a calm face and spoke, "Do you work here?"

"No, but I believe you aren't a person who steals."

"See...Mr-"

"Jake," the boy supplied.

"See, Mr. Jake, I don't need your advice on anything. I am doing this for my crazy friend standing at the counter," said Zara pointing at Veronica.

"Okay, Miss-"

"Zara"

"Miss Zara, it was nice meeting you. I would suggest you try going to the other store down the road to the left. They have much better variety besides I don't think you wear boys' clothes."

Jake winked and left.

Zara took a second to register what Jake had said. She checked the bag and saw that she had indeed, in her haste, grabbed boy shorts and vests."

By the time she looked up, Jake had left. Veronica came to the car with a sheepish grin on her face. "Well, the owner is pretty cheesy. He wanted my number, but I gave him the number of Principal Wood."

"You did not."

"Of course not, silly, some random number that popped in my head."

"Now, where's our haul?"

"Well, it's a waste. I grabbed stuff from the men's section."

"Oh no," sighed Veronica dramatically. "We'll make good use of it someday. By the way, it was fun, don't you think?"

"Yup, it was, thanks V."

"No problem, dear. Well, actually, we need to find a better store. All they had was garbage."

"Hmm... There's a store down the road to the left with a better variety."

"How do you know?"

"A random passerby told me."

"Z...what are you hiding?"

Zara then recounted the incident with Jake.

"Wow, sweet sixteen is showering you with cool boys. "First, Mr. Hotness and now, Mr. No nickname yet."

A dull ache rose in Zara's heart at the mention of Ryan. It had been nearly a month since she had seen him. Rumors were ripe of Ryan not liking the small town and returning to San Francisco forever. Even Zara was beginning to think the same.

Veronica and Zara barged into the school cafeteria and ordered cheese sandwiches, coke, and chips. They waited for what seemed like an eternity before a boy holding a large tray of food appeared before them.

"Sorry, ladies, we are a bit occupied today," said a familiar voice.

Veronica looked at the boy quizzically and asked, "Since when has Mr. Turner started employing people? It's a self-help cafeteria."

"Jake, what are you doing here?" asked Zara.

Veronica's eyes danced when she registered the name.

"Hi Zara, I am Mr. Turner's grandson. He is growing old, so I thought I should come over and help him."

Veronica jumped in, "So what are your thoughts about this place?"

He smiled and said, "I was told by Grandpa that the place is interesting. I didn't know until today just how interesting it could be," eyeing Zara. He then went back to the counter, leaving Zara stunned.

Zara blinked, and Veronica practically bounced on her chair. "Wow, how cool is that? Mr interesting is very...very interesting."

Zara ate her food while her eyes followed Jake all over the cafeteria as he continued working. He had an athletic build and wore a loose sleeveless shirt. More than once, he used his shirt to wipe the sweat on his forehead, revealing a perfect six-pack. Their eyes met, and Zara quickly looked away.

There was a loud thud on their table, and both the girls saw Rebecca, the basketball team's cheerleader, stand with her hands on her hips. Rebecca was glaring at Zara. Veronica stood up and matched her stance, "What are you doing here, pom-pom?"

Zara stifled a giggle. Rebecca ignored Veronica and pointed her finger at Zara threateningly, "Oh, you find it funny? The school has a dearth of good-looking boys, and you have practically scared one to never come back again. I have to meet him outside school as he won't come here. I'm not letting you do the same to him" and waved her thumb in Jake's direction.

"Thank you for your concern, big sissy. You better watch out your boyfriend, who is too comfortable letting your best friend sit on his lap," shouted Veronica. 

Rebecca dismissed Veronica, "He is old news. I am warning you, keep away from Jake."

"Get lost, Rebecca; maybe if you had focused more on your studies, you wouldn't be our senior despite studying in the same class for two years in a row," stated Zara. Fuming, Rebecca left their table and headed straight for Jake. She flirted with Jake, who laughed at her jokes. He kept glancing at Zara, but Zara packed her stuff and dragged Veronica.

"What happened? Don't tell me you got intimidated by that ugly bi-…ugly witch." Veronica corrected herself halfway through the sentence.

"No, V, I want to focus on studies. I don't want to get caught up in this mess." She didn't state that her heart was still waiting for Ryan, and though Jake was a nice guy, she was sure he would leave her too. Just like her dad, just like Ryan.

They headed for their class and took their respective seats. The seat beside Zara was still empty, and she could recall her earlier conversation with Ryan. Zara was brought out from her reverie when she heard Jake's voice.

"Mind if I take the seat? Everywhere else is full."

"What? Yes…I mean no… please sit."

Veronica whispered from the desk behind Zara, "Hey Jake, are you studying here?"

"Yup, Grandpa convinced me to get enrolled. He has been looking after the cafeteria for years, so Principal Wood granted me special permission."

"Cool, why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"Well, I wasn't sure if you guys would be comfortable around me after Rebecca."

"Rebecca? You heard our conversation with her?"

Jake laughed, "Apparently everyone did. She was an inch away from broadcasting her threat to Zara on live television."

Veronica choked on laughter, and Zara giggled. Jake's eyes crinkled with happiness. "Great, Friends?" asked Jake and extended his hand that Veronica grabbed quickly. He looked at Zara, who was painfully reminded of a similar conversation with a different boy. She only nodded her head in approval, and Jake took his hand back.