by S. Moose
“Are you seriously wearing that to class?”
I turn around and look at Katy “Why do my clothes bother you?”
“Because you have the cutest body and you hide it behind baggy clothes.”
I lift my legs in the air, “See, I’m showing off these babies today.”
She rolls her eyes at me, “What about your other girls? Seriously Zara, it won’t hurt to wear some of the clothes your mom got you.”
I look at my closet and see the cute dresses and tops. I want to dress cute and show off my body, but I don’t want the attention. I couldn’t deal with the gazing eyes and focus. It’s hard enough when I have people watching me when I play.
“I’ll see you later!” I blow a kiss to Katy and head outside, ready to take on back to back classes for the next few hours.
After my first two classes, English and math, I pull a banana from my bag and head to class number three. An arm is soon around my shoulders and I look up with see Jackson staring down at me.
“Morning love,” he says, taking a bite of my banana.
“Morning Jackson,” I sweetly smile.
"So today’s your first day. How's it going?"
I tell him about my first two classes and tell him that since the team mostly has morning and early afternoon classes, our practices are mostly going to be at night.
"I'm glad it's going well. So you and Treston." Immediately my eyes glare at him. "Oh that look," he laughs, "You're letting him get to you."
"What the hell are you talking about?" I’m trying hard to not slap my ex boyfriend slash best friend in the face. I have no idea what his game is, but I don’t like it.
"I know you, Zara. You hardly ever let guys get to you. So what's up?"
"Nothing," I answer him, "He's annoying and I don't like him."
"Why?"
"Well, I mean, he was rude to me at the party and then kept stealing my fries."
"Ah, I see. Well, he apologized about the party right?" I nod, "Then he did give you some of his fries, yes?" I nod again.
"You're my ex and he's your friend. How are we having this conversation? You do realize we’re the most messed up exes right?”
“That’s what makes us unique. Even though we aren’t together we’re still close and I care about you. So back to Treston.”
“What are you trying to do?"
"Nothing,” he laughs, “I know when my friend is interested in someone."
"I'm not interested." How can I be interested in the school's man whore? Sure he's sexy as hell and I love how he makes my body shiver and the way his deep voice makes me sigh. That doesn't matter. "We just met. I don't even think we're friends."
"Don't let what we had stop you from living. I know we just broke up, but there's no rule that says you have to wait to move on. I'm okay and so are you. If you want to like him, then like him."
I throw up my hands in the air, "Who? What? Huh?"
"Exactly," Jackson touches my cheek and kisses my forehead.
I groan, "Gotta go to class. I’ll talk to you later.”
I walk out of the building and to another building where my history class is. Racing up the stairs, I walk inside to the air conditioned heaven. Checking the time on my watch, I run to the vending machine for a bottle of water before walking into class. I thread through the bodies of students and find an empty seat in the back row.
I hate sitting in the front of the classroom. I’m already getting attention when playing lacrosse, I don’t want it in class. Plus, when you’re sitting in the front, the professor is morelikely to call on you.
Taking out my pen and notebook, I get comfortable in the chair when I feel someone staring at me. Looking over, I see sexy blue eyes finding mine. I run my hands over my shorts and focus on breathing. This isn’t happening. Why the hell is he in my class?
CHAPTER 5
TRESTON
MY ALARM BLARES AT SIX A.M., FORCING me to get out of bed. Dragging my ass up, I put on shorts and a hoodie, my sneakers and grab my phone and ear buds, heading outside for my morning run. The loud music blares in my ears, drowning out my inner thoughts of Zara. The voices and her smile are loud this morning. Shit. Focus Parker, I shout at myself.
Just one more mile.
I push myself, feeling the ache of my muscles throughout my body. I finish my run and head back to the house. I still have time to get ready and relax before history. History. Fucking kidding me. As a senior who needs to take a class with freshmen, it’s not my idea of fun, but something I need. Going back to school and practicing, prepping for my final year, keeps me busy. As soon as I settle down and things are quiet, the words hit me and her face comes to my head. I need to be successful this year.
“Promise me you won’t stop trying. You’re so smart, Treston. I don’t want my death to impact your life.”
I touch Emily’s face and softly kiss her lips. “How can you say that?”
“Because even though I’m gone you’re still here. You have your whole life ahead of you. Don’t stop living.”
Keep focus I repeat this to myself. Shutting out Emily’s words from my head. In a lot of ways I know she’s right. I know I have to keep going.
Heading inside and to the left, I walk into class and decide sitting in the back is the best thing to do this semester. I hate sitting in the front of class. Makes you feel vulnerable and the professor feels the need to call you out when they see fit.
Then I see her, my feisty and sassy girl. Automatically, I sit down next to her and hear a little gasp coming from those lips, causing me to smile. Before I could say anything, I hear that sweet little voice.
“What are you doing in my class? You’re a senior. Oh wait knowing how you are you probably failed am I right?” I look at her, tilting my head.
I hold onto my chest and let out a dramatic gasp, “You wound me, baby." She rolls her eyes, "Since you care so much about my studies I need this class to graduate.”
“Oh. So you decided to sit next to me? I’m not going to help you cheat, Treston.”
“Didn’t ask you to nor do I need to. Maybe if you took a few minutes to know me you’ll know how much I enjoy history. But since you’re so kind,” I slide over my notebook to her, “You can take notes for me. I like your handwriting better.” I stretch out my arms and relax in my chair. The look on her face is priceless. I love messing with her. She's not boring and takes my shit instead of laughing like a hyena.
“You’re kidding me right?” She harshly whispers. “I’m not one of your groupies. Why don’t you find one of them to takes notes for you? I’m sure you will have no problem finding one in this, or any other class.”
“That’s the thing, baby. I don’t want anyone else doing this for me. We’re in this class together and you live next door to me. Get used to it.”
“You’re such an asshole. Stop calling me baby.”
I tap her nose with my finger, “You love me.”
Class starts and I’m trying to pay attention to what Professor Clarke’s saying about the semester. In the corner of my eye, I look at her.
Immediately Professor Clarke goes into the zone and talks about the class. She says we’ll be working with one other person, of our choice, on a semester long project. The project will have to be extensive research about a specific theme, war and terror, and we’ll have to write a paper and present our findings.
Perfect.
I look over and her mouth is slightly parted. My eyes travel to her chest and I can see she’s breathing a little faster and quicker.
Taking my pen, I lean over and write a note.
You look pretty.
She reads the note and writes thanks. You actually look decent too.
I smile and write admit it you think I’m hot. Just say it Peaches.
No! And what the hell? Peaches?
I'm not sure where that came from either. As soon as I sat down next to her, I smelled her perfume and there's a slight peachy smell.
Yeah Peaches.
I like the name. It fits you.
ZARA.MY NAME IS ZARA.
TO ME YOU ARE PEACHES.
“Oh, it’s going to be fun working with you,” I tell her.
“No.” She shakes her head, “We’re not going to do this project together. I’ll find someone else.”
Professor Clarke asks if we have any questions. I raise my hand and she nods my way. “I would like you to know that I will be working on this project with Zara Borzilleri.”
“Okay Mr. Parker, thank you for letting me and the class know.”
“Asshole,” she mutters under her breath.
“Oh stop, Peaches. You’re making me blush.”
Turning back to what Professor Clarke’s saying, I try my hardest to focus. It’s hard paying any attention during her lecture.
"Come over today so we can start the research. Don't want to get behind, right?"
"I'll think about it," she answers.
"Sounds good. You think and I'll get things ready." She shakes her head, but I see a hint of a smile on her face. For some reason, her smile makes me feel good. Usually women aren't this hard to please. She's different and I want to work for her attention. This isn't someone I could forget or would want to.
When class is over, I follow Zara out and walk her to her next class. I like being near her, she's the calm for the storm in my head.
Before I can ask her to get lunch with me after she's done with class, Henry Baker passes us, "What's going on, Treston?" He extends his hand to me and I take it. I hate the fucker.
"Nothing much, man. You?'
"Same old shit. Hey, I'm Henry Baker."
"Hi," Zara waves, "Zara Borzilleri."
Henry is one of those rich fucking brats who thinks he owns the school. The swagger in his walk and his expensive Ralph Lauren polos, fucking wannabe Abercrombie and Fitch model. He likes to be around the brothers and tries too damn hard to fit in.
"You're the new girl on the lacrosse team, huh?" She nods, causing me to step a little closer to her.
"I can't wait to watch you play at the Invitational." Is this guy serious?
"That's sweet. Thanks, Henry." I look over and clearly can see she's being nice. Well, I'd rather her not be nice to him.
"Gotta walk her to class, man. See you around."
"It was nice meeting you."
"Likewise," he smirks, walking backwards, looking at us before I put my arm around Zara and walk her out of the building.
"Come over tonight. You can relax and do homework with me."
She flashes me her sexy smile, "Fine I'll come over tonight. We can motivate each other."
Oh yes we can.
After my last class, I head to the cafeteria, and find my friends sitting at a table in the corner of the room. Without thinking, I sit down next to Katy, across from Zara.
Before I can say anything, Peony makes her way over to me and sits down. She eyes the girls and then me.
“Treston. I have an hour free, why don’t we head back to my dorm room?”
“For what?”
“Come on,” she laughs, touching my arm.
“Yeah, Treston. You should go and play,” Zara says, staring at me, then back to Katy. Well then, this isn’t going the way I want. Why the hell would she want me to be with Peony?
“I’d rather stay here, Peaches.”
“Peaches?” Peony asks, “Is that your name?” She glares at Zara.
“Calm down, Peony. It’s a nickname. No reason for you to get all cranky and pissy.” Damn, she’s feisty.
“Whatever she said, Peony. Now go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Fine. Whatever.” She rolls her eyes and leaves the cafeteria.
After Peony leaves, I eye Zara and put my arm around Katy. A smirk crosses my face, as I take food from Katy’s plate and pop it in my mouth.
"I'm surprised you're not following her," she remarks, "Seriously, what's the point in hooking up? I never understood that."
"I'm not technically hooking up. See, hooking up means sex. I'm just messing around with them. I don't have a girlfriend and I'm pretty sure these girls are willing." I tell her, keeping my eyes on her, "Why do you care anyways, Peaches? Afraid I won't pay attention to you anymore?" Eyeing her body, seeing the annoyed look on her face is the best. "You have nothing to worry about. You're my number one."
"Sucks to be you, since you are definitely not even in my top one hundred."
"Ouch, baby. You can wound me with your words, but you and I both know how you really feel. You'll see. I will be your number one soon too," I wink, pissing her off even more.
Henry soon joins us and he pulls a chair out, sitting next to Zara. Oh hell no. What the fuck is this asshole thinking?
"Hey, Zara. I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner tonight with me?"
I glare at the two of them and grind my teeth. I have to force myself not to climb over the table and grab his polo wearing ass out of the seat. I sense Katy looking at me with a smirk on her face.
"Dude, she's busy tonight."
"I am?"
"She is?" Katy asks, "No Treston, you have it wrong. Coach only wants us to be in the gym tonight, so no practice. I think it'll be cute if she and Henry go on a little date."
Staring at her, thinking about ways to kill her, my focus is back on Peaches. "She's busy with homework. You said you'd come over." I remind her.
She cocks her head to the right and gives me the evil shut the fuck up look. Damn, my girl is feisty.
"Oh, that's right." She turns to Henry, "I'd love to go out tonight."
Hell. No.
CHAPTER 6
ZARA
I DON'T REALLY WANT to go out tonight with Henry, but today pissed me off. Who the hell does Treston think he is? Ugh. The nerve of his arrogant ass. I know I told him I’d go over and study, but we just got the assignment and it’s a semester long so whatever he’s doing isn’t going to work. I’m not going to fall for his charms.
Pulling out a cute, dark green dress and a jean jacket, I change into my outfit and sit at my vanity.
Katy and Jamie walk in and plop themselves on the beds. "So, you're really going out with Henry?" I nod. "Treston freaked out today, Jamie. You should've seen it."
"I can't believe it. Zara, I have no idea what you did, but that boy has it bad for you."
I turn and face my two idiot best friends. "First, no. Treston and I are acquaintances. Who cares if I think he's sexy as hell? Nothing will ever happen. He annoys the ever living shit out of me and I hate the sight of him. Seriously, he's constantly on his man period and I've just met him!"
And it's true. Treston gets on my last nerve. I have no idea who the hell he thinks he is trying to tell me what to do and interfere. My phone rings before I get back to my makeup.
Jackson: You're going out with Henry tonight?
Me: Yep!
Seriously, what the hell is up with people today? Is Jackson going to tell me what to do also?
Jackson: Really? Abercrombie? LOL
Me: Oh shut up! He seems nice...
Jackson: Right ;) have fun listening to him talk about himself
Me: Ugh, go away!
I finish my makeup and grab my purse. "All right ladies. I'll see you later!"
"Have fun!" They both yell, laughing and smiling. I have no idea what's so funny or why my current love life, no wait, dating life, is so important.
When I get downstairs, the door opens and in walks Henry. He's wearing a dark blue v- neck with cargo shorts. I don't see what people think is wrong with him.
"You look really pretty," he tells me, taking my hand. "Ready?"
"Yeah."
We walk to his sleek, black Audi and he opens the door for me. See, what a gentleman! It’s not hard to be nice. Treston should take lessons since he obviously missed the How to Be A Gentleman course.
When he gets in, he starts driving and turns on his music from his iPhone.
"So, what are you feeling like tonight? Sushi? Mex
ican?"
I tap my chin and think. "Let's do sushi."
Henry takes my hand in his, stroking the top of my hand with his thumb, and nods his head. "Sushi it is for my beautiful date."
The food is really good here and I make a mental note to come back. It's a contemporary sushi restaurant with a New York City feel with contemporary colors and flashy food items like the pink bomb which is salmon and scallion. How do the chefs come up with these names?
"So that's why I want to get into the business with my dad. What do you think?"
My eyes snap to his. Oh yeah I was supposed to be listening to him talk about himself. Right. "I think it's great, Henry."
“Thank you. I do believe I’ll be a great addition to my dad’s company. I’ve been submitting plans to him…”
I'm trying hard to pay attention and listen to what he's saying. But I’m so bored. I look at the fork and think about stabbing myself in the thigh so we can end this date or whatever this is called.
Since we got here it’s been all about him. For a second he asked about me and my interests. When I brought up lacrosse I could see the confusion on his face.
“Tell me more about yourself. What are you studying?”
“Education with special education,” I tell him, feeling proud of that fact. “I want to get into coaching too.”
"So, you want to be a teacher?"
"Yeah. I want to work with little kids, especially kids with learning disabilities. There are so many different ways to learn instead of having the teacher standing in front of the room and telling their students what they should know. I want to be the type of teacher who inspires her students and watches them grow."
"But how can you inspire children?"
"By making them want to learn. A great teacher will come up with ideas for her students. They’ll research different learning techniques and demonstrate those techniques in class. When you open a child’s imagination so many positive things can happen."
"Oh okay," his confused tone is annoying. I guess not everyone sees my passion for teaching and instilling values in kids.
