Age Is Just a Number by Jeffery zedd

Chapter 10 

Zara’s POV: 

“You saw William kissing another girl?” Nina asks. 

I nod furiously. Right now, I’m in her room, Inhaling Oreo after Oreo, hoping it will kill me at some point. 

She sat there and stared at me while I drowned in sorrow. “I got a meeting with the dean of Princeton this Friday,” I said, causing her to choke on her Oreo. 

“You what?” she yells, and I nod my head. She pauses to analyze the situation. That’s what Nina does; she always over–examines things. “You aren’t going to turn it down, are you?” 

I lifted a brow. “What makes you think that?” 

“Do I really have to say his name?” she asks. 

I 

I shake my head, inhaling more Oreo. I love this stuff. I grab another one, only to find the whole container empty. “Fucking shitas,” I mumble, throwing myself back, hoping the Oreos inside my mouth choke me. I sat up and quickly finished all the Oreos. “I’m doing it. I’m doing the interview.” 

“Really?” 

Inhaling a breath, I gave her a confident nod. “I’m going to move on with my life. Life isn’t all about William YI! If he can’t see how fucking amazing I am, then it’s his loss! I’m going to take that damn test and get a boyfriend. go to Princeton, and he makes him regret he lost all of this,” I said, throwing my arms all over my body. 

She nods, “Yeah, that’s my girl,” she said, throwing me a high five. 

I throw the blanket off and stand up straight, stomping my feet a few times. “I will do it!” 

My body jumps back when I hear a pounding on the other side of the wall. “Shut up! Do your inspirational speech elsewhere, Nina’s older sister, Amanda, screams. 

1 pound the wall back. “I’m confident right now!” 

She pounds back, “Be confident somewhere else!” 

I turn back toward Nina. “You break my wall. You pay for it.” 

“Well, you know what?” I said. 

“What?” 

III 

1/4 

Chapter 10 

eyes. 

“I ain’t got no money,” I said, pretending to throw out money with my hands, causing her to roll her 

Quickly, Friday rolls around the corner. I tug down the red skirt, then back up my black blouse, my mind wondering if what I’m wearing is good enough. I throw on a simple silver necklace and earrings. “You can do this, Zara,” I told myself. 

My legs move to the living room, seeing dad pass out on the couch. “Dad, I’m leaving,” I said. 

He continues to ignore me. 

“I may go to Princeton,” I mumble. 

He didn’t respond. 

Digging into the large purse, I found my keys and locked the house. I shake my head. “You can do this, Zara!” I told myself, black heels clicking on the sidewalk. 

I hear a motorcycle roar and wave my hands, seeing Randy. My eyes widened when I saw William with his girlfriend, along with Anthony and Drew. William stands there, lifting a brow at me as he crosses his arms. Anthony and Drew quickly turned their attention towards me, along with his girlfriend. 

Why are they all doing this here on a Friday night?! 

Calm down, Zara; act cool. 

Act cool. Act cool. 

And I fucking trip. 

Quickly, I stood up and fixed myself, avoiding all contact, and walked towards Randy. 

“Smoooooth,” he said, glancing at the group. 

He points at William, “Is that him? Is that William?” 

I slapped his hand down. “Shut up and drive.” I hiss slowly. 

Randy cocked a brow at me, turning his head towards the group, apparently staring at them while I nudged his shirt. “Hi, William!” 

William tilts his head. 

I grab my bag and start hitting Randy, who’s laughing his ass off. “Ass,” I growled. 

Turning towards them, William continues to look at us in a disapproving manner. My eyes widened. when I saw him marching towards us, along with the other three. 

You can do this, Zara. 

Zara. 

1/4 

Act casual. 

Be cool. Be cool. 

Don’t let them find out what you’re doing. 

William halts and studies Randy, who casually smiles at him. Randy hops off his motorcycle and throws his helmet down. “Hi! You must be William! I heard a lot about you!” Randy said, throwing out a hand. 

William’s eves shot downward and he took his hand. Randy flinched, “I can’t say the 

She about you.” 

The blonde girl’s eyes analyze my body and snort. I look down, wondering if I chose the wrong outfit for a meeting with the dean of Princeton. 

William clears his throat, catching our attention. “Where are you guys going?” he asked. 

“We are going out on a datel” Randy said it happily. 

I twist my head towards him while he lifts an arm around my shoulder, pulling me inward. 

“A date?” William spoke slowly, emphasizing the two words. He stares at the arm around my shoulder, then backs up at me. “You’re going out on a date?” 

Randy grins, “Yes!” 

“I’m not talking to you,” William states. 

Randy’s eyes narrow at William. He doesn’t like it when someone “talks down” on him. It usually ends up with fists in someone’s mouth. 

Randy releases a low laugh and stands up straight, but William still overpowers him by a good few inches. “Zara is going to be my woman soon, so we speak one voice,” he said.. 

I punch his arm, “I don’t think so.” 

I turn back toward them. “Mind giving us a second,” I chuckle out nervously, pulling Randy back, who was still eyeing William. 

“What are you doing? Randy?” I whisper. 

“Showing that asshole something,” he responds, whispering. 

“What do you mean?” 

“I’m showing him that you aren’t going to be in the market forever, he said. 

“But-” 

“Follow my lead. Plus, you don’t want them to know about Princeton, right?” He throws his arms 

८ 

3/4 

Chapter 10 

around me. He leans toward my ear. “Smile,” he whispers, and I plant the usual fake smile on my face. 

“Well, we have to go. It was nice meeting you all,” Randy said, then looked at me. 

1 giggle nervously, but yell when Randy pinches my side. “Well! Bye!” I said, pulling him towards the motorcycle. 

My body shivers when I feel an overly daring glare burning in the back of my head. Randy jumps onto his motorcycle, and I hop on, ignoring the permanent holes. Randy hands me his helmet, and I look at him. “What about you?” I ask, and he merely waves me off. 

He turns around and wiggles the helmet onto my head. He smiles. “Your safety is the priority,” he says. “Wrap your arms around me, okay?” He patted the helmet, and I did as he told me. 

I instantly feel the wind crashing on every part of my body, and I understand why Randy decided to purchase a motorcycle instead of a car. It feels incredible and free. 

Damn, I want a motorcycle. 

After some time of Randy’s crazy driving, we reach the restaurant. I take off his helmet and shove it back into his chest, fixing my hair. “You’re really doing this?” he asks, handing me the purse. 

I 

I nod. “You’re right; I can’t be a kid following a guy who will never notice me forever.” 

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