Chapter Part 11
The rest of the day went by smoothly without anyone calling or texting Zoe about such an embarrassing video. Her mum Lilian was back early from work as they both sat on the sofa with her head on her lap watching the tv.
Dad, and Like we’re not back yet. Zoe wanted to tell her all that happened during the party but every time she tried, she was overwhelmed with so much guilt and the thought of her looking at her like she was becoming a slut.
Her mum Lilian and her best friend Dora were the only best friends she had in the world. Which is to say she always told them everything but what if she judged her this time? Zoe knew she couldn’t handle that. The guilt was worse because dad knew nothing. She hoped by Tuesday the guilt would be easier to deal with and things would probably go back to the way it was.
She can accept being the nerd they bullied rather than being the one they humiliated over an edited video, Zoe thought hard.
“””””””””
Tuesday morning rolled by faster than Zoe expected. She was brushing her teeth before she went to school when mum came into the bathroom. ”I’m living for work already? Your food is at the dinner table.” Mum said. ”Have a great day at work!” Zoe said.
”Is everything alright Zoe? You seem like something has been bothering you lately.” Lilian said. Zoe knew Liliam knew her like the back of her finger! What if she had observed her mood ever since? This was something she didn’t want her to find out.
Zoe could hear her footsteps going close to the reflection in her room, she must be checking out her makeup. Zoe spits some toothpaste out before answering her.
”I’m fine mum, don’t worry about anything.” she finally said, hoping Lilian buys my impression. She was done brushing her teeth as she came out of the bathroom. ”Okay, baby Zoe, have a good day at school.” She said giving Zoe a perk on the cheeks before exiting her room.
At school, Rico was waiting for her by the locker. She paused to turn feeling embarrassed but he already saw her. She paused, took a deep breath then continued walking toward her locker. ”Hey, Zoe? You look pretty today,” Rico said.
She knew he must have seen the video and was trying to cheer her up. ”Did you see the video?” She asked feeling really stupid for asking. ”What video are you talking about Zoe? I mean my phone battery has been down since yesterday, I left it at home by the way.” Rick finally said.
”Oh God, thank you.” she said, feeling a sigh of relief.
”What video don’t you want me to see?” Rico asked. ”No video actually,” Zoe quickly said, hoping he didn’t catch a hint. Zoe knew she was such a bad liar. Later during the dance practice class, she kept on explaining everything that happened at the party as Dora gave a listening ear while eating cheesecakes.
”Do you know what is going on in my head?” Dora asked.
”No, I don’t?” Zoe responded,” Don’t you think since Lisa made you play the game, she must have had every little thing planned out?” She asked, staring into Zoe’s eyes. ”I know Lisa does pick on me but what does she gain in doing all these things?” She asked Dora.
”Dude, she didn’t want to humiliate you. I guess but I surmise she thought the game was going to fall on both her and Alex as a partner. Then maybe If her plan did work out she already had a camera to video both of them smooching each other.” Dora finally said.
”I absolutely don’t get where your point is going?” Zoe asked, still confused. ”Don’t act dumb with me girl,” Dora said staring at her nails. ”Do you mean Lisa likes Alex and wanted to video them so she could share it on the net?” Zoe said feeling disgusted.
”Yes, exactly?” Dora said.
”My nails feel dirty and I haven’t been to the spa for a long time, do you want to come? My treat.” Dora offered. ”Nah, I can’t go with you, I have work after school.” Zoe said, staring at my nails.
”Wow, I think dance class was going to be fun today, I think we have a new member.” Dora said. Zoe raised her head to see who, low and behold Alex was who she was talking about.
He was inside the dance hall talking to some new friends he probably made. She never realized he was In the dance hall with her! She quickly swivels around to face Dora, so he doesn’t notice the way she stares at Nathan.
”Do you think the practice would fully commence today?” she asked, trying to gain her attention but Dora was staring at Alex. ”I know that guy he is talking to but who is he?” She kept saying like someone who had lost her freaking mind.
Zoe kept mumbling So many things to gain her attention but it was all lost. ”I need to gather the rest of the team, they are not here,” she said, trying to stand up but Zoe was fast to grab her by the hand.
“Hey, Uhm, what about Parker?” Zoe asked, feeling glad that she got her attention. ”Common, we just had little lovers fight no big deal,” Dora blurted out.
”Dora, you had a fight with Parker and I had no freaking idea?” Zoe said feeling betrayed. ”We didn’t really fight, just a misunderstanding.” She said as she pulled her arms out of Zoe’s grip.
Zoe watched as she stood up and walked towards Alex. She bit on her bottom lips nervously, she could not hear one bit of their conversation but something Dora said made him smile and Zoe was curious to find out.
She didn’t want to be seen by Alex and she couldn’t turn out to be a creep as well. She hid behind two tall guys that gymed a lot and played basketball! Probably making everything less creepy.
She peeped to see Dora walking away from Alex with a smile on her face. Zoe sighed in relief. She happened to gaze in Alex’s direction and he was looking back at her.
“Crap!” she coughed.
The guys she was standing behind turned to stare at her, they probably looked agitated.
”Uhh, sorry!” she apologized as she stalked away from them. She sat down on a bench feeling stupid. She was about to leave, she turned to notice Alex standing there with a smirk on his face.
He strolled towards her as she instantly felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave by all means but Zoe knew she couldn’t keep running away all her life.
”Who is she?” he asked, nodding in the direction of Dora who was talking to Parker’s friends. ”My Best Friend actually, so what do you want?” she asked, the question coming out more mean than she ever intended.
”Hey, what’s up with the attitude?” He asked with a laugh that made Zoe roll her eyes before talking. ”I can’t be seen with you or talking to you.” she said, staring at her legs.
”What do you mean by that?” Alex asked perplexed. ”Why don’t you just mind your business and stay away from me?” Zoe said while walking away.
”Oh, come on! I thought we were friends after what happened at my house?” Alex said. ”Back off Alex and f*****g stay away from me,” Zoe said leaving the practice room.