Chapter 108 Is there something on my face??
Chapter 108 Is there something on my face??
ZOE'S POINT OF VIEW
The teacher continued with the lesson, and slowly, the classroom settled down.I tried to focus on the board, but it wasn't easy.
For one thing, Vanessa was still sitting beside me.For another, I could feel Maya's occasional glance in her direction.
I decided to ignore both of them.
Miss Gloria began explaining a biology topic, drawing a simple diagram on the board as he spoke.
“Today, we're going to continue with genetics and inheritance. By the end of this lesson, you should be able to explain how certain traits are passed from parents to their offspring.”I opened my notebook and started writing.
The lesson wasn't particularly difficult for me. I'd studied most of it before, but I still paid attention.
Beside me, Vanessa was unusually quiet.She occasionally leaned forward to look at my notes, then returned her attention to the board.
A few minutes later, I felt something touch my hand and I looked down.
Vanessa had gently taken my hand.I immediately looked at her and she smiled.
“You have really soft hands,” she whispered.I stared at her.
What was happening?I slowly pulled my hand back......a little uncomfortable.
“Thank you?”She laughed quietly.
Maya glanced at us.I could practically see the question in her eyes.
I turned back toward the board.The teacher continued explaining the difference between dominant and recessive traits, and I copied the examples into my notebook.
The class went on like that for what felt like forever.
Eventually, the bell rang and everyone immediately began packing their books.I closed my notebook and placed it inside my bag.
Vanessa turned toward me.
“So are you going home now?”
“Not immediately.”She tilted her head.
“Why?”
“I have something to do.”
“Oh.”She hesitated.
“Can I drop you off?”I looked at her.
“No, thank you.”She smiled.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”I continued packing.
I could feel her looking at me.When I finally glanced sideways, she was already smiling.
“I guess I'll see you tomorrow,” she said.
“Yeah.”She stood and picked up her bag.
“Bye, Zoe.”
“Bye.”She walked toward the door.I watched her leave.
Something about the way she'd been acting all day continued to bother me.
Maya suddenly sighed beside me.
“I don't know if it's only me…”I looked at her.
“But she's really bad at pretending.”I laughed softly.
“You think she's pretending?”Maya gave me a look.
“Zoe.”
“What?”
“She went from barely tolerating you to holding your hand, bringing you food and asking to drive you home.”I shrugged.
“Maybe she's actually trying to change.”
“Or maybe she's trying to make you believe she has.”I didn't answer.
Maya sighed.
“Anyway, forget her.”She suddenly looked excited.
“Oh! I almost forgot.”
“What?”
“Today is my parents' wedding anniversary.”I smiled.
“Really?”
“Yes!”She grinned.
“We're having a little family celebration at home. I have to get there early because my mom is already stressing everyone out.”I laughed.
“So you're leaving?”
“Unfortunately.”She grabbed her bag.
“I wish you could come.”I raised an eyebrow.
“Your dad?”She groaned.
“Don't remind me.”I laughed.
“Your dad still hates me.”
“He doesn't hate you.”
“He does.”
“He just doesn't understand you.”
“That's another way of saying he hates me.”Maya laughed.
“I'll convince him.”
“You won't.”
“I might.”
“Maya…”She smiled.
“Fine. Maybe next time.”We both started walking toward the door.
“Happy anniversary to your parents.”
“Thank you.”She hugged me briefly.
“Take care of yourself, okay?”
“I will.”
“And don't let Vanessa fool you.”I rolled my eyes.
“You really don't trust her.”
“Nope.”She pointed at me.
“And you shouldn't either.”I smiled.
“I'll be careful.”
“Good.”She waved and walked away.
I watched her disappear down the hallway before turning and that's when I heard my name.
“Zoe.”I turned around and saw Seth standing a few feet away.
“Hey.”He smiled slightly.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“I noticed you were sleeping earlier.”I nodded.
“I was tired.”
“I wanted to wake you.”
“Why didn't you?”He shrugged.
“You looked like you needed the rest.”I smiled.
“Thank you.”He stepped closer.
“I just wanted to make sure you're okay.”
“I am.”He studied my face for a moment then he smiled.
“You look really beautiful today.”I felt warmth creep into my cheeks.
“Thank you.”
“I mean it.”I laughed softly.
“I know.”He smiled.
We started walking out of the classroom together.For a few minutes, our conversation was easy.
We talked about school,We laughed about something stupid that happened during class.For the first time all day, I felt completely relaxed then I heard footsteps behind us and turned.
Andy was walking out of the classroom with Carl and Diego.
He stopped immediately his eyes landed on Seth then on me.His expression changed.
I frowned slightly.Why was he glaring at us.
He didn't say anything but simply looked at us for another second before turning away.Carl and Diego exchanged a glance and followed him.
I watched them disappear around the corner.
I think Seth noticed my expression.
“Everything okay?”I quickly looked back at him.
“Yeah.”I didn't know why Andy's reaction bothered me but somehow, it did.
Seth smiled.
“I can ride you home.”I shook my head.
“Andy is dropping me off.”His smile disappeared slightly.
“I can drop you off too.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you choosing him?”I laughed.
“It's not like that.”He sighed.
“I know.”There was a short silence then he looked at me.
“I just don't like the idea of you tutoring him.”I raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”He looked away.
“I'm just not comfortable with it.”I smiled.
“He's not that bad.”Seth immediately frowned.
“What do you mean he's not that bad?”I laughed.
“I mean he's not horrible. He's arrogant sometimes, but tutoring him isn't exactly torture.”He rolled his eyes.
“If you ever change your mind, you can tutor me.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
“You're serious?”
“I'll even pay you.”I laughed.
“You're ridiculous.”
“I'll double whatever he's paying.”I shook my head.
“What's wrong with you?”
“I don't know.”He smiled then his expression softened.
“Can I come over later?”
"For bike riding.”I smiled.
“I'd love that.”
“Really?”
“Really.”His face brightened.
“Then I'll see you later.”
“Okay.”He waved and I waved back then he suddenly laughed.
“Wait. We're going the same way.”I laughed.
“Right.”We continued walking together toward the parking lot.
Andy was standing beside his car with his arms folded across his chest.
I slowed down,Seth did the same.For a moment, neither of us said anything.
Andy's eyes moved from Seth to me, then back to Seth.
His expression was unreadable, but there was something about the way he was looking at us that made me uncomfortable.
Seth gave him a small nod but Andy didn't return it.
Instead, he pushed himself away from the car and walked toward us.
“Ready?” he asked me.I nodded.
“Yeah.”Seth glanced at me.
“I'll see you later.”
“Okay.”He walked toward his bike and drove off.
I watched him drive off before turning back to Andy.
“Hey.”I muttered but he just opened the passenger door for me.I smiled slightly.
“Thank you.”He only nodded and I climbed into the car.
A few seconds later, Andy got into the driver's seat.
The moment he started the engine, I noticed something.....He was quiet....His jaw was tense,His hands were firmly wrapped around the steering wheel....I didn't understand what was wrong.
We drove for a few minutes without saying anything.I finally decided to break the silence.
“So…”Nothing.I turned toward him.
“Andy?”
“Hmm?”
“You're quiet.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.”He shrugged.I waited but he didn't say anything else.I sighed and looked out the window.Maybe he was just tired.
A few more minutes passed then, without looking at me, he spoke.
“I didn't know you two were close.”I frowned.
“What?”He kept his eyes on the road.
“You and Seth.”I blinked.
“Oh.”
“We're friends.”He gave a short, humorless laugh.
“Friends?”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”I shrugged.
“I don't know. We've just become friends.”Andy said nothing.
I watched him from the corner of my eye.His expression had become even more serious.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You're clearly upset.”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”He finally glanced at me.
“I said I'm not.”I decided not to argue.
The rest of the drive was quiet.Eventually, the familiar gates of the Charles residence came into view.
The security personnel greeted us as the gates opened.Andy drove inside and parked while I unbuckled my seat belt.
We stepped out of the car and immediately we stepped Inside the house, one of the house staff greeted us warmly.
“Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon,” I replied.Andy nodded.
“I'm going upstairs to change.”He looked at me briefly.
“You should freshen up too.”
“Okay.”He walked toward the stairs.
The housekeeper turned to me.
“Come on, Zoe. You know where the room is.”I followed her.She walked me there and opened the door to the room I'd used before.
A neatly folded outfit was waiting on the bed.
This time, it was a pair of jeans and a beautiful crop top.I stared at it for a moment.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”I took the clothes and went to freshen up.
A little while later, I stepped out wearing the outfit.I stood in front of the mirror.
For some reason, I suddenly felt like putting on a little makeup.I chuckled at myself.
“What's happening to me?”I applied a little lipstick and lightly touched up my brows.
Nothing dramatic....Just enough.
When I stepped outside, the housekeeper's eyes widened.
“Oh, Zoe.”I laughed.
“What?”
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“And that hairstyle suits you so well.”I smiled.
She looked me over playfully.
“I've always liked girls with a little more shape.”I laughed.
“Really?”
“Yes.”We both laughed then I remembered something.
“How is Mrs. Anne?”
“She's doing fine.”She pointed toward the stairs.
“She should be upstairs.”
“Okay.”
“You can go meet Andy when you're ready.”I nodded.
Just then, footsteps came from the stairs.I looked up and saw Andy walking down.
He stopped the moment he saw me and froze.His eyes traveled over me before he quickly looked away.
For a second, neither of us moved then he cleared his throat.
“Come on.”I smiled.
“Okay.”We headed toward the study.
Once inside, we settled at the table and took out our books.Andy looked at me.
“Before we start…”I looked up.
“What?”His expression became serious.
“Don't trust Vanessa.”I blinked.
“Vanessa?”
“I've noticed how she's been clinging to you all day.”I frowned.
“She wants to be my friend.”
“Exactly.”
“And?”
“I don't trust her.”I stared at him.
“Why?”
“I don't know yet.”He leaned back.
“But something isn't right.”I was quiet.
He continued.
“I'm just telling you because I don't want you getting hurt again.”I nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
“Promise me you'll be careful.”
“I will, thanks”He nodded.
“Good.”I opened my textbook.
“Now, enough about Vanessa.”He raised an eyebrow.
“What are we studying?”I smiled.
“Today, we're not doing chemistry.”
“Thank God.”I laughed.
“Don't celebrate yet.”He groaned.
I flipped through my textbook.
“We're going to work on mathematics.”His face immediately fell.
“You're joking.”
“No.”
“You promised not to torture me.”
“I promised to teach you.”
“That sounds like the same thing.”I laughed.
“Sit properly.”He rolled his eyes but obeyed.
I opened the chapter.
“Let's start with the basics.”For the next few minutes, I explained the topic step by step.
Andy paid attention and even took notes.....I paused.
“You're actually writing this down?”He looked at his notebook.
“Yes.”I smiled.
“I'm impressed.”
“Don't get used to it.”I laughed.
We continued.
Every now and then, I caught him looking at me instead of the book.The first few times, I ignored it but eventually, I noticed his eyes kept drifting toward my face.
More specifically…...My lips.I touched my mouth.
“Is there something on my face?”He immediately looked away.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”I narrowed my eyes.
“Okay.”I returned to the lesson but I couldn't help wondering why he had been staring at me.