Chapter 123 Birthday party

Chapter 123 Birthday party
#FRIDAY#

ZOE'S POINT OF VIEW

I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, a tired smile slowly forming on my face.I couldn't believe the week was already over.

It felt like Monday had only just arrived.I stretched beneath my covers before sitting up. The room was still quiet, and sunlight was beginning to creep through the curtains.

As I reached for my phone, I couldn't help thinking about how strange this week had been.

So many things had happened and somehow, the strangest part wasn't even Bianca.....It was Andy.

I don't know when it happened, but somehow, Andy and I had become... close.....like really close.

We'd spent more time together than usual this week, especially during our tutoring sessions, and I'd started noticing little things about him that I hadn't paid attention to before.He had been different too.Softer and more attentive.

Sometimes even surprisingly sweet.And the funny thing was......I actually liked being around him.

I smiled at the thought then there was Seth.

I'd gone bike riding with him twice during the week, and we'd been talking quite a lot through messages too. He hadn't been around me as much as before, but whenever we talked, things felt easy between us.

But strangely enough, even with everything happening with Seth, I found myself thinking about Andy more.I shook my head.

“What's happening to me?”My phone suddenly buzzed and I looked down.

A message.....I picked it up immediately.

Andy: Good morning, beautiful.

I stared at the message and my eyes widened then I giggled.

“Oh my gosh.”I bit my lower lip, trying not to smile too much.

What was he doing?I read the message again.

Good morning, beautiful.

I shook my head and dropped the phone onto my bed.

Andy had been a completely different person these past few days.It was almost like he was another person.

And honestly.......I kind of liked this version of him.I picked up my phone again and typed a reply before placing it beside me.I didn't want to admit how happy that simple message had made me.

I got out of bed and headed toward the bathroom.

After taking my shower, I returned to my room and started getting ready for school.

I packed my books into my bag, checked that I had everything I needed, and slipped into my uniform.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I reached for my lipstick.I hesitated before applying a little red.

I stared at myself.

“Oh my God.”I leaned closer to the mirror.

“This is too loud.”I wiped a little away, then looked again.It still looked bright.

“What if people start talking?”I stared at myself for another second then I shrugged.

“No. I don't care.”A small smile appeared on my face.I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.

“Good morning, Mom.”Mom was already downstairs with Lily.Lily looked up immediately.

“Good morning, sis.”I smiled at her.

“Good morning, Lily. How are you doing?”

“I'm fine.”Mom looked at me and smiled.

She pointed at me, then gave me a thumbs-up.I smiled.

“Thank you, Mom.”She gestured for me to sit beside her.

I shook my head.

“No, Mom. I'm in a hurry.”I checked the time.

“I woke up late. I'm already late for school.”Mom nodded knowingly.

Then she gestured toward me and made a questioning expression.I frowned.

“What?”She pointed at my phone then she made a sleeping gesture.I stared at her.

“You mean last night?”She nodded.

Mom then gestured as if someone had been talking on the phone.I groaned.

“Oh my gosh.”She smiled mischievously and pointed toward the door.

Then she made a heart shape with her fingers.I immediately knew what she meant.

“Mom!”She laughed silently.She pointed at me again and mouthed something.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Is it the cute boy that always comes over?”I covered my face.

“I can't have this conversation right now.”Mom laughed.

I grabbed my bag.

“Sorry, Mom. I'm really in a hurry.”Lily suddenly looked at Mom and then at me.

“Hope you're not stealing my boyfriend.”I burst out laughing.

“Lily!”She giggled.

“I don't have time for you guys.”I hurried toward the door.

“I need to go!”I stepped outside and flagged down a cab.

Once I got inside, I finally relaxed against the seat.

“Westbridge High, please.”The driver nodded and started the car.

As we drove, I looked out the window.It was a good thing I had some cash.

Thanks to Mrs. Anne.She had sent the rest of my tutoring payment, and when Mom and I saw the amount, we were both shocked.

It was more than twice what I had expected.And honestly, it had helped us so much.

Mom had been able to sort out most of the bills we'd been struggling with.

I still hadn't changed my uniform, even though graduation was getting closer, but now I could finally do something about it.

I'd also been able to take care of several other things we'd been putting off.

For the first time in a while, I felt like things were slowly getting better.I smiled as the cab continued toward school.

Soon, the familiar gates of Westbridge High came into view.

The driver pulled over,I paid him, thanked him, and stepped out.

I adjusted my bag and walked through the school entrance.I had barely taken a few steps when I heard my name.

“Zoe!”I turned.Vanessa was standing there.

It looked like she'd been waiting for me....I smiled.

“Hey!”She immediately walked over and hugged me.

“Oh my God, you look pretty!”She pulled back and looked at my face.

“I love your lipstick!”She pointed at my lips.

“The red looks beautiful on you. Look at you—the lady in red!”I laughed.

“Stop it.”We linked arms and started walking toward the classroom.

As we walked, I couldn't help thinking about Vanessa.We'd actually become quite close this week.

And honestly, I felt bad for ever suspecting her.She had been so sweet to me.

Just the day before yesterday, when my period had unexpectedly started and I stained my clothes, Vanessa had immediately given me her hoodie to help me cover up.

She hadn't even made a big deal about it.She had simply helped me.

Maybe Maya had been wrong,Maybe I had judged Vanessa too quickly.....She really did seem sincere.

We entered the classroom together.The room was already noisy.

Students were talking and laughing while others were arranging their books.

Vanessa headed toward her seat and waved at Axel.

“Hey, Axel.”He looked up and smiled.

“Hey.”I glanced around.

Maya was already seated, but something about her immediately caught my attention.She looked moody......Really moody.

I walked over.

“Hey, Maya. What's up?"She barely looked at me.

“Fine.”I frowned.

“Are you okay?”She shrugged.

I was about to sit down when I looked toward the back of the classroom.

Andy was already looking at me....Not casually,He was staring.The moment our eyes met, he winked at me and immediately my heart skipped.

I quickly bit my lip and looked away before anyone could notice my smile.

I sat down immediately then I looked around Seth wasn't in class yet.....That was strange.

He was usually one of the early ones.Alicia was already there, though.I turned toward Maya.

“Okay, seriously. What's wrong with you?”Maya finally looked at me.

“Oh, really?”I blinked.

“What?”

“Now you're asking me if everything is okay?”I frowned.

“Come on, Maya. What's that supposed to mean?”She sighed.

“Zoe, we need to talk.”

“About what?”She looked at me seriously.

“Am I really your friend?”My expression softened.

“Of course you are.”

“You don't act like it anymore.”

“Maya…”

“You remember what I told you about Vanessa?”I nodded.She lowered her voice.

“I'm telling you again. Don't trust her.”I sighed.

“Maya, she's been nice to me.”

“That's exactly what I'm worried about.”She glanced toward Vanessa.

“You two are getting closer every day.”I frowned.

“Maybe because we're friends.”

“And what about me?”I stared at her.

“Maya, you're being jealous.”

“Maybe I am.”She crossed her arms.

“But I'm still telling you to be careful.”I shook my head.

“I think we're judging her too quickly.”Maya scoffed.

“You really don't trust my instincts?”I smiled weakly.

“I trust you. I just don't think Vanessa has done anything wrong.”Before Maya could respond, the teacher walked into the classroom.

Everyone immediately returned to their seats.The teacher placed her books on the desk and looked around.

“Good morning, everyone.”

“Good morning, ma'am.”She smiled.

“Before we begin, remember that your tests start next week.”A few students groaned.

“Yes, I know,” she said, laughing.

“But I'm reminding you because I've covered a lot of topics this term, and I expect you to revise all of them.”She picked up a marker.

“I am not sparing any topic. Anything I've taught is fair game.”The class became quieter.

“Today, we're going to revise figures of speech, particularly similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole.”She wrote the first word on the board.

“A simile compares two different things using words such as like or as.”She gave an example.

“Her smile was like sunshine.”She continued.

“A metaphor also compares two things, but it does so directly, without using like or as. For example, saying, Her voice is music doesn't mean her voice is literally music. It means her voice sounds beautiful.”A few students nodded.

“Personification is when we give human qualities to something that isn't human. For example, The wind whispered through the trees. Wind cannot literally whisper, but we've given it a human action.”She moved to the final one.

“And hyperbole is deliberate exaggeration. If someone says, I've told you a million times, they probably haven't literally said it a million times.”A few students laughed.

The lesson continued with examples and questions.I found myself enjoying it more than I expected.

After about an hour, the teacher finally closed her book.

“That's all for today.”Everyone started moving immediately.

“But don't forget,” she added, raising her voice over the noise,

“your tests begin on Monday. Revise everything we've covered.”She smiled.

“Have a wonderful weekend.”She walked out.

The classroom immediately erupted into conversation.....I closed my notebook.

Finally.....The weekend was here.

The moment the teacher walked out of the classroom, the noise returned,Chairs scraped against the floor,Students started talking over one another, while some immediately began discussing the test scheduled for Monday.

I was still putting my books together when Carl suddenly stood up from his seat.

“Guys! Guys! Announcement!”Nobody paid him any attention.He picked up a ruler and tapped it against the desk.

“Hey! I said announcement!”That finally got everyone's attention.Carl grinned.

“Guess what?”Someone from the back shouted,

“What?”

“Tomorrow is my birthday!”The entire class erupted.

“Hey!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Party!”Carl laughed, clearly enjoying all the attention.

“Yes, yes, I know. Thank you, thank you.”He raised both hands, trying to calm everyone down.

“And because I'm obviously the greatest person in this class, I'm having a huge party at my house tomorrow evening.......The party starts at 6;30pm”More cheers followed.

“Everyone is invited!”The classroom practically exploded.

Carl laughed again before walking back to his seat like he had just made the biggest announcement of the year.I smiled.

A party.....I wasn't exactly a party person.Actually, I'm not a party person at all.
I turned toward Maya.

“Did you hear that? Are you going?”Maya asked and I looked at her immediately

“I don't know.”I raised an eyebrow.

“My dad doesn't really like me going to parties but I'm going this time”she said.

“My mom doesn't either.”Maya sighed dramatically.

“Come on, Zoe. We're graduating soon.”I laughed softly.

“I know, but.....”

“No buts.”

“Maya…”

“One party won't hurt.”I shook my head.

“I really don't like parties.”

“Neither do I,” she admitted.

“But it's not like we're going to some random place. It's our classmate's birthday party.”I wasn't convinced.

Maya leaned closer.

“I'm sure your mom will let you go.”

“I don't know. I'll have to ask her.”

“There's nothing to think about.”She pointed at me.

“We're going.”I laughed.

“Fine. Whatever you want, bestie.”She smiled triumphantly.

“Exactly.”I was about to return my attention to my books when I felt a tap on my desk.
I turned... It was Axel.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”He looked at me for a moment.

“So, about what we spoke about…”I smiled faintly.

“Speaking of what we spoke about, you've been really quiet these past few days......Are you sure everything is okay with you??”He frowned.

“I don't understand.”

“You used to be so loud.”He scoffed.

“Do you want me to start disturbing everyone ?”I laughed.

“No. That's not what I mean.”

“Then what do you mean?”I shrugged.

“You just seem different.”He stared at me.

“You don't act urmmm...rough unlike before......you don't call me Sugarplum anymore. Which I'm grateful”He raised an eyebrow.

“What's the problem?”I shook my head.

“I don't know. I just feel like being this quiet doesn't really fit you.”Axel stared at me for a second before shaking his head.

“I don't understand you women.”I laughed.

“What's there to understand?”

“First, I call you Sugarplum, and you complain. Now I don't call you Sugarplum, and you're complaining.”

“That's not what I mean.”

“Then what do you mean?”He gave me a silly look.I couldn't help laughing.

“Forget it.”I turned back toward Maya and heard him laugh.




The bell eventually rang for lunch, and the classroom slowly emptied as everyone headed toward the cafeteria.

The rest of the day passed quickly.Before I knew it, the final bell rang.....Finally.

I packed my books into my bag and stood.
Maya stood up and hugged me.

“See you tomorrow. Bestie"She pulled back and smiled.

“Actually, I'll come over to your house.”I frowned.

“Why?”

“Because the party starts at six-thirty.”
She adjusted the strap of her bag.

“I'll come around four. We need enough time to get ready.”I laughed.

“Get ready for what?”

“Everything.”

“Maya…”She rolled her eyes.

“Girl, don't look like that. We're going to have fun.”I shook my head.

“You're impossible.”She hugged me again.Then her expression softened.

“I'm sorry about earlier.”I looked at her.

“I was really annoyed.”She sighed.

“I don't know. I just feel like you've barely been giving me attention lately.”I remained quiet.

“You've been getting really close to Vanessa, and I guess I didn't like it.”She looked down briefly.

“Maybe that's why I reacted the way I did.”I smiled.

“I'm not mad at you, Maya.”

“Really?”

“Really.”I hugged her.

“And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have indirectly or should I say directly call you an instigator.”She laughed softly.

“I'll try to be careful about Vanessa.”Maya nodded.

“That would be great.”She gave me one last smile before walking out of the classroom.

Most of the students had already left.I was about to follow when I felt my bag suddenly being lifted from my shoulder.I turned around and saw Andy.

He casually threw my bag over his own shoulder while I stared at him.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you.”

“You don't have to.”

“I know.”He started walking while I followed him.
A few students who were still in the classroom immediately started whispering.

“Did you see that?”

“Wow.”

“I told you guys.”

“They're definitely dating.”I lowered my head, embarrassed.

Andy didn't seem bothered at all.In fact, he looked completely unbothered by the attention.

Then I noticed Vanessa standing a short distance away.She lowered her head when she saw us, almost as though she was suddenly shy.But before I could think much about it, she walked toward us.

“Hey, Andy.”He glanced at her.

“Hey.”He muttered and I noticed he frowned a little.

She turned to me with a smile.

“Hey, Zoe.”

“Hey.”She looked at me.

“So, are we still going to chat later?”

“Sure.”She smiled.

“And you're coming to the party tomorrow, right?”I hesitated.

“Well…”

“Come on,” she said.

“I want us to go together.”I smiled apologetically.

“I'm actually going with Maya.”

“Oh.”Her smile didn't disappear.

“No problem. As long as we're all going to meet at the party.”She waved.

“I'll see you later.”She turned and walked out of the classroom.Before leaving, she glanced back and smiled at Andy
.
Andy adjusted my bag on his shoulder.

“Ready?”

“Yeah.”We walked toward the exit.But before we could get very far, Seth approached us.
Alicia was beside him.

“Hey, Zoe.”I smiled.

“Hey.”He looked at me.

“I guess we'll talk later.”

“Yeah.”He smiled before turning toward Alicia.

“Come on, Alicia.”

“Okay.”They walked away together.I watched them for a few seconds.

Alicia seemed to be around Seth all the time lately.Whenever he left class, she was there.They had even started coming to school together sometimes.

I didn't know why, but it bothered me.Maybe because she was always following him......I frowned slightly.I shouldn't have been bothered,Seth and I were friends that was all......At least, that's what I told myself.

I looked away when Alicia suddenly glanced back at me.She gave me a strange little look before turning around again......I frowned.

I don't think that girl likes me....I didn't know what I had done to her, but she'd been giving me strange looks lately.

“What are you thinking about?”Andy's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Nothing.”He reached for my hand.

“Come on.”I looked down at our hands.Then I quickly pulled mine back.

“I don't think you should do that.”He stopped.

“What?”

“What if people see us?”He chuckled.

“And?”

“And they'll start thinking something.”He smiled.

“Let them think.”I stared at him.
He took my hand again before I could protest.

“Come on.”I sighed but allowed him to lead me toward the car.When we reached it, he opened the door for me and I got inside while he walked around to the driver's side.

Soon, we were on the road.For a few minutes, neither of us spoke then Andy glanced at me.

“So…”I looked at
him.

“You said you'll be going to Carl's party tomorrow?”I shrugged.

“To be sincere I don't really know yet.”

“You're going.”I laughed.

“I said I don't know yet.”

“You should come.”

“Why?”He kept his eyes on the road.

“I'd like to see you there.”I stared at him.

For some reason, those simple words made my heart beat a little faster.I looked out the window, trying to hide my smile.

“I'll think about it.”Andy smiled.

“Good.”I shook my head, still smiling as we continued down the road.I had a feeling tomorrow was going to be interesting.