Chapter 12

ZOEY

"WHERE IS AUBREY?" I discreetly asked Nova. We were in our first-period class of the day, and her seat was still vacant.

"She might be late," she said quietly.

"All right," I replied.

The teacher was calling names, but Aubrey was still not present. She was marked absent because she did not arrive until the end of the first period.

Nova replied, "I'll call her."

I was just staring at her, waiting for Aubrey to pick up the phone. Aubrey isn't a slacker, so we're concerned. She may be a little rambunctious and upbeat, but she has never missed a single class since she transferred. This is the first time she has done anything like this.

Fortunately, our Math teacher is running late, so we still have time to reach Aubrey.

"Where are you?" Nova inquired. Aubrey took the phone call. That's good to know. At least we know she's alive. I was relieved. "Emergency? Are you okay? Hmm... Hmm... We'll visit you after school then. Huh? Why not?" Nova asked, her brow furrowed. I was curious about what Aubrey was answering, so I leaned in close to Nova's phone. Because my classmates were getting loud, I could only hear Aubrey mumble words.

"No, we'll be there later. Send me your address right away, and don't even think about sending me the wrong one because I can find your place even if you don't give me an address." Nova is frightening. She was, after all, telling the truth. Because of her connections, she can do it at all. Remember that her father is the mayor. I'm glad she still bought my act, and I really hope she doesn't dig deeper into my accurate information this time. "All right, see you later," she said as she hung up the phone.

"What did she say?" I inquired.

"She said she was sick, but doesn't sound sick; sounded like acting," she replied.

Nova's hunch is often correct. She is, as I previously stated, terrifying. I should be more cautious. Olivia will be upset if someone at school finds out we are related.

It's not that I don't trust Nova. I promised Vi not to tell anyone. I'm simply keeping my end of the bargain. Am I now a bad best friend?

Olivia did, in fact, cast a glance our way earlier. It was only for a moment, but I noticed her one eyebrow arched as I leaned in to hear Aubrey's voice. Camila was staring as well. What the hell is her issue again?

Thank goodness Stella was busy flirting with one of my boy classmates, and Naomi entertained our classmates with her fortune-telling. I've heard she's been into that sort of thing lately.

My thoughts were again interrupted when the Math teacher arrived, and as a top one student, I listened to her and tried to learn from her. To be honest, I was ahead of schedule in reading and studying my books. I'm a bit of a nerd slash bookworm. I adore reading. I enjoy learning new things.

The day had ended, and I was packing my belongings when I noticed my seatmate was still motionless.

"Con, prepare your belongings; we're going to Aubrey's house, right?" I asked, tapping her shoulder. In the front of the room, she was staring at nothing in particular.

I went over to see what she was looking at, but there was no one or anything special in there.

"Con?"

"My head is aching. The class was too much. Information overload," she finally said, but she looked tired as soon as she dropped her head. "I think I'll need some pain relievers later; my head is throbbing."

She was clearly exaggerating. I know I said Nova wasn't that bad in school, but she's not great either. Her term for this is that her brain's 500 MB storage space is full.

"Please get me some pineapple juice," she added. "I need to recharge, Zoey," she says.

This is what she's always done to me. What a scammer.

"Nah, you just want free pineapple juice again; do you really think I'm that gullible?" I said as I began to walk out of the room.

Other students were still left behind; perhaps they needed to attend club meetings.

"Wait a minute!" she exclaimed.

I was approaching the door of the room. I saw the charmer bullies still sitting in their seats, and it seemed like they were talking about something serious. Not sure what they were talking about, but I am not interested. Their seats are actually near the door. So I will pass on them before freely getting out of the room. They really like to own things, even if it's the school property.

I made sure to not make eye contact with any of them and silently passed at them. But sadly, there will not be a day that they will let me leave in peace.

Camila's other foot extended to the door. And since I was walking too fast, because I thought they were busy talking, she was actually waiting for me so that she could trip me.

She almost succeeded, but luckily, I was not clumsy enough, and I immediately held on to the door frame.

I heard Nova call my name. I breathe out. I was so proud of myself that I did not stumble. I mentally congratulate myself.

"Are you okay?" Nova asked when she was near me. She was holding my arms now.

"I'm fine. Let's go." I take Nova's hand in mine before she kicks that bully in the shins for what he's done to me.

"As usual, clumsy," Stella said. I didn't bother looking at them. I'm doing everything I can to keep my feelings in control.

"Aish—-"

"Let's go, Con." I pulled Nova because I had a feeling she wasn't in the mood today and, like a ticking bomb, would explode with the slightest provocation from the bullies. Luckily, the bullies did not come after us.

On our way to Aubrey's house, we were already in her car, but Nova was still ranting about what had happened earlier.

"That dreadful mother eff bee! What's the deal with them? Why are they being so obnoxious?" She's enraged.

"Hey, take it easy. That was all right. Nothing happened." I console her.

"Are we going to wait until something bad happens to you, Zo? Are we going to let them do this until we graduate from Clover?"

"Ma'am, is someone hurting you at school?" Kobe, her driver, and personal bodyguard inquired. Since Nova returned to Clover, he has served as her personal bodyguard and driver. He was one of "The Scott's" most devoted and trusted bodyguards.

"There are some girls who are making fun of Zoey. Should I let them do that to her, Kobe?" Nova inquired.

"No way, ma'am. Do you want me to teach them a lesson? I'll make certain that no one knows." According to Kobe.

"Are you certain you can do it discreetly?"

"Yes, ma'am. Just give me your permission."

They appear to be taking it seriously. Hearing Nova and Kobe say those words send chills up my spine. Not a good chill, more of a cringe.

"Heyyy... W-what... Con-con, stop. Revenge is never a viable option. Allow karma to do it for us." That's what I told them.

Nova and Kobe exchanged glances before bursting out laughing. I was left with a question mark on my face. Did I say something funny that they were laughing at what I said?

"Zoey, you're such a wuss. Don't worry, we were only joking. Kobe was riding along," Nova stated after she had finished laughing. I looked at Kobe and noticed that the driver was also smiling.

I was relieved.

"Please accept my apologies, ma'am." According to Kobe.

"It's fine." I smiled as I reassured him.

"But, Zoey, as long as I am here, I will never let anyone hurt you again. I guarantee it," Nova stated solemnly and sincerely now.

I can see the warmth in her eyes. Oh, this girl.

"Thank you very much, Con-con. I am extremely grateful. I swear I'll do the same for you."

"Aww... You're so adorable," she said while pinching my cheeks. Kobe gave us a friendly smile.

Aubrey's house was a little far from school, so we just turned on the stereo and listened to Blackpink songs. Nova, Aubrey, and I were huge fans. Olivia, too and the entire students at Clover High.

Who wouldn't root for them? They are incredible, and I have a massive crush on them. Kobe was a fan as well. We were having a good time singing their songs in the car until we got to Aubrey's house.

I believe Aubrey's house was the same size as our new home. I've heard she has a younger sister in elementary school and that her mother is a simple housewife. Her father owns the town's well-known Korean restaurant.

After Kobe had parked the car, Nova and I went outside and rang Aubrey's doorbell. Her amiable mother greeted us. She told us about Aubrey's room and let us go upstairs.

When we asked her mother why Aubrey was missing, she told us to ask Aubrey.

"Mom, please leave me alone! I warned you not to enter my room. It was contaminated!" Aubrey was wearing a shower cap over her hair. Her room smells as if she just sanitized it. She was sitting in her bed, holding her guitar. Paper was scattered across the floor in front of her. She appeared to be working on a song. "I said to do—- what are you doing here, Mom?" When she saw us, she looked surprised.

"Hey." Nova and I approached her and greeted her.

We were approaching her when she abruptly stopped us as if she had seen a ghost.

"Stay there! Don't come near me. I've been infected!"

"What exactly do you mean? You appear to be in good health. What are you infected with?" Nova enquired. I was staring at her. Aubrey did not appear to be ill, according to Nova.

Aubrey jumped onto her bed. She jumped like a kangaroo and quickly got close to us. Aubrey is the same height as me, so we have long arms and legs.

"Just get out before you regret it." She pushed us out of her room and locked the door.

Nova and I exchanged puzzled looks. What the hell is wrong with her?

"I see you were kicked out." Aubrey's mother appeared. She was smiling as if she expected Aubrey to throw us out of her room. "Let's go down to the living room. I will prepare food for you," she said and walked. We just followed.

Aubrey's home was simple but elegant. My phone rang as we were sitting on the couch. Aubrey called and asked to talk on the phone. I first looked at Nova, who nodded. Aubrey's phone call was answered by me.

"Hello there, ladies. I apologize profusely for being impolite. It's just that saying it is extremely embarrassing," according to Aubrey.

"Tell us. Don't worry, we won't pass judgment," I said. Nova only nodded.

"It's just... you know I have a little sister, right?" Aubrey sighed.

"Yes."

"Since she's still in elementary school, she's very active and always plays around no matter where she is."

"All right," I said.

"Then we were fooling around as well. You know how much my sister adores me…" Aubrey continued.

"Do you mean fighting and terrorizing your sister?" Nova enquired.

"What? No! I am a caring sister." Aubrey was defensive. I let out a soft laugh. "Anyway, this cute sister of mine did not say she has these tiny insects on her head that feed on blood from her not-so-beautiful scalp." Aubrey almost burst into tears when she said that.

I burst out laughing.

"What? What does she mean?" Nova enquired.

"You are a moron. Don't laugh at me!" Aubrey was blushing. I can't stop laughing.

So this was her emergency?

"Zoey? What's going on?" I told you, Nova isn't exceptionally bright, but she's a great friend. So that's what's most important.

"She claimed she got lice from her sister," I answered Nova.

"What? Ew!" She exclaimed.

"I told you it was embarrassing!" Aubrey was now rolling around in her bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Oh no. Sorry, that's not what I meant. Ahm." Nova was genuinely culpable.

I couldn't stop laughing. Aubrey is so adorable. She was so preoccupied with the lice. Well, if I were in her shoes, I would feel the same way.

"Get up. Prepare yourself. Let's go to the salon. I believe the chemicals they're using can kill lice. We will also bring your sister," Nova stated.

"Really?" Aubrey had stopped crying.

"Yeah? Yes, I believe so." Nova, too, was unsure. I held back my laughter.

"It is possible, but we can ask the hairdresser to use other lice treatments. I'm sure they can do something about it," I said.

"Aha!" Nova agreed. It was, after all, her idea. Con-con, you did an excellent job!

So we went to the Salon with Aubrey and her sister. Nova has a personal hairdresser, so she is the one who takes care of everything. Aubrey and her sister were ecstatic. It was another fantastic and enjoyable day for us.