Chapter 134

Lily went on and on about it until a small crowd had gathered. Finally, with a shy smile, she climbed into the car.

I watched the taillights shrink into the distance, a hollow feeling settling in my chest. Only then did I turn back towards the school.

My return was met with a school-wide assembly. All the teachers and students were there, my homeroom teacher and Robyn tucked away in a corner of the stage.

Glancing over the platform, I saw all the school's bigwigs. And there was this chubby guy I didn't recognize sitting right in the middle, front and center.

I wasn't interested in them, though. My eyes found Robyn.

She felt my gaze instantly. Our eyes met, and her face lit up with a bright smile. Pride and admiration shone in her eyes.

I blew her a quick kiss. Robyn blushed, gave me a playful, sidelong glance, and then looked down. I grinned, basking in the silent, electric connection between us.

The principal stood up, his voice cracking, visibly shaken. "This is the biggest win our school's had in years! To honor Zachary, we're giving him a one-of-a-kind… mystery prize."

The heavyset man in the middle of the platform stood.

"This is Ralph Cook from the City Department of Education. Let's give him a warm welcome," the principal said, grinning ear to ear.

Ralph gave a small, calming gesture with his hands, and the auditorium quieted down.

"In recognition of Zachary's exceptional academic record and his outstanding contribution to this competition, the City Department of Education is pleased to offer him guaranteed admission to any university in the city."

A wave of excited murmurs rippled through the students. Even I was stunned, my jaw dropping slightly.

I hadn't expected anything like this.

For a moment, I could hardly believe what I'd heard.

To thunderous applause and the envious stares of my classmates, I walked up to the stage, shook hands with Ralph, and gave an impromptu thank-you speech.

That evening, at the celebratory banquet, the principal was practically glowing. His usually stern face was flushed, and he kept chatting and chuckling with Ralph. Meanwhile, I was completely distracted by Robyn's subtle perfume, barely paying attention to anything else.

"I need to talk to you. Go ahead, I'll find you later," Robyn whispered, getting up from the table.

I exchanged a few pleasantries with Ralph and the principal, then excused myself, feigning exhaustion.

In a quiet corner of the dorm building, a single dim light beckoned, reminding me of precious moments spent with Robyn.

I quietly pushed the door open. A sweet fragrance wafted out. As soon as our eyes met, Robyn blushed, ducking her head with a shy smile.

"I missed you," I murmured, my left hand reaching behind her back while my right held a necklace I'd bought for her.

"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful…" she whispered, tilting her head up with a playful smirk. But then, she pouted her lips, feigning annoyance. "Did you blow a fortune on this? You're such a big spender!"

"It's for you. How's that being a big spender?" I laughed, moving the necklace toward her slender neck.

Robyn playfully swatted my hand away, a coy smile playing on her lips. "It must have been expensive."

"Is anything more precious than you?" I asked softly.

Robyn's blush deepened.

"I'm so happy you won, but I didn't want to make a big fuss," she confessed, snuggling into my arms.

"I know," I said, gently stroking her back.

"Your life's changed now. I don't wanna mess things up for you," she murmured, her eyes locking onto mine. "If you get where I'm coming from, it's all worth it, Zachary. I hope you find the right girl someday."

"You're getting hitched. Where am I supposed to find the right girl?" I joked.

"Always the charmer," she laughed.

We sat on the edge of the bed, holding each other close, talking for hours until she drifted off to sleep. Then, I quietly slipped away.

The next day after lunch, I was chilling in the gazebo, puffing on a cig, when Carl Ward, a classmate, walked up, looking stressed. "Zachary, I need a favor. You in?" he said.

"What's up?" I asked, blowing a smoke ring.

Honestly, I wasn't really into helping him out—he always gave off sketchy vibes.

"Well, there's this girl… a real knockout… but she has a boyfriend. And today, she brought some guys to school looking for me. They're waiting for me over by the hill… and I think they have weapons. So, Zachary… I was hoping you could help me out."

"Which girl at our school has that kind of pull? Bringing weapons to school? They're just messing with you! Are you scared?"

"It's… it's Daphne Morgan," he stammered, either from nerves or genuine fear.

Seeing the guy in front of me, all shaky and nervous, I couldn't help but crack a sly grin.

"Daphne who? I don't think I know her. Is she pretty?"

"She's over there. You'll see when we get there," Carl said with a nervous, ingratiating smile.

"Alright, I'll check it out. Can't have people pushing you around on our turf. Go get Brooks and the guys and tell them to meet me at the hill."

Carl scurried off towards the dorms. I lazily got to my feet and strolled towards the artificial hill.

A group of guys were lounging on the steps near the hill. One of them, dressed in a suit, was holding a machete.

Standing next to him was a slender girl in a light blue dress. Her delicate hand clutched his arm, the fabric clinging to her curves.

Hearing my footsteps, the girl turned. Her large, liquid eyes met mine. "Zachary? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice sweet and melodic.

It was the kind of voice that just melted you.

"Why? Can't I be here?" I asked, my gaze sweeping over her figure.

She was stunning, with a perfectly proportioned body. The fabric of her school uniform strained against her ample chest, and the curve of her hips was mesmerizing.

"Are you the Carl who's been trying to hit on my girlfriend?" the guy with the machete demanded, rising to his feet.

"Who are you trying to scare with that butter knife?" I retorted, meeting his gaze without flinching.

"No, no! It's a misunderstanding! He's not Carl. This is Zachary. He's not after me," Daphne interjected quickly, stepping between us. She leaned forward slightly, her full breasts brushing against my arm, a faint, intoxicating fragrance filling my nostrils.

I smiled, my eyes lingering on her alluring form.

"Well, you certainly are captivating. I can see why you have so many admirers."