Then came another knock, and through the sheer fabric of my curtains, I spotted a figure standing just beyond the door.Instinctively, I should have bolted downstairs to call for help, but an overwhelming sense of curiosity compelled me to move closer.My heart hammered as I cautiously pulled back the curtain, gasping in surprise as I took a step back.
There stood Zane, motioning for me to let him in.Without a second thought, I unlocked the door and welcomed him into my heart.
Chapter 18
Ifelt like a stranger in my own skin, unsure of how to respond or what to say.Should I sit or remain frozen in place, like a petrified statue?Zane wandered through my room quietly, flipping through my books and examining the photos pinned to the wall, as if trying to imprint every detail in his memory.My gaze trailed after him as I struggled to formulate the right questions.
“You've missed a few days of school,” Zane remarked, his attention still focused on my belongings.
“I…” I stammered, feeling foolish for my inability to articulate anything.After a moment of silence, he turned to me, locking his eyes on mine.
“I'm sorry about your mom,” he said earnestly.How did he know?Who had told him?I didn't ask, though.I stood rooted to the spot in my pink pajamas adorned with ice cream patterns, feeling utterly ridiculous.
At eighteen, I still dressed like a child.My cheeks flushed as he swept his gaze over me with a smirk.“I hope she gets better soon.I saw her car in the local newspaper—it looked pretty banged up,” he said, his tone suddenly serious as he continued to roam my room.The realization hit me hard; I hadn't even considered that it might be on the news.Who knew what they had said?The media always had a knack for sensationalism.
“Are you going to say anything?”he asked again, his amber eyes piercing through me like arrows.I had to respond—anything to avoid feeling like an idiot.
“Why are you here?”I finally managed to whisper.
“I just wanted to check on you.I figured your friends would be rallying around you right now,” he said, his words tinged with an almost sarcastic undertone.It dawned on me then—none of them had reached out to me.Not Marco, not Emily, not even Jessica.Did they know?Had they read about it?The thought made me look away, dismissing his comment.
“She'll be fine,” I insisted, careful not to delve into details and risk saying something foolish in front of him.
“Good,” he replied, approaching me until he was just inches away.I could feel his warmth, almost like standing next to a fire.The scent of tobacco, sea breeze, and leather from his jacket filled my senses.His proximity sent shivers through me, and I struggled to maintain my composure, my neck aching as I tried to meet his gaze, waiting for him to make a move.
It was foolish, but I found myself longing for him to kiss me.I stood there, inexplicably drawn toward him, as if an invisible force was pulling me closer.And closer.He smiled and glanced around my room once more.
“So this is your space?Purple walls, pink pajamas, stuffed unicorns, and glittery notepads?”he teased, causing me to pull back, embarrassed, as if the bubble of pink I had created around myself suddenly burst.“It's cute,” he added, “not what I expected.”Then he sauntered over to my bed and lay down, arms crossed behind his head, his feet hovering above the mattress.I stood there, speechless, watching him.“Pretty comfy, but a bit too small for me,” he mused, looking at me with that smirk of his.
“I've had this bed since I was…,” I stopped; I couldn't really recall when I got it.
“What, you don't remember?”He tilted his head, studying me.What bed did I have before?Were the walls always this color?My memories were blurry and indistinct.I was becoming frustrated; it felt like he was mocking me.
“That's not the point.I think you should go,” I insisted.
“So soon?I thought you could use some company.Come on, join me for some company,” he said with a sly grin, patting the spot beside him.I scoffed.
“Leave now!”I commanded, my voice laced with anger.He stood slowly and approached me again, invading my space.
“Careful now, dummy.Next time, you might find yourself begging me to stay,” he whispered, leaning in close to my right ear.I could hear a heartbeat—was it his or mine?
“That's not going to happen,” I shot back, stepping away.Inside, I was screaming that I would indeed welcome him to stay, to lie beside him, to do whatever he wanted.He opened the terrace door and stepped outside.I hurried to stop him.
“Where are you going?You could just use the front door,” I said, my tone calmer now.
“It's fine.I need to practice climbing your terrace.This won't be my last visit,” he smirked, igniting a fire in my insides at the thought of his return.I followed him, captivated by his skillful descent down the ladder.Where had he found it?Once on the ground, he stashed it behind the garage—the very ladder my dad used for trimming branches.I couldn't help but smile as I watched him leave.His car was parked not far away.I stood there, mesmerized, as he drove off.
Upon entering my room, his scent lingered in the air, wrapping around me like an invisible embrace.I rushed to my bed and collapsed onto it, closing my eyes as if he were still there.I wanted to capture and cage his essence.I wished I could hold onto that scent forever.I was losing myself in the labyrinth of my thoughts of him, no longer wanting to resist.
The world outside faded away, and my room became my entire universe—one that I was willing to share with him again and again.
The following morning, I made my way to the bus stop, ready to return to school.It was then that I noticed Emily and Marco wrapped up in a cozy embrace.As soon as Emily spotted me, she pulled away from him.
“Hey, I just heard about your mom yesterday.My parents were talking about it.I'm really sorry.I hope she gets better soon,” Emily said, casting an awkward glance in my direction.
“I'm sorry too.I stopped by the other day, but no one was home.I figured you were at the hospital.I'm sure your mom will be fine,” Marco added, his expression filled with concern as he looked at me.Emily shot him a look, as if she were just processing this new information.
Thankfully, the bus arrived just in time.I thanked them and climbed aboard, taking a seat near the front while they made their way to the back.I didn't look back; my mind was too preoccupied with the thought of seeing Zane at school.
