Chapter Eight:

ZARA:

Nick was standing in front of the school when we arrived. I rolled my eyes in annoyance when I saw Kaylee run to him.

“Hi Nick,” Kaylee greeted him cheerfully but I just rolled my eyes again and scoffed before walking past them.

“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today,” I heard Nick tease me but I just ignored him and kept walking.

I stopped by my locker and packed a few books before slamming it shut.

“Won’t you take anything from your locker?” I turned to ask Kaylee but she and Nick were busy giggling over something.

“What now?” I asked exasperated.

“You won’t understand sis,” Nick said with a smile.

“Sis? Don’t you ever call me that Nick. I am not your sister,” I said angrily, remembering dad’s betrayal all over again.

Fresh tears pooled up in my eyes but I took in a deep breath and blinked them back away.

“I’ll see you in class,” I told Kaylee before walking away.

The bell soon rang and students flooded into the classroom in large numbers. Beatrice and her minions walked in and shot me a glare as they walked to their seats but I just ignored them.

Few seconds later, Liam and his friends also walked in and I notice him smirk as he walked past me.

Weird.

I thought, ignoring how my heart was racing when I locked eyes with him.

“Good morning class,” the teacher’s voice pulled me back to the present.

“As you all know, it’s almost time for your group projects. This project is going to test your creativity and teamwork and it’s also going to take seventy percent of your report. You’ll be working in groups of two as always. All the best students and I hope you put your all in this,” she paused, scanning the class for a reaction but got none.

“Ok then,” she sighed. “The pairing has been done so I’m going to mention who each and everyone of you will be working with.”

She pulled a piece of paper and started mentioning names.

“Kaylee you’ll be working with Nick,” she said after mentioning the first ten names. I heard Kaylee squeal in excitement but the teacher’s next words made whatever I had in mind evaporate.

“What?!” I yelled, shooting out of my seat. “Liam? You want me to work with Liam? Are you out of your mind?”

“Mind your language Zara, or else….”

The teacher yelled clearly displeased with my tone.

I took in a deep breath to calm myself because I realized I was getting out of control.

“I’m sorry Miss. But isn’t there something that can be done about it? I really can’t work with Liam.”

I begged but she shook her head.

“My decision has been made.”

I turned to look at Liam who had a wide smirk on his face. I instantly knew he had something to do with this and I was going to confront him later because there’s no way I’m going to do a project with him.

I reluctantly sat back down and class began. It was so boring, I even started to doze.

Just then, I felt something hit the back of my head and I turned to see Liam looking at me with that breathtaking smirk.

I still wanted to slap that smirk off his face so badly.

I looked on the floor to see a crumpled piece of paper. I picked up and opened it up to see the word “PARTNER” written boldly on it.

I shot him a glare and a middle finger which unfortunately the teacher saw.

“Zara!”

“Sorry madam, I didn’t mean to….”

“Detention!” She cut me off before I could speak.

I picked up my bag and threw my books into it before walking out of the class.

***************

Today time seemed to move at a snail’s pace and it was so frustrating. I was sitting alone and didn’t have anything to do. I was even tired of sleeping on this uncomfortable desk.

After what seemed like forever, the bell rang and I didn’t waste my time in taking my bag and sprinting out.

I walked to the cafeteria to see Kaylee and Nick already seated.

“Wow, you stole my best friend too, congratulations,” I said, my voice laced with extreme sarcasm.

“Relax Zara, we’re just discussing what we want to do for our project,” Nick replied with a smile I rolled my eyes at.

“So what are you and your partner going to do for the project?” Nick asked, tossing some berries into his mouth.

“He is not my partner. Don’t ever say that,” I said, glaring at him.

“The arrangement has been done. The tutor doesn’t look like she’s going to change her mind,” Kaylee shrugged.

I groaned loudly, throwing my head back in frustration. Kaylee is getting annoying each day and that’s thanks to Nick.

“Hello there partner,” the voice I hated most in my life rang in my ears as I felt and arm on my shoulder.

I quickly shrugged it off and shot out of my seat.

I turned to see Liam standing there with a wide smile on his face.

“What do you want Liam Hunter?”

“Woah….is this a way to talk to your partner? That hurts,” he said, feigning a pout that made me roll my eyes.

“I don’t know what you did Liam and how you did it but I’m not being your partner in this project. I can’t stand you,” I said through clenched jaws, unable to shake off the feeling that he was involved in whatever decision Miss. Carter took.

“Come on Zee…..”

“Don’t call me that!” I yelled stepping back to prevent him from holding my hand.

“Why?” He raised a brow, a smirk plastered on his lips.

Oh God, not that breathtaking smirk.

“Why shouldn’t I? Can’t I give my partner a nickname?” He asked, taking a step forward.

I was at loss for words. Damn, I didn’t even know what to do.

My legs unconsciously took a feet back as I stared into his mesmerizing eyes.

“What is wrong with you Zara?” I yelled at myself, feeling my heart beat faster.

I gasped when I felt an arm around my waist and before I could register what was going on, Liam pulled me against his rock hard chest.

I took in a deep breath, filling my nostrils and brain with his manly perfume.

How can an asshole like him smell this good?

“Being in my arms feels good right?” I heard him whisper, his breath fanning my neck.

It took all the might and self control in me not melt because my knees immediately felt like jelly.

“Don’t deny it baby girl, just admit it,” he added in a mischievous voice.

I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves but once again, his smell clouded my brain.

What is wrong with me? Why do I suddenly lose all my senses when he’s around? Why do I feel all giddy and butterflyish inside?

Yeah….. I made that “butterflyish” up but don’t blame me. I can’t think straight when he’s around me.

“What the hell is going on here?” A loud voice shrieked, making me jump of Liam’s embrace.

I looked at the direction of the voice to see Beatrice there with an angry look.

“What are you doing with my boyfriend?” She asked, taking angry steps towards me.

I quickly stepped away from Liam because I needed to think straight in order to give Beatrice a befitting reply.

“You bitch, you’ve already started making advances……”

“Will you shut up already?” I yelled angrily, causing her to stop walking.

“Who is making advances towards your boyfriend? Me?”

I laughed, being extra dramatic.

“Your boyfriend is the one making advances towards me. Why would I even do such a thing? I hate his guts. He’s an asshole and such asshole is meant for you and only you,” I said, locking eyes with Liam.

He was also glaring daggers at me but I didn’t care. The Liam effect has worn off now and I’m saying the truth.

“I’d really appreciate it if you held your boyfriend’s hands and walk out with him.” I said, a fake smile plastered on my lips.

“I’ll deal with you,” Beatrice growled but before she could attack, Liam stopped her, surprising all of us.

“It wasn’t her fault,” he said, causing a gasp to erupt from the crowd that busy feasting their eyes.

“What?!” Beatrice yelled out of shock.

I mean, I am shocked as well. Why has Liam changed? What is going on in that head of his.

“It was me. I was the one who came to her,” he continued as I stared at him with my eyes bulging out of their sockets.

“Why? Did she threaten you to say all this? She’s really good at that,” Beatrice was glaring daggers at me as those words left her mouth.

“Threaten him? For God’s sake Beatrice, how stupid can you be? He’s a grown ass teenager. A boy as a matter of fact, how can I threaten him?” I yelled, rolling my eyes.

“Sorry about that. I’m sorry you had to get insulted because of me but we still need to do the project,” Liam said calmly, making me wonder what the hell was going on.

I stood there looking from Liam to Beatrice and back to Liam.

“Meet me after class,” I finally spoke and watched him nod, before grabbing his girlfriend’s hand and pulling her away.