CHAPTER ELEVEN

~~~~~

The loud ringing tone of the phone woke Zendaya up from her peaceful sleep.She groaned and opened her eyes sluggishly.She lazily reached for her phone, which was on the bed stand. She answered the call without checking the ID.

"Don't tell me you're not going to be in school today again", Maximilian said over the phone.

"I'm not",She replied.

"What do you mean?. Aren't you going to keep running?. You're skipping school and it's going to affect your grades", Maximilian said.

"I'm not running, I just don't feel like going to school. And don't worry about my grades, I will read and catch up ".

"Gosh, you're so adamant", Maximilian said and ended the call.

Zendaya scoffed and kept the phone back on the bed stand. She adjusted into a more comfortable position, ready to go back to sleep. Just in time,a knock came on the door.

"Come in", Zendaya said lazily.

Papa Coco came in.

"Baby, you have to go to school today",He said.

"I don't want to,I can't go back after that embarrassment ".

"Do you think running from your fears is going to make everything better?. No,it will only make things worsen. People are going to look down on you,if you keep running",Papa Coco counselled.

Zendaya bit her lower lip.

"Besides, your mom is not going to take things likely with you,once she finds out that you've been skipping school", Papa Coco said.

Zendaya sat upright.

"It's not like she cares about me. The only thing she cares about is money,money, money and that stupid job of hers. I'm sure she's hosting an irrelevant party in a stupid place. She's very inconsiderate", Zendaya responded angrily.

"She's still your mother. She is working hard to make sure you have the best education ",Papa Coco said.

"No,she is working hard for her own selfish reasons. She is paying my school bills, because it's her duty and nothing else", Zendaya said coldly.

"Don't ever speak ill of your mother again,it's very wrong. Now get ready for school, cause I won't let you stay home today ",Papa Coco said and walked out.

Zendaya got out of bed,she prepared herself for school and left the room. On getting to the living room, she saw Maximilian sitting patiently on a couch and it was shocking to her.

"You never told me you were coming ", Zendaya said to him.

Maximilian stood up.

"It's a surprise", Maximilian replied with a smile.

"Who let you in?", Zendaya asked.

"Sweetest Grandfather",He replied.

"Well,he is indeed sweet. You should thank your stars my mom isn't home", Zendaya said.

"You both are going to get late for school",Papa Coco screamed from the kitchen.

"We're going already. Love you", Zendaya screamed and walked out with Maximilian.

~~~~~~ACE HIGH SCHOOL ~~~~~~

Zendaya and Maximilian held hands as they walked through the hallway. All eyes fell on them. Though,the students were more focused on Zendaya. They were making side comments about her already.

"How can she come back to school after cheating her way In as the winner".

"She is so shameless".

"Cadence should have won,but this cheat outsmarted her".

"You can't blame her,we have to blame the school for making such stupid rules".

"Those stupid rules needs to be cancelled".

"I hate the way he follows her around. Such a puppet".

Maximilian stopped on his tracks, when he heard the last statement. He glared at the girl who uttered the statement.

"You see the reason why you don't get good grades,it's because you don't mind your business. You're always poking your nose into other people's matter",He said angrily.

Then,he turned around.

"You all voted Zendaya as the winner,so what's the rants all about?. You all are very silly to say such useless things about her",He said with frustration. He took Zendaya's hand and walked away with her.

"This is why I don't wanna be in school", Zendaya muttered as they walked.

"At least you're in school already", Maximilian replied her.

The both of them entered the class.

"The black winner is here", Midas announced, while chewing gum like a bada*s. The class giggled.

"Says the boy girl", Zendaya said with a frown.

The class giggled again.

"I find pleasure in it. I love your skirt anyways,I don't mind if you would let me have it", Midas said with a smirk and placed his legs on the desk.

"If you can take it off", Zendaya said and walked to her seat,then she sat down.

"I would have loved to,but nah, I have my eyes on someone prettier and hotter",Midas replied and gave a wink.

"I'm sure it's a guy,so lucky him", Zendaya said with a sneer.

A young pretty lady walked into the class, with her low heels shoe clacking against the floor. She had books in her hand.

"Can I have your attentions please?",She said politely.

"This is English lesson,so...?",A boy named Leonard said.

"That's why I'm here. I'm your new English teacher and also your home room teacher",She said.

"Awwwn... I'm missing Mr Mac already, but you're pretty anyways", Richard said.

"Thanks", She replied.

"I would have asked you out if I saw you somewhere else", Midas teased.

She couldn't help but blush.

"Thanks. I think that's enough for now. Let's get started with today's lesson",Miss Loretta said.

Everyone got their books and pend ready.

"Today's topic is consonant cluster",She said and everyone wrote it down.

"Any idea about this?", She asked.

Zendaya raised her hand.

"Yes",Miss Loretta pointed at her.

Zendaya stood up and proceeded to talk,but she was interrupted with the appearance of Cadence and her friends. She was holding hands with Leonideus.

On a normal day, they're five in number,but now they are six. There a new boy in their midst. He has a cute bad boy look and his pinkish lips curved into a cute smile.

"He is always hot AF", Tinsley grinned.

"Have I missed school for long?", Zendaya asked Maximilian.

"Yeah. The newbie is Cadence's cousin and he got admission yesterday", Maximilian replied.

"You all are late", Miss Loretta scolded.

"It's not like we told you to stop your teaching", Cadence said harshly.

"You're so rude", Miss Loretta said with a frown.

"Live with it ", Cadence replied and they all went to sit.

Miss Loretta rolled her eyes and folded her fists angrily. Then, she calmed herself down.

"Let's proceed", Miss Loretta said to Zendaya.

"Consonant cluster is the occurrence or a sequence of two or more consonants following each other in a syllable and with no vowel sound separating them", Zendaya said.

"You're absolutely right".

"Wow!, your brain isn't as dark as you are. You actually look like someone with an empty brain", The new boy said with a grin. He was sitting behind Zendaya.

Half of the class burst into laughter.

Zendaya wasn't surprised though. There's absolutely no difference between Cadence and her cousin.

Maximilian tucked her sleeves and she faced him.

"Stupidity runs in their veins", Maximilian whispered to her.

"Stand up!", Miss Loretta commanded furiously, referring to Cadence's cousin.

He smirked and stood up.

"What's your name?",She asked.

"Remington Emmett", He responded.

"Don't you ever interrupt my class again", She said angrily.

"You're too cute to get angry ma'am", Midas teased.

She glared at him and smiled.

"Her face is just to ugly, I wonder what this dummies like about her", Cadence murmured.

"Truth be told, she is cute", Leonideus whispered to her.

The class went on and it finally came to an end.

"Your assignment is on page seventy nine", Miss Loretta said,packed her books and walked out.

The class became noisy again.

Midas stood up and ran out of the class, hoping to catch up with Miss Loretta.

"Miss Loretta",Midas called when he eventually saw her.

Miss Loretta stopped on her tracks and faced him.

"Is there any problem?", She asked.

"I'm Midas Finnsley", He introduced himself.

"Ok...", She gave him a quizzical look.

"Actually,I badly need your help with something", He said nervously.

Miss Loretta raised her brows.

"Which is?", She asked.

"It's about love"