Chapter 19- I can`t resist

Zain was discharged the next day and I managed to stalk him because of the media coverage. Terrible Things were being said, this isn't what I wanted. I closed the news throwing my phone into my blazer as soon as Zayd approached me. He smiled showing me our recent assignment. We had topped the class again, but he ruined the good news by saying, "It's an ivy league school and sharing the award is not allowed, so we have to retake."

Didn't know that they did this here as well, "Fine by me, but don't be hurt when you lose."

"I won't, the same goes for you."

We took a different test for the subject and were told that our results will be released with the rest of the school tomorrow. I hated this system, I would have been okay with sharing the scholarship if need be but the principal stated that such a method would ruin the school's position and image.

The next day Zain was back at school, I wanted to scold him for not taking his health seriously but I understood, that missing another day could jeopardise his place. I also reminded myself that I no longer had the priveledges of telling him how to live. The ceremony began and Zain had topped every science kid with a perfect score in every subject including the 3 extra subjects he had been taking due to 'Being bored…" Erica made it to the list along with other classmates, and then the general and commerce stream were dealt with before the arts. They spoke about the tie between Zayd and myself. I was hoping that he got it since he had always but as they mentioned the tie breaker I had come on top of him scoring a perfect score. He picked me up hugged me and helped me through the crowd. He took his second place with joy helping me with my first place. I had never seen his eyes shine so bright, "I really must be a good teacher," he whispered into my ear

I had topped the entire arts and gained back my glory, but then the gossip hit me again. And I heard Zains comrades say, that I wouldn't be able to achieve just as much as a science student but Zain had taken the mic away from my hands and said, "She deserves even more…since she's been there for less than a year and still managed to surpass everyone, including some of you…"

Zayd quickly grabbed the mic putting it away, "We can defend ourselves…so please."

Zain heartbroken at the request left the stage. After receiving our certificates we left as well. Later that day a lot of rumours went around and then… the one thing I feared the most happened.

I laughed showing the post to Yumna, apparently, I was a part of a love triangle. It was spicy information for Zain and Zayd's careers but not for me. My mother was undoubtedly going to kill me today.

"How do I fix this now?" Zayd asked showing us his agent's message

"Just tell him that it's a misunderstanding and that was nothing but friends," I replied turning to Yumna again.

My mother gave me an earful that day and I was stuck writing a reflective essay… reflecting on my boy craze phase. I reviewed it one more time before gliding it into her office. The arts were going on holiday soon, but the science were to remain. I ignored the whispers and all the nasty looks the girls gave me. I went over to Zain's class with breakfast, "Your mother sent me on a mission…you've been ignoring Layla and Erica…you really are giving me a hard time is this some kind of hunger strike."

He looked up from his book confused, "I thought we`re at odds."

"We are, this is a favour for your mother…and for standing up for me yesterday …please stop skipping meals, I wouldn't want you fainting on strangers on the bus."

Wide-eyed and confused at the statement, I took a sip of the coffee to show him that it wasn't poisoned and for my final week had brought him breakfast and lunch.

The following week I had it delivered to him by Erica. I hoped that he would indeed at least listen to me about taking care of himself. Zayd wasn't happy about it but didn't care, he stated that he didn't want his enemy dying before he rubs his victories into his face.

The love triangle news was now a genre of its own and images of Zayd and I surfaced a lot because I spent most of my time with him. We tried to ease it by sticking to group activities but they always cropped everyone else out. For my pictures with Zain old pictures of us at a competition together or me cheering for him surfaced. I was basically a celebrity by association now.

"What do you usually do during a summer vacation?"

"First time?" Yumna asked pouring out a drink, " You do whatever you want to, some schools have longer holidays but ours doesn't want us idle for too long."

"Trust me I know that, they would start the term the year in advance for the science students. We were zombies…"

She laughed taking out a poster, " We can all go for a little camping trip if you guys want to."

"I'm down, my mother is out of town anyways…" I replied

"I'll let you guys know," Zayd said taking a bite of his apple, "My agent suggested me dating someone to help make the entire rumour die out or Zain getting a girlfriend."

"YOU? GIRLFRIEND!" Yumna said mockingly

"What's so funny about that?" He shot back, "Your boyfriend Raees doesn't even stick around his always buying milk."

So a little hand fight broke out until Devin asked for them to shut up.

"I think he'd be a great boyfriend ."

"Sweetheart, "Yumna said, "You're the only girl he`s nice to, don't count on it…he probably spoke to you just to spite Zain."

"Well, Yumna since you know everything shall we talk about how you're failing every subject besides art class."

"Being an average student is allowed for talented people !" She replied

I smiled taking the camping poster, "Enough about relationships are we going on this trip?"

"Let's just do it!" Devin replied

"Thought you never do anything without Erica," Yumna said

"Someone's splitting fireballs today…"I replied

"She just wants everyone to feel as miserable as she does because she misses Raees," Zayd replied

"Well…a lot had been revealed today," I said punching the both of them, "Anyways, I have to go now, my mother is launching something tonight and I have to fly over for an event."

"what about the trip," Yumna asked

"I'm leaving for the weekend, I'll be back before that."

"Awesome," Zayd said winking in my direction.

I blew a kiss towards everyone bidding them farewell. Zain was at the house I smacked my forehead, how could I forget that he arrives early on Fridays?

I stepped in greeting everyone present. Mother was obviously not there so I wondered why this boy was in my living room.

"Your back, your mother wanted to speak to you."

He handed his laptop to me, trying to hide the little scrape on his hand. I finished the chat with my mother, something about a dress and flying with Zain but making sure we have a bodyguard so the paparazzi don't make his life more difficult.

I agreed to everything slipping his laptop closed. I grabbed his hand observing the wound, it was a cut from a glass. This always happened when we were younger, the idiot doesn't know how to do a single thing in the kitchen.

It was a habit to care for him, I brought out the first aid kit and pushed him onto the sofa nearby. He blushed a little. Coughing, " What are you doing?"

"Cleaning your wound," I said

"So why did you push me onto the sofa like that…"

"I'm sorry …for a moment I forgot that…whatever."

I wrapped his arm and after closing the kit gave him a thumbs up to leave. He pulled me on top of him. I was literally holding onto him for dear life, I was angry but after realizing that we were indeed very close to each other my anger turned into a subtle yearning, I wanted…to kiss him!

After snapping out of that stupid thought I removed my hand from his breast running off. What was that for now?

He left the house instantly after. We had always been on top of each other, what was this all about now. I slapped myself locking the door.

Hoping that none of the bodyguards saw us or we'd be dead meat.