Chapter 28- I do not fear your charms

CHAPTER 28 - I DO NOT FEAR YOUR CHARMS**

"Will you wait for me?"

I'd always thought that was the cringiest line in every romance movie. But when Zayd stood before me, fingers raking through his wind-tousled hair as he asked me that question, the words landed like a punch to my sternum.

"Wait for what? Where are you going?" My bike helmet dangled from suddenly numb fingers.

"Moving." His usual calm voice carried a new weight. "I want... serenity."

"So you're just—"

"Leaving. Permanently."

The wrench in my chest twisted tighter. "What?"

He smiled that dimpled smile that made girls in the bleachers sigh. "You heard me. Thank you... for everything. I'll miss you." His voice cracked on the last word.

We stood on the empty racetrack where we'd just finished our last lap together. Tomorrow I'd be moving houses, my life already in upheaval. Now this.

"This is a joke, right?" My laugh came out too sharp, bouncing off the asphalt. When he didn't answer, I swallowed hard. "So this is goodbye?"

His nod sent my stomach plummeting. No more early morning practices with his motorcycle growling beside mine. No more catching that rare, full smile when he nailed a difficult turn.

"Will I see you again?" My voice splintered like cheap fiberglass.

"Maybe?" His thumb brushed away a tear I hadn't realized escaped. "Wait for me?"

"Where?"

"University. I'll win the award. We'll meet there."

The promise hung between us, fragile as the morning mist burning off the track. When he pulled me into a hug, his racing jacket smelled like gasoline and mint gum—a scent I'd spend months trying to forget.

"Enjoy your pre-senior year," he murmured into my hair.

Then he was gone, his bike's roar fading down the access road. I slumped against the chain-link fence, knees giving way. By the time Yumna and Erica found me, I'd cried myself hollow over our cold fried chicken.

———

Raees's return was everything Yumna's romantic soul could want—rose petals scattered across classroom desks, their embrace so tight her uniform sweater rode up in the back. Erica, Devin and I exchanged eye-rolls as we swept up the floral debris later.

"At least someone's getting their fairytale," Erica muttered, dumping petals into the trash.

I said nothing, crushing a crimson bloom in my palm. Since Zayd left, I'd become class rep—a responsibility I couldn't shake. Everyone else had their futures mapped: Yumna to art school, Erica to law, Devin to engineering. Me? I wanted to fly. Literally. Commercial pilot license, the open sky, no roots.

Zain's plans remained a mystery, though his university applications suggested he had some scheme brewing.

———

"You're back." I snapped my novel shut as my mother breezed in, her suitcase already by the door. "How long this time?"

"Leaving tonight." She didn't meet my eyes as she refreshed her lipstick. You'd think nearly losing me might have changed things. Instead, she and Zain's mother had doubled down on their absences, their business ventures stretching from Johannesburg to Tokyo.

"Just move already," I said, voice sharper than intended. "No one's holding you here."

Her reflection in the mirror stilled. "Is that advice or resentment?"

"Take your pick." I watched her pack her designer makeup case. "You're basically living there anyway."

A pause. Then, softly: "You're right." The click of her closing suitcase sounded final. "Focus on school, okay?"

The door shut behind her with a quiet snick. In that moment, I made a silent vow: If I ever have children, they'll never stare at a closing door wondering when it might open again.

———

Zain called that evening, canceling for the dinner my mother had already abandoned. Typical.

"Ever tried smoking? Drinking?" Erica asked the next day between classes.

"With my luck? I'd get addicted." I forced a smile as she dashed off to Devin.

The halls buzzed about Zain's new trailer—his debut acting role had exploded online. Gone was the awkward science nerd; in his place stood some brooding heartthrob in a muscle vest, delivering cringeworthy pickup lines with surprising conviction. I'd never admit how many times I'd rewatched that damn trailer.

"Sorry about last night," his voice rumbled behind me suddenly.

I kept walking. "Don't bother. Mother left anyway—"

His fingers caught in my ponytail, tugging me back with just enough force to make my pulse spike. "I wasn't done talking."

"You don't scare me," I snapped, whirling to face him.

In one fluid motion, he caged me against the vending machine, his body heat searing through my uniform. "Didn't say to fear me." His breath ghosted over my lips as he reached past me to retrieve his gum. "Said I wasn't done talking."

Then he was gone, leaving me gripping the vending machine for balance, my traitorous heart hammering. Damn him. Damn his new confidence. Damn how easily he'd stepped into Zayd's absence like it was a space meant for him.