35| Of Snitches And Crushes

After school, despite every nerve in her body telling her not to, Zoey still made her way to the store. Her motivation to prove herself to her father was dwindling every day. If it was not for Travis, she would have quit by now.

She entered the store with a smile on her face. The memory of their kiss was still fresh in her mind. This was definitely not her first kiss but her favourite by far for some unknown reason. There was something about this nerdy guy, something unapproachable that makes him irresistible, as much as she hated to admit. But that didn't mean she was going to feed his already huge ego by admitting that in front of him.

The first person she noticed inside was the man himself, Travis Anderson. Dressed in a white T-shirt and blue denim jeans, he was engrossed in doing some calculation on the store register.

"Hi." She walked over to him and said.

"Hi." He said, not bothering to look at her.

"So about what happened last night---"

He broke her in between the sentence and said, "Nothing happened."

"Still in denial, are we?" Zoey lowered herself by propping her palms on the counter.

"I am not in denial. I am just choosing to erase that horrible memory from my mind." He said and Zoey contorted her nose at this.

"Horrible? That's the first time someone has described a kiss with me as horrible." She narrowed her eyes at him.

He finally raised his head and looked into her eyes. "What can I say? I don't like you much." He said.

"Well, guess what? I don't like you either." Saying that, Zoey snorted and made her way to the food aisle to help an old man find the required food.

The rest of the day went like that, with the passive aggressive looks and angry side-eyes they gave to each other. Whenever Zoey needed anything to ask, she went to Maya or straight to Cody instead of him. She hated feeling like this, the anger, the struggle, the bitter feeling in her stomach. So what if he didn't like her? He wasn't the last person on Earth. He can go to hell for all she cares.

She was lost in those thoughts when a man made his way to her. He was tall and had reddish hair, with a flirty smirk on his thin lips. Redheads weren't usually her type but she was willing to make an exception today.

"Hi," she said to the man in an unusually high-pitched voice. "What would you like to have?"

"Have is a broad term. There are many things I would like to have, for example a fiesty brunette." He winked at her.

Zoey internally cringed at his words but didn't let it show on her face. "Oh, in that case, what would you like to buy?"

He looked around the aisle and then picked up a packet of cereal. "So what's your name, love?" He asked.

Her gaze landed on Travis who was looking at them with narrowed eyes. This amused her and she leaned closer to the guy to irk him more. "The name is Zoey."

"Zoey." He repeated, stepping closer to her. "I am Josh."

"Oh. Nice to meet you Josh." She smirked, feeling angry glared towards them. "Are you sure you don't need anything else?"

"Not for now. But don't worry, I will keep coming." He grinned.

"I'll look forward to it." Zoey said and watched Josh go to the counter and pay for it.

Once he had left, she found Travis trudging towards her with a bothered look on his face. "What was that?" He asked.

"Why do you care?" Zoey glared, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"I don't. But flirting with customers is against the policy of this store." He glared back.

"I am sure Cody won't mind, especially if it brings him more customers." She smirked.

"Don't tell me you are actually interested in a guy of that age? He looked almost thirty." He huffed.

"So what if I am? At least a guy of his age won't find my kisses horrible." She snarled.

"You... You are impossible, Zoey." He groaned.

"Really? And what are you? A fucking pussy?" She roared.

"Mind your language." He ordered.

"Okay, grandpa." She huffed.

"You both, quiet now." They both heard Maya coming towards them with a frown on her face. "I could hear your voice down in the basement. What's so important that you couldn't wait till your shift is over to argue?"

Travis and Zoey once again glared at each other. "She was flirting with an old man." Travis said.

"Old? He was barely thirty, you snitch." Zoey fought the urge to punch him. "And I will tell you the real reason of our fight. It's because your stupid friend doesn't know how to act after his first real kiss."

Travis' eyes widened in embarassment and deep blush coated his cheeks. "You didn't just tell her about our kiss?" He said.

"I guess I did." Zoey shrugged.

Beside them, Maya was staring at Travis with her eyes bulging like saucers. Leaving them to discuss this, Zoey made her way to the other side of the store so he won't have to face his again.

•••••••••••

"What is it guys? Just spit it out." Mario walked behind Travis and Maya as they all made their way to the school ground.

"Nothing." Travis replied.

"There is something that you aren't telling me. Come on guys, don't do that." Mario made a pout with his lips.

"I told you, there is nothing to tell." Travis responded.

"Maya, sweetheart, you tell me. Is it something about me?" He pestered.

"No, Mario. It isn't about you." Maya replied.

"But there is something else? See, I knew." Mario groaned. "Please, what is it?"

"Fine. Zoey and I kissed. Happy?" Travis said, sitting on a bench.

Mario jumped up on hearing this and gasped in surprise. "You kissed Zoey?" He asked and Travis nodded. "With tongue?" He asked again and Maya smacked his back. "Oh come on, I need details. Was there moaning? Did you touch her ass? How did her mouth smell?"

"If you say one more word, I am going to kick your balls." Travis threatened and Mario raised his hands in defeat.

"But man, you kissed your highschool crush. That's the dream." Mario said enthusiastically.

Travis was going to speak something when a feminine voice stopped him. "You son of a bitch." All three of their heads turned to their left where Zoey was walking towards them with an amused and surprised look on her face.

"You act like I am the worst person on the Earth and yet you have a crush on me? You fucking hypocrite." She said on reaching him.

"I don't have a crush on you." Travis gulped hard and lied blatantly.

"Oh really?" She said and then turned to Mario. "Tell me Mario, does he or does he not have a crush on me?"

This was the first time Mario was standing this close to a girl. Zoey's eyes hypnotized him and he didn't realize when the next word left his mouth. "Yes."

Zoey turned her attention back to a very aggravated Travis and put her hands on her hips. Both Maya and Mario silently walked away and left them alone.

"Yes I had a crush on you. Had." Travis replied dryly. "But it doesn't change anything. It's not like we are obligated to start dating now."

"No, we aren't. But knowing this is good for my ego. Now you can't say you don't like me." She smirked again.

"I can. I don't like you." Travis responded.

"Oh no sweety, we aren't falling for that again." She grinned and then added. "It's going to be so much fun dealing with you now."

"Whatever. I have a class." Travis said and evaporated into thin air.

Zoey seated herself on the same bench and sighed. She was much more elated at this news than she should have been. This was not the first time she had found out that someone has a crush on her but Travis Anderson was no ordinary guy. He was the most stubborn, annoying and rude person she had ever met.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••