65| Of Friends And Family

In the lounge of Crawford mansion, Zoey and Travis were sitting on the couch and on the opposite couch was Richard Crawford, staring down at both of them with a displeased expression on his face. Rose was standing at a side with her head lowered, as if she was the one who got caught making out.

"Do you both have any idea what you have done?" Richard's voice echoed in the lounge.

Zoey gulped before replying, "Kinda. I mean, I think it's called kissing. I've seen in movies." She said innocently and Travis blew the air out of his mouth at this.

"Zoey!" He grumbled. "Do I look like I am kidding?"

"No. And neither are we. It was not a hormonal make-out session. We really like each other." She said and Rose gasped at her bluntness.

Richard ignored Zoey and turned his head towards Rose in an accusing manner.

Travis who was silent until now finally spoke, "Mom didn't know anything. It's not her fault."

"It is. She should have taught you your limits." Richard replied.

"Dad, stop blaming him. I was the one who initiated it." Zoey defended him, scooted closer to his seat.

"I know because you never leave any stone unturned to make my life a hell. He should've known better. He should have been mature enough to not give in to your rebellious tendencies." Richard groaned.

Zoey furrowed her brows and grunted, "My relationship with Travis is not a rebellion. I lo..." She took a pause and looked around to see if anybody noticed what she almost said. For her relief, nobody did. "I like him, a lot. And you are the one who said he is a nice guy."

"He is nice. But there is a difference between you and him." Richard replied.

"What difference? Because last I remember, he is the one going to Harvard while your daughter failed you again by not even going to college. So I don't get it. What's the fucking difference?" Zoey questioned back.

"Zoey!" Richard snarled.

Travis, who was listening to all this with shame and guilt spoke again, "I understand what you are saying, sir. Zoey and I belong to different classes in a society but I've been told that you were once the same. A lower middle class person aspiring to change the world one day. I just wish you will give me the benefit of doubt. I like your daughter and I have the potential to make her happy."

Richard stopped speaking for a second and kept staring at both of them with a constipated look on his face. Zoey eyed Travis from the corner of her eyes and found him doing the same.

"Rose!" He finally announced and stood up. "Handle your kid."

"Y... Yes, sir." Rose replied.

After he had stomped out of the lounge, Travis stood up to his mother. "Mom, I am sorry---"

Rose didn't let him complete the sentence and walked past him in anger. Now alone in the lounge, they both kept staring at each other without speaking anything.

After few seconds, a head peeked through the window at the right wall just beside them, causing both of them to jump up in scare. "For what's it's worth, I approve of him." Sam whispered to Zoey. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, it made them smile.

••••••••••

Next morning, on reaching the school ground, the first thing Zoey did was to look around for Travis. They hadn't spoken after what happened yesterday and she wasn't sure if he wanted to continue this relationship or not. For the first time in life, she was scared of losing someone.

When she couldn't find him, she reached Olive who was busy talking to Cindy and sat beside her. "I need to talk." She said.

Olive told Cindy that they would talk later and then shifted her attention to Zoey. "Did something happen between you and Travis?" She asked. Olive was the only person Zoey had told about her trial relationship with Travis.

"Dad caught us." Zoey said.

"Oh." She muttered. "Well, what now?"

"I don't know if Travis is upset with me or not. He was so sad that Rose got scolded because of us." Zoey grieved. "What should I do?"

"Talk to him." She pointed at the parking lot of school where Travis was standing.

"You know me. I always mess things up. But this time, I am really scared to ruin anything." Zoey said, playing with the hem of her top.

"You won't ruin anything and he is probably not even upset with you. Everything will be alright, okay?" Olive patted her arm. "Now go."

Hesitantly, Zoey stood up and made her way to Travis who was now walking towards school's building. She crossed his path and blocked his way by standing in front of him. "Hi."

"Hi." He replied without any hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

"How are you?" She asked.

"Great." He replied sarcastically.

"Travis, don't be a jerk." Zoey glared at him.

"Sorry." He muttered. "Mom isn't talking to me."

"Well, neither is my Dad but that's nothing new." Zoey shrugged. "So I don't care about him."

"But I do." Travis said. "This thing between us feels right and I don't want it to feel wrong because of our parents."

Zoey sighed, not knowing what to say now. She knew Travis would never feel comfortable if any of their parents were angry with them. "What do you want me to do then? Beg them for forgiveness."

"Of course not." Travis said and then put his hand on her arm. "We will figure out a way. Don't worry."

"Kiss me." She said all of sudden.

"What? Here?" He asked, looking around. Both of their friends were sitting in the ground, already staring at them having their heated discussion. Kissing her was the last thing on his mind.

"Yeah. Let everyone know we are together. We would have one less thing to worry about." Zoey said.

Nodding, Travis lowered his mouth and locked his lips with her. Zoey could feel eyes on her but she ignored everyone and kissed him back. The kiss was brief but it satisfied the cravings he had for his warmth since yesterday.

When she finally parted from him, she angled her neck to look at her friends who all had their jaws dropped to the ground.

"Bye. I have some explaining to do." She smiled and walked back to Olive who was now joined by Ethan and Althea.

"What in God's name was that?" Althea asked first.

"I like him. He likes me. We are dating. Our parents don't agree due to obvious but stupid reasons. In short, it's a whole soap opera so I will be grateful if you guys stop staring at me as if I have kissed a ghost. And just to clarify, I'll feel the same for him even if nobody approves." Zoey said all in one breath, leaving no room for argument.

Althea kept blinking her eyes as she tried to comprehend everything Zoey said. It was too much information to digest in a minute. "Just don't run away with him. Eloping is so middle class." She added in last.

"That's for me to decide." Zoey smirked.

••••••••••

Travis' friends had a similar reaction like Zoey's. They were staring at him with widened eyes and a mask of complete disbelief was plastered on their faces.

"How did that happen?" Maya asked.

Travis shrugged and seated himself in between them. "It started at that lake house."

"What? That was weeks ago. How come you didn't tell me?" Maya asked in angered voice.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Mario corrected.

"We weren't comfortable in telling anyone before being sure." Travis replied.

"Okay. Let's talk about important things first, have you fucked her yet?" Mario asked excitedly.

A blush appeared on Travis's cheeks and he kicked him in the shin. "Don't talk like that about her."

"Okay, sorry." Mario apologized. "Have you made love to her yet?"

Hearing his taunt, Travis' eyes narrowed into a glare. "Fuck off."

"You have, haven't you?" Maya asked.

"Why do you guys want to know so bad?" Travis replied, feeling embarrassed all of sudden.

"We are just surprised that you lost your virginity before any of us." Maya pointed out.

"Shut up. There is nothing surprising about that. I am not a prude." Travis argued.

"But you are a mama's boy." Mario said.

"Says the guy whose mother packed lunch for him for first two years of highschool." Travis teased.

"Hey!" Mario shrieked. "She was worried that cafeteria food won't be able to fill me up. I have a big appetite."

"So does Zoey, apparently." Maya winked. "Maybe that's why Travis looks so tired these days."

"Quiet, you both. Stop being so immature." Travis rolled his eyes and stood up to leave. "I am leaving."

As he turned around, he heard some smooching noises from behind, followed by their laughter. He fought the smile that was threatening to appear on his face and walked forwards.

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

Have I told you that one of the main three couples are going to have a sad ending? :P

*Laughs like an evil witch*