Chapter 22: 22.

(Picture of Becca!)

^ New character, I know. Surprise surprise.

A/n: By the way, Come Back To Me has been updated to Chapter 5! I'm putting it here to self-promote my other book so don't mind me, hehe. It's a pretty interesting book though, so give it a chance please! Drama and a cute kid is promised 😉

• • •

"Oh, you sneaky little bitch."

"What?"

"Details. We want the deets!"

"Of what?"

"I would throw this bowl of hot soup in your face if you weren't this pretty." Cass widens her large brown eyes to glare at me intensely, but it only results in me laughing out loud.

"Do not laugh because if she doesn't do it with the hot soup, I'll do it with my cold drink!" Ally says from next to Cass as I sit across them in our usual seat at the North Cafeteria. As you may guess, it is now Tuesday again and we finally get to have our hour of girls talk without the barrier of phone screens.

I curb the laughters immediately knowing these two girls are absolutely crazy and will mean what they say. I cautiously lean back into my own chair and exaggeratingly pout at my bowl of ramen noodles.

"I don't recall either of you being so mean to me when we first met." I pretend to wail.

Cass rolls her eyes. "That changed the moment we were on last name basis. I'm a bitch, deal with it."

I gotta admit sometimes throwing shade at each other does makes our friendship a tad bit more interesting but sometimes, it also really annoys me.

"Fine." I cut my pretense and sit up straight. "What the fuck do the both of you want to know?"

Ally seems to catch my change in mood and softens slightly. "Wait, are you mad? We're kidding."

"I'm not mad. Just ask."

"Now you're scaring me." Cass sighs and uncrosses her arms. "Okay, okay. We're not gonna pry until you're comfortable to reveal to us."

I chuckle and sip from the straw of my iced tea. "Fuck off. You're going to be that creepy stalker who will follow me just to satisfy your own curiousity. Besides, I feel like I should've told y'all a while ago." I pause and they wait patiently for me to tell the story. So I begin by narrating from the very first time which was at the Halloween's party—which they already knew of by the way, but I thought it's essential, to the part where we started getting close and intimate at Wayne's house. The rest of the sexual adventures are kept to the most minimum, only mentioning the frequency.

"Shit. So like, you really have regular fucks now." Cass announces and Ally giggles from next to her. "I don't know man. I always thought you two would be the sort to get together first before getting into this kind of FWB relationship."

I had the same thought and I constantly question myself for my bad decisions.

I shrug, not knowing what to say. "I've no idea what I'm doing. But I'm gonna be frank cuz I trust the two of you. And that is that one of us will end up getting hurt soon, and I can already feel that it's going to be me."

———

I sprawl out on my comfortable bedsheets ready to crash. I had only just returned home at 10PM and had to do all the trouble of removing make ups and taking a shower. After lunch, Ally went to work while Cass returned to her dorm. She had another class in the evening later so usually I'll choose to head home and rot. When I got to my car, I received an unexpected text.

Zacson: Come to my car.

Me: Why?

Zacson: Just come or I'll kidnap you eitherway.

Not wanting to be seen in the parking lot like that, I willingly moved my legs to where he usually parked his R8. He was already seated in his car and when I made my way around, he opened the passenger door from the inside and gestured for me to get in.

"What's up?" I asked him as soon as I entered his car. It was pretty cold outside seeing as it's end of November now, and I was shivering slightly from the pullover and leggings I had on.

Immediately, he leaned over to my side and kissed me. I wasn't that taken aback anymore since we do secretly make out now and then, but he hasn't shown this much interest in PDA aside from in my bedroom.

"Mm," he pulled back and licked his lips. "You always tastes like grapes."

I smiled and put on my seatbelts. He somehow figured out grapes are my favourite fruit and flavour. From jam, to chapstick, to Fanta, to candies. Nothing beats grape. "Where are we going?" I asked, noticing him for the first time today. We didn't have lunch together of course and he left the house before Wayne came home last night.

"My house."

I was obviously surprised why he'd be wanting to bring me to his home. The last time I was there was during the Halloween party, and that was an acceptable reason to be there since well, everyone else were too.

Going to his mansion of a house again was intidimating to say the least. It was so big yet so empty because unlike the previous time, the halls were cleaned and brightly lid. Furniture were back in place and there was someone sitting on the couch in the living room. I stiffened, not knowing who it might be. I hated being a stranger in someone's home.

Zac led me into the room, introducing me to his mother. She looked like the sort of Hollywood moms— blond pixie-cut, lean and seemingly physically fit, decked in a whole body of designers and jewelries. What's new?

She seemed shocked to see me though, but smiled and offered a handshake regardless. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Gray. I'm Kelsey." I introduced myself with a slight bow since she was seated and I was standing.

"Don't call me that," she laughed. "Just call me Dion."

I nodded and Zac urged me to go upstairs to his room, dismissing his mum's advances to grill me. I asked him why he brought me here and he said it was because he simply wanted to cuddle with me, but he knew Wayne would be home early today hence we couldn't do it there.

During dinner, I went downstairs before Zac since he went to take a bath. I joined Dion in the dining room where staffs were bringing out food. Carson wasn't home at that point and neither do I see their father.

"So, Kelsey," Dion started. "Are you and Zac dating?"

I shook my head. I didn't even know what we were. "Not exactly. I think we're just figuring things out."

"I see. He rarely ever brings any girls back. You're probably the second one." She smiled. I didn't want to ask who the first was, it was none of my business.

"Do you cook?" She asked again. I shook my head no. The only thing I'm proud of making is instant noodles.

"Oh," her smile faltered and I began to worry. I had no talents, I was a freshman and wasn't involved in any co-curriculum. I had nothing to offer anyone. "It's okay, I guess. Luckily Zac can cook, huh." She joked but I felt dumb. I couldn't even cook anything simple for christ's sake.

We didn't interact much after Zac came down to eat too. He sat beside me the whole time and always spooned food into my plate. He tried to keep the conversation between him and his mum light so that I wouldn't feel awkward or felt like I was intruding them. He seemed to really get along well with his mum, although there was a tiny bit of distance. It may have been a conflict or something but we all go through that with our parents, so I didn't find the need to bring it up.

He sent me back to school so I could retrieve my car. It'd be weird and suspecting if I were to be sent home without my car so I insisted I'll drive myself home. He wanted to accompany me back but I told him it'd be drawing attention if we were to somehow pull up to Wayne's place at the same time. He gave in in the end.

Cass: Have you seen instagram?

I proceed to click into my ig account and scroll a little, watching people's stories. Until I scroll further down my feed and see a photo uploaded by Zac just an hour ago.

My mouth fall open seeing that he posted the photo he took earlier when I was at his house, on his bed. We were snuggling and he had put on a movie to watch. We weren't really having sex at that point, but he always liked skin-to-skin contact so I removed my leggings while he removed his sweater. He may have taken a few pictures of me before but this is the first time he ever uploaded one, though nobody can possibly recognize it as my thigh.

His instagram account is very specific— mostly photos of him, his OOTD, selfies and wefies. There's not a single photo with a girl and only one that has the other three boys in them. Obviously, all his girl fans seems distraught that there's something related to a female being posted now.

Me: What do you think that means?

I don't know what to think of it nor do I want to assume it means anything more. He may have just thought it's a nice photo, or he wanted people to guess who it might be. He hasn't told me about the photo either, and we don't ever text much so I'm hesitant if I should text him now and ask about it. Heck, I don't even know whether to 'like' it or not.

Cass: Wait. That was you, right? Omg.

Me: I know. I don't know what was he thinking.

Cass: It's okay. We'll brainstorm about it tomorrow. ;)

———

The following day is the day of Drew's soccer game. Most of our classes are also cancelled on that day since we'll be having our Thanksgiving break for the rest of the day. Having the luxury of waking up at 12 noon can never be better.

"Wake up, wake up." I hear someone repeatedly knock on my bedroom door.

Begrudgingly, I got up from my bed and strut to the door. At least I had a satisfying twelve-hour sleep. "Good morning," I open and see my brother standing outside, leaning against the mezzanine rails.

"It's afternoon," he rolls his eyes. "Get ready. Drew's game starts in thirty."

Then I start to panic. Thirty? How can I ever shower, dry my hair, put on make-up and find an outfit in thirty minutes?

"You're not thinking about backing out, are you?" He stands up straight. "Go go go! I'll choose something for you to wear. Just hurry up before he bites my ear off." He moves me by my shoulders to walk in the direction of the bathroom.

An hour later, I finally arrive at the campus and found myself a parking lot nearer to the stadium. The event had already started for fifteen minutes, so I didn't manage to catch Drew before he stepped into the field and wish him luck. Wayne is supposedly going out with Bianca, hence he wanted me to replace him at the game.

"You're late!" Cass says as soon as she sees me approaching her at the bleachers. The band is down at the tracks, so Zac is with his drumline while Carson is probably behind the scenes making sure everything goes well audio and visual wise. That leaves Ally, Cass and I cheering for them along side thousands other spectators.

"I know. I sort of overslept." I grin sheepishly at them. They quickly recap to me what I missed. I am never really one to be keen in sports so going to a soccer game don't particularly excites me.

"So, the photo." Ally starts, wiggling her brows at me suggestively.

"Shut up." I say with a silly wide grin on my face. I couldn't help that I actually feel happy about it. Everybody loves being shown off, don't they?

"What exactly is up between the both of you? Why is there a need to hide?" Cass probes, which causes me to think. One of the reasons would be my brother, but that's mostly just an excuse. If I wanted someone, I honestly won't care what his opinion will be.

"It's not like we sit down and talk about feelings, you know." I confess. All we ever talk about is everything except love and relationships.

"Yeah, but he clearly likes you."

"He hasn't ever said that."

"Sometimes you don't have to say it to prove it, you know." Ally backs her up. I do agree, but wanting me to believe someone that good-looking and popular like Zac genuinely wants a relationship with me seems too good to be true. We have only been fucking for close to a month. It all seems to be moving in extreme speed for me to progress.

"I'm not ready for anything." I admit. It's hard for someone to put down their guards and let anyone in after having been cheated on. Not that I'm saying it might happen, but what if I decide to let him in and he ends up fucking Cass or Ally? It'd be foolish of me to go through this twice.

"Okay, you believe that. But you're sure this isn't going anywhere for you? From the looks of it, the both of you are already together. Just neither of you wanting to acknowledge it."

———

"Did you see me? Did you see me?" Drew runs up the bleachers excitedly in all his sweat. The game has finally ended after hours and I was beyond bored to be honest, had it not been for my phone and two accompanying nosey girls.

"I did," I smile at him but backs away when he tries to hug me. No way. He always smells whenever he sweats this much and I'd hate having to drive home stinking my car. "Good game, Drew. Since you won, it's your treat!" I stick my tongue out at him childishly.

Cass and Ally perks up, nodding to my suggestion. Drew feigns a gasp before breaking out in a wide grin. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood. See you ladies in thirty." He blows us a kiss before skipping down the staircase. On the way, he passes by Zac who happens to be climbing up to us and gives him a high five.

"Hey," he reaches us and smiles at me even though the other two girls are there too. I can't help the grin on my face either especially after watching him play for the first time. God, he was spectacular and he even did a solo part, nailing it. Him in his band uniform also makes him look extra attractive with the costume fitting him tightly around his pecs, showing off the shape of his toned and masculine chest.

Cass and Ally giggles, slowly backing away to retrieve their belongings on the seat without so much as interrupting us. Man, I have great friends.

"You were great." I try to say something so not to make things awkward with the urge to hug and kiss him in front of the audience.

He seems to be struggling with it too as I see he raises his hands up before lifting down again at his sides. "Just great?"

"More than great."

He chuckles, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his outfit. He has on a plain white t-shirt underneath so it isn't going to distract me as much watching him undress. "Any plans?"

"Yep!" Cass shouts out from the side, before moving back in to us. Guess she couldn't tolerate not eavesdropping on our completely normal and platonic conversation. "Lunch's on Drew." She shoots her trademark toothy smile.

Zac nods. "That's almost never happened before. I gotta be there." He smirks at the thought.

I bent down to pick up my own bag too but suddenly, a girl comes up from behind Zac and pulls at his arm, hooking hers with his. "Zax!" The golden blonde girl who's in similar uniform calls him.

He turns to acknowledge her with a smile. "Oh, hi Bex."

I assume she's probably Becca since I may or may not have stalked her instagram account last night after seeing her comment on his post. God, I didn't know what happened to me but I slowly begin to find myself become nosey and creepy.

She smiles at him with eyes that only looks at him. Not once did she turn to see us three who are standing there like statues. "You didn't wait up for me." She pouts slightly and I sort of cringe.

Zac, though, doesn't seems to be affected by her in any way as he gives her his usual charming lop-sided grin. "Sorry, Bex. I didn't know you were looking for me. What's up?"

"We need to catch up! It feels like ages." She urges him, tugging at his arm. Zac turns to me apologetically but I give him a nod, signalling that it's absolutely fine for him to hang out with his friend. Or maybe not. He smiles one last time at me before leaving with Becca in hand.

"Who's that?" Ally asks me and I can only shrug in response. I don't have a clue either since we are both freshmans who have only been in here for a couple months. It seems that she must be in the same band as Zac judging from their outfits, and they must've been kinda close if they have pet names for each other.

"That's Becca." Cass speaks up. Clearly, her being a year higher than us has its perks as she knows people around. "But that's all I know." She looks at me in fear that I'll grill her for answers. "She isn't like Bianca or Kelly or Rachel. I don't recall hearing much about her before. But if you want to, we can always go dig."

I shake my head to disapprove. There's no way I'm going to allow myself to interfere in someone else's life anymore. Learning from past experiences, ignorance sometimes is bliss. Besides, we aren't anything more than fuck buddies. And it shouldn't matter to me whichever other girls he hangs out with. It's not like I ever checked his phone either or asked him about his whereabouts. He has his own freedom to live his own life and I'm done letting one guy make me doubt myself again.

None of your business. None of your business. None of your business. Keep repeating that and maybe one day you'll believe in it.