Out of Ink

Chapter 17

Serina spent the rest of the school day low key freaking out that not only had she just had s*x, but she'd had it with Zack. At school! She was bursting to tell Sydney, but they were never alone. Then there was the guilty little part of her that was afraid to tell her best friend. Syd was still upset over Emmett. Like really upset. Serina knew that she had to sort all that out first before she could go bragging about her new-found s*x life. Assuming Zack wasn't done with her. There was a chance he had only needed that one time before she was out of his system and moving on to the next girl. "Next time I want you completely naked." Or maybe he wasn't done with her just yet.

"You're in a good mood today." She heard Emmett say to Zack. They were by the school gates as she walked out. Zack was beaming from ear to ear. Her stupid heart started racing and a blush crept over her whole face. She couldn't tell if it was from seeing that gorgeous smile, or from fear that Zack might tell Emmett what they'd done.

"I just... had a good day." Zack shrugged.

"Ooookaaay." Emmett drew out the word. "Anyway, I was going to hang out with Brit this afternoon. I'll catch you later?"

"Sure." Zack shrugged. "Hey Serina?" He called to her where she was standing in the bus line with Sydney. She turned around. Her cheeks were pink, and his grin grew wider when he saw them. She was so cute. "Do you want a lift?" They were going to the same place after all. Emmett gave him a weird look that he ignored.

"No, thanks." She said. "I'm going to get the bus with Sydney."

"She can come too." He turned his gaze to her, still yelling across a stream of students as they walked past. "Do you want a lift too?" Sydney looked shocked. Zack had never once volunteered to spend time with her and Serina without Emmett being there. Honestly, she felt a little awkward. But not enough to refuse.

"Okay." She agreed softly, nodding in case he couldn't hear her.

"Alright, see ya man." Zack smacked Emmett on the back, practically shoving him at Brittany, who was now standing beside them. Serina and Sydney shared a confused look before following Zack to his car. Serina at least had some idea why Zack was in such a good mood.

When they got to the car, both girls got in the back. "What am I your chauffeur?" Zack asked from the front seat.

"Onwards driver." Searina laughed. Shaking his head, Zack started the engine.

"This is weird." Sydney whispered back.

"But just go with it." Syd frowned. She clearly wasn't buying Zack's sudden nice guy act. There was a moment of awkwardness as they pulled out of the school car park.

"So what are you guys doing this afternoon?" Zack asked.

"Studying." Sydney told him. "Do you want to come over?" She asked Serina.

"Sure."

"Oh. Umm, hey Serina?" Zack was feeling pretty awkward. He was fine staying at the Bishops. But he felt way too weird being there when the twins weren't.

"Yeah?" Serina shot him a slightly panicked look. She was a little worried that he was about to say something in front of Sydney about earlier.

"Nothing, it's fine." He swallowed hard. He didn't want to force her to spend time with him just because he felt a little awkward. Serina noticed the new colour in Zack's checks. Was he blushing? And he was definitely sitting stiffly.

"What is it Zack?" She asked with genuine concern in her voice.

"Nothing." He insisted. "I just wanted to borrow your key. In case your mum isn't home yet." Oh.

"Oh. Sorry, I totally forgot." Sydney gave her friend a strange look. "Sorry Syd, but I should probably go home with Zack. He's still staying with us."

"We could always study at your place?" Sydney suggested.

"Good idea." Serina told her, ignoring the small lump of rising disappointment she felt over not being alone with Zack.

The girls set up their books on the dining table. They planned to start with modern history, then move on to English when they'd had enough of memorizing dates. Zack was tempted to join them, just so he wasn't alone. But since they hadn't invited him to study with them, he just went up to his temporary room upstairs and pulled out his homework. No sooner had he sat down, there was a knock at the door. Serina hovered in the doorway. "Hey, um. Did you want to come down and study with us?" A slight pink blush graced her cheeks. A warm feeling started in his chest and he tried to suppress a smile. She was adorable.

"Sure." He shrugged one shoulder like it was no big deal. Serina turned towards the stairs. "Hey Serina?" She turned back.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go somewhere with me tomorrow?" He saw her eyes widen in surprise.

"Okay." Zack followed her back downstairs where he set up across the table from the girls. Sydney gave Serina a questioning look, but Serina just pretended that she hadn't seen it. Instead, diving straight into their little study session.