Bet My Life

Chapter 7

“Umm, did I tell you how pretty you look today, Izz?” I silently pleaded to Lily, how stood behind Izz.

“Nuh, uh. That’s not gonna work today. You are going to give me a straight answer to my questions, missy.” Izz declared, pointing a finger in my direction. I felt like I was getting lectured by my mom.

“Heh, about what? Nothing new here.” I shrugged guiltily. I just have to run towards the door. Make it or break it. My eyes darted towards Izz and I was about to make it, when -

“Do you think I’m an i***t? I have known you since forever Zoey. Don’t try to pull that stunt with me. Do you like him?” In all the years we’ve spent together, Izzie had always been my personal bodyguard. She used to try her best to protect me from anything and everything. She had always been my safe space, so when she left, I felt like an important piece from my life went missing. Today, after 5 years, I got my missing piece back.

I didn’t even realize that I was crying, till both Izz and Lily engulfed me in a hug.

“Zoe, it’s okay, we’re not pushing you. But I can promise you one thing, Nathan is a good guy. He won’t hurt you,” consoled Lily, wiping my tears.

“If not him, then someone else. I just hope that someday you will be ready to let someone in. Just don’t take too long, or you’ll end up losing what was right in front of your eyes,” continued Izzie.

“I’ve never had girlfriends before, but I do know that I want nothing more than to be your friend,” Lily confessed, looking at both of us.

“Right back at ya, babe,” winked Izzie, and I laughed, pulling us into a hug again.

Our little love fest was pulled apart by a knock on the door.

“What is it with people always interrupting,” I grumbled, while the other two laughed.

“Guys, shouldn’t you be out by now? It’s getting weird,” came a hushed whisper from the other side of the door, which sounded a lot like Eli.

We chuckled, and opened the door, to reveal all the boys standing outside the restroom with a guilty look on their faces. They guys pushed Chace in front and coughed.

“Well, you guys were taking a lot of time, so we were scared, and worried,” he said blushing, running his hand through his hair.

Lily beamed with delight and launched herself onto him. “You’re a cutie, you know that?” She laughed, kissing him.

“So whipped,” I heard the guys snickering.

“You know, a guy who shows his emotions is quite sexy, don’t you think so Izz?” I mocked teasingly, twirling my hair in my finger. Izz laughed at this but went along with it.

No sooner had I said it, that Eli and Zach kneeled down in front of us.

“Girls, we are very very emotional today, and we need a lot of support,” pouted Eli, in a baby voice.

“Damn straight, we are very very vulnerable,” mimicked Zach, with puppy dog eyes.

We all burst out laughing at the scene in front of us. It was impossible not to.

“Get up, you dorks,” replied, a very amused Nate, swatting both of them on their heads.

“Street cred, bruh. You’re ruining it,” grumbled Eli, “But at least I have these girls,” and stood in between us, with his eyebrows raising in a flirty manner.

“Like that’s ever going to happen,” I heard a reply before I was pulled to a very familiar chest.

Déjà vu.

I noticed how Zach held Izz by the waist, who was now blushing like a tomato. Wait, Izz never blushed. Ooh, someone’s got a crush. Just as I let out a small laugh, I could feel Nate’s eyes on me. His gaze softened the moment our eyes met, and he gave me a charming smile. Dayum.

“Umm, I should go. It’s getting late and I still have to get a few supplies for class,” I breathed out, not wanting to find myself in a compromising position with him again.

“Sure hon, I’ll just go get my bag,” replied Izz readily. I could tell that she wanted to stay but didn’t say anything for my sake.

“Izz, stay. I’ll see you back in the room. I wanted to spend some time alone. I’ll see you guys later,” I reassured, waving at everyone. I was in for a surprise because everyone took turns hugging me. Everyone, except Nate. He stood in one corner, trying to read me. I shifted under his gaze and gave a small smile. Izz was very apprehensive about leaving me alone, but I somehow managed to convince her.

It was half-past 5 which meant that we spent almost 6 hours there. Time really does goes by fast when you’re having fun. The book shop was a 20-minute walk from the cafe, so I decided to call my parents.

“Heylo?” A voice answered the phone after a few rings.

“Cal?” I used to call Carter “Cal” when we were kids, due to my inability to say my “r’s”. But seeing as how much it bothered him,

“Zoe? MOM, DAD, IT’S ZOEYY,” he shouted into the phone without a warning.

“Lower your volume, you dork,” I retorted, wincing at the sound of his voice. My brother was still in high school and was on the football team. I remember how every weekend when we were kids, my dad and my brothers would play football, while I would spend the time with mum. I smiled, thinking about the simpler times.

“Says the loser that is scared of cats,” he shot back, at the “dork” comment.

“Isn’t your butt jealous of all the crap that comes out of your mouth?”

“Bed-wetter”

“Ankle-biter”

“What are you 4?”

“Oh, get original”

“Enough! Both of you. Carter, go finish your homework,” mom intervened, as usual. I could hear Cal grumbling on the background about how he was the unloved child. Boohoo.

“Hi darling, how are you? How is Izzie? Did you make any new friends? How’s the campus? Did you eat anything?” my mom bombarded on the phone.

“Lady, breathe!!” I chuckled. “I’m good, mom. Izzie is great too, and I love the campus and made a few friends. I just finished having lunch with them”

“That’s amazing. My baby is so grown up now,” I could hear mom’s voice shaking a little.

I spoke to her and dad for a few minutes before reaching the store.

“Okay guys, I’ve got to go. Love you both,” I told my parents and cut the call.

Once I was done shopping, I walked out and found a library across the road. I saw a “help wanted” board, and decided to check it out.

“Hey, I’m Zoey Hart. It says that you guys are hiring?” I nervously asked a girl who was sitting on the counter. She seemed about my age and had bright red hair.

“Hi Zoey Hart, I’m Juniper Mayland. But you can call me June. Do you go to the University of Chicago, too?”

“Ya, I’m a freshman.”

“Cool, me too. So, when can you join?” she said, making my eyes go wide.

“Just like that? You didn’t even take my interview? Or ask your manager,” I asked, worrying a little.

“Hey, relax. My grandfather owns this library, so I am at the liberty to hire anyone I want. And I already took your interview. I happen to be a pretty good judge of character,” she laughed and looked at me with bright eyes.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I replied to her earlier question, “I can start tomorrow.”

“That’s awesome. I’ll see you here at 5 and I’ll explain the work to you. You should get back now, it’s getting dark. See you tomorrow Zoey,” she gave me a genuine smile and waved at me.

I left the library and realized that June was right, it was really dark and surprisingly quiet. The quiet, eerie night brought out a sense of terror in me. I felt eyes on me, and I tried to quicken my pace. I could hear the footsteps behind me growing louder. I turned back briefly to see two men behind me.

“Don’t be like that, doll. We’ll have a lot of fun,” One of them slurred, while the other laughed.

Fear gripped me, as I ran as fast as I could. All of a sudden, I felt a hand on my arm pull me back. I tensed up and was about to start screaming, when the figure put another hand on my mouth, effectively shutting me up.

“Shhhh!”A/n: Hey lovelies, here’s a new update. I haven’t been able to stop writing since yesterday. I was up all night, just listing down so many ideas. Hope you all enjoy this. Vote, share, and comment. 

Lots of hugs,

Illusionist