TOO MUCH FOR YOU. ENOUGH FOR HIM

Chapter 4: Darian Cole

Zendaya’s POV

The morning after felt wrong. Not in a dramatic way. Not in a way I could easily explain. Just off. I woke up feeling empty, thinking that Ransford was still beside me, thinking that he didn’t leave me here. But no, he was gone.

But the body just felt cold. I missed the warmth that he brings to me. I stared at the ceiling, the faint sunlight stretching across my sheets like it was trying to convince me everything was normal. But it wasn't.

My phone lay face down beside me. I took it to open my messages hoping to know that he had left a message, but he didn't. Silence, I received messages, but it wasn't from him. I scrolled through my chats, hoping to see his, but no luck.

No “good morning.” No " I left to prepare for school, see you soon” Nothing. And somehow it hurt more than anything he had done. I turned onto my side, wrapping my arms around myself. My mind replayed everything from the night before. The way Ransford held me. It felt good, but it was wrong.

I got out of bed to get ready for school slowly. I couldn't help but still think of everything that just happened, it's not as if it was any news to me. Maybe this was normal, I told myself.

College relationships had so many confusing feelings. There were mixed signals. Maybe I was just overthinking everything. But deep down I knew I wasn’t. I had just been ignoring the truth for too long.

"Alright Zendaya, ready for school," I said as I took my lecture bag and car keys and set off.

The campus was already alive when I arrived. Students everywhere were filled with laughter, and noise. It looked as if life was moving forward for them, as nothing had changed. But something had, no, let me speak for myself, something had changed for me.

I scanned the school compound to see if I could locate Beatrice she usually waits for me here.

"Where the hell is she," I said frustratingly.

But I saw him, before I could see her. Ransford, leaning casually against the steps of the main building like he owned the place. Beatrice stood beside him, laughing at something he said. His attention was fully on her.

Since he was going to pretend as if nothing had happened, I was going to do the same thing. I stopped walking.

"Hey Beatrice, I had been looking for you on the compound" I said dramatically.

"Hey Ransford" I also said with a genuine smile.

Then his eyes flicked toward me. My heart reacted instantly. But I didn’t look at him for long, it was very short, and I looked like I didn't care.

“Zendaya!” Beatrice called, higgong me excitedly.

“Oh so sorry, I was just having a little conversation with Ransford," I forced a smile and nodded.

“You’re late,” Ransford said casually. He didn’t even look at me.

“Oh yeah, I had company last night and I was so disappointed when I woke up not to see him there, so it took me a lot of thinking if something was wrong with me, I didn't realise the time” I muttered.

“Oh, girl. Don't worry whoever left you must be a fool, right Ransford” Beatrice added, smiling at him.

"Yeah sure," he casually added while giving me a death stare, but I wasn't moved by it.

I nodded slowly. “Beatrice let's go, we're late for class”

"Yeah you're right, let's go," she replied.

"Bye, Ransford," she added and he simply nodded at us.

We immediately rushed to our classrooms but before we could reach I walked straight into someone.

“Watch it.” The voice was calm.

"Ouch," I said while holding my head.

"Oh sh*t, are you okay Zendaya," Beatrice asked me.

I looked up, I wanted to see the person who couldn't watch where he was going, and for a second, everything else faded. Because he was so handsome, chocolate and tall. Not forgetting his built self. His gaze was steady.

“I’m sorry,” He said quickly, as I was adjusting my bag.

"Oh no it's fine," I replied.

"Zendaya let's go the lecturer is entering the class" Beatrice said while pulling my hand.

"See you around," he said and left.

For a second I couldn't move my legs, I couldn't get over his handsomeness and voice. Beatrice successfully pulled me before I could move and we went to class.

"Miss Zendaya....."

"Zendaya..."

I came out of my thoughts when someone hit my arm, I turned to see who it was and it was Beatrice. I frowned.

"Miss Zendaya," I heard but this time it was from our lecturer.

"Yes sir " I replied quickly.

"Can you please answer the question for me" Oh sh*t I wasn't paying attention.

I slowly stood up from my chair, " Sir please can you repeat the question?"

"Were you listening to what I was saying Miss Zendaya"

I bowed my head, " I'm sorry sir it won't happen again".

"Sit down," I slowly sat down ashamed and I could hear some giggles.

“You alright?” Beatrice whispered to me immediately I sat down and I nodded.

Soon after class was over and we were heading to the cafeteria, I wished I could see that guy again. We went to our usual table with our food and started chatting.

"You zoned out in class, were you thinking of the guy you bumped into?"

"No it wasn't," I said shyly.

"Yes you were," she started teasing.

"No..."

"We meet again," that voice, I immediately raised my head to see it was him again.

"Do you mind if I join your table?"

I was too startled to answer, "yes you can," Beatrice answered.

"I'm Darian, Darian Cole," he said

"'Darian.." I whispered.

But he heard me, "My name sounds good coming from your mouth,"

OMG!! I'm so shy.

"I'm Zendaya," I said and he replied.

"I'm Beatrice, Zendaya's best friend, she can't live without me,"

"Oh please," soon after we all burst out laughing, that's Beatrice for you always with the sense of humour.

His smile was so beautiful.

“You dropped this in the hallway so I decided to look for you and give it to you.” He held out my notebook.

I hadn’t even noticed it was gone. I took it, my fingers brushing his slightly. I couldn't help the sparkles that I felt.

“Thanks,” I said quietly.

He glanced past me briefly then back to his food. Then his gaze returned to me.

“You smilelis beautiful,” he said suddenly.

I blushed slightly.

“What?”

“Your smile, it is very beautiful," he repeated calmly.

"Ummm, thanks, I guess," I said shyly.

"Pleasure is all mine,"

"Oww looks like someone isn't going to sleep tonight," Beatrice suddenly said with a teasing smile.

"You b***h," I hit her on her arm and we three began to laugh.

Soon after we were already done eating and had to get ready for our next class. Darian studied me for one more second.

"Can I get your number, Zendaya," he suddenly said.

"Uh...ummm...uh," I stuttered.

"It's fine if you don't want to," he said, about to get up.

"No no no, it's fine, here," I took his phone dialled my number and gave it to him.

"I'll text you," I nodded.

Then he gave a small nod, “See you around, Zendaya.”

And just like that he walked away. But something didn’t leave with him but it stayed, the feeling we both shared, there was no denying.

"Let's go," Beatrice and I got up for our next class. Class was so slow today but it was finally over.

"Zendy, you have to drop me off," Beatrice said.

"No," I said sarcastically.

Beatrice rolled her eyes at me, " Hey did you just roll your eyes at me,"

"And what if I did," she replied.

"Then you are walking,"

"Heyyyyy I'm sorry" she was so dramatic.

I dropped Beatrice off at her hostel and went to my apartment. The rest of the evening felt unreal, for the first time someone had looked at me. The way his words echoed louder than they should have.

For the first time in a long time, I just sat there, my thoughts filled between two worlds. One that drained me and one that awakened something I didn’t understand yet. And for the first time, I realised something terrifying. I had a choice.