Chapter 11: Zendaya’s POV
1000 Words
I could still feel the morning rush buzzing in my chest as Beatrice and I hurried across the campus walkway. Students moved in different directions, some laughing, others dragging their feet toward lectures like they were being forced into battle.
"Walk faster," Beatrice whispered urgently, tugging my arm.
"I am walking fast," I protested.
"No, you're strolling like you're in a fashion show."
I laughed quietly but picked up my pace anyway.
Just as we were about to turn toward our faculty building, my eyes caught a familiar figure across the courtyard.
Ransford.
He stood with a group of his friends under one of the large trees near the administration block. They looked relaxed, laughing loudly while holding some papers and folders.
I slowed slightly.
Beatrice followed my gaze.
"Oh look," she said, lowering her voice. "Mr. Popular himself."
Ransford looked exactly the way he always did—confident, composed, like he owned the entire campus. His dark shirt was neatly fitted, and he stood with the kind of effortless posture people naturally noticed.
"They're probably planning their graduation stuff," Beatrice added. "You know he finishes school this year."
I nodded quietly.
I had heard that already. Most of the final-year students had been talking about graduation preparations lately.
Before I could decide whether to keep walking or pretend I hadn't seen him, Beatrice suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Come on."
"What—?"
But she was already pulling me toward them.
"Beatrice!" I whispered urgently.
"It's just greeting, relax."
By the time I could protest again, we were already standing in front of them.
Ransford looked up first.
For a brief moment, his eyes met mine, and a small smile curved at the corner of his lips.
"Well, look who we have here," he said.
Beatrice immediately stepped forward with her usual confidence.
"Good morning, Ransford."
"Morning, Beatrice," he replied casually.
His gaze flickered toward me again.
"Zendaya."
"Hi," I said softly.
One of his friends chuckled. "You girls heading to class?"
"Yes," Beatrice answered before I could speak. "And we're already late."
"Then why are you here?" another guy joked.
"To greet our favorite graduating senior, of course," Beatrice said dramatically.
Everyone laughed.
Ransford shook his head slightly.
"You two better run," he said. "Your lecturer won't be happy."
Beatrice glanced at her phone and gasped.
"Oh my God, we're actually late."
She grabbed my hand again.
"Bye guys!"
"Bye," Ransford said, his eyes briefly returning to mine.
And just like that, Beatrice dragged me away.
We practically jogged toward the building.
"This is your fault," I told her between breaths.
"My fault? You were the one staring!"
"I was not staring!"
"You were absolutely staring."
I rolled my eyes as we finally reached the classroom door.
Beatrice pushed it open carefully.
Every single head turned toward us.
And unfortunately, the lecturer was already inside.
Great.
He stood at the front of the room with his glasses resting low on his nose.
"Well," he said slowly. "How kind of you both to finally join us."
A few students chuckled.
My face immediately grew warm.
"Sorry, sir," I said quickly.
Beatrice nodded beside me. "It won't happen again."
The lecturer studied us for a moment before sighing.
"Take your seats."
We hurried to two empty chairs near the middle of the room and sat down quickly.
I exhaled quietly once I was seated.
"That was embarrassing," I whispered.
"Worth it," Beatrice whispered back.
I shook my head but smiled anyway.
The lecturer began the class shortly after, going through the day's topic while writing notes on the board.
About thirty minutes later, he clapped his hands together.
"Before we end today's session, we'll have a short quiz."
A collective groan filled the room.
"Relax," he said. "It's simple."
Papers were passed around and we began answering the questions.
The room fell into complete silence except for the scratching of pens on paper.
The quiz wasn't too difficult, thankfully. Most of the questions were based on topics we had covered earlier in the week.
After about twenty minutes, the lecturer collected the papers.
"That will be all for today," he announced.
Just like that, class was over.
Students immediately began packing their bags and leaving the room.
"Freedom," Beatrice whispered dramatically as we stood up.
"Relax," I laughed.
"Let's go to the cafeteria. I'm starving."
"Same."
We made our way across campus toward the cafeteria, joining the long line of students ordering food.
Eventually, we grabbed a small table near the window.
I ordered a chicken sandwich and juice, while Beatrice got a plate of rice and grilled chicken.
We had barely started eating when I noticed two figures walking toward our table.
Darian.
And the same guy he had been talking to earlier in the parking lot.
They stopped beside our table.
"Mind if we join you?" Darian asked.
Beatrice and I exchanged a quick glance.
"Sure," I said.
They pulled out the chairs across from us and sat down.
Up close, the other guy looked even more confident than he had from a distance. He had a relaxed smile and easy posture.
Beatrice was staring.
Not subtly either.
I nudged her foot under the table.
She didn't even blink.
Darian noticed and chuckled slightly.
"Oh right," he said. "I should introduce you."
He gestured toward the guy beside him.
"This is Frank. My best friend."
Frank gave us a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you."
Beatrice immediately straightened in her chair.
"I'm Beatrice."
"And I'm Zendaya," I added.
Frank nodded politely.
"Nice meeting you both."
Beatrice was still staring at him like she had just discovered a new celebrity.
I tried not to laugh.
Darian leaned back in his chair casually.
"So… how was class?"
I sighed dramatically.
"Short quiz."
"Ouch," Frank said.
Beatrice finally spoke again.
"Yeah, but we survived."
The four of us continued chatting casually as the cafeteria buzzed around us.
And somehow, without planning it, our small table had just become a lot more interesting.
- Writer
