Chapter 12: Drive safe
1032 Words
Zendaya’s POV
The cafeteria was unusually lively that afternoon. Students filled almost every table, the constant buzz of conversations mixing with the clatter of trays and the faint smell of fried chicken and fresh pastries drifting through the air.
But somehow, at our table, everything felt… different.
Maybe it was because there were now four of us instead of two.
Or maybe it was because Beatrice had not stopped staring at Frank since the moment they sat down.
I tried my best to focus on my sandwich, pretending not to notice the way her eyes kept drifting back to him every few seconds.
Frank, on the other hand, seemed completely aware of it.
“So,” he said casually, leaning back in his chair, “you two have been friends for long?”
Beatrice immediately straightened in her seat.
“Forever,” she said dramatically.
I laughed softly. “Not forever. But long enough.”
“How long is long enough?” Frank asked.
“Since our first year,” I explained. “We met during orientation week.”
Beatrice nodded. “She looked so serious that day. I thought she hated everyone.”
Frank chuckled.
“And you?” he asked her.
“Oh, I was the life of the party,” she said proudly.
“That part I believe.”
I shook my head, smiling as I took another bite of my sandwich.
Darian had been quiet most of the time, occasionally glancing between the three of us like he was simply observing the conversation.
Finally, his eyes landed on me.
“How was your quiz?” he asked calmly.
I groaned softly.
“Short and stressful.”
Frank laughed. “Those are the worst kinds.”
“I think I did okay though,” I admitted.
“Of course you did,” Beatrice said. “Zendaya always does well.”
I nudged her foot under the table.
“Stop exaggerating.”
“I’m not exaggerating.”
Frank rested his elbows on the table, studying us with amusement.
“You two are entertaining,” he said.
Beatrice smiled proudly.
“We try.”
For a moment the conversation paused, and I took a sip of my juice.
Then Frank turned to Beatrice again.
“So,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “were you staring at me earlier in the parking lot?”
I nearly choked on my drink.
Beatrice blinked once.
Then twice.
“Excuse me?” she said.
Frank smirked.
“You heard me.”
I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.
Beatrice crossed her arms.
“I was not staring.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“Then why were you looking at me like you were trying to memorize my face?”
I couldn't hold it anymore.
I burst out laughing.
Beatrice turned to glare at me.
“You are not helping.”
“I’m sorry,” I said between laughs.
Frank chuckled again.
“I’m just teasing.”
“Well stop,” she said, though a small smile betrayed her.
Darian watched the whole exchange quietly, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.
“You two are going to be trouble,” he said calmly.
Beatrice leaned back confidently.
“Only if you can’t handle it.”
The conversation flowed easily after that. It felt surprisingly comfortable sitting there with them, like we had known each other longer than just a few minutes.
At some point Frank suggested something.
“We should all hang out sometime,” he said. “Maybe tonight.”
Beatrice’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Yes.”
Her answer was so fast that we all laughed.
Frank grinned.
“See? That enthusiasm is exactly what I like.”
I shook my head.
“You don’t even know him yet.”
“I know enough,” Beatrice replied.
Darian’s gaze shifted to me.
“What about you?” he asked.
I hesitated for a moment.
“I can’t tonight,” I said.
Beatrice turned to me in surprise.
“Why?”
“I’m visiting my parents after this.”
“Oh right,” she said, remembering. “The surprise visit.”
Frank nodded approvingly.
“That’s nice.”
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I haven’t seen them in a while.”
Darian leaned back in his chair, studying me thoughtfully.
“Where do they live?” he asked.
“Not too far from here,” I said. “About an hour’s drive.”
“Lucky,” Frank said. “My family lives across the country.”
“That must be tough,” Beatrice said.
“You get used to it.”
The cafeteria had begun to thin out as students slowly left for the day.
I glanced at the time on my phone.
“Oh wow,” I said, standing up slightly. “I should get going.”
“You’re leaving already?” Beatrice asked.
“If I want to get there before evening, yes.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Fine. But call me later.”
“I will.”
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder.
Frank stood up politely.
“It was nice meeting you, Zendaya.”
“You too.”
Then my eyes moved to Darian.
For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.
“Drive safe,” he said quietly.
“I will.”
Something about the way he said it made me pause for a second.
I nodded before turning and walking away from the table.
The afternoon sun warmed the campus as I crossed the courtyard toward the parking lot. Students passed by in small groups, laughing and talking, completely unaware of the strange mix of emotions running through me.
Meeting Darian again.
Meeting Frank.
Watching Beatrice practically fall in love within five minutes.
I laughed softly to myself.
Life was unpredictable.
I reached my car and unlocked it before sliding into the driver’s seat.
As I started the engine, I glanced once through the windshield toward the cafeteria building.
For a strange reason, I had the feeling something important had just started today.
I just didn’t know what it was yet.
- Writer
