TOO MUCH FOR YOU. ENOUGH FOR HIM

A Day For Zendaya and Beatrice

Zendaya closed her notebook and let out a long sigh as the lecture hall emptied. Beatrice was already hovering nearby, tapping her foot impatiently, her grin wide and mischievous. “Finally!” Beatrice exclaimed, snatching Zendaya’s bag from her hands. “You look like you’ve been holding in the apocalypse all morning. Come on, it’s time we do something fun. I refuse to let your brain rot over lectures today.” Zendaya laughed softly, shaking her head. “Fun? You’re the one suggesting shopping, aren’t you?” “Exactly,” Beatrice said, linking arms with her. “Shopping, food, and maybe even a movie. A day completely free of boys and stress. You’re welcome.” Zendaya hesitated for a moment, her thoughts flickering to Darian and then Ransford. She had been replaying last night’s encounters repeatedly, feeling a mixture of frustration and confusion. But Beatrice’s energy was infectious, pulling her back to reality. She nodded, letting herself be swept along. Shopping: Laughs, Selfies, and Silly Outfits The streets near campus were lively, filled with students wandering in and out of boutiques and cafés. Beatrice dragged Zendaya into the first store she saw, a trendy little clothing shop with bright neon signage and racks spilling over with clothes. “First rule of shopping,” Beatrice announced as she plucked a sparkling crop top from a hanger, “try things you would never normally wear. It’s liberating.” Zendaya raised an eyebrow. “Sparkly? Really?” “You said you wanted fun,” Beatrice replied with a wink. “You’re welcome.” They laughed as they tried on outfit after outfit, sometimes jokingly modeling ridiculous ensembles for each other. Zendaya found herself letting go, forgetting the tension that had weighed her down for days. She twirled in a soft, pastel dress, while Beatrice modeled a neon-green jumpsuit with exaggerated flair. “Zendaya, I swear, if you post this selfie online, I will never forgive you,” Beatrice said, pointing at a picture Zendaya had snapped of her ridiculous neon ensemble. “I’d never post it,” Zendaya said, grinning. “But it’s going straight to the group chat.” “Exactly. Justice served.” Between trying on clothes and teasing each other, they paused to sip smoothies and share small bites of pastries. Beatrice’s laughter was infectious, and Zendaya felt a lightness she hadn’t felt in weeks. By early afternoon, the girls were seated at a cozy café near the shopping district. The sunlight streamed through the windows, and Zendaya finally allowed herself to slow down. “So,” Beatrice began, nibbling at her croissant, “you’re awfully quiet today. Spilling your secrets to me or keeping them all bottled up?” Zendaya smiled faintly. “No secrets. Just… thinking.” Beatrice’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Thinking about what?” “Life,” Zendaya admitted. “Exams, choices… everything that doesn’t involve food or laughter.” Beatrice reached over and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “Hey. You don’t always have to carry everything alone. Some things are lighter when shared.” Zendaya felt warmth bloom in her chest. Beatrice had a way of making problems seem smaller, not by fixing them, but by simply standing beside her. “Thanks,” she said quietly. They spent the next hour talking about lighter things — favorite movies, embarrassing campus moments, and the worst cafeteria food they’d ever suffered through. Beatrice’s relentless teasing about Zendaya’s “serious aura” had Zendaya laughing until her stomach hurt.

While they were walking through the mall, Zendaya accidentally bumped into a group of girls coming out of a boutique. “Oh! Sorry!” Zendaya exclaimed. “No worries!” one of them said warmly. “I’m Mia.” Beatrice’s eyes lit up. “And I’m Beatrice! This is Zendaya. Clearly, she walks around radiating fabulousness, but I insist on official introductions.” The girls laughed, and soon they were chatting about campus life, favorite coffee spots, and the best places to eat in town. Zendaya felt herself warming to them slowly. Mia and her friend, Lila, were quirky, fun, and seemed genuinely friendly. Beatrice immediately clicked with them, trading stories and fashion tips. Zendaya remained slightly reserved at first, observing the energy. But as Beatrice animatedly recounted their shopping misadventures, Zendaya began to relax. She even laughed at a joke Lila made about “accidentally walking into mannequins” and realized how refreshing it was to meet girls who weren’t connected to Darian, or Ransford in any way. By the time they left the café, the new girls had agreed to exchange numbers and promised to meet for another day out soon. Zendaya couldn’t help but feel that their little circle was forming naturally, a place where she could just be herself. The evening rolled around, and the group decided to catch a movie. Zendaya had been hesitant — she wasn’t sure she could enjoy herself after the stress of the past few days. But Beatrice’s relentless enthusiasm pulled her along. They got popcorn, slushies, and found seats near the back. Zendaya found herself distracted at first, thinking about Darian’s calm messages and Ransford’s possessive text. But Beatrice nudged her repeatedly. “Stop spacing out! Look at the screen!” she whispered, her elbow jabbing Zendaya gently. Zendaya couldn’t help but laugh, leaning into the moment. She realized how much she had missed simply being present, laughing, and not worrying about anyone else’s expectations. Mia and Lila joined in the playful banter, tossing popcorn at Beatrice and joking about the dramatic movie scenes. Zendaya smiled quietly, letting the lightness wash over her. During the movie, she noticed Beatrice’s eyes shining with delight, and it reminded her why she loved her so much. Beatrice’s energy wasn’t just fun; it was grounding. By the time the credits rolled, Zendaya felt lighter. More herself. More in control. As they walked home under the soft glow of streetlights, Zendaya felt a rare sense of calm. Beatrice chattered about their next outing, and Zendaya realized she didn’t have to think about Darian or Ransford for just a little while. “Today was perfect,” Zendaya admitted softly. Beatrice glanced at her, smirking. “I told you. Nothing beats girl time. And who knows? You might even survive meeting new friends without me scaring them off.” Zendaya laughed, feeling the tension of the past days fade. “Maybe I can.” “And that, my dear,” Beatrice said, looping her arm through Zendaya’s, “is how you reclaim your peace.” Zendaya smiled to herself, walking through the night. For the first time in days, she felt like the center of her own world. No demands. No pressures. Just laughter, friendship, and the freedom to be herself. Maybe life didn’t have to revolve around anyone else for a change. Maybe, for today, it was just us.