Enshrined love

Chapter 9

Zoe's POV

Its lunch and I couldn't be more excited. “Ted I'm drained can I lean on you” giving him a fake sulking while putting hands up for a hug as we wait in the cafeteria line. “ Awe baby needs some loving” he ask chuckling and I just nod. Ted pulls me in for hug then holds me under his arm while I lean on him. I look up at him giving him my most genuine smile. Who knew in just a day, a shy and somewhat timid girl would be brought out of her comfort zone by a hunk of a man she refers as her friend?. Ahh my teddy bear. I'm so comfortable with Ted its shocking. He makes me feel wanted and I can't help but be myself whatever that even means. He moves in line with me under his arm as he tells me about his ex partner, who was actually not like a partner partner but a sneaky link and how that went on for two years. Until he found out the guy was bi and ended the relationship. I'm not from a conservative town nor do I conform to it but its honestly refreshing how Ted is free about his sexuality and who he is. I find it inspiring especially since I really don’t know myself and where I fit in this world. Sure I'm beautiful I know that, I'm not blind. I'm looking to have substance. I mean looking at Ted he has that. He has a firm grip on himself and I admire that and hope it will have an influence on me. The way I see it..it already does. We fill our plates and head outside to find both Kate and Mathew already there. These two seem to run out of class before the bell ring. Giving them both hugs I take my seat near Ted facing the bushes. Ted then tells them about the invite which seems to also shock them judging by their faces. I can tell Kate is excited and tell me she wants us to shopping on Friday after school which I accept. I would love to see the mall and what this city has to offer. Mathew seems to think Nathan has hot’s for me. Which I doubt but wouldn’t mind at all. Having him as a boyfriend...... I could see it. Judging by the knowing looks they all give me they know I wouldn't mind him at all. Talking and laughing while we get to know each other is what I was missing from my life. I never knew having a circle of friend is this wonderful and I never want to feel the loneliness I felt back in my hometown. “Alright guys we will meet tomorrow at lunch. Me and Kate have an assignment to start with this afternoon” Mathew said as he was packing and clearing their side of the table preparing to back to class. The bell had already rang signalling the end of lunch. Giving them hugs goodbye we were off to class hand in hand with Ted. I have noticed that I don’t mind Ted's touches, normally being touched irked me it didn't really matter who it was apart from my mother I didn't like being touched by anybody including my friend Lisa. Ted's touch however feel like home, it comforts me and I can't help lean into it. Yes I know we have known each other for just a day but I feel my body identifies it's own people and Ted is my person in a sense. Heading back to class the rest of the classes go by in a jiffy. I would occasionally look at Nathan's side of the class throughout physics and biology and each time it was like he would sense me looking therefore would just turn giving a small smile or a full on grin both of which took my breath away. Each time I’ll be reminded of how good looking this man is and how much I would willing bath in hell's water just to have him. Sure I fancies the guy I mean who wouldn’t, look at him. The couple of times I found him not looking back at me, I would take in his features one by one implanting them in the depth of my mind so to recall them later. His hair looked dry and soft now I just want to touch it clearing the locks that fell on his face with my hand. I want to brush the swells of his lips with my thumb making sure I am slow and agonizing so to take my time. I have never been so captivated before besides with Ted. He said he is not gay and that made me happy. I'm not even sure if he is single. A man like him surely has girls flocking his way. I’m sure he is spoiled for choice. I am crushing hard for him. English is a drag. I got so used to seeing Nathan in all of my previous classes that I'm so disappointed when I realise he is not in my English class. “He is taking Spanish” Ted tells me with a smirk. I was so in my world the past two hours I forgot Ted could literally see me ogling Nathan. Embarrassment clouds me again I look down feeling shy. “And here I thought I was bae, turn out you found another and kicked me to a curb” Ted exaggerates like he’s hurt. I chose to ignore him and pay attention for the rest of the lesson. What I’ve noticed Ted is always on his phone typing I don’t know what and to who. I wonder how he listens to the lesson. I mean take me for instant, the past classes I heard nothing while I was busy ogling Nathan. The only thing I'm sure about is that maths has a homework other than that I learned nothing. Safe to say I cannot multitask. Meanwhile Ted has been jotting down notes in each lesson while still with his phone in his lap typing. How? I really don’t know. Maybe he is an all rounder, looks and brains while some of us are required to work hard for the brain part. So unfair. When all of our classes are done for the day, me and Ted head to the parking lot. Its home time and unfortunately my mom is at work today so I'm on my own again. “Bye Ted I'll see you tomorrow” I say giving him a hug as we part since I'm parked on the other side to him. “Bye Zoe will chat later” he says in my hair. I pull back from the hug and walk towards my car as I approached I see Nathan with a girl and two guys standing in front of his car. The girl and the guys are the ones I’ve seen him seat with throughout today so safe to say they are his friend. As I approach 'm mindful to keep my walk steadily. I’m not looking to fall flat on my ass in front of him. Well that would be embarrassing and I've had enough of embarrassing moments today to last me a life time. I'm looking down on my feet like they are the most interesting thing ever as I come pass them only to be stopped by a wall I know wasn't there before. What is it with these boys and just coming up to me I exasperate to myself. I know who it is so there is no need to look up. I saw those shoes and jeans in the morning. “Nathan” I breathe out before looking at his face. “Zoe” he says with a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “How was your day” he asks not moving. I didn’t expect him to ask about my day which is clearly visible by lack coherent speech as I'm left shocked for a second before regaining my senses and responding “My day was okay Nathan thanks for asking how was yours?” Genuinely interested as he also looks to be. “Mine was great. Have a lovely evening Zoe see you tomorrow” He says stepping aside allowing me to pass. I moved pass him then shouted “You too” over my shoulder. This guy is weird, just when I expected a taunt life normal teenagers give in such a situation, he becomes polite to me. Huh? I don’t know how I feel and what to think. What game is he playing at? I have these mixed up emotions juggling inside me and they are confusing me. I get into my car reversing out the parking lot heading home. I risk one last look at Nathan through my dear mirror and sure enough he is looking straight at my car.