Weird World We Live In
1338 Words
Zane nodded, forcing a smile to mask his grapple, not from me though, I know him all too well.
He got off the bleachers and followed Mia to a corner.
Barely a minute in, someone slumped into the space Zane had been sitting earlier. He looked awfully familiar. Obviously, because I must have seen him on the court before, and not like I've conversed with him before, have I?
"Hi Sydney." He smiled sheepishly. I analyzed the athlete with a look of indifference. If he knows my name, then we must have spoken on some occasion. His dark eyes started to lose their beam when I just stared.
"Oh, ha-ha. You must have forgotten, I'm Justins cousin. We partnered once in gym class. " He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. I can see the resemblance now. A quirky grin fell on my lips.
"Ah, Oh Hi...
"Levi."
"Hi Levi. I was not ignoring you, just, um…processing? My brain tends to skip some details, don't take it personally, yeah? " He nodded curtly with a smirk.
"It happens." He sighed. "You'll be at Noah's party this weekend, right?" I could do so little to hide the sneer that tugged on my lips. I shrugged, taking a spoon of yogurt into my mouth, so I didn't have to speak.
Why does everyone keep asking me that? It was starting to annoy me for real.
"Have a date yet?" he queried intently, my head c****d in his direction and I did a quick scan of his subtle yet masculine features.
He had long brown hair, like shoulder-length long, that he had in a loose bun, illuminating his sharp dark eyes and pointed nose. His lips were thin, until he smiled anyway. He looked hot to be honest, with his hair up, to say the least.
My eyes scrutinized him, when I realized he was giving off the vibe of a bad boy that would crush your heart in the palm of his hand like an insignificant experimental apple.
" Haven't decided if I'd attend yet. If I would, I'd be going with my friend... friends. " I elucidated when Mabel's condescending look flashed through my mind. Traumatized is appropriate at the point.
“Hmm. I don’t mind hanging with you and your friends, baby steps right? ” His smile curled something in my tummy, or maybe I’m just starving, and I should get the hell out of here.
“You said you were Justin’s cousin, right?” I probed and Levi gave a single nod.
“I’m leaving Sydney.” I glanced down at Zane, who grabbed a heavy-looking bag and walked towards the exit. My brows furrowed and I jumped to my feet.
“Bye Levi.” I mumbled, not waiting for his response before walking away. I got out of the gym and made my way towards the school exit.
I caught up with Zane, who flung the bag he held into the trunk. Making a loud noise as it fell. He was heading for the driver's seat when I grabbed his wrist.
“Are you okay?” He turned to me lazily, his eyes lacking any trace of emotion or life.
“I’m fine. Let’s go. ” He made to get in the car, but I stopped him.
“I’m not getting into a car with you in a mood like that.” I pressed, he gave me a dirty look.
“Fine, suit yourself.” I left his hand and grabbed his shirt, yanking it as if I wanted to rip it.
“ What the hell man, I can tell something is wrong. Did Mia say something to you ? ” I asked, fuming. Both because I hated that he was building an invisible wall and keeping me out, and the cold evening breeze doing nothing to help the predicament.
The school was mostly empty now, students had long gone except for the basketball team who had stayed to practice. I occasionally stay after school to watch Zane’s practice just as he stays and waits for me whenever I have meetings with the media club after school.
“No, just drop it, Sydney,” he coaxed.
“ I won’t, we tell each other everything. What’s so hard for you to tell me? Did she upset you? ”
“ She said NO, okay? She couldn’t even come up with a decent excuse. It’s f*****g annoying that she can’t even give it a f*****g try, she turned me down on the spot. Am I that detestable? ” He yelled angrily.
My expression softened when a glint of pain crossed his face. He tried to look away, but he wasn’t fast enough. I already saw the sadness in his eyes, and I felt it.
I clicked my tongue and threw my hands around his hard waist, hugging him tightly. His breathing steadied a bit.
“ Are you happy now? You made me yell at you. ” His voice was tender. My laugh reverberated through his body.
“ Eh, that’s alright. We’ll deal with that later. ” He hugged me back and sighed.
“ You persistent little thing. I’m getting quite desperate, you know. ” I nodded curtly. It’s a weird world we live in.
We rode in a comfortable silence, a Latin pop song I couldn’t quite understand played softly on the radio. The road stretched ahead, winding and twisting in a way that felt almost endless. The trees had given way to open fields now, the tall grass swaying like waves in the wind, golden and green.
There was a farm up ahead, the barn standing tall against the horizon, its paint chipped and peeling, a relic of time. The rusted truck parked out front hadn’t moved in ages, its tires flat, as if it had given up on ever leaving.
As we passed by, a few cows glanced up, their slow, steady eyes watching the car with an almost detached curiosity. They didn’t seem to care much that we were there, just chewing on the grass, completely uninterested in anything else around them. I wondered if those enormous creatures were really nonchalant, or they just had lazy eyes, because their mouths seemed pretty active to me.
The car slowed as we approached the old bridge, the one that creaked when you drove over it, its wooden planks groaning under the weight. The river below meandered lazily, the water barely rippling, as though it had tired of moving long ago. A few ducks floated by, their white feathers bright against the murky water, their movements synchronized as if they were rehearsing for something.
I glanced out the side window, watching the reflection of the passing scenery flicker across the glass. Everything looked distorted, like the world was bending slightly, warping in the way only reflections can. A slight breeze brushed my face, and I pulled my jacket tighter around me. The air had shifted again, cooler now, the warmth of the day had faded away completely with the dying light.
The car finally came to a stop in front of my house. I took one last look at Zane. The hug might have comforted him for a few moments, but he looked glum again. He wasn’t really an over thinker, but I could sympathize with him because he had had a crush on Mia for two years. He was smart and good-looking. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with her.
I smiled slightly and shut the door, looking at him through the window.
“You better not be worrying about that ugly chick, do you hear me?” He nodded, smiling slightly.
“Yes ma’am.” He released the handbrake with a soft click, then shifted into gear. The engine hummed to life as the car rolled smoothly forward. The car cruised toward their gate. I stood there for a moment, watching until it disappeared from view. With a quiet breath, I turned and made my way to the porch.
What a day.
- Writer
