Under The Stars

Chapter 10

ZIA’S POV

“I saw you talking to your crush” Liam laughed once the basketball court had cleared out.

“Stop it Liam, he is not my crush.” I said rolling my eyes. I could feel the uncertainty in my voice.

“Then why were your cheeks flushing?” He insisted.

“Why are you pushing this? Can we stop talking about him now.” I voiced sternly.

“Okay, sorry.” He retorted raising his hands dramatically in surrender and we made our way to the cafeteria.

**

It was 9pm and I was lying on my bed exhausted from the day’s activities. My thoughts had wondered far off. I had agreed to go to a camp with Keith for the weekend and I couldn’t bring myself to fathom how that was even going to be possible. I knew I owed him a favor, from the free ride he gave me that Monday. However, I had only talked to him twice or maybe three times meaning I didn’t quite know the type of person he was. My gut despite, told me that I had to keep my word.

I took out my bag and started packing some of my clothes and other things that seemed necessary. I had never been to a camp before and some part of me was low-key excited.

I hummed to the song playing on the stereo before the door flew open and Lisa stormed in.

Her eyes were red and puffy like she had been crying. Without even saying hello she headed straight for her bed and started sobbing.

For the short time I had known her, Lisa never stroke me as the crying type. I knew this had to be serious. I closed the door and went and sat beside her.

I rubbed her back until she stopped crying, and I decided to implore.

“What is wrong Lisa?”

“It’s Jay” she sobbed.

“What about him?” I asked, now alarmed.

“He got into an accident. He is at the hospital right now. Am so worried Zia.” She said and started crying.

“Don’t worry he is going to be fine.” I said trying to sound as reassuring as I could.

I really felt sorry for her. In as much as Lisa denied it, it was so evident that the two of them were deep in love with each other. I couldn’t imagine the kind of pain she was feeling.

After she had fallen asleep, I went back to packing. I wasn’t even sure if I should go anymore or stay back with Lisa. I decided to go to sleep and decide on that in the morning.

**

I woke up to a light knock on the door but decided to ignore it. I looked at my phone; it was seven in the am.

“Who is that knocking at doors this early on a Saturday morning.” I wondered to myself. After the second knock, I decided to drag myself out of bed. I walked sleepily to the door and opened it only to meet Keith’s handsome face.

“Good morning Zia.” He greeted clearly amused and how startled I was from seeing him.

“Good morning. What are you doing here?” I asked a few moments later after I had gained composure.

“The camp, remember? Am here to pick you up”

“Yes I remember. But how did you know where I stay?” I asked still shocked.

“Well since you didn’t give me your phone number, I had to do my research.” He answered grinning mischievously.

“Ummh okay. I need a few minutes to get ready.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me to come in?” he asked pouting his lip, and I couldn’t help but feel my stomach clench.

“No. Wait for me down at the lobby. I will be down in half an hour tops.” I told him trying hard to maintain a straight face while looking at him.

“Okay Miss Brown.” He said and strode away. I locked the door and turned around only to find an amazed Lisa staring at me, her mouth wide open.

“Have you been eavesdropping?” I asked trying to avoid her stare.

“No you guys were loud enough to wake me up. So what’s the deal with the sickest dude in campus?” she asked making air quotes with her fingers.

“Sickest?” I asked feeling confused.

“That is slang for cool you dumbass” she said laughing.

“Oh nothing really. I am just going with him to a certain weekend camp or something.” I said getting ready to go shower.

“Wait what?”

“What?” I was surprised by her reaction.

“You mean the annual basketball camp.” She implored getting up from bed.

“I guess that’s it.”

“He invited you to that?” She asked still clearly surprised.

“Yes. Why?” I asked getting curious about her reaction.

“Nothing really. It is just unexpected. I didn’t know you guys were friends.” She answered before picking up her phone and shifting her attention.

“We are not actually.” I stutter.

“Huh?”

“Never mind” I managed to say before rushing to the bathroom.

How could I explain to her that I was going because I owed him a favor? Not even Liam knew about this.

I quickly got ready and finished packing up. I did not want to keep Keith waiting for long. I was intolerant of late people and I did not want to be one.

“Am heading out now. Pass my love to Jay. He will be okay.” I hugged Lisa goodbye.

“I will. Take care of yourself.”

I strode down the hallway to the lobby where Keith was seated patiently.

“You are all good?” He asked.

“Yes”

“Let’s go then. And ooh you look good.” He said as he strode off.

I looked at my faded blue jeans and white converse shoes. Was he for real or was his comment just sarcastic?

“You coming with?” he called out and I realized I was still standing at the same spot.

“Yeah.” I said following him into his grey Porsche.