Heated Hearts

That Stupid Smirk

|| Aster's POV ||

When he looked at me, his expression looked like he was already annoyed but for a moment his gaze lingered on me before he scowled and looked away.

It was as if I was too distasteful to look at.

Subconsciously my eyes tried to peek at my dress... Nope, Nothing wrong with it!

When I looked back at him, I noticed two of the girls from our class standing by his side, trying to talk to him, I assume.

Amanda Chase and Lilian McCall, frown appeared on my face. Those two were always more of running for beauty pageant type of person, not really volunteer for work material.

Why were they here then?

Unfortunately,judging by the scene infront of me I was already aware of the answer to that question.

Sigh... I wish Jenna, Eva or Chandler were interested in these type of work... But Eva didn’t like to take instruction, while Jenna was just lazy and Chandler was busy with her music.

“Guess, we are going to have a workload of those two on our shoulders.”

Someone beside me spoke, and I turned my head to find Zake standing next to me.

He looked at me and flashed a perfect all white smile at me, in reply I grinned back.

“There you are! I was thinking where you were... I knew you were dorky enough to participate in voluntary works rather than enjoying your senior year.” I punched on his shoulder playfully.

“Ahh... Hey! You would've been disappointed if I didn’t. Besides, how could I let you miss me? “ Zake chuckled.

“Yeah, yeah sure. I'm sure I wouldn’t have survived a day here without you,” I smirked.

Zake Knight, the incredibly handsome but anti-social senior who by some miracle became quite comfortable with me. I have known him for three years now.

We met for the first time in middle school, both of us had signed for a voluntary group like this back then too.

Zake was always a topper of his class, but he bore quite an unapproachable persona. Apparently, he didn’t like to talk much.

In fact, in the past three years we have never talked once we were out of our “voluntary work”. It was as if we didn’t know each other, once we were out of it.

It was weird in the beginning, when one time I tried to wave at him at the corridor after we had given service to an old age home all summer, and he ignored my existence.

But as time passed, and I got to know him better I understood why he reacted the way he did. Zake was his own person, with his own boundaries; who liked to keep different parts of his life separated.

And I totally appreciated it. He was a good guy, quite responsible and reliable when it came to work.

Zake and I, sat down and were talking about our lives. The whole time I felt someone's intense gaze lingering on my back, but I didn’t look back.

Part of me wanted to, but part of me thought it was just an illusion and not embarrassing myself in front of him again seemed like a good option!

When my parent's death topic came up, my face suddenly dimmed, and I tried to avert the topic to something else as quickly as I could.

“Zake!” someone called from behind and I sighed in relief as I smiled at the recognition of the voice.

Soon, two more familiar faces joined me and Zake. Lisa Armani and her younger sister, Michelle Armani.

They were from a catholic family, while Lisa was Zake's classmate ; Michelle was mine.

Lisa was the rebellious, badass sibling, and Michelle was the quiet, obedient one.

Last year, after turning 17, Lisa had moved out of their family house. As far as I've heard she took a part-time job and was handling herself quite well.

They were also a pair that would join every voluntary work opportunity that came to the students, but they had different reasons.

Michelle joined because she wanted to help humanity, our community and serve people whereas Lisa used to join, so she could get a break from the monotony of class lectures.

Lisa came and acquainted the seat next to Zake, as expected. Though she won't accept it, I knew she always had a crush on Zake and I think that's another essential reason behind her joining all these voluntary services.

Zake gave a slight nod as a reply to Lisa's greetings and I greeted back, smiling.

“Look at you girl, you've grown more beautiful.” Lisa said with adoring eyes.

Despite her badass personality she has always been nice to people around her. You can only see her in action when somebody messes with her.

Note to be taken... Never Mess With Lisa!

“You look beautiful, Aster.” Michelle commented, her eyes placed on the ground.

“Thank you, but I can't compare with you guys.” I replied.

Before Lisa could protest, next to her Zake grunted.

“Can you guys stop this talk about who is more beautiful and who is not? You all are beautiful, now end of this weird topic.” He spoke up in one breath.

All of us became silent at once, but I didn’t miss the slight pink glow that flashed on Lisa's cheeks.

“Students, please take your seats. Our three event organizers have arrived. We are going to start our meeting in a few minutes.” Our Principal Mr. Fredrick Thompson announced.

To my utter surprise, Rayven Sylvester appeared beside me and sat on the seat next to me.

Lillian followed his suit, as well as Amanda. They looked like they were in a competition to sit on the seat beside Rayven.

At last, Lillian beat Amanda to it, who sulked sitting beside Amanda.

I wonder how we guys looked.

Technically it was like this; Zake was sandwiched between me and Lisa, I was sandwiched between Zake and Rayven, Rayven was sandwiched between me and Lilian.

It seemed hilarious to imagine the whole picture in my head. I couldn't help laughing as I shook my head side to side.

“No need to be so happy, I sat here only to get rid of one of them.” Rayven whispered beside me.

My smile vanished, and I frowned instantaneously, as my head turned toward his face.

He stared forward, his face expressionless.

Seriously!?

Could this guy be any more full of himself?

“Psst... So full yourself.” I muttered under my breath annoyed.

“Says the one who thought I was going to kiss her the other day.” Rayven spoke in a low voice beside me.

I almost vomited blood as I looked at him, both angry and ashamed at the same time.

That smirk... That stupid smirk... I wanted to wipe that stupidly handsome smirk on his face.

Diverting my eyes away from him to my hands, I huffed.

“You are not that attractive, you know.” I gritted my teeth as I spoke under my breath.

Before he could reply, I turned my head towards Zake and started a conversation with him.

“AHM... Students.” Our principal once again spoke, gaining all our attention at once.

The meeting began and two of the organizer team leader who would be leading us explained our work to us.

Basically, our tasks were divided into three different kinds.

We were going to help them to gather participants for the cultural part and the fair which were the essential parts of the town fundraiser event.

This task included inviting the townies by visiting houses.

Secondly, we would help with the fair set up; monitor the work and stall establishment. Same goes for the stage and Auditorium.

The third and last part was mostly about following instructions and being co-operative to bring out a successful event.

When two of them were done, they asked if we had any questions.

Amanda threw a few questions; then Lisa and Lillian also had their hands raised next in line for asking questions.

But before any of them could speak; Raven's voice echoed through the room.

He held his one hand high in the air as he spoke.

“I have an important question. How about cut the crap and spare the ones who don't have any questions from this useless question answering session? “ He said his voice shockingly rude.

All nine pairs of eyes that were present in the room, looked at him in utter shock, and he remained neutral and unfazed under all our gazes.

Was he real? He just spoke like that in front of the organizers and our principal!

I looked from our principal to Rayven, if eyes could shoot daggers Rayven would've been dead by now.

“Mr. Sylvester, I know you are not interested in this kind of voluntary work, but you are here as a punishment. More like you are serving for redemption,” Mr. Thompson, our principal stopped for a second as he made an eye contact with Rayven.

“I'm afraid you are not eligible of stating your opinion because you are here as a punishment. Do not expect us to tolerate disrespect, so you better keep mum. “ Our principal half roared, trying to intimidate Rayven with his voice.

Beside me, Rayven remained the same as before as he spoke again.

“Freedom of speech, sir. It's a free country. You would be jailed if you took that right from me, sir. You can't do that, not even when you are punishing me. " He smiled.

And apparently, all of us went momentarily unconscious after watching his unnerving performance...!

Did he have a death wish or what?!