[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

24: Assumptions

PENELOPE

"Can't wait to see, Kyle later!" Trixie exclaimed as soon as our teacher left the room.

I turned to her. "Wait, I thought you were going to your spa appointment today?"

"Well," Vanessa spoke. "Kyle wants to tag along."

Wow, Jared could never. He's been so distant lately.

"He's not joining the meeting later?" I asked.

"What meeting?" Trixie asked.

"Duh? The Soccer meeting?"

"I don't know about that." 

Wait, what am I missing here?

But Jared, clearly told me earlier that they are having a meeting, right?

On my way to the parking lot, I decided to use the long way so that I could pass by the soccer field.

I just want to make sure that Jared is really attending the "meeting" and is not lying to me.

While walking, I saw an unfamiliar couple sitting along the bleachers.

Is Zia and that cafeteria boy dating?

I'm seeing them together a lot, like twice.

I mean, not that I care, but seeing them together is a pain in the eye. It's unbearable!

I never knew Zia likes those the nerdy types and I never thought that cafeteria boy knows how to date.

I decided to ignore them. I have my own problem to deal with.

Now, where is that Jared, anyway?

I stopped walking when I realized something.

SHIT!

What if Zia is hanging out with that cafeteria guy to sabotage my article?

THERE'S NO WAY I'M LETTING THAT HAPPEN.

☆☆☆

ZACH

"Here." I handed the other ice cream to Zia. "I don't know what flavor you want so I just asked the lady to give me something a girl would choose, and she said Strawberry."

"Cause it's pink?" She asked, laughing.

Seeing her like this makes her more beautiful.

"Why? Don't you like pink?" I seated beside her. We're currently in the bleachers of the school's soccer field.

This is our 2nd meeting, but I already feel comfortable taking to her. She makes it seem so easy.

"Truth is, I'm not really into pink and girly stuff." 

Of course, you're very different from Penelope.

"My favorite color is blue."

I tu4ned to face her, "Same! Blue is my favorite." 

Fate. Destiny. Meant to be.

"Anyways, are you okay now? Is this place 'airy' enough?"

"Yes, thank you. This feels better."

Earlier today, after that rooftop encounter, I bumped with Zia. My mind was too messed up so when she asked me what happened, all I said was "I need some air." so she brought me here.

"What happened to you earlier anyway? When I saw you, you look really pale."

Is she really concerned about me? I can't help but smile.

"Why are you smiling? Come on, spill. I can keep secrets, you know. That's what friends do."

Friends. Okay, that hurts.

"Nothing. I was just really feeling under the weather today." Zia doesn't deserve the chaos that's been going on in my life.

"I can tell you're lying, but I get it. We just met yesterday and that isn't enough rea-"

"No," I cut her off. "I don't mean it that way. It's just that I encountered these couple earlier at the rooftop and their voices were very familiar, but I'm not really sure so I don't want to make conclusions about it, unless I can prove that it's true."

Her eyebrows met. "Okay, I didn't really get that." She laughed. "Anyways, if you need someone to talk to, you can hit me up."

Wait, what?

"OH SHIT! Wait, that didn't sound right!" She laughed so hard. "What I meant was call me or something."

"Y-yeah, I know. Haha." I gently rubbed the back of my neck.

Suddenly, the atmosphere become so awkward, I didn't know what to say.

"Hey, your ice cream is melting." Zia pointed out, breaking the ice.

"Oops. Sorry." Why do I always embarrass myself infront of her?

We shared a laughed when all of a sudden my phone rang. 

It's Clark.

"Sorry, I need to answer this call." I told Zia.

"Sure. I'll just sit here and finish my ice cream."

I stood up and moved away a bit. What does Clark need? He never calls me.

"Hello?" I said as soon as I picked up Clark's call.

"HELLO YOU'RE FACE!"

"Why? What's wrong?" I tried to keep calm. I don't want to embarrass myself infront of Zia again.

"IF YOU DON'T RUN RIGHT KNOW, YOU WILL BE FIVE MINUTES LATE FROM WORK!"

OH SHIT! 

I completely lost track of the time!

"GET YOUR ASS RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!" And he ended the call.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Uhm, Zia?"

"Go ahead. It's seems like you're having an emergency."

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

"It's okay and also, stop apologizing that's like the third time you said that today."

I smiled and ran. 

I was never late for work before, but least I got to spend some time with Zia.

She's the only reason I can still smile today despite what happened in the rooftop earlier.

And speaking of that, I just really hope my assumptions are wrong.