Midnight Thrill

Part 1

Zayn's 6am alarm rings as normal. He slowly opens his eyes and as usual, he stops the alarm and gradually gets out of bed. This day feels exactly like it did yesterday and the day before that. And as usual, he's going to walk through the same school hallway and spend seven hours of his day in between classes.

It's the normal routine. He freshens up. Slips into his uniform. Has breakfast. And waits for the school bus to arrive at approximately 6:45AM.  Hillcrest High School is a school in the centre of town surrounded by jacaranda trees and promises to ensure that, "Each pupil becomes the best version of themselves." He likes how he looks today, he runs his hair through his velvety brown hair and lets out a breath of air.

My day is usually mundane except one person who makes it worthwhile, Zenande Mkhize. She brightens my day whenever I see her, everything feels better. Feels right. It’s not the way her hair bounces when she walks or the way her hazel eyes engulf me in a new world every time we’re close together. I get excited whenever my eyes meet hers and when I sit next to her in science class. Such strong feelings but I've never managed to draw the courage to ask her out or tell her how I feel.

Physical sciences is the first class today. Zenande walks in and I am mesmerised by her beauty. Focus Zayn.

"Hey." She says.

"Hi" I respond. "How was your weekend?"

"It was okay beside the homework we were bombarded with." We both laugh.

"I'm just glad this is our last year."

"Definitely." She says whilst flicking the braids that had fallen into her face.

We spend the rest of the class sharing jokes and being threatened to be taken to detention by the teacher every ten minutes. We honestly didn’t care and I think Zenanade and I have great chemistry going on between us.  The bell rings signalling the end of the class. The next couple of lessons are probably going to be a drag.

We have Life Orientation next and Mr Thereon seems different today.

"Okay class, today I have a special assignment for you." He says with the biggest smile I've ever seen on him. Almost disturbing.

I challenge you to do something you've always wanted to do. That's the topic of this assignment. You are expected to do something out of your comfort zone or something you've always wanted to do but never did because you were too scared to, or there was some sort of limitation. It can be bungee jumping, shark diving or anything you want.

"So si-"

“Hold on, I’ll answer your questions all at once.” He interrupts Cindy before she could ask her question.

"So go for it class, if this was your last day to live what would you do? After doing it I want a 600 word essay detailing what you did and what you learnt. Any questions?" I zone out as he answers questions to think about what I would do. What is one thing I've never tried or always wanted to do?