Badboy's Venom

chapter 53

ZOE'S POV

Today's morning lessons take place well and nothing interesting has happened so far, up until now. "Hey can I join you?" Dave's raspy voice asks and I tilt my head to face Linda for approval, funny enough she doesn't even take time to think about it "Sure thing, you can." She answers, eyeing Dave while fixing her posture as Dave takes his seat. It goes without saying that Linda has a crush on Dave; they'd make a great couple though. "Thanks" Dave smiles at Linda then shifts his gaze to me "Zoe right?" He asks. "You know better. This is Linda, my friend." I return the smile equally so and introduce her.

"Dave, it's nice to meet you." Dave offers his hand to Linda. "Nice to meet you too...I'm Linda." Linda stutters, causing me to laugh. I have never seen her behaving this way before, let alone mention having a crush on someone. "So what makes you choose us in the entire school?" I ask him friendly. "Well I know nobody yet and you are the first person I noticed yesterday." "Yeah right" I interject with a light smile. "Besides that I thought it would be better to befriend someone who takes school work seriously." He explains and I nod, I decide to play mind games with him. "What if I don't, that participation was just for yesterday." "It didn't seem so to me." "Okay you got me, friend." I say and we both laugh.

This whole time Linda is mesmerized by Dave, she's been eyeing him and her behaviour is prominent but I don't think Dave notices it, only I do. "What about you Linda?" Dave asks her and finally she snaps back to reality. "Huh? Me?" She stutters, I bet she didn't hear a single word we said. "Yeah, are you also a hard worker?" Dave questions her with a beam on his face. "I am, don't I look like one?" "Based on your lack of attention right now, no you don't." Dave remarks with his ocean eyes on Linda. "Oh well unfortunately I am a hard worker. So you'll hang wih us like every day?" Linda asks Dave nervously.

"Yes, if you don't mind of course or will there be a problem?" Dave questions with worry, his eyes moving between Linda and I. "No, no there won't be. Definitely won't be." Linda answers while playing with her hair; leaving me with nothing but a mixture of amusement and astonishment feeling within me. I never knew she also behaves this dump when crushing on someone. "Great then" Dave nods with a friendly look. We all get to know Dave and him asking about the school and more, getting to know each other.

School knocks off, Linda and I take our school bus to Nelsville while Dave is heading to his parent's car since he stays here in the city of Nelspruit. "Goodbye, see you tomorrow." He sends his farewell. "Bye" Linda and I say in unison, heading to the school bus.

"What was all that about?" I ask her once we are seated in the bus.
"What?" She questions with a blank expression. "You know what I'm talking about, you behaving somehow around Dave." "Was it that obvious?" She opens her mouth surprisingly. "Even a blind person could tell." I laugh with that said. "Do you blame me Zoe? Did you see that blonde hair, those blue eyes, the height..." "Whoa I get it, you like him." I prevent her from continuing and release a chuckle.

"No I don't, he's my soul mate." She says with puppy dog eyes, causing me to laugh. "Okay stop, right now you are blabbering." I say and she also laughs. "I feel sorry for you, having a crush on someone who'll be by your side daily." I say once I'm done laughing. "Would you bury me already?" She groans, bringing her hands on her face. "Why don't you just tell him?" I imply. "I wish I had that audacity to." "You'll be fine." I say, patting her shoulder.

I arrive home, finding mom by the kitchen counter drinking water. "Someone had a rough day." I say, stepping inside the house and spotting a letter on the kitchen counter. She releases a deep sigh, drinking all the remaining water. "What's wrong mom?" I query. "Here" she hands me the letter and I look at her first before reading it. My heart begins racing as I read.

"So what are we going to do?" I ask quietly. "I have no other choice baby than doing my two jobs." She sighs slowly. "No mom, don't tell me you're going back to your waitress job. I mean can you handle two jobs, by day and night?" I query with concern evident on my face.

"My teaching job doesn't pay that much, I don't have a choice." "You do mom. Call dad, I'm his responsibility too." I venture. "Zoe don't push me! Don't ever mention him in this house." She says, her voice raising up a notch. "But mom you can't do everything alone. Did you see how much my school fees cost for this year?" I say. "You are not helping Zoe. I'll take the job." "Sorry mom" I say, my eyes watery already. It just breaks my heart to see how hard she tries for me to have a better life. I move close to her and offer a hug; she gives in slightly and sighs in exasperation.