The Other Sister

Chapter 8

My clammy fingers grasped my dress again, and I tried my best to stop hyperventilating. Really, I did. But I couldn’t help it; I was nervous as hell for those results.

Please let me get in, please let me get in, I chanted in my head, crossing my fingers and sighing heavily, leaning against the wall, closing my tired eyes. Nate was still on my mind, as usual. Truly all feelings toward him were gone for good, for me at least, but I couldn’t help the melancholy mood that seemed to surround me.

I had lost a best friend. Sure, he rejected me real bad, but I wasn’t one to look at all the bad happenings and just brush aside whatever happy moments we shared. That just wasn’t me. I remembered when we were little kids and he used to make me smile all the time, just by telling me a joke.

I remember the way my face used to light up whenever he held my hand, whenever we played in that sandpit at the back of my house, frolicking in the sun till our skin was scorched berry-brown. His laugh, the crease between his forehead which appeared whenever he got stressed – would always remain as a part of my memory whether I liked it or not.

Opening my eyes, I glanced around the room. Practically everyone had gone in already, and those who were waiting for their results were lounging around the room, worry etched onto their faces. Clearly, this exchange program thing was a big thing at this school, everyone seemed so beat up for an opportunity to go.

One glance and I located Hannah sitting at the corner of the room, wringing her hands, not really trying to make conversation with anyone, which was definitely a little odd for her, considering how much she really loved talking. For her, it easy even to talk to a stranger about just anything, she was really easy to get along with.

I pushed myself off the wall and was contemplating joining her in her thoughts when I heard an all-too familiar voice. “Hey Lenny,” Zac’s deep voice rumbled, and I found myself blushing a deep beetroot red once again. Oh, the things this boy did to me.

“Hey,” I averted my gaze from his, hoping he wouldn’t see my now scarlet face. He chuckled and tilted my face upwards to meet his gaze, his lovely green eyes scanning over my face and my calloused hands stroking my flaming red cheek.

“You look so cute when you blush,” he smirked, dropping his hand to hold mine in his.

“Only then?” I retorted, feeling more comfortable already. His green eyes held amusement, and I pulled him over to the two empty seats that seemed to be reserved for us. Oh, what perfect timing.

“So, how was your interview?” He asked and I sighed.

“I tried to be honest and said what I really though, but I’m not so sure now that that was the best way to go about doing it,” I lamented, running a hand through my tangled hair, wishing that I could pull it all out in frustration. I couldn’t have blown this!

Zac looked into my eyes, “I’m sure you did fine, Lena. Don’t worry so much, okay?”

I nodded and laid my head on his chest. I could hear his soft heartbeats pounding, and I counted them slowly to calm myself down. At first Zac stiffened; maybe he wasn’t expecting my gesture, but after a while he put his arms around me and held me there while I tried to convince myself that it hadn’t gone totally disastrous.

I felt his fingers stroking my hair lightly, and in that moment I felt so contented, until I remembered who wasn’t.

“Zac?” I mumbled against his rock hard chest, my voice muffled.

“Yeah?” He responded. “Please don’t let me come between Nate and yourself. You guys must have been very good friends all the while, and I really really would hate to see two friends fighting over a pathetic little girl. Don’t sacrifice your friendship, please. If anything, I really want you two to be friends.”