Rivals in Business, Allies in Love

Chapter 20

~Zavier~

I stand rooted to the parking lot as I wait for the guys to show up before heading inside Kersher. Two students pass by with their expensive backpacks hanging off their shoulders. I can't help but pick up on their gossip. Something about Gary getting arrested at the party last Friday. I've also picked up on other news here and there as they all shuffle towards the big entrance. Lilly Rose past out drunk on the lawn, inevitably getting arrested as well. Megan flirting with an officer to get out of an arrest.

I think my friend who threw the party is so grounded. I'd be surprised if she sees the light of day after this.

I stand straighter as her driver pulls up. I await Ivy's exit, seemingly disinterested when really I'm curious to see how she was doing after that crazy weekend. I didn't text her because I don't think she'll like that very much. Instead, I play it cool and see how things will turn out.

Her head pops out of the car as her long legs slide into view. Today, her charcoal hair is in a sleek, low ponytail. Her usual knee high socks is rolled down to the ankle and although she prefers her jacket, she settles for the school's navy waist coat.

She slings her bag over her shoulders then shoves the door close. I watch as the car lengthens its distance away from me and Ivy closes in on it.

As usual, her gaze is set on the path before her. She always shows up here like there's a single mission. A mission she's adamant on completing.

She probably doesn't even notice me leaning on the hood of my car. She's going to zoom past me like I don't exist.

As she passes me by, her lips turn up in the slightest smile. "Zavier." Her greeting catches me off guard and my heart did what it felt like was the right thing to do. It leaps.

"Ivy." I respond with a hidden smile of my own. I almost didn't get to return my greetings. She never once stopped walking. There wasn't a single pause to look in my direction.

Even when she disappears within the doors of the academy, I can't quite cut the little smile on my face. For once, Ivy Reynolds willingly greets me at the academy. Progress.

Soon we'll be chatting in the halls like normal people do. Or am I jumping the gun here?

Someone bumps shoulder with me and almost sends me flying. "Dude, what are you all giggly about this awful Monday morning?" Davis tsks at me.

"The Monday isn't awful." I snicker. "You, however look awful." He shoves at me but I dodge his advances. Jackson and Thomas sidles up beside us.

"Today's going to be ass. I can feel it." Jackson doesn't look any better than Christian. Thomas looks great. Thomas is the best at holding his liquor out of us four. I'm not surprised he's doing well right now.

When I get home that day, I immediately feel like going right back out. Sometimes I can sense when the mood in the house isn't the best. I can feel my father brooding from a flight of stairs away.

I make my way upstairs, admittedly a little too loudly. Now I regret not sneaking in after I heard his voice down the hall. "Get in here." I pause.

My trek down the hall is lackadaisical and uncertain.

I appear in front of him, ensuring that I keep a bit of distance between us. Just in case he snaps for whatever reason he finds. Maybe I'm not standing tall enough. Maybe he doesn't like the way my eyes settle on him. Maybe I'm polluting the air with failure. He doesn't even look at me. "We're having company for dinner tonight. I hope you don't have any plans." Like me having plans will matter. The fact that he's mentioning it to me means I'm required to be there well dressed and on time.