A Genuine Infatuation and A Theorem for Love

Chapter 10

Miranda gestured to me visually that she would handle Zach. I returned a slight nod for her to proceed. 

"So Zach," she began, placing an arm on the white, long, wooden table and pushing strands of her blond hair to the left, "You must be new here, surely. We haven't seen you around before," she cocked an eyebrow at him. 

Zach straightened his stance and crossed his legs, making his chest seem to puff out in the process and leered at her, "Yup, all new and fresh here, Goldilocks". 

"It's Miranda," she strongly accentuated and carried on, "you're a transfer student then, I take it?" 

"Tut-tut. Becoming nosy, are we? And I prefer 'Goldilocks', instead; suits your golden hair," he sniggered with mockery painting every edge of his word. 

"So says the boy with equally blond hair," she snapped at him. Miranda and Zach were having a stare-match contest, with correspondingly blazing guises. However, Zach was the first to cessation and turned to make conversation with me, instead. 

"Yes, I'm a transfer student. And I congratulate you, Linda honey, for being the youngest to betroth in Wilfred Hill District. You must be absolutely flattered," he winked at me following a short laugh. I was completely astonished and remained dumb-stricken for a short while. Miranda's face mirrored my precise expression. Leaving us to fiddle with the mysterious come-back, Zach rose from his seat with yet another laugh and left the cafeteria. Nevertheless, Paul made a quick detour to occupy his space, lest he returned for more gibberish.  

"What did he want?" Paul looked to and fro between us, "don't trust him. I hate his guts, thinks himself to be the King of the entire school". 

"Nothing, Paul. Just let it be," I shrugged and rose to leave, too. Paul thought otherwise and tugged my sleeve to resume the conversation. 

"Linnie, I'll tell you everything that I know. Stop being mad at me and listen." 

"He's not at fault. Get over your stubborn fury and let's resort to derive a key-solution," Miranda offered sturdily. I sighed heavily and slumped down, rubbing at my temples. I wished the headache would disperse away quickly as it was making me feel nauseous. 

"Fine, be quick with it". I crossed my arms over my bosom, attempting to regain composure for a while longer. 

"Alright, two weeks back Mom received a phone call from Uncle Danny. He was the one who brought this topic. When he had been passing along the Northern border, their ruler sent for him and asked for Dad's consent regarding this issue. Dad asked for more time. However, Mom thought the proposal to be 'healthy' for you. Yesterday, Mom and Dad consented to it. Most probably, you'd have visitors once you reach home." Paul stated, looking intently at my face for a reaction to this new scrap of revelation. 

I stood up and shook my head, "I can't take this any longer. I'm going to call-off being sick and head straight home. Miranda, I'll call you back later". In advance to any protest by either of them, I raced to the office and asked permission to go home. I did not need a strong excuse as I was certain that my face displayed my unfit state. The secretary, Ms. Rose, alerted the principal of my short leave. Once all the procedures were complete, she allowed me to head home.

I halted the 24/7 bus and took the ride in serene silence. There was no-one accompanying the bus and since I was acquainted greatly with the bus-driver, I reclined on the seat for a short nap. George, the driver, slightly tapped my fore-arm to convey that we had reached the hill top. I gave him some change and sprinted down the lane. It was yet noon and I doubted Dad's arrival any sooner. Using my spare key, I unlocked the front door and tip-toed to my room. A silent laughter rang through my body; I managed it without being caught by Mom. I took some aspirin for the traumatic headache I was experiencing and jumped into bed for a long, undisturbed bout of sleep.