Eighteen year-old Zach Curtis has lost everything: his girlfriend, his job and his scholarship. Nothing in the world matters anymore, until he receives a rude awakening from a stranger.
Petite and awkward, Terra Quinn is living the life with her bes...
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– Zach –
I remain seated at the back of the classroom, folding the sleeves of my shirt as I hesitate to put on my tie. I never really liked formal attire.
It has been two weeks since Terra came clean to me about everything between her and James. My immediate thought by then was only about Terra, wondering how she must have struggled and how hard it was for her to speak about something so painful for the first time.
That was all I thought about for the first three days subsequent to that incident, just wondering if Terra is okay. Thankfully, she seems to be reverting to her usual self again, basically flapping her arms like wings and getting offended at any mention of height differences. She has ever since threatened me to keep my mouth shut about what happened on that same night, although we both know full well that my lips are sealed.
I was relieved to see that everything is okay again. Unfortunately, I had to move on to other pressing matters.
Ever since then, I have been doing all I can to avoid James. I still don't like the idea of being involved in other people's business, but I've also learned that sometimes it is necessary when I'm a friend to someone. I don't think I'm needed at all to defend Terra, she is strong enough to protect herself, but it is literally impossible for me to pretend to be unbothered.
What is even more impossible though, is to avoid him.
Today is the last day of the semester for us. As soon as we complete this final presentation, we're off for a long-awaited semester break. Of course, I really look forward to that, but in order for me to get there, I must first go through something I've been dreading.
"Hey there, looking good." Daphne approaches me with Will by her side, wearing a white blouse and a black pencil skirt. It was entirely her suggestion that we should color coordinate as a team. When I look at the three of us dressing this way, I suppose it isn't that bad of an idea.
"Thanks." I say, not sure if I should return the compliment. Just then, James walks in confidently with slick back hair and his hands in his pockets, winking at the first girl he locks eyes with.
The very sight of him is triggering a headache.
"Hello comrades." He grins while throwing his arms around Daphne and Will's shoulders, loud as usual. "Are we ready to ace this, or what?"
"Ready as you are." Will beams while giving him a thumbs up.
"That's what I like to hear." He nudges him encouragingly before releasing his grip. "So, we'll do this just like we discussed, okay? I'll handle the introduction and conclusion, Daphne will talk about our research and statistics, Zach and Will shall present the big idea."
"Make sure you start us off with a bang." Daphne says.
"Oh please, I never have a weak entrance." He laughs boastfully.
