The Bad Boy's Sleeping Beauty

Chapter 18

Zayne

I glanced to my side at her. Her lips were agape as she scribbled some observation down in her notebook and then her eyebrows furrowed and she used the pen to scratch her head before resuming whatever she was writing. So beautiful.

"I can't concentrate with you staring at me," she told me, casting me a smile.

I scratched the back of my head and smiled sheepishly. She had caught me staring at her, admiring her. I don't know what's gotten into me but after the whole incident with her father I've just wanted to be around to make her happy and to protect her.

"Uh, yeah," I mumbled. "So would you like to go to your house this afternoon to get some, you know, clothes?"

She put her pen down and looked up at me. "I haven't been there since last week."

I wanted to pull her in for a hug and tell her not to worry and that I'd be there with her every step of the way.

"Do you want me to go with you?" I asked her.

She smiled at me and shook her head. "I don't know. I don't think so," she said hesitantly.

I nodded my head and looked down at my empty page, picking up my pen to write something. "I need a smoke."

After school I leaned against my car, waiting for Aurora while quickly smoking a cigarette. I didn't like smoking in front of her because I felt like she deserved better than the guy who was labeled the 'bad boy' and had loads of baggage.

I stomped on my cigarette when I saw her coming and rolled my eyes. She said something to Zoë and then she walked over to me.

"Took you long enough," I joked.

She rolled her eyes and got into the car. I got in wondered if I should ask her if she and Zoë were okay again. I recall her telling me that Zoë got made at her when she didn't want to talk about her whole issue with her dad.

"So, you and Zoë are okay?"

She smiled and nodded. "Not the same but we're okay," she replied.

I nodded and began the drive home. I almost laughed when I thought of the first time we actually met. I had almost hit her with my bike which stood at home because Aurora refused to get on. Now, I'm driving my moms old car.

I tried to not glance at her too much except for when we spoke and I felt my hand begin to itch, wanting to hold her hand in mine. I don't know why I suddenly felt this overwhelming attraction to her.

When we got home I noticed Zoë glance at her house and then she walked up the path and into my house. I didn't want to tell her that her father hadn't been home for a while. Maybe I'm just selfish and I don't want her to go back.

Mara tackled my legs when I walked into the house. I smiled and hugged my sister back. My mother soon came into the foyer in her battery powered wheelchair.

"Zayne," she said, "I thought I heard Aurora."

I furrowed my eyebrows. She hadn't greeted my mother. I shrugged it off and hugged my mom and kissed her cheek. She giggled and reversed.

"How was your day?" I asked her.

My mom laughed. "I'm supposed to ask you that and the usual, yours?" She asked.

I smiled and as I was about to respond Aurora came down the stairs. She greeted my mother and sister before turning to me.

"I'm going to the clearing," she told me.