Zailey (Sequel) ✔️

Part Twenty Two

I was piling my morning lessons' books, diary and pencil case into my locker, when the corridor became abuzz with a new charter.
"Oh my god Zander's so hot! That shark attack certainly hasn't taken anything away!"
Somebody gushed.
What the?
I really had to plant my feet so that I didn't turn around and try to find out just who it was that was gossiping.
Gossiping about my boyfriend.
"Ugh he's heading for her."
Somebody's disgruntled voice whined.
What the?
I frowned in confusion, pausing with my backpack zip now half way open so that I could find my recess.
"Hey."
The slightly husky voice washed over me, as well as a faint gust of his cologne that I was entirely familiar with, probably thanks to the fans gently circling overhead.
My traitorous heart skipped a beat just by knowing he was near.
I abandoned my task and turned around, coming face to face with the handsome devil whom is Zander Jeremiah Hunter.
My eyes settled on his beautiful, tanned face and a smile lit up his features, his deep blue eyes shining softly.
"Hi."
I replied, my silly heart beating quickly.
It wasn't the first time I'd seen him this morning.
Keegan, Brady, Codie and I had picked him up for school again this morning.
This week Zander wes scheduled to attend school until the end of the first lesson after recess each day, extending on last weeks' efforts a little.
That meant that today, Monday, he had recess and one lesson remaining before he was free to go.
But I knew that after school he had to go for another checkup at the hospital.
"What're you doin' here?"
I asked, peeking past his wide shoulders to see that Keegan and a few of the other guys were at their lockers.
Zander raised a questioning eyebrow at me.
"I'm not allowed to come see my favourite person?"
My silly heart began to pound even harder.
Naww.
That was a bit cute!
"Don't be corny."
I scolded him, feeling my cheeks heat up.
His crutches clicked on the corridor tiles as he shifted them forward, then they squeaked as he leaned into them, shuffling forward a bit more.
Uh oh!
What's he doing?
I pressed my back against my open locker, eyeing him curiously.
"What- what are you doing?"
I stammered.
He leaned down, pausing with his minty breath fanning my slightly parted lips.
"This."
He whispered before pressing his lips onto mine.
Although my heart lurched into a sprint and I knew there was a good chance that most of the corridor was watching us, I couldn't help but kiss him back, lifting my hands to gently hold onto his shoulders because I managed to remember that I couldn't just throw my arms around his waist, because there was a good chance that would hurt him.
A few loud wolf whistles erupted from behind Zander and it didn't take a genius to know it was his friends and probably my brother.
"Cut that shit out would ya!"
That one was definitely Keegan.
Zander's shoulder's shook with laughter.
He placed a final kiss on my lips and leaned back, putting a slight amount of space between us.
I could feel that my cheeks were ablaze, yet I couldn't help but feel happy that he'd shown PDA with me in front of basically anyone and everyone.
"I'll see you later?"
Zander asked.
I nodded my head, but I couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened that he obviously didn't want us to spend recess together.
Why didn't he want us to spend recess together?
Zander suddenly frowned.
Uh oh...
"What's that face for?"
He questioned.
Face?
"What face?"
I whispered, doing my best to mask my emotions.
"That face."
Damn it.
Apparently I wasn't doing a very good job.
"You ready?"
Kellie's voice suddenly sounded beside me.
Good timing Kellie!
Zander clenched his jaw.
I shot Kellie a quick glance, but turned my gaze back to Zander, my chest tightening.
"Kellie and I are still outcasted from the group."
I muttered.
Hayley has made no effort to reconnect or let us back in.
She's perfectly happy pretending to be the innocent one, turning anybody who would listen against Kellie and I.
So now it's just Kellie and I.
Except Andre and sometimes Clayre will join us usually.
Zander frowned.
"Outcasted? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Uh oh."
Kellie whispered.
"Leave it Zander."
I muttered and turned around to gather my recess.
"Hey."
Zander placed a hand on my shoulder and urged me back around.
With a sigh, I gave in and faced him again.
I don't need Zander thinking he has to sort out my problems.
He's got enough of his own problems to work out.
"What are you not telling me?"
Zander seemingly intentionally dropped his voice, so that there was less chance of nosey people eavesdropping.
I felt my shoulder's slump as I gave in.
"There's just someone with her head up her arse. She's not being very nice and Kellie and I are steering clear. Sometimes Andre and Clayre sit with us."
Zander's frown was back.
"Who and who?"
Beside me Kellie giggled.
I sighed.
"Nothing to worry about Zan."
I told him, reaching forward to squeeze his hand.
Zander shot a glance over his shoulder towards his friends, then turned back to me.
"Come with us."
He told me.
My heart skipped s beat.
Was he saying that because he actually wanted it, or because Andre's name was mentioned and he didn't want me near him though?
I snuck a sideways glance at Kellie to see that she'd gone oddly pale.
I frowned.
Was that for her own reasons or because she suspected something in Zander's request?
"Y-you go Bails."
Kellie urged.
"I'll h-hang with Clayre and An-Andre."
Realisation hit me.
Kellie slept with Chase one weekend and Boston the next.
She probably didn't want to be forced to face the guys.
I gnawed on my lower lip and turned back to Zander.
"It's fine Zan. I'll just see you later."
I told him.
I couldn't ditch Kellie.
Not when she was sticking by me.
Zander frowned.
"I'll see you when I'm finished with Jolan."
I told him and stretched onto my tip toes to kiss him.
"Zan!"
We both turned at the sound of Keegan's voice.
"Ya comin' or what?"
My brother asked.
"Go on."
I urged him.
I could see it was doing him good in his fight to get back to normal, to spend time with his friends.
"Fine."
He muttered and made his way over to his awaiting friends.
"Annnnnd now he's mad at me."
I sighed, turning back to my locker.
"He's not mad at you."
Kellie denied, leaning backwards against the closed locker door beside mine.
I snorted in disbelief.
Is she serious right now?
"He's just jealous about you hanging out with some guy he doesn't even know."
I looked over my shoulder to see that Zander was leaving the corridor with my brother and their other friends, not even glancing back at me.
"No."
I told Kellie, turning my focus back to my locker.
"He's mad."
"So that's the boyfriend huh?"
Kellie and I both looked to the right as Andre arrived, his arms loaded with the morning's lessons' books.
Where the heck's he been?
How would he know who's my boyfriend when Zander's gone?
"What are you talking about?"
I asked, confused.
"The closeness... the kissing..."
Andre seemingly intentionally trailed off.
Maybe he did see Zander then.
But where was he hiding?
He definitely hadn't been at his locker which is next to mine!
"Yeah."
Kellie agreed.
"That's her boyfriend."
I couldn't help but smile.
It sure was good to have Zander back.