Zoey 101: You Must Of Had A Broken Heart ☑

Chapter 9

"Yes, besides that." I held my breath. No one besides Lola knew about my life, right? There was no way he could know. Then why was I so paranoid?

"Well, you intimidate most of the guys in the school, so you never get asked out. The girls think you're stuck up and that's why your only friend is the most popular girl in school. It's assumed that no one else is good enough for you." My eyes stretched wide as he continued. "Your teachers feel bad for you. They think that you put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect and are missing out on what high school's all about. And your coach thinks he's lucky to have you, and is confident the team's a shoe-in for state champions this year as long as you don't get injured."

He became serious, noticing the awed look on my face. "But you've only been here a week," I whispered. "People actually told you this?"

Chase paused in confusion before he asked, "You didn't know any of this?" I could only stare at him. "I figured the reason you keep to yourself was because you were so confident, and you didn't care what anyone thought of you. You really had no idea what they say about you?"

I shook my head. "Honestly, I never gave it much thought because it wasn't important to me. I just need to get through high school."

"Why?" he asked slowly.

It was the question I couldn't answer, and the reason I shouldn't talk to him. I was saved from having to lie when the crowd erupted as the announcer declared a touchdown for Lafayette. I looked up at the scoreboard to see Lafayette's numbers change to 28, as the visitor's remained 14. The clock held steady with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

"I should go find Lola" I said. "I'll see you later." I walked off before he could respond. There was so much to take in, and I didn't know how to absorb it all.

I located Lola along the sidelines, behind the rope that separated the field from the track.

"There you are!" she exclaimed. "Did you see Vince run in that last touchdown?"

"I didn't have a good view," I confessed. She clapped and yelled for the defense to stop the ball.

Then she pulled me aside, away from the crowd. "First," she said intently, "you are going to repeat every word of the conversation you had with Chase before we go to sleep tonight. Everyone's been talking about you two. I think half the school already assumes you're dating." My mouth dropped open.

"I know, it's stupid," Lola huffed with a shrug. "No one's ever seen you talk to someone besides me so much before. So most of the girls hate you, and the guys don't get what's so great about him. It's actually kinda funny."

"Great," I grumbled, rolling my eyes.

"Anyway, after the game, I'm going to wait outside the locker room for Vince to ask him to go to the party. Will you wait with me?"

"Sure, but I'm not waiting by the locker room door. That's all you. I'll sit on the stairs, okay?

"Okay," her eyes sparkled. "I can't believe I'm doing this!"

"He's going to say yes," I assured her.

"I hope so."

The air horn blared to declare the end of the game. There was a final cheer from the home crowd, congratulating the team for their win. The guys celebrated with chest bumps, and shoulder pad punches as they headed to the locker room.

Lola and I lingered while the crowd filed out through the gates. A few people asked if they'd see us at the party, to which Lola confirmed emphatically. Lola began silently wringing her hands as we got closer to the locker room. It was almost entertaining to see her this nervous. I'd never seen her so uncertain before.