The Undercover Bad Boy

Chapter Nine - A Simple Observation

'Normal is just an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly."

- Morticia Addams

Chapter Nine - A Simple Observation

We pulled up in front of the park about eight minutes later.

I couldn't stand the silent car ride, so - after using a couple of my amazing jokes, Zach finally cracked a smile.

"I can see you smiling, Zach, don't hide it. What can I say? No one can resist my jokes," I had said, pointing at his smile.

His lips twitched upwards again. He then started to burst out laughing, shaking his head teasingly at me. He surprised me when he swtiched on the radio and started bouncing to the beat of the songs. There was still a good few weeks until the 25th of December but the radio stations seemed to be trying to get us into the Christmas mood by playing songs like Jingle Bell Rock and the Mariah Carey version of All I Want for Christmas Is You on repeat.

And just like that, we were back to normal.

Whatever normal was.

Zach stopped the car and parked it on the side of the road. The park was relatively empty, considering that it was a weekend. I guess no one was dumb enough to stay outside in this temperature; besides us, an elderly couple strolling through the greenery and, well, the football players and their coaches.

I exited the car and was welcomed by a cold gust of air. I couldn't help but grin; it was going to snow soon. I loved the winter months. The temperature got colder which meant an excuse for hot drinks, blankets and snow days.

I zipped up my jacket a little more.

"Cucumber-friend?" Zach called out from the other side of the car.

He was blocked off from my view so I walked over to him.

"Yes?"

"The fact that you actually answered to that name-"

"Shut up."

He locked the car door and starting spinning the set of keys around his finger. "After we drop of your brother, we are going to a café. Okay? Okay. Done," he said with conclusiveness. He flicked a piece of hair out of his eyes and went through the gate, into the park.

I spluttered, apparently choking on air, as I rushed to catch up with him. "Are you not going to even ask for my answer? I could be doing something. I might actually have plans," I stated pointedly.

Zach began laughing. "Alex Hale, when do you ever have plans?"

Never. That was the answer. 

"Fine, whatever. A café, why are we going to a - Zachary Edwards, is this your way of asking me on a date?" I asked, coming to a stop. I turned to face him. A confidence from some unknown source overcame me. Was Zach actually asking me on a date?

He continued laughing.

I'm going to take that as a definite no.

So, yeah, my newfound confidence died.

After about a minute, he finally composed himself. "I was actually about to suggest that we catch up on some of your maths tutoring." He was now full-on smirking at me. "I know you want me that desperately, darling, but you don't have to make it so obvious."