alone // m.c.

►five

Zoe groaned as she opened her eyes to sunlight seeping through her window. Rolling over in her bed, she picked up her phone to check the time. It was already 8:56 AM. She had to be in class in just about an hour.

She had just started to pull a black tee shirt over her head when her phone rang, startling Zoe and causing her to knock her hairbrush off of her dresser.

"Hello?" Zoe asked into the phone, wondering who could be calling her at such an early hour.

"Hey, Zoe. It's Michael. I am calling to ask you on our non-date." said a familiar voice.

"Do you always ask girls out at 9:12 in the morning?"

"Ah, but I am not asking you out. This is not a date, remember?" Michael said matter of factly into the phone. Zoe rolled her eyes before realizing he couldn't see her.

"So, when is this fake date?"

"No, it is a non-date, not a fake date. Keep on track." Michael said, making Zoe roll her eyes again.

"Fine, when is this non-date? And where?"

"I am going to take you out this Friday, whether you like it or not. And where? Well, that is a surprise." Michael said, sounding as if he was pleased with himself.

"What if I have plans on Friday and can't go?" Zoe asks, partially just to annoy him and partially to see if he cares enough to still try. She was always afraid that people didn't care about her.

"Cancel them. This non-date is happening this Friday whether you like it or not."

"Fine, pick me up at 8?"

"No, I will pick you up at 7:59. Now, I realize I have probably interrupted you during your morning routine, so I will go now. See you on Friday at 7:59." and with the sound of those numbers coming off of Michael's tongue, the phone line went dead.

Zoe continued getting ready as normal. While on the phone she had finished putting on her typical outfit of black skinny jeans and a tee shirt, which was black today, and had brushed through her hair. She applied mascara to her eyelashes, not feeling like struggling with the rest of her makeup. She checked her phone and saw it was already 9:34, and that she had to be in class in 26 minutes.

She quickly slid her feet into her black vans and grabbed a gray hoodie. Swinging her black backpack, which was splattered with purple and magenta, over her shoulder, she closed the door to her apartment. Sydney was already gone, probably at Starbucks. Zoe didn't have time to go to Starbucks, so she set off to her class.

GettinG there six minutes before the class starts, Zoe sits in her usual spot. She selects the spot in the middle of the right side. She doesn't like to look like a girl who doesn't care and just sits in the back and doesn't pay attention, but she doesn't want to be the teacher's pet either. She really cared about school, taking advanced classes since middle school.

The professor waddled in and Zoe prepared herself for an hour of talk about anthropologists. Starting to scribble down everything the professor said into her navy blue notebook, she got lost in the fascinating study of humankind.

---

Zoe's classes were over in no time, and it was time to go to the record shop. She wondered, more like hoped, if Michael had gotten the job. Her questions were all answered when she walked in on Ashton helping a customer.

It's not that Zoe didn't like Ashton, she just thought he was a bit of try hard (HHHa/n no pun intended I swear). He didn't really seem like what he said he was. Zoe didn't doubt that he liked music, and that music meant a lot to him, but she didn't think her understood what it meant to some other people. She also didn't like how he constantly tried to flirt with her.

Zoe signed in and then sat on the stool behind the counter as Ashton finished with his customer. It looked as if he had sold multiple Mayday Parade albums.

"So babe, how are you today?" Ashton said, obviously trying to flirt.

"I'm tired, but whatever, right?" Ashton nodded as she spoke. "How are you?"

"I am just great. Thrilled to be working here, especially with you." Ashton winked on the last word, making Zoe want to throw up.

"Oh, well that's good I guess."

The rest of the shift went by slowly. There was maybe one more customer that came in, as it was a Tuesday night. Ashton continued to flirt with Zoe, despite her clear disinterest.

When the clock struck 9:30, Zoe was thrilled to leave. She wanted to get as far away from Ashton as she could.

Of course, Ashton insisted on walking Zoe home. After turning him down multiple times, she finally gave in, allowing him to walk her home.

"So, what's up with you and that Michael guy?" Ashton asked as the both looked forward, walking in the direction of Zoe and Sydney's apartment.

"Just friends." Zoe replied with a shrug.

"Really? I think he's into you. You should be careful, he seems like trouble to me." Ashton said protectively.

"He said the same about you. And I know he's into me. I don't date, so neither you nor him will be getting a date anytime soon." Zoe chuckled.

Ashton looked quite disappointed at this information, as he had assumed he would get her number tonight, possibly even a kiss.

"Oh, okay. Just be careful." Ashton repeated. Zoe was confused as to why he was being so cautious, but she just guessed he was jealous. After a short walk with awkward small talk, that taught Zoe that Ashton used to be on the chess team at his high school, they arrived at Zoe's apartment building.

"Thanks for walking me home. See you Wednesday I guess. I'm not working tomorrow." Zoe said quietly, ready to go inside.

"Alright, well see you Wednesday then. Bye." Zoe had started to turn around when Ashton leaned in. Zoe's brain went everywhere all at once, trying to process what was happening at this exact moment.

Finally it clicked. Ashton was trying to kiss her. She quickly pushed him away, staring at him weirdly.

"I told you I don't date. That means no kisses either." Zoe said sternly.

"I'm so sorry, I just thought, maybe, ya know." Ashton mumbled.

"It's fine, just don't do it again please. I'll see you Wednesday, bye." Zoe muttered sympathetically, turning around and walking into her apartment building.

Little did she know, that during the entire day, there were thoughts of Michael in the back of her brain. And that all day in the back of Michael's brain, were thoughts of Zoe, as they were starting to fall in a thing we call "love."

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I don't even remember the last time I updated I am so sorry guys.

But anyways how was this nice shitty update that I absolutely hate for you guys?? yeah I think I have one reader aka zoegclifford who this is about (sorta) so oh well.

Also guess who made their school's basketball team? iT's me guys I'm a baller !!!!! But yeah this is gonna be really slow update cause school just started + I have basketball but I have been writing during my free time at school and I intend to continue to do that.

love you (lots) caroline !! (also i just realized this could look like i'm saying love you to a girl named caroline but i'm just saying "love you, caroline !! like my name is caroline and thats my way to sign out okay peace out homie !!)