I was incredibly nervous today. Well scratch that, I was incredibly nervous every day. Not that I would let this show of course, but today, was worse than others. Today was the first day of our senior year. First day of Zerek's senior year. I swallowed hallowly, taking in a deep breath and looking at my face in the mirror. Did I look okay? Of course. I looked fine.
However, 'fine' was often not enough. I had to be better. With big expectations, and a giant shadow to overcome, I still had to be better. My hair was curled to perfection, my green eyes lidded with the right amount of eyeliner, and my uniform was ironed to perfection. I had specific instructions. If Zerek was going to be a good kid, I would overcome him in being the good kid. If Zerek decided he wanted to be a bad boy, I would overcome him in being a bad girl. He couldn't win in anything, and I knew how important this was to my father.
With a short nod of approval to myself, I examined my messy room, smirking to myself. At least my home life didn't deal with Zerek. I grabbed my bag off of my vanity, smiling in humour. What was I worrying about? I had obviously overcame Zerek multiple times before, and I will do it again. This game has been going since my freshman year. I had this one in the bag! I mean, I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I had this down pat. Nobody could beat me at beating Zerek in his own game. Easy, right?
Or so I thought.
•••
I walked into the bright hallways of Rosberg Academy, a confident smile on my face. I knew exactly what locker I had, considering it was the same one from the year before. The hallway was generally empty except for a few early-comers, who were the people who hated to be late. I just passed by, waving occasionally to a famaliar face- that I could never place a name to. Finally I got to my locker- which was a top one, huge, and perfect. It was situated right by a window, and sunshine always radiated on it perfectly. Slowly I fished the small black key from my thin coat's pocket, and inserted into the zigzag like keyhole.
Okay, Game Plan. You have been prepared for this. And you, only you can do it. This is your last year. The very last year, and you will survive it. I promise. Okay, anyways. Let's get to the point, shall we? Ah, where were we? Game Plan! Okay! Uhm. Zerek arrives to school, yada yada, girls surround him, blah. Okay. Then his little gang assembles. Kay. According to the three years before, Zerek should arrive to school approximately three minutes before the bell, and arrive to his first period class ten minutes late. He usually entertains himself with the new freshmen at the start of the year, and..
I must sound like a stalker, honestly. But I'm not. See, I just really don't like Zerek. Or his horrible Dad, who thinks he can take my father's company. My Dad doesn't really like that either. So, it works out well. I can easily out do Zerek in anything.
After depositing everything into my locker, I situtated locker magnets carefully, and beamed, taking a step back to examine the awesomeness. I finally got my schedule out, pushing my backpack into the locker. I shut the locker, looking down at my red watch. I had thirty minutes before class would even start, so it was safe to say I had time. I bit my lip, and sighed. I had Mr. Way for first period. Great way to start my senior year, eh?
That's when my eyes hit a pair of violet hues. I blinked, confused for a second, as to why Zerek was here already. My mouth opened slowly, and he smirked. Great, the guy got hotter over summer break. Girls glowered and bathed in his beauty now, following him like sick puppies. His hair was longer, wavier, and just plain out attractive. His face, clear of any blemishes was angled to precise symmetrics, and was not man-made. This boy was all natural. His lips pursed, as he looked down on a girl, winking, almost in slow motion.
Then, he walked away, slowly looking back to the small crowd of girls, before turning and training his eyesight on me, which, was unwelcome. Can't he look somewhere else?, I thought bitterly. Within ten steps, he was right in front of me, looking down on me in that same look of unapproval.
"Ah, Ansley. Still kicking and screaming, I see." His voice was rich, deep and husky. I narrowed my eyes. So this was a challenge!? Ansley Farraway, does not ever back down.
"Aw, Zerek, still not dead. I thought the box of rattlesnakes were enough, but I guess I'll have to invest in more exotic tactics." I pursed my lips, making sure my words were coated in sugar.
Zerek sighed, chuckling a little. "You can just give up the game now." He insists, his minty warmth washing over me. But, I would not be bought, seduced, or coaxed out of it. I was fighting this war for my father.
"You would tell me to, wouldn't you?" I hissed.
"Well then. If I'm not losing, you're not winning." Zerek says, shaking his hair out of his violet, and beautiful eyes. It wasn't up until now that I notice Zerek isn't wearing his uniform. He's breaking code, and wearing a white T-shirt, that looks fancy even on him. He was wearing straight black pants, and converse. Well, he would, wouldn't he?
"Who said you'd be winning?" Our eyes were locked now. A silent war raged between us, and I didn't look away once. It wasn't until a small freshman tosses her books on the ground, that Zerek flinches, and looks up instinctively. I smile snidely. He looks back down at me.
"It'll be different this year, Ansley. You'll see." Zerek pushes away from me, and I just shrug. He says that every year. But, really. How different can it get when we began running out of pranks to use in the tenth grade?
It wasn't just Zerek I had to worry about though.
