The Cursed #Wattys2020 #thebapaawards2020

Chapter-30

It has been a month since Zach confessed his feelings. I have been avoiding everyone in school like the plague. I attend classes , sprint away to my next class before anyone could even try to talk to me and skip lunch and sit in the library reading Grandma's book.

Tyler left for college after a few days and I haven't talked to him much because I have been so focused on finding something that can help me destroy Seamus.

Seamus has been suspiciously quiet since the attack and I guess it's because he's planning something big. On one hand it's great because I get time to prepare myself but I still have nothing in hand.

Zach initially tried to talk to me but has stopped after he saw I didn't utter a word and ignored him. He doesn't attend school much and even if I want to know the reason I can't go and ask anyone.

Like everyday after the bell rang signalling school was over I sprinted towards my car and zoomed to my house. I took some snacks and went upstairs to my room. I threw my bag on the chair and kept my snacks on the table beside my bed. Lying flat on my stomach I watched as the leaves swayed whenever the wind blew. I kept looking outside till the leaves stopped dancing and the sun took shelter behind the clouds.

"Honey we are home" mom called from downstairs

I sighed and got up , cleaned myself looked at my reflection for the last time before going down.

"Hey" I smiled as I sat on the dinner table while mom cooked in the kitchen.

"How was school?" She asked chopping the veggies

"The usual. How was work?" I asked standing up and walking in the kitchen to help her.

I took the chicken and eggs out from the fridge and kept it on the counter.

"The usual" she smiled

We worked in silence for a while. It felt good. Cooking for me the past few weeks had been therapeutic. Whenever I felt stressed or dejected I went in the kitchen and tried something. It made me calm.

"Did you find anything in the book?" Mom asked

"Nothing" I simply replied. I didn't want to talk about it. It had been a month and I still didn't figure out anything. I felt like a complete fool. What if there's nothing in the book and I'm wasting my time.

"Have you tried to understand it?" She asked

"What do you mean?" I questioned looking at her puzzled

"Zea when we are so focused on finding our destination we often forget the small stops or sceneries that pass by. We ever so often forget about the little stops which are equally important as they lead us to our final destination." She looked at me and smiled

"What if you know the answer" she continued, taking my hand and walking us towards the sofa. We both sat down facing each other.

"What if you know the answer Zea. What if you have already figured it out" she said making me more confused

"I haven't figured out anything mom!" I exclaimed

"Zea. Okay consider this. You have been through the book a thousand times now but you think you haven't figured it out yet. What if it's not only you who has to figure it out, have you thought about it? What if the riddles, the writings in the book need you to be with someone for them to reveal their secrets" she said

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Zea" she held my hands, "it's not only your battle dear. Its our battle. You don't have to do this alone. You don't have to fight it alone. We all are here for you my love. Don't push us away. Your friends, Zach and us Zea we want to be there for you. We feel helpless when we see you punishing yourself for something which is not your fault. We love you Zea bear" she said looking at me lovingly