Senior Year

25

Zac was having lunch with Samar, Phoebe and Aliyah in the cafeteria when Zoe walked up to them looking super pissed. She sat down and didn't talk to anyone. Zac knew he shouldn't say anything but he just had to ask.

"You okay Z?"

Zoe gave him a death glare that made him regret even thinking about asking the question.

"I'm just peachy!" Zoe yelled sarcastically before folding her arms in anger.

"Okay, you two leave." Aliyah told Zac and Samar who looked at her confused.

"What? Why?" Samar asked.

"Just leave. We'll call you over when you can come back." Phoebe told them and they sighed before getting up.

They walked out of earshot but not out of their sight just as the girls asked them to.

"Okay spill. What's wrong with you?" Aliyah asked Zoe.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Girl please, we're not idiots. What's wrong?" Phoebe sucked her teeth.

Zoe sighed looking at the two. "It's Naomi."

"What did she do?" Aliyah asked a bit surprised.

"Nothing. That's the problem."

"You lost me." Phoebe said.

"I kinda forced her to volunteer to edit the yearbook with me. When we got there this guy started flirting with her, but she's honestly way too oblivious to notice."

"So what's the problem?" Aliyah raised an eyebrow.

"The problem is I got jealous. Then I got mad at her which made me storm out the room. She tried talking to me but I completely iced her out." Zoe groaned.

"You shouldn't have done that." Phoebe mumbled making Aliyah glare at her and nod towards Zoe silently telling her to keep going.

"After a while I snapped at her and walked here. On the way I started feeling guilty and got mad at myself then Zac asked me of I was okay and I just snapped." Zoe groaned letting her head fall onto the table.

"Well there's only one way to fix this mess you and your green eyed monster made." Phoebe started.

"Which is?" Zoe muttered.

"Apologize." Aliyah and Phoebe said at the same time making Zoe sigh.

"See you girls later." Zoe said getting up and leaving the cafeteria. Aliyah signaled for the boys to come back.

"What was that about?" Samar asked as they sat back down.

"Nothing much." Aliyah shrugged and Phoebe nodded.

Zoe couldn't find Naomi in the spare classroom they were using for yearbook so she went to the gym but stopped when she walked pass the second music room. She looked through the window on the door and saw Naomi playing the piano. She knew it was her even though her back was turned towards her.

"Okay Zoe just go in there and apologize." Zoe whispered to herself before quietly opening the door and walking towards her girlfriend.

She sat down next to Naomi who didn't seem to notice her presence and just kept playing. Zoe took a deep breath before putting her hand on Naomi's shoulder making the girl jump a little.

"What are you doing here?" Naomi asked more confused than angry.

"I owe you an apology." Zoe said biting her lip.

"I'm listening." Naomi sighed looking away from Zoe.

"I got jealous. Hunter was flirting with you and I couldn't help but get jealous. I couldn't take it so I stormed off and snapped at you which I shouldn't have done. I am so sorry."

"Wait. Hunter was flirting with me?" Naomi asked in confusion.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? Have seen you? Who wouldn't flirt with you?" Zoe said using her finger to gesture at Naomi.

"You're kidding right?"

"No I'm not. You're incredible and a lot of people can see that." Zoe whispered.

"Why did you get jealous?"

"Because he wouldn't stop flirting with you."

"Zo, you and I both know I can't stand most of the people in this school. We also know that no one here actually understands me accept for you. Somehow you get me which never happens.

"I know. You're grandma called it a miracle." Zoe chuckled and so did Naomi.

"You have nothing to be jealous of okay?"

Zoe nodded as Naomi cupped her cheek and gave her chaste kiss.

"What were you playing?" Zoe asked pulling Naomi closer by her waist.

"I honestly have no idea. I've just been playing random notes until I found ones that work together." Naomi shrugged leaning into Zoe's embrace.

"It sounded great though. You should keep going."

Naomi nodded and kept playing. As she played words went through her head.

Sure enough you can rise on up
And see brighter days ahead.

"You okay? You were staring off into space." Zoe whispered and Naomi nodded.

"I'm okay, don't worry." Naomi smiled and kissed Zoe's cheek.

"Can I take you to the bakery after school? I wanna apologize with your favorite cupcakes." Zoe whispered in Naomi's ear.

"Yes please." Naomi said excitedly like a little kid.

"Okay then, see you after school." Zoe chuckled kissing Naomi's temple and walking out the music room.

Naomi looked at the piano once again and started playing it. She wasn't exactly sure what she was playing but her hands just kept moving along the piano.

The bell rang and Naomi went to her next class unaware that Mr Hartford was smiling at her.

"Told you it will come to you." He smiled to himself.

Zac was sitting in his English class not really paying attention to what his teacher was saying. Instead he was waiting for a message on his phone about school.

"Okay, I know all of you are too busy with application letters and your exams right now but can you just focus for a second?" The English teacher asked as he took Zac's phone out of his hand.

The lesson went on until the bell rang and Zac had to go to the music room to take the test Mr Hartford was talking about.

"You're finally here. We can start the evaluation now." Mr Hartford said as Zac walked through the door.

He was being evaluated by the principal and Mrs Jones their only music teacher for now.

"Okay, let's start with something simple. Playing the guitar." Mrs Jones said giving Zac and Naomi each a guitar of their own.

"Okay then. Let's do this." Naomi sighed looking at Zac and starting to play.

They took their test and waited for the evaluation. They sat down and watched as Mr Hartford, Mrs Jones and Principal Brewer talked amongst themselves.

"How do you think we did?" Zac asked Naomi.

"I think we're about to find out." Naomi answered as the principal and Mrs Jones left leaving only their music teacher behind.

"I get to keep my job!" Mr Hartford yelled with his arms in the air.

"Yes!" Zac yelled and Naomi smiled.

It leaves me feeling stronger
When I find sunshine through the rain.