Chapter 17–Fool–2
–LIA’S POV–
8 min left
“I don’t know,” I shook my head, stepping away from him. “But there’s something for sure. Ever since Blake showed up, you’ve taken a complete turn. It’s like… you cannot see someone be kind to me. You cannot see me happy. As long as I was miserable, you did not spare a glance at me. But as soon as someone shows up for me, someone is kind to me, you want to
ruin it.”
Zane ran a hand through his hair, looking away from me. “You really think that low of me?”
“Yes,” I replied. “I do.”
“Alright, then.” He nodded. “It’s fair, I guess. I can’t tell you the truth, and I can’t prove that you’re wrong. Not yet, at least. But you’ll realise it on your own soon enough. You don’t have to believe me, Lia. I’ll drop you home.”
Not yet? Soon enough? It all sounded like a load of bullshit.
“Thanks,” I said. “Can I keep this or you want it back?” I gestured to the gift in my hand.
Zane rolled his eyes and walked off without a word, towards the
exit.
1/5
11:10
Chapter 17–Fool–2
“Wait!” I quickly followed after.
8 min left
Zane finally took me home, like he promised, the entire drive back awfully silent. I could feel his gaze on me from time to time, but he didn’t say anything, and neither did I. When we reached my place, I was quick to unbuckle my seatbelt, ready to leave before he’d change his mind. But before I could open the door, Zane grabbed my wrist.
I glanced at him, my heart racing once more.
“Relax,” Zane said softly. “I’m not doing anything.”
I swallowed, glancing down at our connected hands and then back at him.
“I just want to say that I’m sorry for taking you like this. I knew you wouldn’t go willingly, so I did what I had to.”
I slowly nodded, not really knowing what to say.
“I know, you’re probably very confused by what’s happening.”
“I am. Honestly,” I said.
“I get it,” he sighed. “Just know that I dont have any bad intentions for you. And I meant it when I said that my friends won’t bother you anymore. Blake or no Blake.”
2/5
11:10
Chapter 17–Fool–2
“Thanks, I guess. Thank you for doing what you did.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied, offering me a small smile. He let go of my hand. “Good bye, Lia. And good night. See you tomorrow.”
8 min left
I smiled back at him, and then got out of the car. He watched me until I entered the house, after which I heard him drive away.
o
On the tips of my toes, I hurried back to my room and locked the door, allowing myself to finally relax.
What on earth was happening in my life?
First Blake, then Zane.
Why were boys being nice to me all of a sudden?
I glanced down at the gift in my hands, and walked over to my bed, sitting down. Tearing off the wrapping paper, I tossed it aside, frowning down at the rectangular box. When I opened it, I found a photo album inside.
My mouth fell open as soon as I saw the first picture inside.
It was of me, back when I was five, wearing a fairy dress and carrying a box in my hands. I remembered it was taken before the incident happened, but I never got it as I never dared to ask for it. He still had it. And he’d found it just to gift it to me.
3/5
11:10
8 min left
I began flipping through the album, realising what he’d done. His gift was more mind–blwing than even a bomb would have been. Zane had collected pictures of me from everywhere; year books, school events, dances, parties, exhibitions, presentations. Anywhere a photograph was clicked of me, he’d found it and snuck it into the album.
The last page wasn’t a photograph, but had an envelope glued to it. I opened the envelope to find a hand written letter inside. The writing was most definitely Zane’s. I’d seen it before, whilst distributing marked homework.
Dear Lia,
Happy 16th Birthday.
I am sorry for everything that has happened to you in my presence until now. It won’t happen again, I promise. I know this might be confusing, but you’ll understand everything soon enough. All I ask from you at the moment is a little bit of trust. Just a tiny bit. 🙂
PS: You have never been invisible. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way before.
–Zane.
I stared at the letter longer than I should have, trying my hardest to keep the smile from stretching over my lips, trying
4/5
11:11
Chapter 17–Fool–2
8 min left
my level best to prevent the warmth from spreading throughout my body.
But who was I to fight nature?
Zane Adams, the tall, brooding, cold and unattainable bad boy of my school had compiled a photo album for me. For Lia Snow. A nobody. An awkward, quiet, lame nerdy girl.
I didn’t care if this was a trap. I didn’t care if the whole school laughed at me the next day, recorded me and posted it all over social media to show the world what a complete fool I’d been
made of.
All I knew, was that Zane Adams saw me. The one boy I thought would never even glance at me, had seen me all along.
And this was the most romantic thing anyone could ever have
done.
1
