Chapter 6 ZAYDEN
ZAYDEN
THE SUN’S WAY TOO bright for how little sleep I’ve had.
I squint up at the blue sky as we walk back to our towels, near where we dug our empty iced-coffee cups into the sand. I toss Mason a bottle of water from the esky. He catches it one-handed, cracking open the lid and chugging it almost entirely.
‘Bit thirsty?’ I ask, squinting against the glare from the sun hitting the waves.
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and nods. ‘Just rehydrating. Thought I might have to call in the SES when you got dumped by that last wave.’
‘Funny. I didn’t see you up for long today,’ I shoot back.
He smirks but doesn’t take the bait. Both of us have spent more time in the gym and on the field than in the surf lately. We used to go to the beach together all the time, but not as much since classes started. Between studying, socialising and practice, it’s difficult to find the time.
The sand is hot enough to fry an egg, so we drop back onto the towels and I sag back in relief.
We were out there for over an hour and I’m feeling drained now.
Nothing truly wipes me out physically like a good day out surfing does.
I used to do this before going to school and then go to footy training after.
‘So,’ Mason says eventually, rolling onto his side. ‘You going to tell me why you ghosted after that party last night?’
‘How’d you know I left early?’ I ask, flinging my arm over my eyes.
‘I know everything.’
Bloody gossips. The football team is the worst for it, and once they start talking to the cheerleaders, everything is super-spread through campus. There are a few decent guys on the team, but the rest I can only trust as far as I can throw them.
I roll over to face him, one arm folded behind my head. ‘Walked Nora home.’
Mason lifts a brow. ‘As in Nora Robertson?’
‘Yeah. She was on this date with an absolute douche. She came to the party for a bit and I ended up walking her home.’
‘Ah.’ He leans back. ‘And what, sparks flew and now you’re emotionally compromised?’
I throw a bottle cap at him. ‘Don’t be a dick.’
He smirks. ‘Then what happened?’
‘We talked a bit.’ I run my hand through my hair.
‘Uh huh.’
‘I think I like her.’
‘Well, she’s your sister’s best friend. If there’s anything still unfinished with Leasa, or if you’re just wanting a bit of fun, Nora doesn’t seem like someone you should mess around with.’
‘I wouldn’t,’ I say firmly. ‘I thought she was going to ask me to stay, but she didn’t. I’m wondering if I should have offered, but I didn’t want to make things weird.’
‘You didn’t push. That’s a good thing.’
‘Yeah, but what if she thinks I don’t want more?’
Mason shrugs. ‘Then maybe show her that you do. See if she wants the same.’
I look down at my phone. Her name sits at the top of my recent search list. I wanted to message her, but I didn’t want to seem overbearing in any way.
It says she’s active.
Before I talk myself out of it, I tap my fingers against the screen.
Zayden: Hey. How are you doing?
She sees my message almost immediately and I prop myself up onto my elbow, looking down at the screen, watching the text bubbles appear as she types a reply.
Nora: I’m good! How’s yourself?
Zayden: Good thanks, just at the beach with Mason. You sleep ok?
Nora: Good day to be at the beach. I slept great. Thanks for walking me home last night and turning my miserable night into a good one. I appreciate it x
Zayden: You’re welcome. What are you up to tonight?
Nora: No plans as of yet. How about you?
Zayden: I’m craving ice cream. You wanna join?
There’s a delay in her response this time and I narrow my eyes, staring at the screen, wishing I could know what she’s thinking.
Nora: Who’s going?
Zayden: Me, and you, if you’re down
Nora: Sounds good to me. When?
Zayden: Pick you up at 6?
Nora: Sure!
Zayden: It’s a date :)
Smirking, I put my phone down and look up, seeing Mason watching me in amusement.
‘Shut up,’ I mutter, flopping back down onto my towel, trying not to smile.
I need a distraction.
Which is exactly the thing I’m supposed to be avoiding.
This situation in particular is like a big red flashing sign that says ‘bad idea’ and yet, I couldn’t stop myself from asking her out.
It’s those hypnotic blue eyes of hers. They do something to me.
Ever since what happened in my bathroom, I’m desperate to uncover more about her.
Both of Anya’s friends are drop-dead gorgeous. Honestly, Cami is more similar to my type in the past, but there’s something about Nora that has lured me in.
Nora only comes up to my chest. Curvy in all the right places, with long brunette waves that tumble down to her ribs, and a killer smile that can make someone’s heart stop in their chest – mine certainly not excluded from that.
Personality-wise, she’s very different to girls I’ve dated before, and I think that might be what makes her stand out so much to me.
I’ve gotten to know her a little, she’s over at the house often, and the little bits I’ve learnt so far make me desperate to find out more.
She’s unintentionally mysterious, and I like that. A lot.
My gaze is fixed on her. I’ve thought several times about Nora and what it might be like hanging out with her.
I’ve been reluctant to make any sort of moves before because she’s best friends with Anya, and after everything my sister has been through in the last year, I’d hate to jeopardise anything.
I know Anya wouldn’t mind if I asked her – she doesn’t have much of a leg to stand on when it comes to that, given her history with Mason – but I would hate for anything to go wrong and create any sort of uncomfortable situation for everyone.
Huh. I suppose this must have been what Mason and Anya thought before the truth came out.
‘You don’t eat ice cream?’ I question, blinking at her as she stares back at me with a sheepish look, offering a casual shrug of her shoulders. ‘Seriously?’
‘Seriously.’
‘That’s poor decision making on your part.’
She chuckles. It’s soft and warm. I didn’t realise a laugh could be attractive until now. ‘Is it now?’
‘And yet, you agreed to come out and eat ice cream?’ I grin, liking the fact that she clearly just wanted to come hang out with me.
Shrugging, she smirks a little. ‘Couldn’t let you come out and eat ice cream all on your lonesome.’
‘How kind of you.’
I can’t stop staring at her. It’s like my eyes are magnetically drawn to hers.
I don’t think I’ve felt this kind of pull towards a girl in a long time.
With Leasa, it was almost a cat and mouse game.
A toxic cycle that we both fell into and couldn’t seem to break.
This already has such a genuine feel to it compared to everything that I went through with Leasa.
I mentally shake myself. I shouldn’t keep comparing, but it’s just natural to.
‘Yes.’ I nod seriously. ‘We must change this immediately. Ice cream is literally the best thing to have ever been invented.’
Rolling her eyes, she falls in step with me. ‘Is that so?’
‘Absolutely.’
I decided to bring her to Antonio’s, my favourite ice cream shop, only for her to drop that bomb on me. Seriously, who doesn’t like ice cream?
As usual, the line is out the door when we arrive, but it’s worth the wait. They have the best flavours and add-ons, as well as being the best priced. It makes sense that this place is always packed.
‘Wow, is it always this busy?’ she questions, eyes scanning the long line before us.
‘Yeah, it’s pretty popular.’ Leaning casually against the bench, I glance towards the wall with all the different flavours. ‘What’s your go-to flavour?’
‘Hmm …’ She ponders this for a moment. ‘Like I said, I don’t eat it often, but when I do, I guess caramel or honeycomb.’
‘Solid choices. But the real question is, what are your favourite add-ons?’
‘Nutella.’
‘Nutella. A classic.’ I nod in agreement.
The group in front of us finally finish their order, and the young guy at the front waves us through. Heading for the bowls, I snag one for myself and one for Nora. We take a minute to fill the containers before lining up at the cabinet.
‘So many goodies,’ I groan, eyeing the selection. ‘Coach has us on this diet at the moment and I feel like I’m going crazy. I’m starving for sugar.’
‘Are you still supposed to be on this diet?’ she asks, eyes on me as I pile up my bowl with basically everything I can get my hands on.
‘Yes.’ My gaze bounces to the overflowing bowl and back up to hers. ‘No snitching.’
She grins. ‘Your secret is safe with me.’
Placing a hand to my heart, I clutch at my chest. ‘Thank God.’
The cool air washes over us as we step back outside. We secure a table at the back corner of the courtyard. Dropping into the seat across from her, I push my bowl towards her.
‘Want a taste of the good stuff before you go with your …’ I trail off, looking at her noticeable lack of add-ons. ‘Basic … bowl.’
‘There’s a bit too much going in there for my liking,’ she admits, gesturing to mine.
‘You offend me.’
She cracks a smile. ‘Apologies, Zayden. I have to tell you now, the more you learn about my eating habits, the more disappointed you’ll get.’
Leaning forward, I raise a brow. ‘Now I’m intrigued.’
‘I shouldn’t have said anything,’ she sighs. ‘I’ll never hear the end of it.’
‘Go on.’
Pausing for a moment, she drags her spoon around the ice cream before taking a small bite. I definitely don’t notice her lips, and how pretty they might look wrapped around something else. Once more, I mentally shake myself. I’m not supposed to have any distractions, and I like Nora.
‘No judgement.’
‘All right,’ I say evenly. ‘Spill.’
‘I am a bit of a plain eater. My family describe it as “not enjoying anything with flavour”.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with that,’ I shrug. ‘What don’t you like?’
‘Tomatoes, eggs, sauce.’
‘Now you’re just pulling my leg.’
‘Sadly not.’
I blink at her. ‘Seriously?’
‘Seriously.’