68| The Golden Boy's Downfall

Maya was sitting in her Algebra class, waiting for the teacher to return the test. As far as she thinks, she did pretty great on the test. She watched Zachary from the corner of her eyes, sitting limply on the seat beside her. He had boredom written on his face, as if he couldn't care less about school and class. This wasn't the Zachary she remembered. He was usually a pretty good student, excluding few instances when he failed the tests due to basketball matches or something.

Maya wanted to talk to him but she knew better. So she waited for her test from the pile of white papers. Hers was third in line and the teacher returned it with an approving smile on her face. She had scored an A, not that it was anything new for her.

"Zachary, see me after the school." The teacher gave a stern look to Zachary and then handed him his test paper. He had failed the test, as evident by the big F on his it. He didn't even bother to hide it and just simply let it stay on his desk.

After the class ended, Maya followed him out of the class. "Zachary." She called his name.

"What?" He asked with an annoyed face.

"You do know you could lose your scholarship in Duke if you don't pass the finals." Maya reminded him.

"So?" Zachary asked. "What does it has to do with you?"

Maya felt embarrassed at his words but she held her ground. "Finals are next week. I can help you, if you want." She offered.

Zachary scowled at her and continued walking. Maya didn't back away and once again followed him. "I am your friend, Zach. Listen to me." She said.

What Zachary did next knocked the breath out of her lungs. He gripped her wrist and tugged her into a nearby empty classroom, closing the door behind them. Once inside, he caged her between the door and his chest, pining her.

"What were you saying? Friends? Didn't you learn by now that I don't want to be your friends?" He seethed, his warm breath creating small shivers in Maya's spine.

His blue eyes pierced into her grey ones and the look in them held her captive. She had never seen him so angry and hurt before. She tried to speak clearly but her tongue didn't help.

Zachary's eyes lowered to her lips and she sucked her breath. She didn't want him to know how much he affected him, specially after she clearly rejected him twice. But she couldn't help it. He makes her nervous and it was evident from her trembling lower lip.

Before she could do anything, he cupped her chin roughly and lifted her face until their mouths were literally inches away. One wrong move and they would end up kissing. "Stay... away... from... me." He gritted each word and Maya's heart kept somersaulting in her chest.

Saying this, he left her chin with a jerk and walked away, leaving Maya hot and bothered all of a sudden.

•••••••••••••

Zachary was the last one to arrive at the Harper's dining table. His father had a huge frown on his face because he hated whenever he was late. Beside him was sitting Althea on one side and his Mom on the other; a perfect happy family.

"Good evening." He said and took a seat.

"Where were you?" His father Daniel asked. "A responsible person never keeps his family waiting." Zachary listened to him silently, as he preached about the qualities of an ideal Harper man. He had heard the same lectures over and over again.

"Can we start eating now?" He asked, earning a narrowed glare from Daniel.

Fortunately, he didn't say anything and served some rice and grilled fish in his plate. His attention then converged to Althea, who was munching on her food gracefully.

"How is Ethan? Is he focusing on his future or I need to give him the talk?" Daniel asked her.

"Don't worry Daddy, you don't have to. I'll make sure he doesn't lag behind in anything." Althea smiled.

"Good." Daniel patted her arm lovingly, much to Zachary's annoyance. He loved his sister, don't get him wrong, but sometimes she acted like an annoying, stuck-up Daddy's girl and he hated that kind. She had set the bar of obedience so high that Zachary was unable to reach it. Simply, he didn't want to.

"Remind me to arrange a small gathering to celebrate your admission in Harvard, once your finals are over." He said to Althea and Zachary rolled his eyes.

"Daniel, your son is also going to an Ivy League school." Isobel reminded him.

"Anyone can go to Duke. My son is supposed to follow my steps. People were looking forward to his entry in the world of politics. He was supposed to be the next big thing in this town." Daniel argued.

Not wanting to listen to any of this any longer, Zachary excused himself. "I'm done." He said and stood up to leave.

"Zachary, finish your plate. It's against the etiquettes." Daniel called from behind.

"And bullying someone for their choices isn't?" He glared into his father's eyes.

"Good God, what is wrong with you? You never spoke back like this." Daniel said in surprise.

"Zachariah, apologize to your father." His mother added. "I haven't taught you to behave like that."

"Sorry." Zachary spat angrily, not a hint of sorrow in his voice and then stormed out of the dining room.

He went back to his room and aimed a tight punch at the punching bag. The sudden action caused a twinge in his knuckles and he winced hard.

"What did you do?" He heard Althea's voice who rushed towards her and checked his hand.

"What are you doing here?" Zachary asked.

"I'm worried about you, Zachary. Why are you acting so volatile? Is it because of that girl Maya?" Althea asked while she massaged his hand, even though Zachary was trying to pull it away.

"Why? Do you want to snitch this to Dad?" He asked.

"No, of course not. I am not evil, brother." Althea snarled.

"Oh, I beg to differ, and so do the rest of Majesty High." Zachary taunted, making her wince at his words.

"Zachary, stop being a dick. We all want what is better for you. Do you want me to talk to Maya for you?" Althea asked in worried voice.

"I am not talking to her and neither will you. Understand?" He glared at her sister.

"But---"

"Do you understand, Althea?" He asked, his tone louder this time.

"Fine." She gritted and then stood up to leave. "Do whatever you want. Just stop being an ass to Mom and Dad."

"Whatever." Zachary said.

After shaking her head in disappointment, Althea left Zachary alone in his room.

••••••••••••

"What should I do? Should I talk to him? Should I meet him in person?" Maya asked Travis. They were lying side by side on his single bed and one of them was going to fall any minute now.

"How would I know? I am not exactly a relationship expert." Travis replied in bored voice while scrolling his mobile screen.

"It's not a relationship. I want us to be just friends, like you and me." Maya said.

"You both kissed twice. How is this supposed to be a relationship like ours? We are practically siblings." Travis pointed out.

"But still, why is he so interested in me?" Maya asked.

"The real question is, are you interested in him?" Travis asked, shifting to his left to face her.

"Um... Well..." Maya felt a thin layer of sweat appear on her forehead. "I mean... I don't want us to be together but..."

"That's a big but." Travis said. "I had experience similar buts with Zoey. Believe me, it's all worth it in the end."

"What do you know? You are just a whipped fool." Maya rolled her eyes.

"A whipped but happy fool." He smirked as a text from Zoey appeared on his screen.

"What is it? Is it a sext? Show it to me." Maya tried to watch the message on the screen.

"No." Travis said but the look on his face said otherwise.

"Just show me." Maya requested, trying to peek at the text.

"No." Travis hid the mobile behind his back.

"Fine." She said and backed away. Travis pulled the mobile in front of him to reply and that's when Maya snatched it from him. Despite his warning threats, she read the words that appeared on the mobile screen.

You didn't have dinner yet, did you? I am telling you, don't starve yourself, Anderson.

"Aww. You both are so adorable." Maya cooed.

"Shut up, you big baby." Travis turned flustered all of sudden. He stood up and walked out of the room to respond to her messages, leaving Maya behind.

She smiled at their bond and then for a second imagined if such a relationship existed between Zachary and her. She hated that he was suffering because of her. She wished there was something she could do to make him feel better, other than promising him a relationship that they won't be able to carry.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••