chapter 18 - offer

"Well, well, are you interested in coming to a dinner party? The drama club has organized it," Amy asked with a hopeful smile, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Me?"  Zahn was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Yes, come on, come with me."  Amy leaned in closer, her enthusiasm palpable.

"But... I’m not used to such things. I’ve never been to one," Zahn admitted.

" It’s okay, Zahn, you’ll be with me. We can head home quickly afterward, I promise." Amy reassured him, her voice gentle and encouraging. The reason was simple-- she wanted him to be part of her world, to openly let others know him.

"I’m not really sure...z Zahn hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

Amy noticed his hesitation and softened her tone. “If you really don’t want to go, we don’t have to. I just thought it might be fun to spend time together and meet my friends."

He thought it over, still unsure, but since Amy wanted him there, he decided to go. "Alright, I’ll go... for you."

A warm smile spread across Amy’s face as she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you, Zahn. It will be fun there."

Even though he had agreed, Zahn realized how out of place he felt.

The party was in full swing, the room buzzing with laughter and chatter, the energy almost tangible. As everyone sat down to have the meal together, Amy and Zahn found their seats next to each other. Amy’s eyes sparkled with cheerfulness, while Zahn couldn’t shake the feeling of awkwardness. He glanced around the room, feeling out of place amidst the lively crowd.

Suddenly, someone asked, "Amy, I’m surprised. I never expected you and Zahn to be together... you both are so different."

Amy chuckled, her laughter light and genuine. "We are, but we get along just fine. You know how cute Zahn is?"

A moment of silence fell over the table as everyone looked at them.

Ruby looked at him with skepticism evident, rolling her eyes. Cute..? Seriously?

Zahn felt a flush creep up his neck, heat spreading to his cheeks. What is she saying?

Amy placed a reassuring hand on his arm, her touch warm and calming. "He really is," she continued, smiling at Zahn with affection in her eyes. "He’s one of the most thoughtful people I know.

Also he may seem cold and aloof, but he is really nurturing and caring"

Zahn gently squeezed Amy's hand, whispering softly, "That’s enough, Amy..."  he was starting to feel embarrassed, the flush on his cheeks deepening. However her words also made his heart warm.

The group decided to lighten the mood by playing some fun games, starting with truth and dare. One guy spun the bottle, and everyone watched eagerly as it slowly came to a stop, pointing directly at Zahn.

A murmur of excitement and curiosity spread through the group. Thought nobody quite knew what exactly to ask him.

"Uhm, truth or dare?" Noah, one of Amy's friend asked, slightly hesitant.

"Truth"

Noah scratched his head, trying to think of a question. Finally, he asked, "Soo uhm, what’s your hobby, Zahn?"

Zahn replied, his tone remained cold and distant., "I like studying."

A brief silence followed as the group absorbed his answer. A few awkward chuckles broke out.

Amy, sensing the need to lighten the atmosphere, chimed in with a playful smile, "And he’s really good at it too. You guys already know, he is so intelligent "

" Oh, haha, that's true too..."  Noah awkwardly said, trying to break the silence. " Well let's continue then.. "

things got more interesting as they continued the game. Finally, it was Amy’s turn.

"Truth or dare?" someone asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Dare," Amy replied confidently.

" kiss Zahn in front of everyone"  came the challenge.

"Aha. That’s so easy," Amy said with a mischievous smile.

Zahn flushed, in front of everyone? he thought, feeling his heart race. But Amy wasn’t shy about this anymore.

She gently held his chin, turning his face towards hers. Their eyes locked, and Amy felt amused by Zahn’s flushed look. Leaning in, she gave him a quick, tender kiss on the lips.

His heart raced even faster, while the others started making noises, cheering and enjoying the view.

The game continued, and several times the bottle pointed towards Zahn. He had no choice but to be bombarded with questions as people grew more comfortable approaching him. Usually, people were afraid to approach him or considered him strange because he was never friendly to anyone. Today, it felt easier because of Amy.

Finally, the game ended, and others started dancing and drinking.

Zahn avoided the drinks, but Amy kept on drinking, her cheeks turning red from the alcohol. He furrowed his brows. "Hey Amy, you’re drinking too much."

She laughed, her voice slightly slurred. "I’m not..."

"Why don’t we go back now?" Zahn suggested, concern evident in his tone.

She thought it over, slightly nodding her head. "Oh? Okay..."

She let the others know, " Guys, we’re heading back now."

"What? That’s still so early!"  one of the people exclaimed.

"We’ll join you next time, guys. Bye bye," Amy said with a wave.

They stepped out, heading towards home. The twinkling stars enveloped the night sky, casting a serene glow over their path.

"Looks so beautiful," Amy spoke, gazing at the stars with a satisfied smile. She felt kind of sluggish.

"Not too drunk, are you?"  Zahn asked, his voice gentle.

" No, no... I’m not--"  she began, but then she almost tripped. Zahn quickly held her, raising an eyebrow. “You are indeed drunk!”

"Wait... it’s just my heels..."  she protested weakly, leaning into him for support

He sighed, "Why do you have to wear those?"  He supported her as they walked, then hailed a cab. Even in the cab, Amy completely wrapped her arms around him, her warmth and closeness making his heart race.

They finally reached home, and suddenly, Amy cupped his face, kissing him out of the blue. His cheeks turned even redder.

"How cute you are, Zahn,"  she said, caressing his face. “I’m too lazy to walk. Can you take me to bed?” There was a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Zahn raised an eyebrow, feeling both amused and shy. He picked her up in his arms, carefully opening the door to the bedroom. As he intended to put her down, his foot slipped on the carpet, and he fell on top of Amy on the bed.

Amy laughed softly, still entertained, while Zahn’s face turned a deeper shade of red.

Unable to control himself any longer, Zahn held her arms up, his grip firm yet gentle. He leaned in, his breath mingling with hers, and kissed her passionately. His lips moved against hers with a fervor that spoke of all the emotions he had been holding back.

Amy responded eagerly.  The kiss deepened, their tongues dancing in a rhythm that felt both new and familiar. Zahn’s heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing the intensity of the moment.

She really drives me crazy, he thought, losing himself in the sensation of her warmth, her taste, her very essence. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them, entwined in a kiss that seemed to last forever.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless, their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke volumes. Zahn’s face was flushed, his heart still racing, but a smile tugged at his lips. Amy’s cheeks were rosy, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and affection.

________________________

It had been a few days, and whenever Zahn woke up from his sleep, he would find Amy completely wrapped around him. Previously they used to sleep in separate rooms, but ever since that one night they spent together, Amy had made it a habit to sneak into his bed. He wouldn’t even realize when she came in during the night and curled up beside him.

This newfound closeness gave warmth to his heart, and he found himself growing fond of this change.

Amy fluttered her eyes open and smiled at him, a hint of sleepiness still in her tone and eyes. "Good morning, Zahn."

"Amy, how come I always find you in my bed?" he asked, chuckling softly.

" We’re dating, we should sleep together. Do you mind?" she replied with a playful grin.

He chuckled again, his heart swelling with affection. "I don’t mind at all."

"Well, I’m sleepy, so I’m going to sleep more. Wake me later," Amy mumbled, snuggling deeper into the covers.

Zahn stretched his arms as he sat up, he glanced back at Amy, a small smile playing on his lips. He gently held her cheek, tilting her face towards him. "Hold on, you aren’t going to sleep. Wake up for classes."

" Ugh. I wish I was done with studies. I don’t like waking up early," Amy groaned.

" Oh? And you aren’t gonna find a job after that?" Zahn teased, raising an eyebrow.

" How about I rely on you? You can become rich and feed me," Amy joked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Zahn laughed, shaking his head.

Amy headed to college despite her reluctance, and soon spotted her friends chit-chatting in the campus courtyard.

"Hey guys!"  she called out, a smile spreading across her face.

"Hey Amy, guess what? Ruby’s treating us today!" Noah announced with a grin.

Amy’s eyes lit up with curiosity. "Woah, what are we having?"

"A can of juice, haha!" Ruby laughed, tossing a can into Amy’s hand.

Amy caught the can and chuckled, shaking her head. "Tsk, that’s all? What’s the point of being rich then?" she teased, laughing as she lightly cursed Ruby.

"At least it’s better than nothing,"  Mia commented with a smile.

Amy’s heart warmed seeing Mia back with the group. It felt like old times, all of them having fun conversations together.

"Class is gonna start, let’s go, or the professor will scold us again!" Noah reminded, glancing at his watch.

As they were making their way to class, someone called out, "Amy."

Amy looked back and saw her literature professor, Mr. Evan, approaching with a warm smile. "Someone would like to see you. It’s related to your stage play," he said gently.

Curiosity piqued, Amy nodded and let her friends know she would join them later. She followed Mr. Evan, her heart pounding with anticipation. They soon reached a middle-aged man waiting nearby.

"Hello. My name is John. I’m an acting scout from the company MX," he introduced himself, his kind eyes and warm smile putting Amy at ease.

Amy’s heart raced even faster, sensing the importance of the moment. "Yes? Is there.. a reason I’m called here?"

John nodded, his expression earnest. "I saw your stage performance. I was there looking for natural talent, and I was mesmerized by your acting. Would you consider giving acting a chance?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. " Why me?"

"There was a depth of emotion in your eyes during your performance," John explained. " With some practice and tweaks, you could become even better."

Amy felt a mix of excitement and doubt. "Sir, I don’t know if I’m good enough for that."

John leaned forward slightly, his gaze encouraging. "You love acting, don’t you?"

She nodded, a smile forming on her lips. "That’s true. I’ve always loved acting. I’ve participated in plays, but it was just a hobby. I never thought of making it a career."

" Your passion and natural talent are evident," John said warmly. " With dedication and some guidance, you could go far."

Mr. Evan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Why miss a good opportunity, Amy?"

Sensing her hesitation, John took out his card and handed it to her. "It’s alright. Take your time thinking about this offer. This is my card, you can reach out to me later. I also run an acting academy to hone the skills of aspiring actors and prepare them for auditions."

Amy accepted the card, her fingers trembling slightly, "Thank you for this opportunity. I will definitely think about it and reach out."

As Amy came out of the room, her mind raced with thoughts, the earlier calm demeanor fading which she had shown in front of Mr. John.

An acting opportunity...! Such a big deal! But should I even try it...? Mom will never like it. I don’t know if it’s good for me...

It wasn’t a decision she could make rashly, she needed some guidance and wasn’t sure who to share this with.

After classes, Amy’s eyes fell on Zahn, who was reading a book on the bench as usual, his mind engrossed in its pages.

A mischievous smile formed on her lips, and she decided to annoy him as always. She ran over and snatched the book from his hands.

He looked up, surprised. "Amy...?"  A smile played on his lips.

" I’m not going to let you study your books in peace today" she declared with a grin.

He raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "Is that so?"

"Ah? How come you aren’t trying to get it back? You aren’t mad?"

" Why would I be?"  he replied calmly.

" Your heart has become too soft, hasn’t it? You used to get so mad at me not so long ago," she teased, lightly touching his cheek.

"It seems so,"  he laughed softly.

"Well, well,"  she said, sitting next to him, her curiosity piqued. "Zahn, do you think I should become a big star someday? Like a popular actress?" Her excitement was evident, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

He looked at her, still amused. "That would suit you a lot."

Her eyes lit up. " Really? Actually, you know today--"

" But it seems like a headache," he continued, cutting her off.

" Huh?"

"Won’t it be too tiring? Being in the public eye all the time? And the entertainment industry is already quite shady."

" Ah, you’re right. I was just wondering." Amy’s excitement dimmed slightly as she considered his words.

Amy decided not to reveal Mr. John’s offer just yet. She needed more time to think.

She could feel his words were correct.

He is right… What if things turn out difficult later on? What if acting in reality is different from performing on stage?

She knew nothing about all this. It was better to take more time thinking about it to make a rational choice.