36 An old memory

"Nothing, you have been smiling a lot for the past two to three days.'

"You think a lot V, stop watching those silly detective shows on TV," said Zara as she pushed Veronica in front of her with her books. She turned around to see Jake flash a genuine smile and wink at her before joining Mr. Turner in taking the orders.

Rebecca had been eyeing Jake from her table and saw Zara blush when Jake winked at her. Rebecca decided to show Zara her place before things went downhill. She came up with an idea. She walked towards Zara and greeted her, sweetly, "Hi Zara, how are things going?"

Zara replied, "Everything's fine, Rebecca. How's your cheerleading practice going?"

"It's going great. Actually, I needed your help."

Veronica replied before Zara, "She can't write your answers. You have to do it on your own."

Zara asked, "My help? What for?"

Rebecca ignored Veronica. She answered sweetly, "Well, it will be prom night next month, and I need your help asking Jake out. I wish to go out with him, and as you are good friends with him, I thought you could help," putting more emphasis on the words, good friends.

Zara replied, "Well, you can ask him yourself."

"I should have made myself clearer. I want your help in winning him over. You know, his favorite food, his likes, and dislikes, the usual…should be easy for you."

"He is a guy of simple tastes, doesn't like pretense…pretty straightforward."

Veronica supplied, "What my friend is trying to say but is absolutely failing at is this –" She raised her hands in the air and motioned her fingers to form quotes "You are not his type. Get that thing through your thick head."

The two friends, high-fived and giggled. Rebecca turned her gaze on Zara. "One day, I will get you. Count your blessings while you have it."

Veronica snarled, "Ya, we will see. Now off you go to jumping with your pom-poms," Rebecca stormed out of the cafeteria.

Veronica began chirping excitedly. "Oh, how did I completely forget about the single best event of the year? Prom night would be soon, and there's so much to do. Shopping, make-up, and make-over," she counted the items on her fingers.

"Well, I think the most important thing is a date, V," concluded Zara.

Veronica went hysterical, "Oh no, how did I not think about that? I should start looking for one immediately. Don't want to miss out on the good ones. Especially since Mr Interesting has eyes only for you."

Zara purposely dropped her books and bent to pick them up so as to hide her cheeks turning red. She adjusted her glasses on her nose and heard Veronica say, "Do me a favor and ask him out before the poor chap gets trapped by that witch Rebecca."

Zara shrugged, "You know V, I don't like such stuff. You can go with J if you want; no problem."

"What do you mean by that? For once in your life, you have the chance to have the time of your life, and you want to waste it? What about my reputation? It would be very bad if none of us go with J. And since I won't go with him, you don't have a choice."

"But-"

"End of discussion. You are going to prom, and you are going with J. If I see him with anyone else, I will kill you." The death threat stirred a memory within Zara that had been long-forgotten. It danced on the edge of her mind but slipped off before she could recall what she was thinking about.