35 Fraternizing with the enemy

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't see Veronica slip up behind him, listening to their weird conversation. Hence, when she spoke she nearly startled him. "What was all that about?", she demanded placing her hands on her hips.

Jake's mind worked furiously and he tried to sound casual, "What do you think it was?"

Veronica narrowed her eyes in suspicion, "Why are you fraternizing with the enemy?"

Jake chuckled and grabbed her while holding her head in the crook of his elbow, ruffling her hair yet again. "You asked for it."

Veronica scowled and straightened her hair after he released his hold, "Rebecca is weird but what she said was super weird. Is she high or something?"

Jake shot her an amused look, "So, you and me are even again?" he asked referring to their little spat at Zara's home. They fist-bumped and walked together cracking jokes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rebecca look at them with worry before one of her friends dragged her away to their gang.

Jake had talked to Principal Wood to keep that book away from Zara stating that she was an excellent student who had just cracked under the pressure of keeping up with the school's expectations.

Principal Wood, who was usually strict and wouldn't take any advice from a student, sobered when he had learned about Zara's anxiety issues and study pressure. He even went ahead and awarded her grace marks for the essay she never submitted.

Zara drew an elaborate study schedule while Veronica groaned at the amount of study she had to do. Her grades weren't very good, and she wasn't interested in studies. She believed she was meant for the glamour industry and spent her free time going through fashion magazines.

Zara usually studied with Veronica in her room, but with Jake, she wasn't ready to take him back in her personal space. Their last encounter in her room had nearly left her breathless and she didn't want anything similar happening again.

So the three would huddle together and study, largely from Zara's notes that Veronica had termed grade saviors.

Exam time was the only time when students flocked to Zara for notes. Veronica had argued with Zara several times to charge for the service, but Zara had always laughed it off. "It's all in the textbooks anyways, V."

"Yes, but these thickheads wouldn't be able to pass even with an open book exam."

"Are you guys talking about me?" asked Jake as he slid into a seat opposite Zara. He peered in the books and her notes and highlighted important topics for the exam. He was stuck at a particular question and meant to clear his doubts with Zara. As Zara went on to explain, she placed her hand on his accidentally.

Jake was startled at the sudden touch, and Zara, who was absorbed in the explanation, took a few minutes to understand why he looked dazed. She pulled away her hand awkwardly and they finished their study in silence, Jake smiling at her whenever she looked at him.

In a week, exams started, and Zara was suddenly approached by a number of students who needed last-minute help. Any hopes of Ryan showing up for exams had gone down the drain as he remained absent. Veronica had reminded her that Ryan was rich enough and wouldn't need to necessarily complete his education.

Zara was confident of passing the exam in good grades and had ensured Jake and Veronica would do good too. Jake would fetch her food throughout the day when she forgot to eat sitting around others, helping them in their preparations. He would watch her fondly, as her hands would move animatedly in the air, doing what she was best at.

Veronica and Zara stuffed the sandwiches hastily before moving in the direction of their classrooms. Veronica asked her, "Z, is everything okay?"

"Yes, why what happened?"