56 Jealousy-2

Zara pushed her glasses back on her nose, a nervous habit that she couldn't seem to let go of. The way Rebecca had placed her hand on Jake's arm reddened her cheek but she didn't voice out her thoughts out loud.

"Well, she isn't trustworthy is all I can say."

"She meant no harm Z."

He then got up and placed his chef's hat on her head, "Grandpa was asking about you. He misses this place so could you come and visit him sometime?"

Zara was relieved of the change in topic and nodded her head as she stood up.

"Can we go meet him today after school? Mom is busy working as usual."

Jake smiled, "Sure, wait in the parking by my truck after school."

Zara grabbed one more pie before walking out of the kitchen,a definitive change in the way she had walked in versus the way she was walking out.  She even did a little happy dance on her way out that made Jake shake his head as he dusted the flour from his shirt.

Zara headed out of the kitchen, stomping her feet a little as she joined Veronica in the cafeteria. 

"Did you find him? I am starving already" Veronica threw her bag on the table and pulled a chair to sit down. Zara pushed back her hair that was flying in front of her face and dusted herself.

"Yes, he is showering in flour in the kitchen."

Veronica noticed the irritation in her best friend's voice, "And...?"

"And Rebecca was there too."

Veronica shot up from her chair like a rocket moving towards outer space. "What?" Rebecca's name itself was more than a trigger for her to get charged up for a fight.

Zara shot out both of her hands towards Veronica who had taken a few steps towards the cafeteria kitchen door like a marching bull.

"Relax, V. She was only talking to Jake and left when I found him."

At the same time, Jake came out with a bunch of his pies and handed two to them. 

"Why were you not in the classes? I thought you and Z were competing for the first place."

Jake held a finger to finish eating the pie and replied, "I had to take grandpa to the hospital for his doctor's appointment. And by the time I reached school, it was already nearing lunch break."

Veronica narrowed her eyes, "What did that good-for-nothing brat wanted with you?"

Jake reached for the back of his neck and rubbed it. He didn't know what to answer. "Nothing, she was just passing by and dropped to say hello"

There was a small smile playing on his lips, "It's not like she was flirting with me or something, okay. Just so you know." 

Zara looked away not wanting Veronica to notice her cheeks turning red. Veronica plucked the pie out of his hand and asked " How do you know she was not flirting?"

Jake coughed between his words, "Because she is not the girl I would like to flirt with."

Veronica let out a low whistle, her eyes going all wiggly as her heart did a happy dance. "Oh, so now you are flirting with Z? Something's definitely going on, and none of you bothered to tell me. What is it? Spill the beans. I don't have all day."

Zara dropped her books and bent down to retrieve them so she didn't have to face her best friend and answer her. 

"Who's flirting? I didn't take any names," Jake added sheepishly, rubbing his palms on the back of his shirt. 

Veronica slapped her hand on Jake's shoulder and replied, "Ya, ya, and I am the queen of England. Thought I should let you guys know."