Zara's Crush

(Zara's Crush) 

 The next day, I was was excited to go to school. Why was I? 

 Oh maybe cos I'd be whooping Nikki's butt. 

 And I went straight for it when I saw her but I heard a different story. 

 It turned out that it wasn't Nikki that exposed me being a Stay and she had to confess to them yesterday. 

 That was what made then laugh as she brought up how we usually creeped up. 

 Jeongin, rather, was the one who exposed I was a Stay as he had seen lots of Stray Kids songs in my playlist. 

 It was the reason I don't give out my phone but he was stop cute when asking, I couldn't resist. 

 Well, at least no one thought I was a crazy girl over Chan for having tons of his photo cards. 

 I was still mad at Nikki though. But she was gluing to me apologizing.

 Calling herself a fool for being blinded by love of Stray kids that she couldn't take care of me. Sounds about right. 

 "Hey, Emilia, are you okay?" Hyunjin asked me when I walked into the class. I froze. Everyone turned to us. Nikki sped to her seat. 

 "Yeah, thanks for asking" I replied. He continued reading his book. 

 Girls around him gave me nasty looks and I know I had just crossed a line. Hyunjin was beautiful and only pretty girls got him. 

 Gosh, what high school drama had I gotten myself into? 

 Mrs. Lia called me later to ask of my health as the P.E teacher had reported I fainted in class. 

 "I'm okay" I gave my signature smile. It was fake but worked everything. 

 "Good. Need anything and I'd be right here" she smiled. I smiled back. I wished she could see through my fake smile and ask how I was. 

 But the last time that happened I had stupidly confessed my family's problems in front of Chan. 

 I wished I was stronger for my own problems. 

 I walk back to class for my math class and I find Zara standing next to the door. 

 "Hey" she waved awkwardly, "Could we sit together?". 

 I shrugged. She smiled and took a sit besides me as many more student work in. 

 Including Seungmin, I never knew he had math classes as well. He sat besides me at my left. Zara was at my right. 

 "Hey, morning" he gave me a puppy smile. I was proud of myself for not melting or staring but just smiling back. 

 First time sitting besides him and it had to be when I was having math. Let's hope I concentrate. 

 Well, I wasn't the one having problems with concentrating. Zara seemed to have found a new spec of admiration for our puppy vocalist. 

 "I watched one of Stray Kids songs and he's the main vocalist, right?" she asked when I caught her stealing a glance. 

 "I nodded, tilting my head towards her, "He's Seungmin. Have what to say before talking to him" I gave a tip. She blushed a bit. She's pretty. 

 "Talking to people isn't my strong point. I am quite withdrawn" she looked down at her book. 

 I couldn't really relate but she did seem like it. I mean, she had her first chat with me just yesterday and she is asking to sit besides me today. Typical introvert. Cute. 

 I smiled when I saw her full time staring at Seungnim. It would soon become uncomfortable. 

 "Yes?" Seungmin turned to her. 

 She turned back and began furiously writing on her notes. 

 "Maybe she wanted to ask a question" I put in for her. Seungnim turned away, uninterested. 

 Jeez, Zara's crush would be a hard one. It's ironic that with her pretty face she still felt withdrawn.

 Maybe it was a personality and not really an insecurity. 

 Math class was over and it was recess. Seungnim stood up immediately the bell rang, "We'd be waiting for you at the cafeteria". His tone was cute. 

 "Oh… well, thanks. I'd be there" I blushed, "And with Zara" I pulled Zara towards me. 

 "See ya!" Seungmin said and left. 

 "Is he always that cute when talking? How do you look at him normally" Zara asked. I laughed silently. She's just admitting her crush. 

 "He's awesome, right? I can tell you more about Stray Kids" we were on our wag to cafeteria. 

 Zara was munching on some peanuts and she shook her head to my words, "I don't want to get into an unrequited love. I am just crushing on him. Crush" she emphasized on the last part. Her loss again. 

 At the cafeteria, since there was a football practice going on, there weren't much people inside. 

 I saw the boys on a table, together with Nikki. 

 "Hey" she went for my left arm that wasn't wrapped around Zara. I saw a hinge of jealously in her eyes and smiled. 

 I saw Jeongin besides some boys at a table besides us. 

 "Hi" I croaked. I cleared my voice and said, "How are you guys?".

 On hearing my voice, Jeongin ran to our table, tearing a pizza apart with his mouth. He gave me a smile and I literally melted. 

 Hyunjin was looking through his phone but looked up to me and nodded.

 Han winked and said "fine". 

 Why Felix looked towards Zara, wondering who she was. 

 "Oh, this is Zara. She's our classmate. She's new here, like us" I shifted for Zara to introduce herself. 

 "Oh, are you a Stay?" Jeongin asked wide eyes. 

 Hyunjin ruffled his hair, "Not everyone is a Stay, Innie" but he looked at Zara expectantly. 

 I knew Zara wasn't really interested but I hoped she'd say something positive, at least not to disappoint them. 

 "I am a Seungmin Stan. Not Stay, Sorry". 

 Nikki and I turned to her in horror, "What?".