Chapter 40 : Make her smile

"Were you always this talkative?" Amaya asked, closing her notebook and fixing her gaze on Zeya, raising her eyebrows as she directed her full attention toward Zeya.

"N-no," Zeya stammered, feeling the warmth of Amaya's intense gaze, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "W-well, you were away for a month, so I thought you'd want to know everything happening at school." Her voice faded as she noticed Amaya leaning against the wall, quietly listening, her presence both calming and captivating.

"I'm sorry for talking so much. I didn't mean to irritate you," Zeya added, her lashes dropping to hide her glum eyes.

Amaya's expression softened slightly as she replied, "No, don't apologize. I want to hear everything that's happening… from you."

Zeya's heart fluttered at those words, and she looked up, her eyes shining with excitement. A big smile broke across her face, and in that moment, Amaya felt a spark of warmth in her own heart that surprised herself, her eyes widening a little as she took in the pure joy radiating from Zeya. The contrast between their natures filled the air with an electric connection, making the moment feel both tender and exhilarating.

"It was so boring after you all skipped class! Somi, Demi, and I missed you, Sophia, Elli, Seth, and Fred a ton! And—Seth's ex-girlfriend Jenny hooked up with Jeremy from her class…" Zeya rambled on, her excitement bubbling over as Amaya listened with an amusement.

After what felt like an eternity of Zeya's chatter, Amaya finally chimed in, "Do you always smile like that?" Zeya paused, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Smile like how?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Like you just won a lifetime supply of ice cream. Don't your cheeks hurt from all that smiling?" Amaya asked in confusion.

Zeya, trying to maintain her composure, pursed her lips and bluntly lied, "I'm usually a serious type of person who rarely smiles but when I'm around you—" but before she could showcase her flirting skills, Amaya cut her off again, "Yeah, right! I've never seen you serious for more than two minutes. You're like a walking sunshine with a caffeine addiction."

Zeya closed her eyes, pressing her palm against her mouth as she remembered looking for so many pick-up line to use, but seeing Amaya didn't even let her get through the first one, her heart was shattered. "Don't underestimate me, Amaya. If I get serious, no one can make me smile again," Zeya declared, her voice steady yet playful, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She shot a serious look at Amaya.

Amaya leaned in, her lips almost brushing against Zeya's ear as she whispered, "Ama, you can call me that." The warmth of her breath sent a delightful shiver coursing through Zeya, igniting a fluttering sensation in her chest that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. Amaya's soft, raspy voice wrapped around Zeya like a cozy blanket, and in that moment, Zeya's heart raced, thumping loudly against her ribcage. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, brighter than a ripe apple, as a smile broke free, illuminating her face with warmth.

"Look at you, unable to keep a straight face," Amaya teased, her eyes glinting with playful challenge. Zeya tried to hide her smile, but it was futile; it spread across her lips like sunlight breaking through clouds. The world around them faded into a blur, leaving only the electric connection between them, and Zeya realized that being serious was simply impossible when Amaya was so close, her distant gaze somehow warming Zeya's very soul.

Even though it was impossible, Zeya felt a surge of determination to prove she could be serious too. She folded her arms tightly across her chest, dropping her smile as her eyes turned cold and serious, locking onto Amaya's with an intensity that was almost palpable. "I wasn't ready before! I'll show you now how long I can stay serious. I'm not going to smile the whole day today, whatever you do!" she declared, her voice steady as she turned her head defiantly to the side, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks despite her fierce demeanor.

Amaya raised her eyebrows, a playful smirk creeping onto her lips as she leaned in slightly, intrigued. "Whatever I do, you won't smile?" she asked, her tone teasing, as she felt a thrill at the challenge. There was something about Zeya's resolve that made her want to push the boundaries, to see just how far she could go to make her laugh. "I won't smile," Zeya firmly reiterated, her voice unwavering, though the corners of her mouth twitched in a battle against the playful energy in the air.

"Okay, if you don't smile for a day, I'll fulfill your one wish," Amaya replied, her gaze piercing as she stared into Zeya's eyes, the challenge sparking a competitive fire between them. Zeya's heart raced at the prospect, and without hesitation, she blurted out, "Accept my friend request." The words hung in the air, a fragile moment filled with tension. Amaya's expression shifted from playful curiosity to confusion, her brow furrowing slightly. "What friend requests?" she asked, tilting her head as if trying to piece together a puzzle. Zeya's face flushed a deep crimson, her bravado crumbling under the weight of embarrassment. "I sent you a friend request on Facebook, but you haven't accepted it…" she confessed, the heat radiating from her cheeks betraying her as she averted her gaze, feeling a swirl of vulnerability and longing wash over her.

Amaya narrowed her eyes, her mind racing as she processed the information. After a few seconds of silence, she looked back at Zeya, "What's your name?" she asked, her tone light yet probing. Both of them locked eyes, a stunned silence enveloping them as realization dawned. "You… don't know my name?" Zeya gasped, her eyes widening in shock, disbelief etched across her face. Amaya lowered her gaze, a sheepish expression creeping in, her shoulders slumping slightly in guilt. "I forgot…" she muttered under her breath, the words barely escaping her lips.

Seeing Amaya's adorable, guilty demeanor, Zeya felt a playful urge to tease her, to see that cute side shine even brighter. Yet, a flicker of uncertainty held her back; she was worried that Amaya might take it the wrong way. So, she let it go with a soft sigh, her heart still racing. "Zeya Ansaldo," she finally answered, her voice steady but laced with a hint of warmth, hoping to bridge the gap that had suddenly formed between them.

"Amaya Sapphirus." She extended her hand to shake, her face a serene canvas devoid of emotion, yet her eyes shimmered with an unexpected warmth, like the first light of dawn spilling across a quiet landscape. Zeya, in stark contrast, radiated joy, her smile wide and inviting, a burst of sunshine against the coolness of Amaya's demeanor. As Zeya clasped Amaya's hand, a jolt of electricity surged through her, her heart racing wildly in her chest, each beat a reminder of the moment's significance. Her lips trembled, caught between a laugh and a gasp, as if she were stepping into a dream she had longed for, yet never dared to believe could be real.

Their eyes locked, creating a bridge of unspoken words and shared secrets. Zeya's gaze sparkled with happiness and disbelief, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, while Amaya's eyes, though steady, held a depth that hinted at a hidden warmth, an image of Zeya reflected back at her like a cherished memory. In that fleeting moment, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them suspended in time, each heartbeat echoing the promise of something beautiful beginning to unfold.

"You lost. You're smiling again." Amaya's voice sliced through Zeya's daydream, yanking her back to the present as the challenge flickered in her mind. She blinked in disbelief, her cheeks flushing with indignation as she accused, "You cheated! I thought we hadn't started it yet! No, let's start again!" Zeya slammed her hands on the desk, rising to her feet with a playful pout. "What? I didn't cheat! You said I could do anything!" Amaya shot back, her brow furrowed as she looked up at Zeya, a hint of mischief in her expression. "Let's start again!" Zeya declared, her determination unwavering this time.

In an unexpected twist, Zeya felt an irresistible pull to the left, landing in Amaya's lap. Her eyes widened in shock as Amaya's hand slipped beneath her t-shirt, brushing against her bare waist. Zeya's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing wildly as Amaya's cold fingertip traced the delicate curve of her waist, sending shivers down her spine. "Is it ticklish?" Amaya whispered, her voice low and teasing, causing Zeya to momentarily stop breathing. The playful glimmer in Amaya's eyes contrasted sharply with the seriousness of the moment. "T-that's cheating, Ama," Zeya managed to stammer, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. Amaya's hand twitched, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips as her eyes widened slightly, reflecting a blend of mischief and delight.

Zeya, feeling a surge of boldness, grabbed Amaya's hand and turned her head to face her directly. The proximity took her breath away; Amaya's face was just inches from hers, and Zeya could see every detail— the sparkle of her ocean-like deep eyes, which seemed to draw Zeya in like a mesmerizing tide. In that moment, Zeya felt completely intoxicated, as if Amaya's gaze was a potent drug, flooding her senses with warmth and thrill.

"Ama!"

The sudden interruption jolted Zeya, causing her to push Amaya away and spring up from her lap in an instant, as if caught in an scandalous act. A chill swept through the room, the air thickening with tension as Amaya's mood darkened. Her icy glare sliced through the silence, landing on the door where Seth stood, panting heavily, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His body was bent over, hands gripping his knees, as he struggled to steady himself.

Zeya felt the weight of the moment settle heavily around her, the atmosphere thick with an unsettling energy that made her heart race. Seth's eyes were wide, locked onto Amaya, who appeared to be enveloped in a darkness that starkly contrasted with the warmth Zeya had just experienced. When Amaya's gaze met Seth's, Amaya noticed a flicker of fear dance in his eyes, sweat glistening on his forehead like tiny droplets of panic. His hands trembled in an odd rhythm, revealing the deep anxiety coursing through him.

"Ama, thank god you're here..." Seth whispered, his voice raspy and strained, each word tinged with a palpable relief that hung in the air, as if he had been holding his breath until that very moment.