The gift

Jake was relieved to find that Zara had no knowledge of the shadow and quickly exited her mind, "Why? What's wrong? Am I a bad guy? Have I ever made you uncomfortable?"

Zara didn't know how to answer him, "You are a gem of a person, Jake. But as I told you, I wish to focus on studies."

Jake argued, "Study all you want. No one's stopping you from doing that. In the last few months, I have begun to like you."

"Stop it, Jake. I…I spend time with you because you love studying as much as I do. There's nothing more to the friendship. I'm sure any other girl would reciprocate your feelings."

Jake tried to fake humor, "I wouldn't dump slushy on my head for any other girl" hoping to make her smile. When she didn't, he added, "I'm ready to wait, Z."

Zara felt like a villain stabbing at the poor guy's heart, "Don't make this difficult for me, Jake. I trust you and want to be your friend. Nothing more"

Jake came closer and sat on his knees and took her hands in his, "I'm not very good at expressing myself Z. But, please tell me you don't like me-not even a bit."

Zara struggled to keep her voice even, "Of course, I like you, Jake. Why else would I be here?"

Jake deadpanned, "You know what I mean" using her earlier dialogue to question her.

Zara squeezed his hands and Jake closed his eyes. She was tempted to tell him that her heart wanted another boy though she didn't exactly know why. That blue-eyed boy had forgotten her yet somehow she felt an unnatural connection to him.

She took some deep breaths and said, "You are the sweetest guy I have ever known. But, I am not ready for a relationship, Jake. I don't want you to wait for a girl who may never return your love."

Jake abruptly stood up, "Very well, let's get you home, given the fact that you are not fit to walk. Also, I will pick and drop you for a few days." He had to make sure she was safe without revealing everything. Her injury was the perfect excuse.

Zara opened her mouth in protest, "But-"

Jake offered her his hand, "I wasn't asking. Now get up, and I'll drive you home." He helped her sit in his pick-up and drove her home without another word. He offered her his hand, but she began limping on her own.

Her mother walked out of the front door and asked out loud, "Why is it that when a young man drives my daughter home, she is drunk or hurt?"

Jake didn't understand the question, and Zara didn't help him either. He was tempted to peek into their minds, but restrained himself. Jake introduced himself, "Hi Mrs. Gray, I am Jake, grandson of Mr. Turner-the cafeteria administrator. I recently enrolled in Missouri High School, and Zara has been a huge help to me in catching up on the syllabus. I'm sure she is going to make it to the honor roll."

Rose's demeanor changed at the mention of studies, and she replied to him with a smile, "That's good to hear, Jake. You can come in join us for dinner."

Jake smiled and politely declined. He also informed of how he had taken up the duty of driving Zara from home to school and vice versa for a few days. He asked her, "Hope you don't mind."

Zara, who had thought her mother would object, was surprised to hear her mother say, "Not at all, young boy."

Jake waved both of them goodbye and left while Zara turned to her mother, "Wow, mom. What happened to you? You were so cold to Ryan the other day when he dropped me, yet you were so warm to Jake right now."

Rose pursed her lips, "Don't talk about someone who isn't around. Focus on the present instead of the past."

Zara exclaimed, "You know he isn't in town?"

Rose remarked, "Veronica had mentioned it to me sometime back. Now, come inside."

Zara ate the dinner in silence and reached inside her room. She bid her mother goodnight and managed to walk to the window. The conversation with Jake and her mother's behavior brought back the memories of her first unofficial date with Ryan. She stood by the window and opened her ponytail. Her hair flew with the gentle breeze, and she absentmindedly ran her fingers through it.

She had had no number to reach Ryan, no friends that would tell her where he was. She was tempted to visit the admin office yet again but knew that Veronica wouldn't help her and she wasn't good at trickery all by herself. Feeling dejected, she replayed her last meeting with him over and over in her head.

Immediately, she remembered something and rummaged through her bag. She emptied it and then moved to her study table. She threw her books and scattered her clothes around, turning her room upside down before finally seeing her chemistry book, the one Ryan had handed her over before disappearing from her life.

She opened the book hastily, and a piece of folded paper fell down. She bent down to retrieve it and switched on the lights. It was a painting, her painting. Not the way she was, but the way Ryan saw her.

He had painted her in an off-shoulder long dress with a flared skirt. It was a light pink gown with tiny and delicate flowers in white and red that adorned the dress. Her eyes were twinkling with happiness, and she had a huge smile plastered on her face. She was wearing light make-up.

The way he had painted her made her look beautiful, something that she hadn't felt before. Her hair was tied in a loose bun with strands of hair tickling her cheeks. On the first page of her book was a hastily scribbled note

Sorry for the late birthday gift. I racked my brain, thinking of the perfect gift for you. I could imagine gifting you the sun and the moon and could hear you handing expensive stuff back to me, stating "how money can't buy everything." So, here it is. And no, I didn't get it done from someone; I actually painted it. Give me some credit, girl. Hope you like it. You can share your feedback on my number written on the backside of the painting. I'll be waiting for my return gift. ;)

Love,

Ryan

There was a wink emoji at the end of the last line that made Zara pleasantly shiver. Zara's eyes shed tears as she hugged the note and the painting. The note confirmed that she wasn't a fool to think of him and wait for him.