Falling for Andy Charles

ZOE’S POINT OF VIEW

“AHHH!”I shot up. Gasping as freezing water soaked through my shirt and bedsheets.

Lilly stood in front of me, holding an empty cup, laughing like she’d just won the lottery.

“Good morning, sleepyhead!”

“What is wrong with you?” I snapped,pushing myself up.

“You wouldn’t wake up.”

“So you poured water on me?”

“You’re awake now.”

I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it. She dodged easily, giggling.

“You’re so annoying.”

“And you’re so lazy,” she shot back.

“Excuse me?”

“You were sleeping like a pig.”The words hit harder than they should have,Not again.

It wasn’t just Lilly, It was the whispers at school… the way people looked at me like I took up too much space. The way Mom sighed whenever food ran out too quickly, stretching every dollar like it could somehow multiply.

The way I always felt like I was too much,I looked away.

“A pig?”She nodded, smiling like it was nothing of course, it was nothing to her.

“Get out of my room.”

“Zoe.......”

“I said get out.”She flinched.

“What’s going on here?”Mom stood at the doorway, her eyes moving from the soaked bed to me to Lilly.

“She wouldn’t wake up,” Lilly muttered.

“And pouring water was the solution?” I snapped.Mom sighed and signed quickly, her hands moving in a way I’d learned to understand without thinking.

Lilly, that was too much

“I was just trying to help..…” Lilly mumbled.

“Help,” I repeated flatly, grabbing the towel hanging off my chair,the same one I’d used yesterday.

“She’s just a child,” Mom signed.

“No, she’s not,” I shot back.

“She doesn’t get to say whatever she wants.”A pause,Then her hands slowed.

• You’re going to be late*My stomach dropped,The test.

“Just take her out,” I muttered.

“Please.”Mom nodded and gently led Lilly away.The door clicked shut,Silence.

I stared at the damp mattress. We couldn’t afford to replace it if it started smelling,Another thing to worry about.

“So annoying,” I muttered, running a hand through my wet hair.

“She’s lucky I didn’t pounce on her.”I grabbed my things and headed to the bathroom.I got ready as fast as I could.

No time for breakfast,Not that there was much left anyway.When I stepped back into the small living area, Mom was folding clothes, her movements slow but practiced.

“I’m leaving,” I said, slipping my shoes on.

She looked up immediately.

“And I might be late today,” I added, adjusting my bag.

“I have a shift after school.”Her brows pulled together slightly again? And I hesitated for a second, then nodded.

“Yeah. We’re short-staffed.”That and we needed the money,Her hands moved again, softer this time.

Don’t overwork yourselfI forced a small smile.

“I’ll be fine.”I always said that. Even when I wasn’t.

“Bye, Mom.”By the time I stepped outside, I was already late.I rushed toward the roadside, scanning for a cab,One slowed, and I waved it down quickly.

“Westbridge High,” I said, slipping inside.

The driver glanced at me really glanced this time.Yeah, I knew that look,You don’t belong here.

I turned to the window,Hard work that’s how,Westbridge High.Even from a distance, it screamed money.Luxury cars lined the entrance,Students stepped out laughing, carefree, like life had never pressed down on them a day in their lives.

I adjusted my bag and kept my head down as I walked through the gates.The stares came immediately.They always did.

“Didn’t she wear that same skirt last week?”

“She smells like… I don’t even want to talk about it.”

“She smells like cheap perfume,”

“Scholarship really means charity case, right?”

“Wow, she’s getting bigger!”A few snickers followed.

" just breathing the same air as her is unbearable.”

"Seriously she shouldn't be here"

“Why would the school accept a scholarship student to study here with us anyways when we pay so much for our education? It’s just not fair!”

I kept walking,Rule number one,don’t react, Attention was never a good thing.I reached the classroom and pushed the door open,Silence,Every head turned then.....

“Ugh.”A few girls rolled their eyes and looked away.I exhaled quietly.I just hope…....Today, I’m nobody’s target.

“Zoe!”A familiar voice called, and I looked up to see Maya waving, grinning like she hadn’t seen me in years. Somehow, she always made things feel a little lighter.

“You’re late, class captain,” she teased as I slid into the seat beside her.

“Yeah… I overslept,” I muttered, dropping my bag.

“I was studying for the test,” I added, noticing her smile falter.

“Wait… there’s a test today?” she whispered.

“You forgot?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh my God.” She clutched her head.

“Zoe, I’m dead. I didn’t read a single page.”I let out a quiet breath, forcing myself not to laugh.

“I promised my dad I’d improve this term,” she said, voice dropping.

“If I mess this up again…” For a moment, she didn’t seem like the dramatic Maya just… worried.

“You’ll be fine,” I said softly. She brightened, grabbing my hand.

“Well, good thing my best friend is a genius,” she said, and I rolled my eyes. A small smile slipped through.Then the door swung open, and the mood shifted instantly.

“Oh my God… did he dye his hair again?”

“Red actually looks so good on him…”

“He’s so hot.”I didn’t need to look up. Seth McIntyre.Even if I tried to ignore him, the reactions of everyone around made him impossible to miss. But I glanced anyway. Red hair. Again. He strode past the rows of students, head held high, shoulders loose, ignoring every stare. He dropped into a seat at the back, stretched out like he owned the place, then rested his head on the desk. Asleep,Typical.

“Do you think he ever actually listens in class?” Maya whispered.

“I can’t say,” I murmured.

“And yet he still passes,” she muttered, offended on behalf of humanity.Before I could respond .....BANG. Something hit my desk.My stomach sank before I even looked up. Bianca. Blair. Clara. Of course.

“Hey, fatty,” Clara said lazily, chewing her gum. I didn’t respond. I’d learned better,She slid a paper across my desk.

“Take this to Mr. Ryan… now.”I looked down at it, then back at her.

“It’s past the deadline… you were supposed to submit it two days ago,” I said firmly.

“So?”

“I can’t submit it now,” I repeated, voice low but steady. Silence.

“What do you mean you can’t?” Blair snapped, folding her arms.

“Just take it,” Bianca said sharply. My fingers tightened on the edge of my desk.

“I’m sorry… I really can’t.” Bianca leaned forward, expression hardening.

“Did you just say no?” Her eyes drilled into me.By now the classroom noise faded,Everyone was watching.

“I said take it… now.” My heart pounded.

“Whoa… what’s going on here?” Maya stood beside me, chair scraping the floor.

“I didn’t want to butt in,” she said, voice sharp.

“I thought Zoe heard everything I told her about standing up to bullies… but it looks like she didn’t. You had two days to submit this.”

“And who asked you to talk?” Bianca barked.

“Who asked you to treat her like your maid?” Maya fired back. A few students snickered. Bianca’s face darkened instantly.

“Mind your business, Maya.”

“This is my business,” Maya shot back.

“You don’t get to boss her around like that.”I shifted in my seat, unease curling in my stomach. Attention. Too much of it.

“You think you’re brave?” Bianca said slowly, eyes moving from Maya to me.

“Hiding behind her, huh?”

“I’m not hiding,” I said quietly before I could stop myself. My words slipped out soft but audible. All three of them turned to me. My chest tightened.

“You’re not?” Clara tilted her head, amusement in her eyes.

“Then prove it,” Bianca said. Silence pressed down like a weight. My throat went dry.

“I already said I can’t,” I managed. Blair scoffed.

“Unbelievable,” Bianca muttered, snatching the paper from my desk.

“You really don’t know your place, do you?” she hissed and Maya stepped closer, voice low but fierce.

“And you really need to back off.”

I sank into my chair, heart hammering, wishing I could disappear.