So here we are cheering when we have time. Who would've thought that this chubby bully from before would now be a varsity heartthrob and I'd end up as part of his instant support squad?
Oh and Zed's friends saw us while we were cheering or let's say while Lily was cheering. Me? Just existing on the side. And then they waved at us, especially the chinito one! Lily? She transformed into the human version of a squeaky toy from sheer excitement. She looked like she might melt right there.
"Oh my gosh, Sophia! He saw me! They saw us!" she squealed holding onto my arm like we were on a rollercoaster. This girl's level of excitement was on another level. It was like she had her own romantic subplot that I didn't know when it began.
While Lily continued her cheer attack I noticed the people around us. The other girls were whispering! "Who are those two? They're so loud!" "Aren't they with the varsity players?" Oh no! It looks like we're slowly becoming attention seekers in everyone's eyes. I suddenly felt like I was becoming the latest topic of campus gossip.
The varsity boys especially chinito seemed even more pumped by Lily's loud cheering. They waved at us and seemed to say, "Go on Lily! Cheer harder!" Me? I just wanted to crawl under the bleachers and hide. Sophia how did you end up here?
"Lily maybe… maybe tone it down a bit?" I whispered to her but she couldn't hear me. I felt like a mom trying to lower the volume of her child who's excited to see Santa Claus.
But Lily? No brakes! She didn't seem aware that we'd become the center of attention. And me? I was the unwilling participant in her cheerleading extravaganza.
But well here we are with Lily's loud voice and all these cute guys looking our way. If I could just go back to the province and plant sweet potatoes right now, I would.
"Hey, Sophia! Cheer too come on! For Zed!" Lily yelled while I could only scream internally. So I gave a small wave just so I wouldn't look like a total killjoy. Low-key wave nothing too noticeable.
And just like that in the middle of the gym we became instant cheerleaders not part of the plan at all. Attention seekers? Maybe but sometimes you just have to accept that even if you're not looking for the spotlight it finds you along with a hyperactive classmate turned instant best friend and a group of varsity players ready to bask in the attention!
On the way home Zed offered me a ride again. That's the arrangement he has with his mom. I'm the certified Housemaid-slash-Tutor-slash-College Student and spy-slash-chaperone for Zed. Yep, official gossip girl on duty! I'm supposed to report everything Zed does. And guess what? They even gave me an iPhone 12, like wow! I feel like I'm living the rich life with an iPhone! "Just in case he starts slacking off!" But sorry to disappoint ma'am, with all the cute guys on campus, maybe... I'm the one who'll probably end up distracted!
Anyway we didn't go to their house. Instead we went to his condo which is like a penthouse in style. Honestly it's like another planet! The building is so tall I feel like I can connect to bird Wi-Fi up here. And the condo? I wanted to explore it but I might get lost inside. It's that big, girl!
And being in this situation. I didn't complaint from it, no protest? Is this really okay? I mean I'm living with a guy! What if he's some secret creep disguised as a handsome varsity player? What if he locks me in a cabinet full of luxury clothes? Just kidding! I'm sure he's harmless… but still, maybe I'm not joking?
So here I am one week staying at his place. And guess what? So far he couldn't care less about me. It's like I'm in invisible mode unless he needs something! I mean I might as well be a potted plant in his condo. I thought maybe my life as his chaperone would be dramatic. Like "Hey Sophia, I need you here!" But nope, nothing. I think the guy doesn't even notice I exist. I could probably pretend to be a lampshade and it wouldn't make a difference.
Sometimes I think "So this is what it's like to be Zed's chaperone? This is even more boring than an afternoon soap opera!" But fine whatever, at least I'm safe here unless he randomly turns into a ninja assassin in the middle of the night but that seems unlikely. He's too busy working out and taking selfies to be a villain.
Then suddenly tutor mode activated! King Zed yes, he feels like a king when he orders me around called me over.
"Sophia come here. I need you to read something. It's for my business major. Memorize it okay?" Wait who's the student here again? But alright I'm the tutor right? Gotta impress him! Genius mode here we go!
So I walk over and he opens his book. It's massive! Like an encyclopedia of things I never thought I'd need to know! And not only that he marked specific parts with sticky notes he has to memorize.
"Sophia I need this by tomorrow. We got this right?" he says with a smile like it's no big deal.
Inside I'm like "Lord, is this the ultimate test of my brain power? These business terms sound like a foreign language!" But of course I have no choice. Hidden genius mode engaged.
"Sure Zed! Don't worry! Nothing's impossible for me!" I say raising my eyebrows pretending to be super confident. But deep down I'm thinking, how am I supposed to pull this off?
As I'm reading, Zed? He's just chilling on the sofa munching on chips. "How's it going Sophia?" he asks between bites.
Me? I feel like a student encountering algebra for the first time without numbers! "Oh, I got this Zed! Piece of cake!" Except this cake is rock-hard because my head hurts more the longer I read.
I start reading out loud. "Corporate synergy… blah blah blah…" It's so long! When I finish he looks at me.
"Sophia do you get it?"
I freeze. "Of course!" But inside I'm saying, "What does synergy mean again? Help me Google!"
But alright tutor mode it is. Maybe eventually my brain will wake up and turn me into a walking business dictionary. Or maybe Zed will end up tutoring me instead. But at least I can tell myself, "See? I can be a tutor… on another planet."
Oh, girl! I memorized all the highlighted terms and phrases that felt like they came from another world! My brain cells might be fried but it's worth it! I feel like I've evolved from a simple country girl to a walking business dictionary in less than an hour! "What now, Zed?!" I bet he's totally impressed.
Then he asked, "Sophia, what does 'leveraging corporate assets' mean?" He looked so confused staring at the book like it was written in hieroglyphics.
And of course here I am. Full confidence mode! I stand up strike a little pose feeling like a professor. "Zed it's simple. Leveraging corporate assets is like when you use all your charm to get what you want. Businesses do the same thing they use all their resources to make even more money!" Boom! Genius right?
Zed just looked at me like he was seeing Einstein in person! "Sophia, are you serious?" he asked his brow furrowing a bit but with a hint of admiration.
"Of course Zed! That's how it is trust me. I'm your tutor here!" I said laughing proudly to myself.
And as I looked at Zed I could feel it. Yup he's impressed. "What do you think Zed? Are you impressed yet?" I bet he's dreaming of me being his lifelong tutor. Haha! Sorry Mr. Varsity you might beat me on the court, but in business terms? No match!
While I was having a victory laugh in my mind, Zed had this realization moment: "OkayvSophia I'm impressed! Thanks really. I might even ace this!"
And me? "Yes! One step closer to being the best tutor ever!"
In the middle of our brainstorming session yes business prodigy mode the door suddenly opened. Bam! And in walked four incredibly good-looking guys. Yup it was them the legendary friends of Zed.
I stopped. Huh? How did they get in? Do they have spare keys or some secret way through the door? I wondered to myself while they crammed into the condo like they were intentionally making it feel smaller.
Zed totally unaware just waved at them while me? I felt like a confused emoji. Suddenly it was like a sitcom scene! What is this, break time?