Age Is Just a Number

Zara’s POV: 

I twirl towards the front door and slip on my shoes. I stand there, placing a hand. on my chest, patting it a few times. “Be cool, Zara, don’t be too excited,” I mumble to myself before opening the door, seeing William standing on the street leaning against 

his car. 

Don’t you dare smile! 

I bit my lips and locked the front door, calmly walking towards him. He glanced upward, a smile on his lips. “You look cute today,” he pinches my cheek, walking towards the driver seat. 

Once the door slam, I grab the hand. “And you look handsome as always,” I mumble to myself before opening the door. 

I hop inside, and we start talking about everyone. I was happy there wasn’t any awkward silence between us anymore, mainly since William was more talkative than usual. 

Before I knew it, we reached school. “I guess this is my stop.” 

He bites his lower lips in a very sexy way. “I’ll pick you up after school?” 

I couldn’t help but giggle like a stupid high schooler and nod. I stand there, a dumb smile on my face as I wave him goodbye. 

Feeling a smack on my head, I whip around to meet with a pair of disapproving eyes. “Hi, Zara,” Kevin, Nina’s boyfriend, wave at me. 

“Babe, mind giving Zara and I some time alone?” Nina asks. 

Kevin places a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll meet you in class,” he said, and she nods. 

1/7 

Nina graus my 

she whispers. 

I shrug, “What was what?” 

“Don’t you play stupid! I know that was William’s car! Why are you in William’s car?” She threw her arms up in the air like a crazy lady. 

“He offered me a ride to school?” 

She smacks a hand on her forehead. “Zara, what’s going on? I didn’t hear from you for one week. Then you come to school in William’s car. The guy who legitimately broke your heart before summer.” 

I start playing with my fingers. “I thought we could be friends or something. You know I knew William since I was eight. I can’t just cut him out of my life,” I mumble. 

She released a deep breath, then pulled me into a hug. “Don’t you dare pull the missing person shit on me again. I miss you.” 

Throughout the day, everyone kept asking me if I’m okay since they thought I was heartbroken because of lan. Soon, it got irritated. I wanted to punch everyone in the face, really badly. 

Thank goodness I had a heart of gold and held back. 

During class, I had to pee badly, so I asked the teacher to be excused. I zig–zag towards the bathroom, praying I will make it. When I open the bathroom door, my eyes widen seeing Kayla surrounded by Carla and many other cheerleaders. 

“What are you guys doing?” I ask. 

Carla flips her hair back. “Don’t worry about it, Zara. We are just teaching her a 

lesson.” 

Kayla was sitting on the ground, bruises running across her face as her hair was layered everywhere. Quickly, I rush towards her. “Are you okay?” 

1/7 

She smacks my hands away. “Donate will make lan take you back?” she pushed me. 

Hold it in, Zara, hold it in. 

I offer her a smile. “I’m not-” 

“That’s the fakest smile I’ve ever seen.” She smirks, “Then again, makes sense since you hang out with the fakest people I’ve ever met.” 

“Oh fuck no bitch, someone holds my damn earring,” a girl shouts. 

Kayla stands up. “Bring it! I’ll blow up those balloons you call boobs.” 

The girl gasps, covering her ridiculously large chest. I inhaled a deep breath and bit my lips. “Can we not do this?” 

The door bursts open, and Pamala jumps in. Before I can say another word, she punches me in the face, causing my head to hit the ground. Slowly, I got up, feeling the blood dripping down my cheeks. “Zara!” Carla shouted. 

“I’m fine,” I croaked out. 

I want to throw up. 

“What’s going on here?!” 

“Mr.Franklin! Pamala punched Zara! She’s hurt!” Carla screams, and the girls around her nod in agreement. 

“What?! You’re the one who’s been hurting Kayla for the past week!” Pamala 

shriek. 

They argue with one another. 

My vision got blurrier, and soon their voices merged. 

“That’s enough! Everyone! Principal office now!” Mr. Franklin shouted. 

2/7 

With trembling legs, I stand up, only to make contact with the hard surface. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I feel something warm touching my hand. A finger tucks my hair behind my ear. Steadily, my lids lift, seeing a guy sitting there. He had my hand on his forehead, eyes closed. “William?” My voice cracks. 

He opens his eyes, placing his hand on my cheeks. “Are you okay, Zara?” 

“Am I dead? Am I in Heaven?” I ask. 

His brows furrowed together, and he shakes his head. “No, you’re at the 

hospital.” 

“That explains the pain and wires attach to me.” I grunt, attempting to sit up. 

“No, you lay there,” he said in a voice, not allowing any argument. “I’m going to go get the doctor.” 

I nod as he rushes out. My eyes lurk over to the button. The damn button he could’ve pressed to get someone in here, but he didn’t. 

Idiot. 

He must have really cared to forget about it. 

“Zara!” Nina shouted, rushing towards my side. “Thank God you woke up,” she releases a deep breath holding my hand. 

“What happened?” I ask. 

“You don’t remember?” 

I shake my head. 

Nina explained how Kayla, with her friend and Carla and the cheerleaders, were fighting in the bathroom. I got pushed in the ground and hit my head pretty badly, which explains the bandage. They tried to call my dad, but he didn’t pick up. William’s parents were second in the emergency list. Since William’s parents weren’t home, 

4/7 

$ 

they told him to pick me up. I was lying in the nurse’s office, but he was afraid I might go into a coma and took me to the hospital. 

The doctor came in and told me how it was a minor head injury, and a few medications will ease the pain in the next few days. 

“Mind if I speak with Miss Zara alone?” He asks William and Nina to leave. 

When they did, the doctor pulled up a chair to me, releasing a hazy breath. “Miss Zara, I’m not going to beat around the bush. Are you currently being physically abused?” 

My heart halts as I swallow intently, feeling my palms getting stickier. “No.” 

The doctor raises a brow, and I can tell he doubts my answer. He nods his head, no longer questioning me. 

William sat with me, feeding me fruits. “How does it taste, Angel?” 

“Good,” I whisper. 

The door creaks open, and my smile drops. eyes gazing at the blanket, as my hands sneak under the blanket. “Hi, dad.” 

He releases a deep cough, planting a fake smile on his lips. “Hello there, William,” he held out his hand, and William shook it. 

“Hello, Mr.Lee.” 

“I hope my little girl hasn’t been in any trouble. I was going to come by earlier to get her, but I left my cell phone in my locker.” 

Liar. 

“It’s not a problem,” William replied. 

Dad turns towards me. “Ready to go, Princess?” He chirps, causing chills to travel throughout my body as I nod. 

4/7 

Soon, we left the hospital with William. Reaching dad’s car, William pats my head. “You okay?” He whispers, and I merely nod, smiling at him. 

“Come on, princess, let’s go,” dad said, slipping into the car. 

“Bye, William,” I whisper, getting into the passenger side. 

Dad drove us away, as William stood there waving at us until I could no longer see him. Dad rolls down the window, clearing his throat. “I heard you got into a fight with a few girls at school.” 

I twiddle with my thumb. “No, dad, I was trying to stop them from fighting, but one of them pushed me,” I barely said in an audible tone. 

He nods. “Did the doctor say anything?” 

I knew exactly what he meant; he wanted to know if the doctor saw my bruises. 

“No, dad.” 

He pats my head, causing me to flinch. “That’s my princess.” 

The whole drive was quiet, deadly. When we reach back to the house, I open the door and step out. “I won’t be back tonight or tomorrow. Money is on the table,” he 

said. 

“Yes, dad,” I replied, closing the door. 

Standing there, I watched as he drove away, towards another drunken night. 

Slowly, I drag my legs towards the door. Shuffling through my backpack, I reach for my keys. I can feel my fingers trembling as I attempt to put the key inside. The keys drop from my hand, and I bend my legs, grabbing the key. 

I held it close to my chest. 

And cry. 

5/7 

“Zara in wonderland?” A voice whispered. 

Slowly, I turned around, seeing Randy walking towards me as he opened his arms. Randy’s eyes bruised, a deep shade of red and purple. There’s a cut on his lower lip; light blood stained his white shirt. I clutched tightly onto his shirt as he unlocks the door into my house. 

Randy shut the door, carrying me towards the couch, rocking me back and forth. “Your dad again?” 

I nod, “W–Why, are you here?” 

“I heard you got hurt, and I wanted to make sure you’re fine,” he whispers gently, removing the wet strand of hair on my face.. 

“Thank you, Randy.” I mumble. I lightly tap on his bruise. “Your dad?” 

He nods, “Came home, started hitting mum.” He shrugs. “Couldn’t sit there and did nothing. Stupid woman refusing to leave.” 

6/7