Age Is Just a Number

Zara’s POV: 

The light was brimming through the helmet, heavy wind blowing through my skin as I grip tightly around Randy’s waist. The sound of the motorcycle engine was loud, disturbing the peaceful tranquility. I turn my head to see the sun rising above the building, shining so brightly, so beautifully. 

The memories were engraved inside my mind, how the blood stained his clothes. The smoke that escaped his body, covering his structural features. How he licked the corner of his lips, tasting the cigarette. He elegantly walked towards the streets, pushing his dark hair back, revealing his gorgeous orbs, lungs inhaling the warm summer air. It was absolutely- 

“Zara!” 

I took off the helmet and shoved it on his chest. The driveway is empty. 

Randy held the helmet on his lap. “Hey, I’m not mad.” 

“Oh, um. Randy-” 

He handed me a borrowed bag with my clothes inside, hanging it over my shoulder and messed up my morning bun. “I know you didn’t mean it, Zara in Wonderland.” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I still feel stupid about mentioning his mom. 

Randy tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. 

“Just know that I care, and I don’t want you to throw away your future for a guy who doesn’t know how amazing you are.” 

I smile, “Thank you, RandyBugs.” 

1/6 

Level Tucking Call me 

He chuckles, placing nis nanus on top of mis neimer. that in public,” he growls playfully and pinch my cheek. I watch as he puts on his helmet. “See you Monday.” 

Inhaling a deep breath, I walk back to my house, unlocking the door. Heading upstairs, I threw the bag in the corner of my room, seeing William’s blind covering his room. Grabbing my curtains, I slide it shut. 

I walk towards my desk and switch on the computer. Opening my emails, I can see the emails from different colleges. I sat there, scrolling through each letter. Lifting my hand. that was on the mouse, I placed both of them on the keyboard. 

And with one deep breath. I start typing. 

After a few hours, I release a deep breath and stretch my aching body hearing. the bell ringing. Glancing downward, I realized I was still in Randy’s clothes and decided it was better to change. I grabbed a pair of pink shorts and a blue t–shirt, changed, then went downstairs. The bell continued ringing nonstop as I glanced at the clock, realizing it was only around 9 am. 

Peeking through the peephole, my brows furrow together as I open the door. He stands there, leaning against the balcony, hands shoving inside his pocket as his eye profoundly gazes into the ground. His hair was everywhere, lips dried, as the top two buttons of his white shirt were loose. Steadily. his eyes lifted, meeting mine, and with a deep inhalation, I can pick up the scent of alcohol. 

“I rang the bell a few times. Why didn’t you open the door?” 

Standing there, the image of him last night flashed before my eyes. Shaking off the unfamiliar feeling, I tuck my hands behind my back. “I–I was upstairs.” 

He takes two steps closer, standing in front of me as I avert my eyes. Slowly, he lifts his hand, the bloody hand from last night, towards me as my body refused to stop trembling. The beating inside my chest was racing louder than ever. I can feel his warm hand on my cheeks, alcoholic breath choking me as he tilts his head, decreasing our distance. 

I took a step back as he stepped forward into the house. My eyes were still on 

2/6 

the ground, seeing his black shoes kicking the door close. “Where were you last night?” 

My eyes burst open as I hurried back, feeling him motioning forward. Each step was massive, terrifying yet somehow so- 

His body hit mine as my back made contact with the wall. “Answer.” 

“I–I was out.” 

His hands landed on the wall, stripping me of any chance to escape. “With who?” 

“A–A f–friend.” 

“What’s the name of your friend?” 

I can hear the clock ticking as he took one more stepped closer, chest hitting mine. He grabs my cheeks with one hand, forcing me to face him. “Tell me.” 

My mouth opened, but words refused to escape as the foggy image of last night continued flashing inside my mind. 

“Was it-” he pauses, shutting his eyes as he inhaled a deep breath, jaw clenching tightly. “Randy?” 

“Um, yes.” 

My body froze as William pounds his fist against the side of my head, “Why were you with him last night?” 

My nails dig into the wall, “I w–was apologizing for doing something wrong, and it was g–getting late.” 

He tilts his head, closing the distance between our faces. “Then tell me why were you wearing his clothes this morning?” 

“Um uhh-” 

3/6 

“Tell me.” 

“Uh, w–we….I–I…” I couldn’t think of any words as the flashes refused to stop, an irregular sensation flowing through my body as he glares intensely into my eyes. 

“Did you fucked him?” 

I take two blinks, mind flashing back to reality. “W–What?” 

“Did the both of you fucked last night?” 

Standing there, I tried to absorb his question into my mind. 

Fucked? As in having sex? With Randy? Together? 

“What?!” I shout, causing his hand to drop from my face, eyes widen at my sudden outburst. “Sex?! With Randy? What?!” I scream into his face as he hurries a step back. I start pacing back and forth in front of him, trying my best not to throw up.” Ew William! That’s…Ew!” I shiver, feeling the chills lurking through my body. 

“So-” he pauses, “You guys didn’t have sex last night?” 

“No!” I shout, placing two hands in the air. 

“Randy is like a big brother to me!” 

“S000000-” 

“Yes! I’m still a virgin!” 

William puffs his cheeks and nods. “Oh.” 

We stand there, staring at each other. 

He walks toward the kitchen, “What’s for breakfast?” 

I stood there, throwing two arms in the air. and then went after him. “What do you mean what’s for breakfast,” I imitated his deep voice. “You cannot come in here, break. 

A 

C 

4/6 

my wall, accused me of having sex with a guy, and then ask me what I am having for breakfast!” 

I shout, “And I was planning on making omelets!” He places a hand on the fridge. handle, turning his body towards me. I stand there. He clears his throat. “I saw Randy dropping you off this morning, and I thought the both of you-” he 

stops talking, biting his lower lips. “Can you put extra bacon in my omelet?” 

I threw my head back, then walked over, slapping his hand away from the handle. “I said some things to Randy last night that I wasn’t supposed to say.” 

He opened his mouth, but I shook my head. 

“Personal things,” I said. 

He walked towards the counter as I grabbed the eggs. 

“I didn’t feel good about what I said, so I went to his house to apologize.” I turn on the fire and take out some vegetables. 

“Why were you wearing his clothes?” he mumbles. 

I chop the vegetables while the bacon sizzles on the pan. “Because I slept over at his house since it was getting late. He couldn’t take me home because his mom needed him.” I explain, cracking some eggs. 

“And both of you didn’t do anything?” 

I placed the bowl down and released a deep breath of air. “No, we d 

anything.” I re–confirmed. 

He nods, “Alright.” 

I spill the eggs in the pan. “So, what did you do last night?” 

“I went out shooting with Drew.” 

did not do 

5/6 

LI 

A lump inside my throat was forming as the extensive pounding resume. “Shooting? That late?” 

My ears listen to his chuckle mixing with the sound of sizzling. “Yeah, Drew wasn’t feeling happy last night, so we went shooting together to calm him down.” 

My body tense when I feel two arms wrap around my waist. “So, tomorrow is your sixteenth birthday.” 

I let out a low humming sound and nod. I completely forgot that tomorrow is my big day. 

“Do you want to do anything tomorrow?” He places his hand over mine and helps me flip the eggs. 

“I don’t really have anything in mind.” 

“Then, I get to make all the decisions tomorrow?” 

I lift my head. “What?” 

He smiles, “Tomorrow, I’ll give you a birthday. You will never forget.” 

My head snaps back to eggs, and the butterflies erupt. 

After the not–so–awkward breakfast with William, he told me he had to go to work. Unfortunately, I know what work meant. 

William Yi, the guy who had been my next–door hottie neighbor for nearly eight years, is in the mafia. 

He is in a gang!