Marigold — Chapter 9

Mari's POV

"No,"

My lips pouted the moment I heard Z's answer. This was the first time he said no to me and I'm not liking it.

"Why?" I started whining. He was sitting in one of the benches where we usually hang out. Y was smirking from the other corner and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Stop smirking, you idiot," I pointed my hand at him before turning my attention back to my best friend. He was on his phone, his legs parted and I lean a little to see what he was looking at.

Is he texting his girlfriend?

Much to my dismay, he moved back a little, hiding whatever he was checking out on his phone. This made me pout even more.

"Really?" I asked, appalled. He just looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. He just stared at me, his eyes not even wavering no matter how much I pouted my lips.

My lips parted as the sudden betrayal slowly sinks in my system. Z doesn't hide things from me.

"You're being too nosy, Mari,"

"Shut up," I hissed towards Y who, for some reason, finds it amusing whenever Z doesn't give in to what I want.

"You were asking too much Mari. You know uncle Grey will kill Z if he finds out you're not really going with him but with some of your friends," Zamara chimed in and crossed my arms as I glared towards Z.

Atlantis was on the bench along with Dimitri. The two were reading books like always. Xander still has classes. Irish and Louise are probably at home since I knew they only have morning classes now and it's already past three in the afternoon. And Ash, I'm pretty sure he's still at work but I'm guessing at around five I'd be smelling his annoying ass from afar. Zammy's class ends at five and Ash is like her magical fairy - so annoying.

"It's just one day! It wouldn't hurt him!"

"You'll be gone for three fucking days Marigold. How the hell did you get into uni when you're so bad at Math? You sure you're not flunking?"

"Yah!" I glared at Y and was almost about to throw my books to him but Z stopped me by holding my hand. That made me calm down a little.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance as I sat beside him, his phone no longer in his hands.

Y is so annoying. Latch tells me it's because I always pester his twin that's why he acts like that but I knew he was just annoying in nature, that's just it. Z always has his back and it annoys me even more.

"Mari," I heard Z, and my lips quiver.

"What?"

"I have an exam for those two days. Can't you just ask them to change their plans and move the dates?"

I'm not really whiny at most times but I always end up being like this when I am with him.

To be honest, I was being like this because I agreed to go on a trip with my friends but Dad will never allow me. He only trusts our uncle's kids meaning, I won't be allowed unless I drag one of the guys. Z has grades to maintain. He's one of the top students here in school and I don't want to be the reason why he'll miss his exams. That'll be so selfish of me.

Ash will never go with me unless I bring Zamara. Atlantis will be too lazy to even go. I bet she'll just sleep the whole day. And I can't bring the other girls. Y might come along if I bring Elle but that also means Latch will have to come along if I bring her with me, so scratch that. Irish and Louise are too timid and Xander might kill me if his little sister cry.

Just then, Xander arrives with Lennox with him. My brows furrowed as he sits beside me making me scoot a little closer to Z. I felt Z's hand wrapped around my shoulder and I turn my attention to him. I turned behind me and realized that there isn't an empty spot, the reason why he decided to sit with me.

What I am confused about though is why he is always with Xander and why he is suddenly hanging out with us.

My eyes scanned his appearance. He was wearing an off white jumper paired with black pants and a pair of boots. He was gazing in front of us as he watches a few of the students passing by.

I almost flinched when I felt Z's arms tightening and almost pulling me closer to him. I tilted my head when I realized how his forehead wrinkled as he looks at Lennox beside me. Even I was a little confused.

When was the last time I talked to Lennox by the way? Was it at the party?

My lips puckered at the memory of it. I woke up the next day and saw Z sleeping on the couch in my room. Mom scolded me for it. Apparently, Z brought me home that night but I was being too clingy that I won't let Z go. I was too drunk to even remember and when I finally went to sleep, it was already too late so mom called Aunt Max to let Z sleep in or house.

"You guys know Lennox?" Xander stated and I didn't bother answering. I only knew his name at the party and this is basically our third time meeting. Though we had a few exchanges of words that night, he's still practically a stranger to me.

"Our moms are friends and he just transferred. I hope you don't mind him hanging around with us,"

Suddenly, I felt someone staring at me so I turned on my right and saw Lennox looking at us, particularly on Z's hand. I raised an eyebrow and he shakes his head.

"You shouldn't be going to a party without your boyfriend. Don't you even know how half of the guys wanted to hit on you?" he suddenly stated and my lips parted. Why is he so straightforward? And did he actually just thought Z and I were dating?

My cheeks turned red when I heard Y's laughter erupting. Even the others were smiling. What's with today's weather, why is everybody so annoying?

"Marigold isn't my twin's type. She's too hard-headed. She's lucky Z can even tolerate all her bullshi-" he wasn't even able to finish his words because I removed Z's hand on my shoulder and made a dash towards his twin.

"You little piece of shit!" I exclaim as I run for his dear life. I really hate Heron!

We were running around the bench and even Atlantis and Dimitri stopped reading.

"Smack him on the head," Zamara cheered while Xander just shakes his head.

"This isn't a park, you know,"

"I am one, though," Atlantis grins and Xander just pinched her cheeks.

"Y, stop teasing her," I heard Z. Y stopped running and let me hit him on his shoulder. I'm just glad Y still follows Z just because he's still older by a few seconds.

"The day I see you head over heels with someone, broken-hearted and your love unreciprocated, will be the same day I'm going to tease you, maggot," I hit him one last time before turning on my heels to sit beside Z again. I can still hear Y's loud laughter.

"Right, I heard you're going on a trip, Mari. Lennox is going too. Maybe you can go with him. He's going to drive straight after class,"

Immediately, my head turned to his direction to ask but he wasn't looking. Instead, he was on his phone typing something.

"You're going?" I can't help but utter. "Can I tag along?" I suddenly asked. I was too excited to even know someone that my family might know is also coming. I almost forgot we weren't even close and that this guy was very intimidating!

"Wow, look at Mari throwing off my twin as her best friend just because she found a new one, the loyalty," My eyes closed when I heard what Y said. I can feel my anger building up inside me. Normally, I can tolerate Y's teasing but today, I'm about to lose it.

"I am going to kill your brother," I hissed at Z who, I didn't realize was staring at me since earlier.

"Don't mind him. Let's go back to what you were saying. Are you sure you're okay with going with him? That's three days Mari," he sounded concerned and that made my heart warm inside. Though I am always the one to insist that we are best friends. there are a lot of moments when I feel that Z had come to accept the title himself. He's always there for me and he's the only person who can tolerate my attitude. Just how many times had he saved me from all the mess I was in?

"I'm not even agreeing yet. I don't like having her with me. She doesn't have a sense of control with alcohol,"

Z lifted his eyebrow while looking at me.

"That was one time. You know Vodka is not my type of alcohol," I explained before turning my attention back to Lennox.

"And it's not like you took care of me, mister. I was perfectly in control the entire time, mind you,"

I heard him scoff and I grimace.

I really hate this day. Everything is not going according to my plan and it's getting me really fired up.

Just then, Xander and Zamara stood up to go to their class and the rest did the same including Y, thank God.

"I need to go to my next class," Z muttered and he looked at Lennox who was still sitting beside me. Dimitri is the only one left with me.

"Okay. Mine will start in twenty," I told him. Z normally sends me to my room and he isn't really comfortable leaving me alone because according to him, it's dangerous to leave me alone. I'd say otherwise though. the only reason I get into fights was because of my brother.

He stood up and turned his attention towards Lennox who's still typing something on his phone.

"What time is your class?" he suddenly asked and Lennox lifted his gaze. Like always, his eyes were dark and somehow, I'm starting to get intrigued by his thoughts. Most often, guys easily say yes to what I am saying. except for my friends of course but he, it feels like he doesn't like me.

I heard him sigh before turning his attention towards me, "In thirty, I can drop her on her class if you're worried about this little princess," he uttered nonchalantly and my lips mummed at his words.

"Thanks," Z answered before looking at me. "I'll fetch you later," before I can even respond, Z started walking away and I was left confused.

Wait, are they ganging up on me?

"I'm not being a princess," I said, annoyed.  This incident is really making me feel so upset. First, Y and now I have Lennox. Just why am I being surrounded by guy bitches? "I'm not a child," I mumbled. My heart suddenly felt so heavy. They're making it seem like I am a stuck-up bitch that they need to attend to. I crossed my arms and pouted even more. I am really really really upset now. I hate them. I bite my lower lip and tried my best not to atter another silent protest.

Suddenly, I heard soft chuckles coming out of his lips. I turned towards him and my brows furrowed when I realized that he was looking at my direction.

"Are you making fun of me?"

He brushed his hair backward and I failed to stop myself from following his every movement. He kind of looks hot doing it.

He was still laughing for a few seconds before he finally answered. "I didn't know you're the whiny type. Fine, I'll let you tag along only if your parents agreed to let you. But I'm not going to be your chaperone and follow your every movement. You're a grown woman. Please know how to take care of yourself,"

Before I even knew it, I was already nodding in agreement though I wanted to protest a bit. Z never tells me that I need to take care of myself because he does the job for me. He always takes care of me so I don't really have to worry. But Lennox is the exact opposite of him.

A huge smile emerged on my face.

I really want to be on this trip. Being with this guy wouldn't hurt, right?

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