Absolutely Not
The first day of senior year was supposed to be exciting.
At least, that’s what everyone kept telling Maya.
She didn’t feel excited.
She felt tired.
“Senior year,” Jade said dramatically beside her as they walked through the crowded hallway. “Our final year of high school. This is supposed to be the year we make memories.”
Maya adjusted the strap of her bag.
“I’ve already made enough memories. I’m ready to graduate.”
Jade laughed. “You’ve been saying that since sophomore year.”
“Because I was right.”
Sophie shook her head, smiling as she walked beside them. Caleb was following behind, arguing with Noah about something neither Maya cared enough to listen to.
Then she saw him.
Zion.
He was leaning against the lockers near their classroom, one earbud in, his backpack hanging from one shoulder.
His silver hair was slightly messy, dark roots barely visible underneath. The black T-shirt he wore showed the tattoos covering both of his arms, and when he turned his head, Maya caught sight of the tattoo across the back of his neck.
One of a million.
She’d seen it before.
Plenty of times.
Still, something about seeing him after the summer made her stop for half a second.
Zion looked up.
Their eyes met.
And his entire expression changed.
The corner of his mouth lifted into that small smile.
The one Maya had known since they were kids.
She immediately looked away.
Jade noticed.
Of course she did.
“Oh, you’re still doing that?”
Maya frowned. “Doing what?”
“Pretending you don’t like Zion.”
“I don’t like Zion.”
Jade gave her a look.
Maya kept walking.
Behind them, Caleb suddenly spoke.
“You literally wore his hoodie yesterday.”
Maya stopped.
“That was because I was cold.”
Noah snorted.
“You’ve been using that excuse for years.”
“I hate all of you.”
“You love us,” Sophie said.
“Unfortunately.”
They finally reached their classroom.
Maya walked in and looked around.
Almost every seat was taken.
She spotted one empty chair.
Right next to Zion.
She stared at it.
Then at him.
Zion raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She dropped her bag beside the chair and sat down.
Zion glanced at her.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Good morning.”
“Wow. So cheerful.”
“I’m thrilled to be here.”
“I can tell.”
Maya rolled her eyes.
The teacher walked in a moment later, and everyone settled down.
Maya pulled out her notebook.
She tried to focus.
She really did.
But something about being back in school, sitting next to Zion, with everyone around them constantly making comments about the two of them had her feeling weirdly nervous.
Her leg started bouncing underneath the desk.
Slowly at first.
Then faster.
She tried to stop it.
It kept going.
Zion noticed.
He looked down.
Then back at her.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
“You’re shaking your leg.”
“I’m aware.”
“You nervous?”
“No.”
“Maya.”
She sighed.
“Maybe a little.”
Zion didn’t say anything else.
Instead, he reached over and gently rested his hand against her thigh, steadying her bouncing leg.
Maya froze.
Her face immediately went warm.
She looked at his hand.
Then at him.
Zion gave her a tiny, amused smile.
“Better?”
Maya’s brain completely stopped working.
She quickly pulled her hood over her head and ducked her face behind it.
Zion stared at her.
Then he started laughing quietly.
“Are you serious?”
“Don’t talk to me.”
“You’re hiding?”
“No.”
“You’re literally inside your hoodie.”
“I’m listening to the teacher.”
“You’re hiding your face.”
“Zion.”
He grinned.
“Your face is red.”
“It is not.”
“It definitely is.”
Maya refused to look at him.
For the rest of class, she kept her hood up.
And Zion didn’t let her forget it.
Every few minutes, he’d lean over and whisper something.
“You good in there?”
“Do you need oxygen?”
“Should I get you a blanket?”
Maya finally whispered, “I swear I’m going stab you with my fucking pencils.”
Zion smiled.
“There she is.”
When the bell rang, Maya immediately stood.
She grabbed her bag and walked out.
Jade caught up with her.
“Why were you wearing your hood all class?”
Maya opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Zion walked past them.
“She got embarrassed.”
Maya whipped around.
“Zion!”
He laughed and kept walking.
Jade’s eyes widened.
“Oh my gosh.”
“Don’t.”
“You got embarrassed because of Zion?”
“No.”
“Your face is red again.”
“Jade.”
She laughed.
“This is going to be the best year ever.”
“It is absolutely not.”
By lunch, Maya had almost forgotten about it.
Almost.
She sat with everyone at their usual table, eating while Caleb told some ridiculous story about his summer.
Zion sat across from her.
Every once in a while, she’d catch him looking at her.
And every time she did, he’d smile.
She’d quickly look away.
Finally, Noah noticed.
“You’re both being weird.”
“We’re not,” Maya and Zion said at exactly the same time.
The entire table went silent.
Jade slowly looked between them.
Then she smiled.
“Absolutely not, huh?”
Maya groaned.
Zion laughed.
And somehow, despite everything, senior year already felt exactly like it always had.
Maya and Zion.
Side by side.
Pretending there was nothing between them.
Even though everyone else already knew there was.
