~ Zoie's POV ~
Zoie stared at the unicorn doll sitting inside the trash can. The unicorn was staring back at her. It looked pitiful. It was such a cute doll, it didn't deserve to be in the trash. But then again... she thought about how Asher had probably found the doll in some store, he went inside to get it, then he went through all the trouble to have it shipped over to her. And that just made her mad.
Is this fun for him? Toying with my feelings like this?
Zoie left the trash can and went back to her apartment, looking for a lighter. Landon saw her running back in, grabbing the lighter from a kitchen drawer, and heading back out. He knew something was off, so he followed her.
"Zee?" he asked cautiously. "What are you doing?"
Zoie had her back turned to him. She was facing the trash can. She only looked back to say, "I'm just burning some trash,"
Then, she turned around, fired up the lighter, and threw it into the trash can. Landon quickly came over and kicked the trash can to the side. The content fell out and he stepped on it so the fire died down.
"You're not allowed to do that here!" he told her. "It's dangerous!"
"But, I-" Before Zoie could argue back, Landon picked up the half-burnt doll from the ground.
"Is this Mr. Unicorn?"
Zoie didn't know what to say, she just piped down.
"Is this a birthday gift?" he asked her. "Who sent it to you?"
"N-nobody,"
Landon was staring at her with a look she couldn't decipher. He looked concerned, and maybe a little bit mad. He glanced at the doll and back at her. He then threw the doll back on the ground and took a step closer.
"Zee, I know you know who sent it to you," he said finally, pausing for a beat before adding, "You can tell me,"
Zoie felt something was off. Landon was talking like he knew something.
"I told you it's from nobody," she hissed, glaring at him.
"Don't bullshit me," he said, glaring back. "Enough is enough,"
"What are you talking about?" Zoie scoffed, feeling threatened. Landon came closer to touch her, but she swatted his hand away. "Besides, it's none of your business, alright?!"
Zoie shoved him away and walked past him, kicking the unicorn doll while she was at it. Landon called out for her a few times, but she didn't turn around. Because if she did, he would've seen the tears pooling in her eyes.
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~ Asher's POV ~
Asher let out a sigh as he got inside the red Camaro. It was freshly painted, and on the side, it had the number seventy written on it. Sitting next to him in the passenger seat was Mr. Unicorn. The doll was sitting snugly, and it even had the seat belt clasped around it. Asher decided to get the doll yesterday and he kept it with him for this important day.
Today was race day. The first day he would debut his team, this car, and his dream. Looking out the car's window, he saw all the other cars and their drivers and their teams, getting ready for the race. Asher's own teammates weren't too far behind him.
"Yo, Ash," Hayden said as he popped his head inside the passenger seat's window. "What's that thing doing in there?"
"Say hello to Mr. Unicorn, our newest team member," Asher patted the unicorn. It was even wearing their team's red uniform and the number seventy on it.
"You're kidding, right?" Malcolm said, coming from behind Hayden.
"It's my lucky charm," Asher shrugged. "We're gonna kickass with him on the ride,"
"Weirdo," Hayden rolled his eyes and walked away.
"Go kick some ass," Malcolm said before joining Hayden.
"Will do," Ash said as he turned to the unicorn again.
Today was the day he'd been dreaming about for years, and now he was finally doing it. Too bad Zoie wasn't here to see him, but he thought Mr. Unicorn could do that for her. That's why he got the doll.
"Yo," Mikey said as he appeared at the window next to him. He had his headset and sunglasses on, looking sharp and ready to go.
"Yo," Asher nodded at him. "You like our new team member?"
Mikey looked at the unicorn and laughed.
"Shouldn't you be sending that over to her? It's her birthday after all,"
Asher shook his head.
"She don't need to hear from me,"
"Then why'd you get the damn unicorn?"
"'Cause I want her here. A part of her, at least,"
Mikey let out a smile. Maybe it was a sad smile, but whatever.
"Good luck out there, mate," he said as he gave his hand out. Asher shook his hand and nodded his head.
"Don't die. Or worse, wreck the car,"
"Thanks," Asher laughed.
The sirens started blaring, signaling to all the racers to get in position. Mikey quickly scurried away to his post. Hayden and Malcolm were right behind him, nodding their heads at Asher. Asher rolled the window up as he drove the car to his starting position. All the racers were doing the same thing. Parked next to him was a black Lexus car with the number 69 written on it. This car was his biggest competition of the night. Asher knew the driver well. They put a lot of money into making sure that the car can run.
"Racers, at the ready!" the mc yelled.
The stadium was filled with thousands of people and they were all cheering and clapping. The lights shone brightly and Asher gripped the steering wheel tighter. His heart was racing, but his mind was calm. He closed his eyes for a moment, and Zoie's face came to mind.
"You can do it," she told him once. "I believe in you,"
Asher's hand reached for his chest instinctively. He pulled out the necklace with the letter Z on it. He gave the pendant a quick kiss before putting it back inside his shirt.
"You may start your engines and we'll begin the countdown!" The mc's voice was heard again and the countdown began on the big screen. Asher started the car and the engine began to roar.
"5... 4... 3... 2...1..."
A loud bang was heard and Asher floored the gas pedal. All the other racers were doing the same thing. Within seconds, all the cars went flying by. They were going so fast, sparks of fire were coming out of the wheels. And in the midst of the chaos and smoke, Asher's car came out on top. Followed closely behind by the black Lexus. With his foot stuck on the gas pedal, he turned his face slightly, eyeing the unicorn next to him, and he smiled.
This one's for you, sweet girl. Happy birthday.
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~ Zoie's POV ~
"Oh my God, that was so much fun!"
Zoie couldn't stop laughing as she made her way back into the apartment. She had a little bit too much to drink at the roller rink, so she ended up going home early, and she couldn't even walk in her heels anymore, she was carrying them. Meanwhile, Landon was following closely behind her. He closed the door shut and watched as she staggered her way into her room. In his hands, he was carrying boxes and bags of gifts from her friends. He put everything down on the kitchen counter before following her into her room.
"...Did you see when Jo was teaching Giulio how to rollerblade, and then he fell and she fell down with him, but then she pulled Nic with her, and all of a sudden, twenty people were falling on the ground!?" Zoie slurred as she spoke, "That was so hilarious! I can't!"
Zoie kept laughing as she made her way into the bathroom. She was eager to get the make up off so she can go to sleep.
"Zee, come here for a minute," Landon's voice was heard from outside the bathroom.
"What?" she peeked her head out.
"Can we talk?"
He sounded serious. As a matter of fact, he had a serious look on his face the entire night. After the whole unicorn thing in the afternoon, he and Zoie didn't talk much for the rest of the day. Zoie got busy getting ready for her birthday party, and he stayed quiet. Even at the roller rink when everyone was drinking and having a good time, Landon stayed quiet. He didn't say one word to anyone, and Zoie didn't wanna talk to him either. She didn't want him to bring up the unicorn or talk about it. That was the last thing she wanted to think about today.
"I'm tired, Land," she said. "Can't this wait until tomorrow?"
"I can't wait anymore," he shook his head. "I need to know,"
"Know what?"
"About the gift and who sent it to you,"
"Landon, I told you, it was nothing-"
"Please," he cut her off. "Just be honest with me for once,"
Landon had that look on his face again. The look she couldn't decipher. It made Zoie feel Zoie feel a certain way. Kind of guilty and kind of sad.
"Baby," she said as she reached out for him. "I am being honest,"
Landon froze in his spot as Zoie linked her arms around his neck. She looked up at him and smiled, but he kept a straight face. Standing on her tippy toes, she leaned for his cheek, kissing him gently.
"Stop being so tense," she whispered. Her hands were roaming his chest and down his body.
Slowly, she began kissing him. Claiming his soft lips with a sensual kiss. Her hands kept traveling south and she started massaging his groin. She could feel his manhood responding to her touch. He was starting to get hard.
"Zee," he said suddenly, pulling away from her. "Stop it,"
"What?" she looked at him quizzically.
Landon kept a straight face as he said, "I know you're not ready, so don't force it,"
Zoie swallowed hard. She didn't want to be reminded that she wasn't ready. She didn't want to be reminded that it was her birthday and Asher had sent her a gift. She didn't want to think about him. Not at all.
"But I am ready," she argued, taking a step closer. She was about to kiss him again, but he avoided her.
"You're not a very good liar," Landon said bitterly. "You never were,"
Zoie narrowed her eyes. Landon was acting really strange. What is it that he knows about the gift that's making him so upset?
"What are you talking about?" she said, crossing her arms.
"After all this time, do you still not trust me?" he said with a pained look on his face.
Zoie couldn't answer him. Or rather, she was afraid to.
"I know it's Ash who sent you the gift," he said. "He's the mystery guy. The person who broke your heart,"
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -