The Billionaire I Like From Afar

"Infatuation is when you find someone who is perfect. Love is when you realize that they aren't and it doesn't matter." - Pinterest

Claire's POV

Oh no! I'm going to be late.

I was running now, like running for my life. My heart was pumping so hard, my skin was cold as ice and sweat ran down my spine.

Whew! I stopped for a while, catching my breath.

I couldn't miss the school bus, I have a long quiz in my first subject, Math. I have to do good in school, being in my last year in high school so I would qualify in a scholarship program.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead then checked the time on my wristwatch. Shocks no... then I started to run again to the bus station.

I heard a car horned behind me. It was Ashley Farris. My stepsister.

Ashley opened her car window and yelled at me. "Run faster Claire!" Her laughter echoed in the air. She was the reason why I was hurrying right now. She made me iron her school uniform again and again to make sure that there was no single crease left.

Ashley and I were both seventeen, but she was a month older than me. We were both Seniors at Riverview High School.

We looked totally different. She was a blond while I have jet black hair. She was short and curvy while I was tall and skinny. Okay... very skinny. I didn't understand why I was so skinny. I tried to eat plenty and take multivitamins daily, but still I was skin and bones.

She always competed with me eversince we met. In the house, she wanted to get my dad's attention. She got my room and my stuffs. Dad tried to please her by buying whatever she wanted. Everything became in her favor.

Ashley was a smart girl also. We competed each other in school. We were both in the Top Ten Students. But I always got the highest rank and that was very upsetting on her part.

Her mom, Aunt Abby married my dad seven years ago. It was so sudden. I just lost my mom - she was hit by a car. I was still grieving when dad got married again in just two months. Mom was not even cold in her grave.

I lost my dad two years ago in a fire incident and that made my life became a calvary. Aunt Abby and Ashley made my life miserable. They stopped treating me like a family. I became a squatter in my own house.

Don't worry Claire, one more year and you'll be free. I murmured to myself.

I was just in time when the school bus arrived in the bus station. I was so relieved.

I saw my bestie, Rhea when I entered the bus. I sat down beside her and put my maroon Jansport backpack in front of me.

"Hi Claire. You look like a mess."

"I know right." I combed my long tangled hair with my fingers and fixed my eyebrows with my fingertips. I was so conscious with my eyebrows because they were so thick like those of the werewolves and pointing everywhere. I have to flattened them and kept in place all the time.

"Did you finish your Science homework?"

"Of course. I finished it early this morning." I smoothened the creases of my uniform and tightened my tie.

"I'm not sure with my answer in number ten. Can you help me on it?" Rhea pleaded.

"Of course. No worries."

My heart skipped a beat when I stepped out of the school bus. I saw a familiar car turned around the curb heading towards the school's main entrance. A black Mercedes-Benz with a custom license plate. PETRAKIS.

I stopped at the side of the road, waiting for the car to pass by. The windows were tinted black, so dark that it was impossible to see inside. I kept my eyes fixed on my shoes, embarrassed to be caught looking at the car.

Zion Petrakis was inside the car. The most popular boy in school. A heartthrob. Tall, handsome with a beautifully lean muscular body. He walked with grace, pride and confidence. Very athletic. He was the captain of the school's football team. Many girls admired him and sought his attention. Yeah. I liked him too. A lot. But unlike the others, I was contented admiring him from afar.

The car parked outside the school's lobby. Zion went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark straight hair glistened. Obviously wet from the shower.

He was greeted with his best friends Harry Allen and Israel Yasin. The three of them were inseparable since pre-school and together they played in the football team.

"Claire, I'm going to talk to Miss Murphy. Just go ahead." Rhea said.

"Okay. I'll see you in the classroom."

I was approaching the lobby to where Zion, Harry and Izzy were standing and praying at the same time. Please God, let them go inside. Let me be invisible that they wouldn't notice me.

I sighed a good relief when I managed to pass by in front of them unnoticed. But I was wrong, it was just a temporary bliss.

"Hi Claire." I heard Israel a.k.a. Izzy said behind me.

I stopped and spun around, staring at him, then at Harry and Zion. "Hi."

Harry said 'hi' back, but Zion just smiled and looked away.

Izzy did not hide the fact that he liked me. Ever since in grade school, he was into me. He sent me gifts, brought roses, love letters and chocolates. He even wrote poems for me, but I couldn't teach myself to like him more than just a friend. I didn't feel the same way he felt for me.

It was always Zion. I didn't understand myself why. He didn't do anything to make me like him. He never talked to me. He ignored me like I did not exist. I hated myself that I kept on thinking about him and deep down inside of me I knew that he probably haven't thought about me once.

I excused myself and walked in a hurry away from them, almost running. I just slowed down when I was out of their sight.

I passed by the bulletin board and stopped to check for any announcements and reminders. A leaflet about a free trip to Korea for top students caught my attention. I was reading it when someone stood beside me - Alex Gomez, one of the student activists. He posted a list of Top Ten Students Who's Hot And Who's Not, covering the leaflet I was reading.

"Not again." Facepalm.

As usual. I was at the Top Ten List Of Who's Not.

This became my burden every school year. But I learned to view it in a positive way. Who cares. It was only a list made by student activists. Sarcastically speaking, I should be flattered because I went down in the ranking from second to fourth.

But still, I checked the list. As expected, Zion Petrakis was at the top in Who's hot, he always did, followed by his friends, Harry and Israel. Zion's ex-girlfriend, Maddie Jennings, the popular 'it girl' in school was also included as well as my stepsister Ashley.

"Stupid list." I heard a familiar voice said behind me. I looked around and saw Zion. We were so close, that our face almost collided. I could smell his scent, like a combination of soap and cologne, and the warmness of his body vibrated through me, like a current. I've never been this close to him ever and the feeling was so electrifying.

I stepped back and looked around. He was alone. I wondered where his friends were.

Zion looked at me and I looked back at him. His dark eyes were sharp and assessing, holding my eyes still. But I couldn't continue looking at him, his stares and nearness made my knees so weak. It would be so embarrassing if I fell down on his feet.

He grabbed the list of the Top Ten Who's Hot And Who's Not , crumpled it and threw in the nearest bin. Then he was gone in a blink of an eye.

"I still get butterflies, even though I've seen you a hundred times." - Quotesgram.com, Pinterest

Zion's POV

"Why can't I have my own car now. Izzy and Harry drive their own."

"I told you to wait when you're eighteen." My dad, Eros Petrakis said. He dropped me and my twelve year old sister, Emerald to school every morning on his way to work.

"I'm going to be eighteen next month. What's the point of making me wait when you'll give it to me anyway."

"Just be patient. You're lucky that someone drives you to school every morning. Look at that girl, imagine her waking up early in the morning to catch the school bus."

I looked at the girl that dad referred to. It was Claire Olsen. I studied her appearance. She looked pale and tired, as always. Her long black hair tumbled carelessly on her back and her thick bangs fell across her forehead as she looked down at her shoes.

"DUH! I'm not even complaining that I have to wait six more years inorder to get my own car." Emerald said rolling her eyes.

"Of course. You're still a kid."

"You know I'm not anymore." Emerald rose her voice in an octave. Yeah, I knew what she meant. She's really impossible. She celebrated her first menstruation with here female friends and cousins. I knew girls don't usually do that.

When I went out of the car, I was greeted by my buddies Izzy and Harry.

As usual, my sister would open the car's window and waved at Harry. She haven't got over her crush on him. I didn't like the idea that Harry made her fall for him. I was afraid she would get hurt someday.

"Hi Harry." Emerald called out through the window.

"Hello, Emerald. You're getting prettier and prettier everytime I see you." Harry replied, giving her that wink again.

"Stop doing that, she's my sister." I warned Harry.

"Why not? She's cute."

"She's still a kid." I drew Harry towards the school lobby as dad drove the car away.

"Hey bro. Congrats! Alex said you're still the top one in the Who's Hot List this school year." Izzy teased me. He knew how I hated being in that list.

"That stupid list again." I frowned. "We should talk to them to stop making that list. It's a form of bullying to the ones included in the Who's Not."

"It is and they always include my girl." Izzy said, referring to Claire.

"Hey Izzy, look. It's Claire." Harry said, pointing at Claire who just passed in front of us, walking in a hurry with her head bent.

Izzy's eyes gleamed in an instant. It always made his day if he saw Claire. For years he was into Claire. Fantasizing her. Then courted her. Everything he did to have her as a girlfriend. But she always turned him down.

The problem with Izzy, he wouldn't give up on Claire.

"Hi Claire." Izzy called out.

Claire stopped and hesitantly faced us. She was always avoiding Izzy and that included us, Harry and me. She was our schoolmate since grade school but there was never a chance to talk to her. She was a shy girl and lacked confidence, just contented sitting in the corner and did her stuffs. But she was a very smart girl, always made it in the Top Ten Honors List.

Finally Claire left and Izzy got to relax again.

"Come on, let's ask Mr. Garrett if we'll have practice tomorrow." Harry said. Mr. Garrett was our football coach.

"You go guys. I'll see you in class." English was our first class and I did something terrible. I failed in my last exam. It was the easiest subject and I took it for granted. I did not study on it and focused on my other subjects. I was afraid if my parents would find out, especially dad, he would get mad. To think that it was my last year in high school.

"Okay sure. I'll see you later, bro." Izzy tapped my shoulder before we parted ways.

I saw Claire when I passed by the bulletin board. She was looking at something and I realized it was the Top Ten List of Who's Hot and Who's Not.

Damn list.

I knew it was upsetting her being always in the Top Ten List of Who's Not. I didn't understand why. She was not bullied in school. She was admired and regarded highly by teachers for being always an achiever. I guess, her being in the list had something to do with her stepsister who was one of the activists.

I stopped behind her and said. "Stupid list."

I was caught off guard when suddenly she turned around and our faces came so close. We held eyes for a second. I've never been this close to any girl since I broke up with Maddie a year ago and the feeling was strange.

She stepped back avoiding any contact from me. But I continued staring at her. I realized her eyes were hazel brown not gray, as what Izzy thought. It had a burning pain, far away look in them. Her faint smile even held a touch of sadness.

I decided to leave before I embarrassed myself for staring far too long.

***

I was talking to my English teacher, Miss Robinson after class. I was asking her a favor to give me assignments so I could improve my grades.

"If you want to get a good grade, you have to play the role of Romeo."

"What?! No way Miss. I'm not good in acting." I raked my hair with my fingers, feeling so agitated.

"Do you want a higher grade or not?"

"Of course. Is there any other way aside from that? Maybe help you check test papers or... mow your lawn or set up your Christmas tree? I can be your household helper for one week."

Her lips twisted and one eyebrow rose. "No. My husband can do those things, Mr. Petrakis." She said on point. "If you want to pass your English subject, then do it my way."

"Okay fine, I'll do it." I had no choice but to agree. Dammit. My friends would mock me once they'd find out, especially Izzy and Harry. If possible, I wanted to keep this a secret.

"Do I have to play the lead role? Can I play minor roles instead. I swear, I'm not really good on this."

"Our Romeo backed out. He got chicken pox and we need someone to replace him."

I was instructed by Miss Robinsons to go to one of the Theatre rooms backstage - the Rose Room to get the script so I could study it. There was no enough time anymore. The play would be presented a few weeks after holiday break.

I was heading to the School Theatre when Ashley Farris blocked my way. "Hi Zion. We're going to have a party this weekend in my house. Wanna join us?"

"Thanks but I'm busy this weekend." I said.

"Awweee too bad. Maddie will be there."

The mere mention of Maddie's name made my temper rose.

Almost everyone in school wouldn't stop connecting my name with Maddie. Although Maddie and I broke up a year ago, they still thought that I haven't moved on. That until now, I was still hoping for us to get back together. They thought that my world stopped the moment we broke up.

If they only knew the real reason why we broke up.

"Excuse me. I'm in a hurry." I spun around and left.

The School Theatre was empty with students. The lights were dim except for the center stage where Mr. Francisco, one of the school janitors was cleaning.

"Hello Mr. Francisco. How's your day?"

"I'm fine. What are you doing here Zion?"

"I'm going to get something in the Rose Room." I answered, walking towards the side of the stage.

"Ah... the poor girl is waiting for you for almost an hour already." He answered.

The poor girl? I wondered who was waiting for me.

I entered the Rose Room and there she was. Her arms was on the table pillowed her head - sleeping soundly.

I moved closer to her and softly whispered her name. "Claire."

"Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses." -brainyquote.com/quotes

Claire's POV

"Aren't you girls going to congratulate me?" Matt Barnes, one of my closest friends sat in front of me. Tall, slim and blond. He was one of the nerds in school - wearing very thick eyeglasses, sweat shirt and maroon scarf all the time.

I was in the cafeteria having lunch with my best friend Rhea. "What for?" We asked him simultaneously.

"I got the number one spot of this year's Top Ten Who's Not."

"Wow! Congrats." Rhea said sarcastically to Matt. "Claire also got the fourth place in the girls' list."

"As always. What's new." I just smiled. "Congratulations Matt."

Matt stood up and curtsied in front of us. "Thank you. Thank you ladies."

The three of us finished our lunch. We were laughing and made fun of ourselves. We always did that instead of feeling bad. Matt and I learned not to be affected with this kind of bullying. We focused ourselves to excel in academics.

"I understand Matt being in the list. He's really a nerd. But you Claire? Seriously? I know this bitch sister of yours is the reason why you're always in that list." Rhea said when Matt left for his next class.

"I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe because I don't attend parties and outings outside school."

"How can you when you're not allowed by your stepmother to go for many reasons. You have to do the household chores, give her a massage, water the plants at night or babysit Ashley's dog. So weird."

"Shh. Keep your voice down."

"Okay... okay." Rhea said then her head went up. "Oh-oh. Look who's here."

"Who?"

"It's Zion, at the doorway. He's waving on us." Rhea whispered at me. She knew about my crush on him.

I looked at Zion. He was really waving on us... at ME.

My heart jolted and my pulse pounded foolishly.

I felt like I was in a dream, every thing turned blur like magic. Suddenly there was only Zion and me, staring at each other. He gave me a smile that sent my pulses racing and I returned his smile shyly.

Suddenly, someone bumped at my chair. It was London Allen, Harry's twin sister. London and I were once close friends but our friendship drifted apart when we grew older. She befriended the rich kids in school, and I was left out.

"Oops. Sorry Claire." London said then continued walking towards Zion.

Reality set in. It was London he was waving at, not me.

***

"I found a replacement for Cameron." My English teacher, Miss Robinsons informed me before our class started. "He's from my morning class."

I was surprised that somebody agreed to play the role of Romeo. Most of the boys in English class evaded to take the role. Even Cameron was forced to do it. It made them squirmed with embarrassment.

But it had an opposite effect with girls. Every girl in school dreamed to be Juliet. Many auditioned to play the part but Miss Robinsons was too picky. Her criteria? Juliet had to be beautiful, smart and very articulate. Playing the role was like winning a beauty and brain contest.

This year I was fortunate that she picked me. I guessed she took pity on me. For three years I was incharged of the costume and stage design committee. In other words, I was her errand girl. She said that since it was my last year in high school, she gave me the chance to play Juliet. She knew that it was my dream to play the role.

Nobody knew that I would play the lead role. Not yet. It was always a surprise to everyone in school. Usually it would be announced after the school holiday break.

"I have an extra copy of the script in my table at the theatre. Can you give it to him after class?" Miss Robinsons interrupted my thoughts.

"Okay miss. No problem." I answered.

"I'll have him pick it up at the Rose room."

***

I was dreaming.

I was at the roof top of a very tall building. I went to the ledge and looked down. I saw the cars down the road that looked like ants and the many people were like fine sands. I was wondering how I got there.

Suddenly the building was shaking. There was an earthquake. I got so scared. I saw the debris falling from the nearby building, then in an instant, it collapsed. I looked around to ask for help but there was no one. I tried to shout but I just couldn't. I lost my voice.

I looked down and saw the floor at the ledge cracked. Then I was falling... falling down so fast. I screamed but still I couldn't hear my voice.

I'm going to die.

I closed my eyes, getting ready to meet grim reaper. Please, I want to go to heaven not hell. I know I've been good and in heaven, I'll see mom...

I was surprised when someone caught me. I felt like I was swept up to the sky. I slowly opened my eyes and finally saw him. His face was blur... but it looked familiar. He was wearing a blue suit and a red cape. Superman?

No. There was no S on his chest. It was a Z.

I blinked my eyes and stared at his face. Slowly it became clearer. It was Zion.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Ah... ah..." Finally I heard myself. I was glad that I found my voice.

"Is this the script from Miss Robinsons?" He took the script from the table.

"Um... yeah." I kept on staring at him. How could he changed his clothes so fast. He was wearing a blue suit like superman when he swept me up and now he was back in his school uniform.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked me again.

"Yeah... yeah." I answered. I was mesmerized by his captivating dark eyes and arresting smile. I was about to thank him for rescuing me, but he was instantly gone.

Zion's POV

"Where have you been?" Izzy asked when I met him at the hall.

"I was in the men's room." I lied.

"Did you talk to Miss Robinsons about your grade?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"And?"

"She'll give me some homeworks... you know... projects." I answered.

"That's great man." Izzy tapped my shoulder. "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye bro."

I dropped by at my locker before I went home. I exhaled heavily when I saw her.

Maddie Jennings. The girl who broke my heart.

I opened my locker and threw the script inside, intentionally ignoring her.

"Zion." She said softly. That sweet voice that once made my heart beat faster.

"What do you want?" I asked calmly, trying to be civil.

"We need to talk. About us."

"Stop it Maddie. It's been a year already. We've been through this before."

Maddie looked so agitated. She came closer to me and slowly reached out to touch my arm. "Please Zion. You need to listen to me. Let me explain."

"What for? I'm not stupid. I saw it with my own eyes." My mood veered sharply to anger.

"Please... I'm so sorry, Zion. I want you back." Her eyes pleaded.