Once again it was the start of a new week, meaning the two hours of business would be more awkward, now with this new partnership, all down to my dad.

Ruby and I were slowly trailing along to school, with Ava dragging her feet ahead of us. The bright blue sky was clear, not a dull cloud in sight. The cold January wind was blowing away, attacking the bare bits of my skin. Wrapped up in a black teddy bear coat, I snuggled in a little more trying to trap the warmth.

"I still can't believe your dad is business partners with Zac's dad." Ruby says as she loops her arm into mine.

"Tell me about it." I mumbled, distracted by the coldness scratching my skin.

"Please tell me you're not talking about the devils spawn." Ava bellowed out from ahead.

"Ava shut your mouth." I yelled back, rolling my eyes.

Ruby let out a suppressed snorted laugh. I shook my head at Ava's comment. The fact that Ava hated the mention of Lexi or Zac, was proven difficult for us to get along. Our parents were oblivious to what was actually happening.

I dreaded what was going to pan out during the school day. I had prepped myself for any fallouts; whether this was between Ava and Lexi, or me and Zac.

***

Two hours of business studies, on a Monday morning, worn me out. The struggle to keep concentrated, taking in all the information, getting ready for the exams, was revolving around in my head. It felt like my brain was an Olympian, constantly running in a race trying to get to the finish line.

Much to my surprise, Zac was missing. He didn't attend the lesson and there was a sense of calm around me. Knowing that he wasn't sitting next to me, with his presence irritating me, felt oddly good. Although part of my brain wondered where he was and why he didn't come.

The bell rang and the class dispersed out to have their break. I noticed Mr Wilson slowly approach some students, asking about the project. My heart thud against my chest and I hurried myself out of the classroom.

Entering into the main hall of the school, my eyes land upon a familiar face. Far afar I saw Zac deep in chat and laughing with his mates. Irking my head to the side in confusion, I didn't understand his absence.

Making the bold decision to approach and ask him, I go towards him and he noticed me. His laughing and bubbly exterior slowly dropped when he saw me, it was as if he was worried to see me.

His expression made me wonder why he was acting like this. Just as I was about to say something to him, a voice captures my attention.

"Oi! You two!" The voice called out from behind Zac.

We both turn to follow it and saw Ruby speed walking to us, calling out to both of us.

"You two need to come quick." Ruby said to us out of breath. "Ava and Lexi are arguing again and it looks quite serious."

I threw my hands up in annoyance, leaving an exaggerated sigh from my mouth. Zac muttered shit under his breath. We both took one look at each other, and knew what we had to do.

We marched over, following Ruby. As we got outside, the noise of students got louder and louder, till we were met with a bundle of people. A high intensity of individuals were huddled together. It was like the whole school was gathered outside, to watch the diabolical mess between Ava and Lexi.

We pushed our way through the students and I finally barged into the middle where Ava and Lexi were flushed with anger. They looked like they were about to swing for each other and I quickly grabbed Ava's arm pulling her away.

"What the hell." She shrieked.

"What's going on? What's happened?" I demanded in a stern voice.

"This time it was your bloody sister coming for me." Lexi yelled, charging towards us. Zac held her back as if he was trying to tame a raging bull.

A fresh swell of annoyance rose in me, inwardly I was seething at Lexi's reaction. I moved Ava to the side, stepping in front of her, like the protective sister I was.

"Calm yourself down." I calmly replied, trying to prevent my anger from bursting out. "Don't raise your voice-"

"Who are you to talk to my sister like that?" Zac interrupted, doing just as I did, moving Lexi to the side and stepping in front like a protective brother.

We were now face to face, in close proximity, enclosed by students, watching us like they were watching a movie. Clenching down on my teeth, anger started to rise in me like a tide, it begun to well up in my chest.

If it wasn't for my first warning, I would have shown how angry I was. With so many beady eyes on us, I had to keep myself in check, the last thing we needed was to be in the centre of attention.

"I think it's best if we sorted this away from everyone watching us." I sternly replied, keeping my posture straight, showing that I wasn't in the mood to be messed around with.

Zac took too long to respond, so I took matters into my own hands.

"Right, you, you and you." I abruptly say, pointing at Ava, Lexi and Zac. "Get out of here, let's get away from here. Just do as I say and let's go."

Not waiting for them to reply to me, I hook my arm into Ruby's and push through the crowd.

"Shows over folks." I shouted over the strangling number of students.

Both Ruby and I walked far on to the field, away from prying eyes and open ears. Ava, Lexi and Zac soon followed, making their way over like sad kids who got told off by their mother.

"Now like adults, do you want to tell me what happened." I enquired between Ava and Lexi.

"It was bad enough my mum telling you about my dancing, but she didn't have to mention it in school." Lexi let out, putting an emphasis on the word she and pointing harshly towards Ava.

"How did I know your little dancing hobby was a secret." Ava snickered. For once, I wasn't keen on how my own sister was acting.

"Why don't you shut up and keep your comments to yourself and go focus on your little baking hobby." Lexi sneered towards Ava.

Ava scoffed and started to square up to Lexi. "Don't tell me to shut up-"

"Both of you stop it." I snapped, getting in the way between them.

I looked over to Zac to get some kind of mature support, he did nothing but stand there watching like a spectator.

"You guys need to stop fighting. Whether you like it or not, our fathers are business partners and we're going to be seeing much more of each other. If you guys can't be friends, at least act civilised. Now, say sorry to each other and go about your day." The words fell out of me, like I was superior to them. It almost felt like I was the teacher.

The awkwardness of waiting for them to apologise was unbearable. Both of them had their arms folded and a smug look plastered on their face.

"Come on, say sorry." I repeated myself. Still, there was nothing.

"Can you say sorry already." Zac chimes in after so long. "The bell has gone and we're going to get late for class."

A lot of tension was swelled up in me, my ears didn't capture the sound of the bell. Not wanting to be late, I cleared my throat and got down to business as I had enough of the silliness.

"Okay fine don't apologise. Go your separate ways, but if you guys start arguing again, I'll get our parents involved, and I know we all don't want that. Now go." I ordered, pointing towards the building, waving for them to leave.

After a few deep sighs and mumbles, both girls trodded to their class. I noticed Zac slowly started to make a swift exit, but I wasn't going to let him leave without my stern words to him.

"And you!" I snapped stopping Zac in his tracks. "Whether you like it or not, we are partners in our business project and we need to get started. I'll give you breathing space this week, but Saturday, midday, I'll be in the town centre library. If you're bothered to come we can get started."

With that said, I looped my arm into Ruby's and we made our way towards our Art class. Ruby was gobsmacked at the sudden wave of confidence, so was I.

"The sheer power, where did that come from?" Ruby asked in pure surprise.

A long sigh escaped my mouth, as if I had been holding it for so long. Shrugging my shoulders and shaking my head, I indicated that I too was shocked by this sudden wave of bossiness and boldness.

It almost felt good to be in control and tell Zac what the deal was. And for the first time, Zac was lost for words. This was the longest he had gone without spewing bullshit words from his mouth.

Something was telling me that, he took a step back from his cockiness as I had learnt about his secret hobby of photography. There was something within me, that indicated he was ashamed of me knowing.

I was determined to find out more and to show him there was nothing to be embarrassed about. Now it was a waiting game to see if he would turn up on Saturday.

A/N

Who loves brave and bold Hannah?

Will Zac turn up to the library on Saturday?

Will Ava and Lexi ever get on?

Share your thought, don't forget to comment and vote!

Love _xxAMxx