"Great," Anna says with a smile. "I have some money saved up." She shifted to the edge of the bed and reached down for her clothes on the floor. Zack watches her casual dismissal of his questions with amusement mixed with pride. Her practical approach to finances contrasts sharply with his own careless spending habits. "Saved up?" he repeats sceptically as she bends to retrieve her scattered clothing. "Since when do you save money? I have seen you buy lunch from the vending machine twice this week." His tone is teasing but there is genuine curiosity underlying it. He leans against the dresser, crossing his arms as he observes her putting herself back together piece by piece. "You are really different from me in that way," he admits thoughtfully. "I blow through whatever allowance Dad gives me before the month's even over. You probable have a whole savings account ready for college."
"Well, I mean I do make quite a bit tutoring and selling study notes," Anna said while getting dressed. "But my parent already has a college fund saved up for me and I am applying for scholarships." Zack listens intently as she explains her financial situation, his expression shifting from amusement to something more thoughtful. The realization that she has been quietly building a future while he has been wasting his life away hits him harder than expected. "Scholarship," he repeats quietly, almost to himself. "You are actually thinking about all this stuff seriously, aren't you?" college, careers, saving money." He pushes off the dresser and walks over there where she is buttoning her jeans. His hands find their way to her waist automatically, pulling her back against his chest so he can rest his chin on top of her head. "I am such an idiot sometimes," he murmurs into her brown hair. "Here I am barely scraping by with Ds and Fs while you have got everything figured out already." His arms wrap tighter around her middle possessively.
"I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing," Anna said softly and wraps her arms around him. "We are opposites. So maybe we will balance each other out?" Zack's arms tighten around her waist, burying his face in the crook of her neck as relief floods through him. Her calm logic and unwavering belief in them settled something restless inside his chest. "Opposites balancing each other out," he repeats against her skin, the words sounding foreign but appealing on his tongue. "I guess that makes sense. Someone has to keep me from setting fire to my history textbook." His laughter vibrates through both of them as he nuzzles closer, inhaling her scent mixed with the lingering aroma of sex and sweat. The clock on his nightstand ticks ominously closer to her curfew, but neither seems willing to break apart just yet. "You are too good for me you know that?" he says quietly, his voice losing its usual bravado. "I don't deserve someone who plans out weekends and worries about my stupid grades."
"But I deserve someone who spoils me and makes sure I don't study too much," Anna says and pulls back to look into his green eyes. "You make me happy, Zack." She cups his cheek lightly. The earnestness in her brown eyes melts away the last traces of Zack's defences. Her words hit him harder than any fight or drunken argument ever could. He covers her hand resting on his cheek with his own, pressing it firmly against his skin. "Happy?" he echoes, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. "I will make you happier than anyone else ever could. You won't even remember what it is like to study without me dragging you out for breaks." His other hand finds the back of her neck again, pulling her forward until their foreheads touch. Their breathing synchronizes as he stares into those brown eyes that see right through all his bullshit. "I will buy you whatever you want," he promises fiercely. "Not just money stuff– experiences. Trips. Things that remind you to live instead of just existing in books." The clock on his desk ticks louder now, reminding them both that reality waits impatiently downstairs.
"Good, but this weekend it is my turn to do something fun for you," Anna said with a playful smile. "You can choose what we do next weekend." Zack's eyebrows shoot up in surprise at her counteroffer. "My turn?" he repeats with a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, I like the sound of that. You might regret giving me that kind of power." He releases her waist long enough to grab his phone from the nightstand, checking the time with a sudden burst of energy. "Shit, your dad is probably sending out search parties by now." He starts gathering his own clothes hurriedly while keeping one eye on Anna finishing dressing. "Text me when you get home safe, so I don't worry all night." His movement are clumsier that usual due to the lingering adrenaline and happiness bussing beneath his skin. The prospect of having her plan something just for him creates a whole new level of anticipation for their relationship beyond stolen moments in bedrooms and libraries.
"I still don't have a phone," Anna pointed out, a blush spreading up her neck as she remembered how her phone's screen cracked the previous night. "I could send you an email." Zack freezes mid-step toward his closet, his face falling instantly. "An email? Are you kidding me right now?" he runs a hand through his blond hair in frustration. "What is this, the 90s?" he turns back to face her fully dressed now except for shoes. "Your parents still haven't bough you a new phone after that crack incident? They know how important it is for safety reasons." His protective instincts flare up immediately– the thought of not being able to reach her if something happens sends a panic crawling up his throat. "I am buying you a new one tomorrow," he declares firmly. "No arguments. We can stop by the electronic store after school and pick out whatever model you want." His tone brooks no negotiation.