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| Zanna's Morning Rush |
Episode 8 | Zanna's Morning Rush|Baylor City
Zanna Sinclair was running late. Her alarm hadn’t gone off, and she’d fallen asleep at her desk after cramming for her chemistry test. She took the quickest shower imaginable, brushed her teeth, yanked her long dark hair into a ponytail, and threw on clothes. Just as she slung her book bag over one shoulder and grabbed her favorite pink sweater, her phone rang. It was Jessica Lee.
"I’m on the way," she said, rushing to her black Volkswagen. "I overslept studying for that stupid chemistry test. Be there in a sec."
Music blasting from her favorite rap CD, Zanna sang her way to Jessica’s house. Her friend was waiting on the curb, arms crossed.
"I was this close to catching the bus," Jessica said, sliding into the passenger seat.
"Sorry! I was dead to the world. I just hope all that studying pays off. I hate chemistry."
"You and me both. At least your parents aren’t trying to push Harvard down your throat."
"Please. My mom's just praying I pass. She’s already priced out the local community college."
"College is college. Honestly, if I had my way, I wouldn’t even go."
"What would you do then?"
Jessica shrugged. "Stay here with you and Joni. My two ride-or-dies."
They picked up Joni Talbert next. Zanna pulled up to the usual chaos—a rundown house, scattered toys, an old car on blocks, and Joni arguing with her mom, Colleen, who was in a bathrobe and curlers.
"Come home straight after school," Colleen snapped. "I have a date. I need you to babysit."
"I have plans," Joni said, storming to the car.
"What plans?"
"Study group."
Colleen followed her to the curb. "Since when?"
"History. Bye, Mom."
Zanna hesitated, unsure whether to drive off.
"Zanna, go!" Joni hissed.
They pulled away.
"I swear, every night it's someone new," Joni muttered, opening a juice container. "Last night she wouldn’t shut up about some doctor."
Zanna and Jessica stayed silent. They both knew what Joni's home life was like.
"Say something!" Joni demanded. "You’re my best friends. Am I crazy or is she on a mission to date the entire state of South Carolina?"
Jessica twisted in her seat. "What can we say?"
"I don’t know. Something that doesn’t make me feel like I’m the only one spiraling."
"Maybe this doctor is different," Zanna offered. "He might like her for her."
Joni snorted. "Doubt it. She brings nothing to the table. Dropped out of high school, three kids, fading looks. You do the math."
"You never know," Jessica said.
"Nope. He’ll hit it and quit it. Just like the rest."
"Yuck," Zanna said. They all laughed.
"I need a break. Thank God for summer."
"Got plans?" Jessica asked.
"Actually, yeah. I got into the World Volunteer Program. I’m going to Africa."
Zanna squealed. "No way! That’s amazing!"
Jessica looked stunned. "Oh my God, Joni. That’s huge!"
"I found out last night. Didn’t want to jinx it."
"You could’ve texted," Zanna said, pulling into the school lot.
As she turned into a front-row space, a red Mustang cut her off.
"Unbelievable," Jessica muttered in Korean.
Morgan Chadwick stepped out, flipping her blonde hair, joining her cheerleader friends with zero shame.
"She did that on purpose," Zanna fumed, circling the lot.
"Let it go," Jessica said. "She's not worth it."
The trio exited the car and walked toward the school entrance.
"Look at her, holding court like some high school queen," Jessica said.
"Court of fools," Zanna replied.
"I hate her. She thinks she runs this place."
"I wonder who’s taking her to prom," Joni said.
"Jude Macklin. Obviously," Zanna said.
"Maybe not. Word is they broke up."
"Either way, she’s going," Jessica said. "And we don’t even have dates."
"I’m not going," Joni declared.
"Come on," Jessica protested. "Everyone wants to go to prom."
"Not me. It’s just dressing up, dancing, and boys trying to get in your pants. Hard pass."
"Can you be less cynical?" Zanna laughed.
They reached the front doors just as Allen Spriggs pulled into the lot with Laric Markel in the passenger seat.
"Look who’s here," Jessica teased. "Your future husband."
Zanna’s heart dropped. She’d had a crush on Laric forever. Tall, soft-spoken, kind, and completely oblivious to his good looks. He never went to school events. Just church. And yet, he stood out in all the best ways.
She watched him hop out of the truck—perfect hair, tan shirt, black jeans, Jordans. When he put on his sunglasses and reached back into the window for a jacket, it was like something out of a teen drama.
Jessica elbowed her. "Did you even hear me?"
Zanna blinked. "Huh? What?"
"Let’s go. We don’t want to be late."
Zanna took one last glance at Laric.
Just maybe… this would be the year everything changed.
TO BE CONTINUED…
🔙 Next, in Episode 9: My Brother’s Fate
A desperate sister. A hidden prisoner. And a mission only faith could complete.
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