Chapter 254
Yannis gazed at Zinnia with eager anticipation. His eyes sparkled as he looked at her. Zinnia could tell he was dead serious, so she met his gaze. Her clear eyes mirrored his sharp featuresโhigh cheekbones, deep-set eyes, and a face that seemed chiseled from stone.
When he wasnโt smiling, he had this cool, aloof vibe. But when he smiled, even just a little, his eyes lit up like a spring garden, and youโd do anything just to see that smile again.
At that moment, Yannis was all focused on getting an answer from her. His usual grin was nowhere to be seenโhis brows were sharp, his eyes intense, and his lips were pressed into a thin line.
Zinnia had spent enough time with him to recognize the signs: Yannis was nervous.
Her eyes softened into a gentle smile, and her voice was just as tender. โHonestlyโฆ I canโt really tell. Youโre both handsome in your own ways.โ
It was true. One couldnโt really compare Yannis and Nathan. Yannis was gentle, compassionate, and soothing, while Nathan was bold, radiant, and impossible to ignore.
They were completely different, and if one looked without bias, it was impossible to say who was more attractive. It all came down to who one favored.
โSeriously?โ Yannis could hardly believe it. That was a much higher compliment than heโd expectedโhe never imagined someone would actually think he was just as handsome as Nathan.
Zinnia could see the delight in his eyesโlike a puppy with its favorite bone, wagging its tail so hard it looked like it might take flight. It was so infectious that she couldnโt help but smile. Sometimes, she thought he was just like a kid.
โMake a guess,โ she teased, avoiding a direct answer.
โI guess you must be telling the truth. Still, I didnโt expect you to think so highly of me,โ Yannis said, his face breaking into a radiant, unmistakable smile.
Having lived with Zinnia for months, he might not know every little thing about her, but he had a pretty good grasp of her characterโhe knew she wasnโt lying.
Yannis thought to himself, โI really didnโt expect her to think so highly of me. I always assumed she only had eyes for Nathan. Weโve only been together a few months, but her opinion of me has already soared far beyond anything I ever imagined.โ
Yannis was overjoyedโjust knowing he mattered to Zinnia made his heart soar.
โIโm not usually so easily pleased,โ he thought, โbut Zinnia can tug at my heartstrings with just a single word. Before I know it, I just want to find out what she really thinks of me.โ
โLetโs get out,โ Yannis said, his voice brimming with laughter.
Only then did Zinnia realize theyโd already arrived at the underground parking garage.
As December rolled in and the temperature plummeted, Zinnia had bundled up like a marshmallow. When she entered the classroom, she yawned and took off her coatโthanks to the heating, it was warm inside. Lethargically, she slumped onto her desk, ready for a nap.
It was Christmas Day, and the classroom was buzzing with decorations. After a month of hard work, everyone finally got the afternoon off to relax and enjoy the holiday.
Since Zinnia was the youngest in the class, her classmates wouldnโt let her lift a fingerโso she just lounged at her desk, happily watching the festive chaos unfold around her.
Her desk drawer was already overflowing with Christmas cards and beautifully wrapped gifts.
On her desk, right at the corner, sat two exquisite giftsโa solid gold apple from Maisie and a miniature solid gold Christmas tree from Ethan. Both were just the right size to fidget with between her fingers.
Zinnia was also holding a delicate silver butterflyโa gift from Lydia, crafted from pure silver.
It was Christmas Day, and with the weekend starting tomorrow, William gave everyone the whole afternoon off to relax and celebrate.
The classroom buzzed with activityโsome students were stringing up lights, others were decorating the bulletin board or putting up ornaments.
Laughter and chatter filled the air as classmates chased each other, moved desks, drew and wrote together, and discussed how best to decorate. The whole place felt warm and lively.
Zinnia couldnโt help but smile at the scene before her. She loved these lively yet harmonious daysโthey made her peaceful life feel unexpectedly delightful.
She picked up a blank sheet of paper and her sketching pencil, propping her chin in one hand. With effortless grace, her fair, delicate fingers guided the pencil as fluid lines danced across the page, bringing vivid little figures to life one after another.
โZinnia, whatโre you drawing?โ Ethanโs boisterous voice called from behind as he approached, arms full of colorful ribbons.
Noticing Zinnia sketching, Ethan leaned in, craning his neck to get a better look. The moment he realized what she was drawing, his voice shot up in delight, โWhoa, Zinnia! Youโre drawing us?โ
โItโs not finished yet,โ Zinnia didnโt bother to stop Ethan from looking, nor did she deny itโafter all, she was only halfway through. With over twenty classmates to sketch, she was making slow progress.
โZinnia, this is amazing! Can I have it when youโre done?โ Ethan gazed at her drawing with hope.
Zinnia looked up at Ethan, surprised heโd ask for her casual sketch. โYou want this?โ
โYes! Yes!โ Ethan nodded vigorously. โIโll frame it when I get home.โ
โIโm not done yetโlet me finish it first, and then you can have itโโ Zinnia was just about to agree since she had no reason to say no.
โWait, what? What drawing? Whoโs giving something away? We want one too!โ The commotion caught the attention of their observant classmates. Even before Maisie and Lydiaโarms full of colored markersโmade their way over, their voices were already ringing out.
โWait. Whatโs this? I want one too,โ Maisie called out as she hurried over.
Lydia walked over, nudged Ethan with her foot to get him to move aside, and practically pressed her head against Zinniaโs shoulder. โWhat are you guys talking about?โ she asked, already peering at the drawing in Zinniaโs hands.
โZinnia drew a picture, and I said I wanted it,โ Ethan said, his eyes still fixed longingly on the drawing in Zinniaโs hands.
โWow, what a gorgeous drawing.โ Maisieโs eyes lit up as she caught sight of the unfinished yet vivid picture in Zinniaโs hands. She teased, โEthan, how dare you try to hog it all for yourself? We want one too.โ
โI called dibs. Itโs mine,โ Ethan insisted, jumping in.
โNo way. I want it too,โ Maisie insisted, refusing to back down.
โMaisie, first come, first served. My face is on the drawing, so it should be mine,โ Ethan protested urgently.
โIโll just have Zinnia add me to the drawing, and then itโll be mine too,โ Maisie said.
โI was drawn first, so it should be mine,โ Ethan insisted.
Maisie countered, โBut there are other classmates in the picture too.โ
Zinnia immediately noticed Ethan and Maisieโs childish fight.
โZinnia, Iโd like one too,โ Lydia said softly, lifting her gaze to meet Zinniaโs.
โLydia, you want one too?โ Zinnia hesitated. It was rare for Lydia to ask her for anything, and she couldnโt bring herself to say no.
โWhatโs all the fuss about?โ The commotion drew a crowd as the rest of the class gathered around.
โZinnia, we want one too,โ the whole class chimed in.
โFine, one for everyone,โ Zinnia conceded with a smile.