The day of the business presentation had finally arrived. Nearly three months of preparation was all down to the crucial thirty minutes.

Ever since Zac's birthday barbecue, I tried to maintain the distance between us. The build up of presenting our business idea, was gnawing away at me.

Each day felt like I was walking down a dark alley, not knowing what would be on the other side. It was like the grade of this project, was pending, waiting for me on the other side of the alley.

As I situated myself in the study room, I couldn't help but pace up and down. My palms were clammy and wet, I tried to shake the feeling away. I took deep and shallow breaths, trying to calm myself down, but nothing helped.

I continuously muttered under my breath, trying to memorise the words to the presentation. The more I repeated myself, the more I felt fumbled.

Just as I turned to pace back towards the door, a small yelp escaped my mouth, I came to a halt to see Zac standing at the door way.

"Nervous?" He asked in calm tone, as if he wasn't worried in the slightest for the presentation.

As I continued to pace frantically, I took more deep breaths, in and out, but it only enabled me to feel breathless. I could feel my asthma slowly starting to flare up as my chest felt tight, but I knew I couldn't make it obvious, I didn't want to seem weak in front of Zac.

It was like I had a tonne of bricks pounding on my chest, just by going back and forth in the small study room, felt like a chore. Fire filled my lungs, making it hard to breath in slowly.

I couldn't keep much in, all of a sudden a wave of coughs ruptured from my mouth, as I tried to get a sense of fresh air.

"Hannah?" Zac called out, with worry masked in his voice.

He strode over to me, placing one hand around my shoulder and the other clutched on to my shaky hand. Beads of sweat started to formulate on my forehead. It felt like I was in a furnace, getting burned alive.

"Hannah, listen to me." Zac's soothing voice was captured into my ears, "Breath with me. Slowly in and slowly out."

Zac started to show me the pace of his breathing, like he was teaching a new born. At first my head was clouded and I was only starting to panic. He then elegantly placed one hand under my chin, lifted my head up to be level with his.

His liquid green eyes invited me into his peaceful world. As I focused closely into his alluring eyes, I slowly started to mirror his breathing. I was brought back to when we were trapped in the office basement.

Once again I held onto him for dear life, like he was my anchor helping me float on a water of worry and nervousness.

He located my bag, and without asking me, he fished for my inhaler. I would have exploded if I ever saw him go through my bag, but his intentions were clear, so I stayed silent.

After retrieving my inhaler, he ushered for me to inject puffs. With my hands jittering, I placed the inhaler into my mouth and pumped two puffs off air.

Within a second of the fresh boost of air entering into my system, I felt like a new flower emerging. The quick and sharp breaths, slowly eased and regulated into a normal pattern.

"Don't worry. We're going to ace the presentation,"
Zac reassured with his deep toned voice.

I nodded in agreement, as I wasn't able to formulate any words. Once I had calmed down, I noticed how close we were. With the change in Zac's face, he also noticed the closeness of us.

Silence filled the room whilst we continued to stay close. A light and airy essence floated around in my stomach, I felt oddly safe and sound being within Zac's hold.

Suddenly, the piercing ring of the school bell shook the room, and we instantly backed away from each other. My heart sank as this was an indicator that we were due to present, right after the break.

The small fifteen minute break we had, I needed the space away from Zac. I pondered around school, much of the break I aimlessly wondered with Ruby.

As the shrieking bell struck once again, my heart sank, it was time. I dragged my feet to the classroom, Zac had already placed himself outside, waiting for me.

"Are you ready?" He asked

"I think so." I nodded hesitantly.

He took that as an indication to enter the classroom, I closely followed behind him.

"Zac and Hannah," Mr Wilson greeted us, "I'll let you guys prepare and then we'll start."

As we loaded up our presentation onto the projector, I couldn't help but feel the buzz in my hands. I felt restless, not knowing where to place my hands.

"You okay?" Zac whispered, placing his supple hands on top of mine.

His touch enabled me to calm myself, I nodded as a sign of reassurance. We turned to face Mr Wilson. I took one deep breath in, exhaled slowly.

Endless days of waiting, preparing, arguing, was all wrapped up into one and was ready to present itself. Hours upon hours of working, all came down to this very moment. Slowly but surely, I was going to make my way down the dark alley, and be welcomed by brightness.

***

"Hannah and Zac, thank you for your time. The good news is, your presentation is over, the bad news is, you'll have to wait until results day to see how you did." Mr Wilson beamed a wide smile and we took it as our sign to exit the classroom.

Silently, we packed up and left. For a moment we stood in silence. The school hallway was eerily quiet, with all the students brushed away in their classroom, it felt oddly peaceful to be standing in an empty hall.

"We did it," Zac chimed.

"That went-"

"Better than I expected." Zac took the words right out of my mouth.

We both felt elated. As we presented our project, the words automatically fell in place, no sign of stuttering or stopping was evident. We both confidently stood in front of the classroom, as if we were showcasing our amazing idea to a business tycoon.

We both gushed, a surge of proudness and pride streaked through me like a comet. We couldn't believe how well those thirty minutes ticked by.

Without thinking, both Zac and I welcomed each other in a hug. I couldn't understand what brought me to wrap my arms around his neck. He slid his arm around my waist, it was like he moulded into my body, like a jigsaw piece.

Just as I was about to relax within his touch, the sound of some clearing their voice interrupted us. In an instant, we pulled away from each other. When I turned to see the person, my eyes widened to the point where I thought they would pop out of my head.

Melissa stood there, hands on her hips, head to the side, darting her vicious blue eyes back and forth, between us.

"Am I interrupting something?" She maliciously asked.

"What do you want?" I spat out, lifting the corner of my lips in disgust.

She ignored my question and turned her focus onto Zac, batting her eyelashes towards him, smiling in and unnerving way.

"Zac, are you coming to the party?" She asked placing her hand on his arm.

For some reason, anger bubbled in me, I felt like a volcano about to rupture. The way she was forcing herself to look sweet and innocent in front of Zac, riled me up.

Zac shook his head and shrugged, waiting for an elaboration from Melissa.

"There's a party in a few weeks, to have our last bit of fun before the exams, you're coming right?" She
swayed herself from side to side, continuously batting her lashes.

I stood there as if I was the odd one out. Why did I feel like I was the intruder? I just wanted to push her out of the way. It took all the power in me to hold myself back.

"We'll see," Zac plainly replied.

"I really hope you do go to the party, it'll be fun," Melissa annoyingly gushed.

She gave me one disgusted look before making her exit, just as she walked away, she purposely brushed past Zac's hand. Zac's posture seemed tense, as if he didn't expect that.

"Are you going to go?" Zac's attention turned back to me.

"No," I scoffed, "Parties are not my thing."

"Think about it, like Melissa said, it'll be fun." Zac shifted his brows up mischievously.

"I think that comment was aimed towards you," I murmured under my breath.

"Think about it, Hannah Montana." Zac cheekily darted a wink towards me, and left me standing on my own.

My heart felt like it started to beat frantically, the wink he sent me flourished through me. I felt elated like I was rising on a flurry of clouds. I tried to snap out of this strange feeling.

Why was Zac making me feel like this?

He was like a closed book, I couldn't figure him out. One moment he was the annoying idiot I had always known, the next moment he was this alluring guy that made an imprint on me.

Whatever feeling that was blossoming in me, I had to push it out of me, I had to put a stop to it before it slowly started to emerge.

A/N

And they did it! Presentation is done and finally over, who would have thought that they managed to make it work!

Melissa is also back, annoyingly trying to flirt with Zac... And with this party coming up, will Hannah go?

Don't forget to share, comment and vote!

Love _xxAMxx