Chapter 39
ϕVeraϕ
“Thank you, Maybe it will happen someday.” I said.
“I’m sure it will.” Zak corrected me. I felt my smile fall though. He had just found out his childhood best friend was killed after going to pay respects to him.
“I’m sorry, Zak.” I said quietly.
“Its alright, I kind of had a feeling he wasn’t alive anymore.” He said.
“But still…” My heart had dropped when I saw Zak’s face when the news of his best friends fate hit his ears.
“It’s life Vera, no one can escape death forever. But thats no reason to look so down, let me see a smile?” He asked. I smiled a little as we pulled into the driveway and parked the car.
“That’s the spirit.” He said, making me chuckle a little. Even though I was sure he was hurting, even if it was only a bit, he was more concerned about me. ‘He should be more selfish sometimes…’ I thought. Zak and I gathered the bags and then went inside to put things away. Once that was done, Zak sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to him. “C’mon, we can get some of the main characters started!” He said. I smiled and went over to him and sat down. This is probably a welcomed distraction for him as well as me. “So you just describe someone to me, and I’ll do what you ask.” He said.
“Let’s start with the main lady!” I said excitedly. He smiled back at me and listened carefully as I described her. He continued sketching until I was finished with my description. I watched as he drew, and he made some fun faces in this epic concentration, until he showed me. “It’s wonderful!” It looked just like what I described, way better than anything I could have ever done with my greatest effort.
“It’s ok. I don’t know, it’s not very good considering I haven’t done it in forever.” He sounded a bit frustrated as he ran his hand through his hair.
“You’ll get the hang of it again, I think this is brilliant Zak. Really I do. You’re so talented, thank you so much!” I hugged him and he clearly wasn’t prepared for it, and he fell back against the arm of the couch, and I was on top of him. I could feel his toned body against mine as I hugged him. He hugged back and then my father walked into the room.
“U-Uh, thank you Vera, you’re welcome, um, it’s not what it looks like Sir…”
“Zak’s drawing my characters Dad!” I said excited and hopped off the couch and grinned at my father. He blinked but then chuckled.
“That’s great.” He messed my hair up and went towards the back door.
“Sir, may I ask you something?” Zak said to my dad.
“Hm? What is it?” He answered.
“I was wondering if, I could walk Vera home from school some days.” He asked.
“W-What?” I stuttered. My dad stood there in silence, like he was thinking but also giving Zak the opportunity to say more.
“I know that sometimes, it can be a little dangerous for you walking home by yourself. I don’t want you getting hurt, I wouldn’t be keeping my promise I made to your dad if that happened.” He responded.
“Well, when you put it that way, alright Zak. That would make me feel a bit better. Ever since that pool incident, I have been on edge more than usual, its true.” My father said.
“Dad…” I looked down. He had been worried about my safety all this time, which would explain his hovering he had been doing ever since that day. He almost lost me, I almost died. I felt a hand lift my chin and my dad kissed my forehead.
“You’ll be alright with Zak guarding you.” He said. I pouted.
“I don’t need a body guard father…” I protested. He laughed and waved his hand.
“Whatever you say sweetie.” He nodded to Zak, who smiled a little at him. I was happy and relieved to see that Dad was finally starting to accept the newly alive Zak.
~*~
‘Zak is picking me up today, well, walking me back home anyway. What’s the story? Is he a visiting relative?’ I was lost in thought as I grabbed the things I needed from my locker as quickly as I could. I wanted to get out and home as quick as possible. I hoped no one would notice Zak. I wasn’t sure what the burning, bubbling feeling in the pit of my stomach was, but I knew I didn’t like it. I accidentally bumped into someone as I rushed to get out the door.
“Sorry…” I mumbled, but then to my horror, a sickly familiar voice me my ears.
“Oh, if it isn’t little Miss. Dead End. You’ll pay for that.” Addy said with a smirk.
“Vera? Are you ready?” I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder.
“Oh, yes.” I let my breath out in relief as Zak’s presence made itself known. I saw Addy eye Zak and then smiled sweetly.
“Hello handsome, haven’t seen you around here before. What’s your name?” She asked. I looked up to my right to see how Zak would handle her. She was flirting with him, and even though I knew he didn’t like snobbish girls, and the fact she did almost intentionally drown me, a small part of me deep inside was scared he would become bewitched by her.
“Zak. C’mon Vera, let’s get you home.” His face maintained a neutral expression as his arm wrapped around my shoulder and gently pulled me with him out the door. To my surprise, Addy followed us.
“W-Well, I’m Addy. Are you new here? You have gorgeous eyes by the way.” She cut us off quickly and blocked the sidewalk.
“Yeah.” He answered.
“Maybe I could show you around sometime, I could show you some secret spots and we could get to know each other much better.” She winked.
“Not interested thank you.” He said firmly but politely. I couldn’t stop the grin that was creeping up on my face. Addy looked at me, and then back to him.
“Why are you with this little girl?” She asked.
“I’m an old friend. I came to visit for a while.” He said smoothly.
“An old friend? With this loser? Come on, just ditch this Adams Family wanna be and make some real friends.” Addy insisted. I glanced up and Zak was now glaring at her, quite menacingly in fact.
“Excuse you, but I don’t appreciate you flaunting your unnecessary arrogance. I’m not interested in you or your sucky attitude.” He said and still with an arm securely around me, we walked around Addy and continued walking home.
“You’re even stupider than you look you four-eyed freak!” Addy yelled. I whipped myself around and pushed her against the fence surrounding the school in the blink of an eye.
“Say whatever you want about me, but if you ever say anything disrespectful about Zak again, you’ll regret it.” I got closer to her ear and whispered quickly. “I’ll make sure whatever I do to you is ten times worse than anything you’ve ever done to me. Got that bitch?” Zak took my arm and pulled me off of her and I backed away. “You understand me?” I asked.
“Stay away from me…” She turned and ran the opposite way.
“Vera, you can’t just do that stuff, you’ll get into serious trouble.” Zak scolded me.
“But she insulted you.” I defended.
“So what? They’re just words.” He said.
“But words are powerful Zak. You’re not a freak, and you don’t deserve to be treated like that. I know you’re supposed to protect me for my father, but that doesn’t mean I can’t protect you too.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. I heard him sigh and he rubbed his temples.
“What am I going to do with you…” He muttered.
“Uh, love me, feed me, never leave me?” I smiled. He started laughing and shook his head.
“Vera, just, just be careful alright?” He said.
“I will, and you’re welcome.” I nodded. Once we got home he stopped at the front door.
“Hey, I think I’m going to go for a little run in the woods. Just to get the muscles moving. You go on and do your homework. Maybe when I get back we can play a game or something.” Zak said. I gave him a strange look, but figured maybe he wanted some space after what had just happened.
“Alright, I’ll be waiting. Don’t go near that tree house though, not until we know what happened there. Promise?” I asked. He hesitated for a second.
“Promise.” He said.
