Under The Moonlight

28

Let's not think about it Mabet. And have you seen your eyes? You need that under-eye serum.

Yea, I'll get it after school.

When will I stop talking to myself like another person?

I sighed and climbed onto the comfy bed. Who gave Mr Cameron the idea to decorate this room like all princessy. I meant the frilly curtains around the bed, who does that these days.

You know you like it Mabet. I turned and laid on my stomach. No girl I don't. I don't even like him. He has soul-searching eyes and it does feel like he's reading me somehow.

I was sitting on the couch trying to study when my not so focused mind caught the movement.

"Talk to her man", Zach had tapped his foot on Zeek's knee.

Zeek scowled at him and huffed.

"Mabet", Zeek tapped at the place in the midst of them.

I had walked over and watched Zach stiffened a bit. He Lit a cigarette and pressed it between his lips, head rested on his curled hand.

Before I could sit, Zeek had hauled me in his lap.

Zach had stared at us with a disgusted look on his face and took a long drag. Smoke whirled around. I put my legs on the place where I was supposed to sit.

My head rested against Zeek's shoulder and my toes brushed against Zach's thigh. I peeked through my lashes and saw his gaze rested at my toes.

I had thought of pulling my feet back but noticed him shaking his head and a strange feeling tucked at my heart and I had no idea what to make of it so I had let myself nuzzle in Zeek's warmth and waited for him to talk.

I groaned in the pillow and reminded myself to not think but to sleep. I turned and shuffled till my head began pounding.

Maybe a cup of coffee would help.

I took off into the kitchen and without turning on the lights I started with the things. The moonlight coming through the windows was plenty for me to work it out.

I picked a carton of milk and heard the footsteps. It nearly fell out of my hand as my marks tingled. My heart thrummed against my ribcage as I stepped back and pressed myself against the fridge.

"Are you brewing coffee? Make them two please"

You know him. Speak. My conscious pushed me but breath hitched in my throat.

"Mabet"

Upon hearing my name the un-shed tears escaped through the barriers I had built to tell myself I was stronger than the thing that roamed my very house. I sobbed.

Zachary's fingers found my cheeks and he cupped my face. 

"Did I scare you? I'm sorry I couldn't sleep and the smell of coffee dragged me here"

"Z-Zach", I managed through the sobs and put the carton on the counter and let my trembling fingers find his hands.

"Hey. Hey, it's ok. I'm here"

He came closer and wrapped his arms around me. His hand rested at the back of my head and other at my waist, at the very place where the second crescent moon was.

The barriers I had built around me in all those years since my mom started beating me like crap, all crumbled down and I sobbed uncontrollably.

He held me there in his embrace till I calmed down and the realization struck me.