The Silver Owl

3

He looks mad. Really mad. I don't understand. At all. Why is he mad at me? What did I say? What did I do? Why?

"Lizzie..." He starts. Oh my gosh. Why is he angry? Was it because I was late? Or was late and not punished?

"Lizzie," Zac begins again, then... He smiled. Relief spreads threw me like a hurricane, "You were almost late weren't you?" I laugh with relief. He was just being silly.

"Yeah," I sigh, "Almost." Today is Thurday. It is so close.

As Zac and walks back to my house. There is one day left until we can open the It.

"Hey mom," I say was I walk in.

"Hi Mrs. Scott," Zac says, walking with me.

"Hi Zac, Lizzie," My mom says as she cooks dinner.

We walk into my room. I walk over the area that I have the 'It'. Zac turns to me.

"Tomorrow," Zac breathes, "We can open it tomorrow."

I realize how true that is... We can open the 'It' tomorrow. Two years of waiting. Two whole years I've waited after my father died. Just to open it. Less than 24 hours.

The 'It' seems to gives off an almost anxious aura. I can feel it. Zac sits down on my bed as I, once again, I throw my phone onto my bean bag chair. I plop into my chair. I sneeze.

"Bless you,"

"Thanks, Zac!" He's so sweet. The world needs more people like him. Honestly.

"Hey, um, have I ever told you what happened to James?" I know I haven't. I never told anyone. Not even Zoe.

"No, actually, you haven't." He informs me.

I want to tell him, I really do. Of all people I should feel comfortable telling Zac. But I can't. I don't know why... Zac doesn't say anything. He doesn't move. He doesn't expect me to tell him either. He knows exactly what to do and how to be. Unlike me.

I start crying. I can't. I still can't deal with it. I still can't. I can't. I can't handle it. I sob into my hands. Zac stands up. He looks... He looks.... worried. But he knows how to handle it. He puts his hand on my shoulder. Then he lifts his hand off my shoulder. He isn't sure what to do. Maybe he doesn't know what to do... I know him well enough to know he isn't quite sure what to do, but to someone who hasn't, he seems confident and cool in any situation.

"Lizzie..." He says soothingly. I stop sobbing. James...

All I can see is the fire. I'm not in my room. I can feel the heat. The house is burning. A support beam drops behind me. Nearly crushing me. Crash. I see James. He is running into the fire. He is wearing his protective fireman's suit. He shouldn't have died.

"James! James stop! Don't!" I yell for him to stop. He can't die. He's still in college. He's only 23...

"Lizzie! Lizzie! Lizzie!" Zac is yelling at me now. My mom bursts threw the door.

"Lizzie?! Are you alright?" My mom sees Zac. She nods to him. I don't understand. My cheeks are still wet.