Cough Syrup

Chapter 14: The Question

Zach's sweater was hypnotic in my deep thoughts. I found it extremely easy to space out as he made breakfast. He slid a plate of pancakes in front of me. "What's on your mind?" He asked casually.

"Nothing much I guess." You know, besides the fact that I, for some fucking stupid reason, can't get you out of my head.

He shrugged. "Tell me when you feel like it." He brought a fork full of breakfast close and started eating. Heavy silence came over the room until Zach spoke again.

"Okay, seriously, you havent even touched breakfast. What's wrong." He demanded.

I looked over at him, rolling my eyes. "If I knew I would tell you." I snapped at him.

"So this isn't about the kiss?"

"No, this is about you." I frowned.

He looked at me confused. "What he hell did I do? You kissed me."

"I can't get you off my mind and it's bothering me. It's like you poisoned me or some shit." I groaned taking my first bite. I looked up and Zach was grinning from ear to ear. "Stop that. What are you doing with your face." I spat.

"Eden, do you have a crush on me?" Zach laughed.

I could feel heat rushing to my cheeks. "What the fuck? Why would you ask that?"

He shrugged again, smiling this time. "Oh, I don't know. You just kind of kissed me and told me that I was on your mind. Oh and we kind of just slept together. Cause, you know, people who don't like each other like that do those things all the time."

Oh my god. I liked Zach.

"Have you been thinking of suicide lately?" He asked out of the blue.

"I-What?"

"I didn't stutter, sweetheart." He said, taking another bite.

I guess I really haven't. "Huh. No. I mean I kind of did yesterday, but not as much lately."

He nodded. "This is good news. I must be doing something right."

I sighed, thankful he wasn't pushing matters anymore. "Conceited brat." I teased.

"But seriously," I jumped at suddenly feeling his hands on my shoulders, the stool I sat in had no back, and allowed Zach's abs to press into my spine through his sweater as he breathed words past my ear. "Do you like me, Eden?" His voice was low again in that tone that made me lose all self control.

"Wh-when did you get up," I stuttered. "You scared me..." I was breathless trying to maintain control of myself. I couldn't let the truth slip out, not like I had with that kiss.

"Answer my question..." He sighed in my ear. "...Please." His last word was exceedingly sexy, and giving in to him almost seemed like a good idea because of it.

"I-I....yeah.. I do..."

I gasped to find his lips wet and warm at the bottom of my neck, just above my shoulder. He kissed me over and over, moving up centimeters with each one, and when he reached my jawline leaving my whole neck wet, he breathed the words, "I knew it." Instantly making the spots where he kissed icy cold, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Zach," I gasped. "What are you doing..?" I strained to keep the words from morphing into a moan. How was it that Zach could make me feel this good? Wess never could.

Zach pulled away laughing, eliminating the sexual tension that pierced the room. "Just messing with you to get the truth out. It works every time." He winked.

I scoffed and slapped his shoulder, trying to brush the moment off as easily as he did. Problem was, he made it look easier than it was.

When breakfast was finished and my plate was finally empty, Zach got up and headed for my restroom. "Can I use your shower?" He asked poking his head around the corner.

"I was hoping you'd ask. You've been here for two days. It would be kind of gross if you didn't." I laughed playfully and Zach threw a hand to his chest in a fit of drama before closing the bathroom door behind him.

I lounged around the living room as I heard the water come on. I heard soft music and stopped dead in my tracks. Was Zach singing?

"Shit man, you think you know a guy." I mumbled. I had known Zach for nine years, and he still never ceased to surprise me. I had not once in my life heard him sing. Until now.

His voice was clean and deep, and every note rang clear as he hit the pitches perfectly. The song was a light melody, one that was probably popular on the local indie station, and I was disappointed when some minutes later it ended. He shut the water off and there was a soft creek of the bathroom door, and I turned the other way like I hadn't been listening.

"Eden?" I heard from behind me.

I turned, and peaking from behind the door, was the upper half of a naked, dripping wet, Zach.

My face lit fire.

"Yeah? Yo, what do you need?" I asked, attempting to be casual.

"There are, uh, no clean towels in here? Would you mind bringing me one?" Zach was even blushing himself, and I nodded.

"Of course."

I went into my bedroom and from my dresser pulled out a black towel that was always large on me. I was careful to keep it neatly folded as I exited and headed back to the bathroom where a naked boy awaited my return. "Here you go," I said gingerly handing it to him. Zach mumbled a thanks, but before he could close the door, I spoke. "You have a tattoo?" I asked curiously. I stared at it, I could see some portion of bold, black, gothic letters strewn across his chest. Zach blushed and quickly closed the door.

When he opened it again, he was standing there with messy hair, half wet, and my towel wrapped below his v-line. "Yeah, I got it on my eighteenth birthday." He grinned shyly, showing it off now. It took all my self restraint to keep my eyes locked on only his tattoo.

It printed "Carpe Diem".

"Car..pe diem...?" I asked, knitting my brow.

Zach nodded. "It means seize the day. It's Latin."

"Why carpe diem?" I asked.

"I feel that worrying about the future creates uncertainty today. Wondering what's going to happen later, I wouldn't be able to put my full effort in what I'm doing now." His words felt somewhat like medicine. In a way something inside me felt a little less broken in that moment.

I breathed out in shock. "That's.. Incredible Zach." I swept a hand to my forehead, and for the first time in years I felt like I had a duty to live.