The Liar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 13

Zane

Zane awoke at around 2:15 in the afternoon. He didn't realize how tired he had been until he looked at his watch. Zane looked around and noticed his father wasn't at his desk. He then noticed his dad in the kitchen cooking some eggs.

"Morning Zane." Mr. Julien called. Mr. Julien looked confused for a moment and then laughed, "Sorry I meant afternoon." He added. 

Zane smiled and crawled out of bed. He walked over to their small table and sat down, "Mmm smells delicious." Zane commented. 

Mr. Julien (I'm just gonna call him Julien) smiled and waved Zane over. "Try some. I know I'm not as skilled in cooking as you are, but it'll have to do." Julien stated. 

Zane smiled and walked over to try some eggs. "It's good father. Maybe a bit lighter on the temperature so it cooks smoothly, then they should be ready in about...three minutes and twenty-seven seconds." Zane stated. 

Julien looked at Zane thoughtfully. "I understand why people say you're smart. You're a master of calculation." Julien noted.

Zane blushed and looked down, "Thank you father. I learned it from the best." Zane replied with a smile.

Julien smiled and quickly split the eggs onto two plates. "Let's eat." Julian stated. Zane smiled and nodded.

The two sat at the table and began to eat. "Did you sleep well?" Julien asked after a moment.

Zane nodded as he swallowed a bite of food and quickly took a sip of water. "I did. I wish I could've gone to school though; Nya has had...an issue lately and she needs people there to support her." Zane replied.

"What kind of issue?" Julien asked curiously.

Zane hesitated but answered. "Well, she was adopted into the Lawrence family when she was nine or so, but her brother had been left behind. She has been looking for him for a while now and has finally located him...but, her brother isn't the most social person right now and we're trying to reach out to him." Zane explained as he took another bite of egg.

"Ah, well I wish you guys luck with that. I'm sure once the boy opens up all will be well." Julien stated.

"That is what we are hoping." Zane answered.

After a while the two men went to work on their automations. Each crafting their own being or item. Zane was currently working on a bird, a falcon to be exact. He'd always wanted a pet bird and Zane had almost finished it. 

Suddenly Zane felt a buzz in his pocket and pulled out his phone to see a message from Pixal.

"Hey Zane, the others and I are going to meet up for lunch and for a swim in the lake at noon. Do you wanna come?" Pixal texted. Zane smiled as he scanned over the message.

"Who's that?" Julien asked as he glanced over at Zane. 

Zane blushed and averted his gaze, "It's just Pixal. She was asking if I wanted to join her and the gang for a day out tomorrow." Zane replied with a smile.

Julien nodded in understanding, "You should just tell her how you feel Zane. You aren't going to get anywhere when you just pretend nothing's going on between the two of you." Julien stated.

Zane sighed, "I know, I just...it's just strange. I feel so weird whenever I'm around her." Zane replied with a shrug.

Julien stood up and walked over to put a hand on his son's shoulder. "Just take your time but remember that love doesn't wait around forever for you to pluck." He answered. 

Zane smiled gratefully at his dad. "Thanks father." Zane said. Julien nodded in understanding.

"Could I go tomorrow, or do you need help around here?" Zane asked. 

Julien appeared thoughtful for a moment, "You can go. I have some supplies I need to get, so I'll be out most of the day." Julien answered with a smile. 

Zane nodded and began texting Pixal that he'd be coming, then he paused. "Dad, can I go out?" Zane asked. 

Julien looked over and nodded, "Sure. I may need your help around eight though, so please get back before then." Julien replied. 

Zane nodded and went back to texting Pixal. "Hey Pixal, yes I can go tomorrow." Then he began texting another message. "I was wondering if you wanted to go get some coffee or something. Maybe fetch some dinner?" Zane added. Zane put his phone down and sighed, waiting for Pixal's response. 

A few minutes later his phone buzzed and he looked at the message. "Um, sure! I'd like that. What time?" Pixal replied. 

"I can come and pick you up in fifteen minutes." Zane answered.

"Will do. See you soon!" Pixal replied with a wave emoji.

Zane smiled and sighed. "Alright time to get ready." Zane whispered to himself.

Fifteen minutes later Zane walked up to Pixal's house and knocked on the front door. The door opened and Pixal smiled nervously as she walked out. 

"Hey Zane." She greeted as she shuffled her feet. 

Zane smiled at her and grabbed her hand, "Hey Pixal, so where do you want to go first?" Zane asked as they walked away. 

Pixal smiled up at him as their fingers intertwined, "Um how about we walk for a while? We can eat once we get hungry." Pixal answered as the blush on her cheeks deepened. 

Zane blushed ever so slightly but nodded. "Alright...where do you want to walk then?" Zane asked again.

Pixal laughed, "You are doing a great job with this, it's all planned out." Pixal stated with a sarcastic tone.

Zane chuckled, "Well I didn't really plan out the details. I just thought we could go wherever." Zane replied with a smile.

Pixal nodded and looked around to take in the sight of the town. There weren't many people around, which made it quite peaceful Zane noted. 

Zane spotted a bench and gripped Pixal's hand as he led her over. "Have a seat madam." Zane stated with a bow.

"Such a gentleman." Pixal commented with a chuckle. Pixal sat down and looked to the sun setting behind the buildings. Her silver hair swayed with the breeze; her green eyes sparkled. Zane blushed in spite of himself and looked away. Then he returned his gaze to the sunset.

"It's so pretty." Pixal muttered under her breath.

"Yeah, it is." Zane said as he turned towards her.

Pixal noticed his movement and glanced over to see him looking at her. Pixal blushed red and looked down in embarrassment. 

Zane noticed her reaction and looked away, "Sorry I-" He began.

"It's fine Zane. I was just flustered..." Pixal said as she put a hand over Zane's. "This is really nice. It's not everyday you go on a date with someone..." Pixal added as her blush deepened.

Zane smiled and gripped her hand tightly yet softly. "I agree." Zane answered.

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"Thanks for tonight Zane. I really enjoyed it." Pixal said as they walked up to her porch. 

Zane smiled, "I'm glad you liked it. Maybe we can do it again some time?" Zane asked with a light blush.

Pixal smiled at him and nodded, "I'd like that." She answered. "Night Zane." She said with a wave as she walked inside. 

Once she closed the door Zane sighed, "That was definitely worth doing." Zane muttered with a smile. He turned around and head home with a full heart and a relaxed mind.

cute but at the same time so cringe. My romance moments are always so cringy, I'm sorry to all of you fluff and romance lovers. I'm so bad at love stories. Sorry, this was late, Zane is the hardest character for me...I can never come up with anything for his chapters.