Stay Peachy

Chapter Five - Bad Liar

Sierra nodded and pulled away. Every inch of my body desperately wanted to pull her closer and kiss her.

"I see, you don't have to worry about me then," she raises her arms in defeat, "I got my answer."

All of a sudden my heart ached as I was reminded of Julia when I chose Sam... what felt like so long ago would've only been around a year.

It's crazy how much changes in such little time.

She held back, not wanting to go. I open my mouth trying to find the words to tell her I want her too, but nothing falls past my lips.

Sierra shakes her head and leaves my room. I was alone with me and my thoughts for a few minutes before Zack walks in.

"She didn't try anything, did she?" he asked and squeezed my arm encouragingly.

I shook my head, "no..." I inhale a quick breath, snapping myself out of my daze, "no she didn't. Just was asking me about some things boss wanted."

We both knew it was a lie but Zack didn't push. He nodded back to me and left the room, I followed him into the kitchen where he began cooking dinner for the two of us.

"I want you guys to meet my family, I want us to have a housewarming party." I smile softly at Zack who grins back at me.

"I'm in love with that idea, how about saturday?" I nod and he clicks his tongue at me, "you invite everyone down and that means tomorrow we can grab some food and drinks."

"On it."

•

The next morning going into the office felt awkward. It was finally thursday, I had been working here for 4 days, and I've already found a family. A very confusing, but loving family. It made me hopeful. Although, a slight pain settled in my chest as I realised I'd be abandoning them in a year.

"Did everyone receive Eden's text?" Zack asked and the others hummed in response.

"A housewarming party sounds fun, I hope we won't be too embarrassing as guests," Sofie giggled.

Sierra stayed silent, in a huff at her desk, refusing to meet my eyes.

Zack and I move towards the area. Zack slumped onto his usual spot on the deep red couch in the corner of our office and I sat down at my desk, swiftly placing my handbag under my desk, keeping Sierra in the corner of my eye. She refuses to even look over at me currently, a slight pull playing on the edge of her eyebrow.

"Sierra, come out of your mood, it's not cute." Zack jabbed with a small smirk which resulted in a small scowl from the brunette. Some hair fell in front of her eye as she looked down at her hands, fidgeting. I wanted to reach out and tuck it behind her ear, showing her sharp cheekbones.

"I'm not in a mood, I just don't have to be smiling 24/7." She scoffed and shifted her gaze towards her computer. "We should start working" Sierra cleared her throat before shuffling her desk chair closer to her desk. She sat, nibbling at her bottom lip, her eyes scanning the information from emails.

I wanted her to notice me staring, I wanted her to look at me, I want her to see the regret in my eyes, I want her to see my cry for her.

I might've messed up my only chance to move on because I was too scared of this stupid woman.

One more year of this and we'll be okay. We'll be back home. All I want is for Julia to take me home, to our home.

I finally go back to my work, hearing Sofie softly sing along to the songs that played quietly from the radio. It made my heart swell.

The rest of the work day was uneventful, filled with coffee orders and scheduling meetings for the next few weeks ahead. A few meeting's Mr Blanchett wanted me present, a daunting task as it required me to stand quietly next to him, getting coffee for the others and handing him files every so often. I need to dress my best.

Finally the work day is finished and I glance at Sierra one last time, praying for her to look over at me.

She doesn't.

I can't help but feel irritation creep up on me and I quickly pop my head into Mr Blanchett's office, wishing him a goodnight and telling him not to stay up too late before placing a final coffee on his desk. Once I leave his office, I take Zack's arm as we skip out through the elevators, giggling and joking about the events of the day. Sierra somberly enters the elevator with us and she keeps to her own side. I refuse to glance at her and Zack shamelessly stares between us.

It was an incredibly tense atmosphere that swirled throughout the elevator. It grabbed and scratched at my throat, clawing for release. Once we reached the ground floor it felt like I could finally gasp for air as I bolt out, fast enough for Zack to jog behind me in shock.

"What was that? That made me want to jump out a window, wow." He looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed and the corners of his mouth dropped.

"I don't know, but I didn't like it."

"What actually happened, Eden?"

"Nothing happened," I quip and he scoffs before he pulls out the keys for our apartment out of his pocket. He looked at me one more time as he pushed our front door open and I raise my arms defensively, "what? nothing happened."

"You're a terrible liar, American."

It's impossible to lie when all you can think about is gentle eyes, looking you up and down. Thinking about her eyes undressing me. My stomach swirls and my head grows light as I push those thoughts away.

"Hey, we've got a party to set up tomorrow, get some sleep."

"Don't change the subject, you won't get away that easily!" He chuckles and shuts his bedroom door behind him, leaving me to stand in the hallway.

I sigh and turn around, locking the door before going to the kitchen grabbing a beer from the fridge.

I could feel the cool glass against my fingertips, a slight wetness pressing against my fingertips and I move towards my room.

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