The Decuplets

We Did What, Zach?

Ella

The resort was on a cliff overlooking the endless ocean, and each house was a different sorbet color. Nearly every villa had its own fountain, so Scarlett and I picked up coins to throw in.

We held our coins closely to our chests. "I wish to have the best, most relaxing vacation," I said.

"Me too. I wish to spend a lot of time with Josh."

"And for me, Zach." We giggled like little girls as we tossed them into the water.

On cue, Zach came up and hugged me from behind. "What did you wish for?" he asked.

I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Oh, nothing. Just know it has already come true," I said with the cheesiest smile.

That was the calm before the storm. If only I knew.

                                                                                              -

The villa was empty as I got ready to swim, twisting my hair up and securing it with a claw clip. Scarlett left while I was showering, supposedly looking for Josh.

Just as I was ready, the door to the villa slammed open and I heard voices echo between the walls. Curious, I crept down the stairs, freezing when I heard my name. It was Zach, and I could see he was talking to Gabe and Corey.

"Ella and I? Yeah, we fucked on the ski trip," he shared. My jaw hit the floor. Fucked?

"Wow, so you guys got right to it," Corey laughed.

"It's nice to see you happy, Zach, now that you've got a girlfriend," Gabe said.

He stuttered, "Uh, no we're not like that. I wouldn't even call us a thing."

"Huh. You guys have always seemed so lovey-dovey," Corey replied, his tone confused.

"She's very touchy. The affection isn't really on my behalf," Zach answered, brushing it off.

Not a thing? Not affectionate?

"So you don't like her?" Gabe asked. "You shouldn't be using her, she's like our family," he added, concerned.

Zach shrugged, and I couldn't make out the rest.

I had never heard something more strangely false in my life. Before being consumed by anger, I was first confused. How could we possibly be 'not a thing'? This was the boy who made me sleep in his arms just two weeks ago, the boy who bought me flowers after our first kiss, the boy who looked at me like I put the stars in the sky!

My mind flashed back to a moment a couple days ago. We were cuddled in his bed as I taught him to play solitaire (who doesn't know how to play solitaire?), and he kissed me on my temple, then on my jawline.

"Hey, pay attention to the game," I giggled.

"I'm just so happy I can do that now," he replied, giving me another peck on the cheek. His eyes were so lit up that I couldn't believe what he was saying right now. Is this really the same boy?

Then his words clicked and I was furious. I walked quickly down the stairs and went outside without saying a word. I didn't feel like making a scene and looking crazy or obsessive.

I could hear their muffled worried words through the door, but I just kept walking. I could imagine Zach panicking, and Gabe and Corey wondering what the issue was if what he said was the truth. As much as I'd like to have seen Zach freak out, I was too angry to have stayed.

I knew Scarlett was at the infinity pool, so I planned to just go meet her there. It was evening and the clouds were turning pink as the sun set. The view did nothing to soothe my raging mind.

Scarlett greeted me; she was luckily alone, sitting out on a pool chair with a book in hand. "Hey, El. Why do you look so upset?"

My eyes were stinging, but I begged myself not to cry. I just sat down next to her and she grabbed my hand. "Hey, what's wrong?"

I began to cry my eyes out, but how else could you react to the boy you've loved forever telling the most absurd lies about you? I let my tears stream out before I regained my voice.

"I was walking down stairs and heard Zach say that we fucked on the ski trip," I said, my voice breaking every other word. "And that we're not a thing, I'm just really touchy or some stupid shit like that. That he's using me."

Scarlett looked baffled, unable to find the words at first. She wrapped her arms around me. "I'm so sorry. Boys can be absolute idiots sometimes, especially when they want to impress their friends. What are you going to do?"

I wiped my tears with the edge of my sweatshirt sleeve. "I don't know," was all that I could muster.

Because I didn't know what to do. I knew I wouldn't hate him forever—I love him too much, but I wished I didn't at that moment. But I also couldn't forgive him just like that. I didn't know how or if he'd apologize.

"Let's get in the hot tub, then watch a movie in our room. Forget Zach tonight, you guys can talk tomorrow."

-

I hadn't spoken to Zach since the very beginning of the trip when we were checking in. I was still fuming, but I was ready to face him.

It was at the breakfast buffet that he finally approached me.

"I know you're avoiding me, El. And I completely understand, but we need to talk about it," he said, sounding professional, devoid of regret.

"I don't know what there is to say," I replied coldly, scooping scrambled eggs onto my plate.

I passed the spoon on to him, and he said, "I know I fucked up."

"Zach, I don't know how you want me to respond. I can't even fathom why you'd say something like that." I aggressively slammed the butter knife back onto the table and growled quietly, "We didn't fuck." Why shouldn't everyone know? I spun to face the rest of the room and exclaimed, "We didn't fuck!"

I certainly got some death glares from parents and old people, and most of the brothers laughed. At least we're all on the same page here.

"Ella, I wish I could take it back. Is there any way we can just move on and have a nice vacation?" His eyes were pleading.

"No," I spat, "that apology sucked. I don't want to look at you, or talk to you, or—" I felt tears trickling down my face so I just walked away and sat with Scarlett.

I can cry about it, or better yet, I can get revenge.