Since Forever

Chapter 27

Zac's POV

I'm freaking out. Everything I thought I knew about myself was wrong. My life is a lie.

Okay, maybe not everything, and maybe not my whole life, but it might as well be. I just found out my crush puts TOMATO SAUCE on his bacon. Tomato sauce, people. What. The. Fuck.

I slide casually into the bench next to Archie. He must be a morning person because he always looks good in the morning. I almost tell him that, but decide against it.

"Morning."

He smiles in response before returning to his bacon and eggs (and tomato sauce). I stand up again upon seeing his food, realising I forgot to get my own breakfast. I guess I'm not fully awake yet.

When I join Thomas and Bailey in line, they're arguing about bacon.

"No it's not!"

"It tastes exactly the same, Thomas," Bailey insists. "The process is different but the result is the same."

He gags. "Soy bacon and meat bacon are not the same result. Soy bacon tastes like tofu."

"How would you know? You've never had either."

I snicker and they turn to me for a third opinion.

"What do you think?" Thomas asks.

"I don't know. Soy bacon sounds gross but I guess I can't say I don't like it if I haven't tried it."

"Ha!" Bailey shouts triumphantly.

Thomas rolls his eyes and pouts in defeat.

"I'll get some so you can try it," he promises.

Thomas shakes his head. "No way."

Bailey ignores him and gets soy bacon anyway. I get regular bacon. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

By the time I get back to the table, Archie is almost done with his food. His TOMATO SAUCE-covered food.

"Real or fake?" I ask him.

"Huh?"

"The bacon," I explain, gesturing to his plate.

He shrugs. "No idea. I think real?"

"He can't even tell the difference," Bailey comments thoughtfully, and Thomas glares at him.

"So, are you excited about the farm?" I question, strategically shifting the conversation away from breakfast foods.

Archie chews slowly before answering. "I guess so. Farm animals are kind of cute." He wrinkles his nose. "But they smell."

I try not to laugh at how silly he looks with his nose scrunched up. Like a cute little bunny. "Hold your nose," I suggest, demonstrating.

He giggles. "I'm okay. I wouldn't want to look stupid."

I gasp, pretending to be offended. "Are you saying I look stupid?"

"Yes."

"Wow." I put the side of my fist to my chest. "Way to protect my feelings, Archie."

He bites his lip to hide a smile. 

"EWW!" Thomas shrieks suddenly, rapidly wiping his tongue with both hands.

Bailey is laughing so hard he knocks the plate off the table and the soy bacon lands in Thomas's lap, causing him to spring out of his chair squealing.

Fred and Finn look up from their conversation in amusement and Alice giggles behind her hand. Archie's face is split as his smile breaks through. I've missed that smile.