Healing (Zalex)

Chapter 5

Monday came sooner than Zack wanted. He sat in his car and contemplated turning around and heading home again. The party sounded amazing, it looked amazing based on the photos and videos Alex sent, but he'd caught parts of conversations discussing him and it put him on edge. He was unsure if it was about his past and identity or if it was him being a pussy and a cop-out. He definitely wasn't, not if the empty bottles and cans were anything to go by. He just got hammered in the comfort of his own home, alone.

Taking a deep breath, Zack shook off his doubts and decided to face Monday head-on. He parked his car and headed into the school, ready to tackle whatever challenges the day might throw at him. As he walked through the hallways, he couldn't help but catch snippets of conversations and glances in his direction.

The rumours seemed to be swirling, and he felt a mix of anxiety and frustration. 'Why can't people just mind their own business?' he thought, clenching his jaw. It wasn't the first time he'd been the subject of gossip, but it bothered him more this time. Maybe it was the newfound connections he'd made with Jack, Alex, and even Rian, or perhaps it was the anticipation of facing a party where he'd be stepping out of his comfort zone.

During lunch, he found himself at the same table as Jack and Alex. The atmosphere was a bit tense, but Jack attempted to break the ice. "So, Zack, ready for the sequel to Friday night?" he grinned.

Zack managed a half-smile, masking his internal turmoil. "Yeah, no," he replied.

Alex leaned in with a concerned look in his eyes. "You alright, mate? You seem a bit off today."Zack hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "Just heard some stuff, you know? People talking. I'm not used to being the centre of attention."

Jack scoffed, "Ah, don't let it get to you. Rumours fly faster than the speed of light in this place."Zack nodded, appreciating the support. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Anyway, let's focus on today."

The bell rang, signalling the end of lunch, and the trio headed to their respective classes. As the day unfolded, Zack couldn't shake the uneasy feeling, but he resolved to stay true to himself. After all, he had a party to look forward to, and he wasn't about to let baseless rumours ruin the experience.

***

Zack stood in front of his locker collecting his books quietly. A small note fell out on the floor which caught his attention, as he bent down to pick it up, he heard a whistle from behind him. "thick ass" the familiar voice of Alex said flirtily. Zack nodded in response as he picked up the note, opened it and read it to himself.

I know where you live, I know who you are, I will get you~dad

Zack started at the note his eyes glossed over almost immediately. He couldn't breathe, his body was shaking, and he gripped the paper as he leaned back into the locker, his body slumped down as he hugged his knees to his chest, attempting to catch his breath.

"Woah woah woah- I complimented you- it's okay," Alex said as he watched Zack shake.

Zack's mind raced, trying to comprehend the disturbing message he held in his hands. The air around him felt thick, and the usual school noises became muffled. Alex's attempts at reassurance seemed distant as Zack struggled to process the threatening words from the note."Hey, Zack, what's wrong?" Alex's tone shifted from playful to genuinely concerned as he noticed Zack's distress.

Zack handed the note to Alex, his hands trembling slightly. "Look at this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alex's eyes scanned the message, and his expression hardened. "This is messed up," he muttered. He instinctively put a comforting hand on Zack's shoulder, offering a supportive presence.

Jack, who had been walking by, noticed the change in atmosphere and approached the scene. "What's going on here?" he asked, catching the seriousness in the air.

Zack pointed at the note, his voice shaky. "I... I got this. It's from my dad. He found me."Both Alex and Jack exchanged concerned glances. The weight of the situation hung in the air, and Jack spoke up, "We need to tell someone about this. The school authorities, maybe the police."

Zack hesitated, fear etched across his face. "no I can't" Zack said, "remember?" He said weakly as he rubbed his eyes to stop the tears from falling.

Rian walked around the corner and approached them "Hey" Rian said reluctantly "You okay?" Rian asked.

"oh yeah, Zack's just having a panic attack, everything is fine" Alex snapped, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"what happened?" Rian asked.

"his dad found him Ri" Jack said bluntly.

Rian's breath caught in the back of his throat. "oh" was all he managed to get out shrugging slightly but gritted his teeth.

A couple students had started to gather around, all staring and mocking Zack as he sat his heart beat outside of his chest.

Rian and Jack looked at each other before doing crowd control, getting as many students as possible out of the hallway. "I'll get the school counselor" a student said confidently.

"No don't" Jack protested, "we've already offered that and caused this spiral"

The student nodded reluctantly as they walked off, as they left the group of four.

Alex sat quietly with Zack his hand slipping onto Zacks thigh. Zack gulped heavy, his breath hitched in the back of his throat as he flinched, in an attempt to move away.

"Hey it's okay" Alex whispered "why don't you text Helen?" Alex suggested.

Zack nodded as he shifted away as he grabbed his phone, hands trembling, palms sweaty as he sent a shaky photo of the letter Helen.

"Why don't you go home?" Jack suggested, "take the day off?" He added.

"What if this isn't a hoax and his dad is there Jack?" Alex questioned, his hand rubbing Zack's thigh.

Zack moved Alex's hand away from his thigh and hugged his knees tighter, years fell freely.

Jack nodded reluctantly, in understanding "so stay with one of us?" Jack offered.

Alex nodded "yeah, stay with me, I have a spare room, my parents aren't in the country for the next month" Alex expressed. "Not to mention, we have the highest security" Alex added quickly.

"That's all good but I don't have clothes, I don't have money and I have a lot of private information in the flat" Zack muttered under his breath.

It took quite a lot of convincing, but Zack had agreed to stay with Alex, on the condition that Jack and Rian also stayed with them. Not because he didn't trust Alex. He was worried they would become a quick target for his dad.. or a bribe for Zack to come to him.

***

Jack and Zack were in the living room watching TV quietly, while Rian and Alex were cooking some dinner.

"Hey Al?" Rian said reluctantly.

"What's up?" Alex responded as he placed the pizza in the oven and setting a timer.

"Um, I- I put that note in Zack's locker. I wanted to prove a point that he was lying..."