Clash (Ever After)

Chapter 1

Zack's POV:

'I missed you', I whispered underneath my breath as I planted a gentle kiss on Rachel's forehead.

This is wrong.

'Do you still love her?'

The voice of Mrs. Williams, my therapist, kept echoing in my head over and over again.

I was on top of Rachel kissing her like there was no tomorrow as she kissed me back, tears streaming down from her eyes, dampening the pillow.

I should be ecstatic; except I am not.

After all, Rachel was engaged to someone else.

1 month ago...

'Hello. Healthhaven Pharmacy speaking. How may I help you?', I said across the telephone line.

'Yes sir. We will have your order ready and deliver it to you shortly.', I continued, ending the call.

'Another order?', Liam shouted over from across the pharmacy.

He was arranging the new stock of toothpastes and baby shampoos on the shelves by the far-right corner of the pharmacy, sweeping his long, blonde hair back as it kept falling out of place and covering his eyes.

'Opening a pharmacy isn't as easy as you thought now, is it?', Liam said, rolling his eyes at how I had casually proposed the idea to them right after graduation.

I needed a distraction.

Rachel and I had agreed on being friends, but it wasn't easy.

We don't go out of our way to meet as normal friends would.

We don't call each other on the phone like we used to.

We just meet whenever the power couple, Noah and Sophie, plan an outing for all of us to reminisce about college days or whatever.

When we do meet, Rachel sits beside me, talks to me and even smiles, but it's just not the same.

It feels forced.

We are so close yet so far, making me miss her despite being right beside her.

I miss her touch, the feel of her soft lips on mine, and most of all the sound of her vibrant laugh.

I want to hug her and tell her how much I miss her, but I know I would just be shattering whatever this is we have left.

I thought I would be satisfied with being friends as long as I got to see her, but this is excruciating.

It feels like a heavy weight on my chest, which just stays there no matter what I do.

The past two years without her were really hard to get through, but somehow this is even more difficult. Between the breakup and my controlling parents, my mental state had gotten so bad I had to seek out my current therapist, Mrs. Williams.

After telling her everything, the first question I was asked was, 'Do you still love her?'

I couldn't answer that then in fear of breaking down, but now I can say yes. Yes, of course, I still love her.

'Zack?', Liam shouted, snapping me out of my trance.

'Yeah whatever. I just wanted to get my parents off my back about getting a job.', I said.

'Well, did it work?', Liam asked.

'I had wished so, but no. What did I expect anyways? They are never satisfied.', I replied in a defeated tone when Liam walked up to me and patted my shoulder, concern visible in his forest green eyes.

I smiled weakly in response.

'Where are Noah and Ethan?', I asked in an attempt to change the subject, which worked.

'Noah is having a counselling session with a customer. They walked in when you were in the bathroom.', he said as I nodded, urging him to continue.

'And for Ethan, I have no idea.'

'I am here.', Ethan said, appearing from behind us, scaring the hell out of me.

'For God's sake Ethan, you need to stop doing that!', I exclaimed as Liam laughed.

'Not my problem you're a scaredy cat.', he said, shrugging his shoulders, making me roll my eyes.

If my eyes get stuck one day, it would be Ethan's fault for sure.

'So, what did you need me for?', he continued.

'I need you to deliver some aspirin.', handing him a piece of paper with an address scribbled on it.

'Wow. Your handwriting just never gets better huh?', he remarked sarcastically.

I hit his arm hand enough to make him shut up about it.

He feigned a hurt expression in response.

'Get going already.', I say as an exhausted sigh follows.

'Yes sir!', he said, starting towards the shelves.

I don't get what the girls even remotely like about him.

'You can go now Zack. I will just wrap this home till Noah and Ethan are done.', Liam said.

'Are you sure?', I asked.

'Yeah, don't worry. You look exhausted so just get some rest.', he reassured me.

'Okay, thanks, see you tomorrow.'

And just like that, another monotonous day ends, and I am back to thinking about Rachel.

End of Chapter 1

Hey guys! I am finally back! What did you think of this chapter? And what do you think is happening on Rachel's side? Stay tuned to find out! Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote! Have a great day/night!!