Zach's eyes lock on mine at the same time mine lock on his. What is he doing here? In America? Does he know that I go here? How did he know? He gets up from his spot at the bar and walks over to me.
I almost didn't recognise him without the metal ring in his lip.
"Molly," he breathes.
"What are you doing here?" My voice comes out more harsh than I expected.
"Visiting a friend." he simply replies. "You look beautiful. I love your hair like this," Zach says as he touches my now purple hair. I slightly pull back and try to keep my distance.
"I'm sorry." He surprises me by apoligising. I stay silent. "God I was an asshole." he runs his fingers through his hair.
"Yeah." is all I manage to say.
"I've changed. I don't drink anymore; I don't go to parties. I'm different now, Molly."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I don't know. You just caught me off guard. You're the last person I expected to see. How are you? Are you still seeing Ayden?" he asks so many questions.
"Yes." I lie. I don't want Zach coming onto me, not after last time. Images of him pushing me and kicking me on the ground haunt me. "How long are you here for?" I ask, not making eye contact with him.
"Just this week." he sounds sad about that. We stand in silence for a couple seconds until I say something.
"I should go." I say and try to walk away when I feel Zach grab my arm.
"Stay."
"I can't." I tell him.
"Just stay here and have lunch with me. We don't have to go anywhere else." Zach sounds sincere, like he actually wants me here.
"Okay." I whisper and sit down with him.
Throughout lunch, Zach and I catch up on each other's lives. He's just been staying in England; going to Uni there. He came to LA to visit one of his friends whom I don't know. I left out some of the details of my life, but told him that Ayden and I are still together.
"It was really nice seeing you, Molly." Zach tells me as we're about to leave. I just nod and walk out. I know it was kind of mean, but I really could care less. He hurt me and that's something I'll never get back.
I walk back to my dorm and Faith is there.
'Hey, where were you?' Faith signs to me as I sit down on my bed.
"I just went out and got some lunch." I tell her.
'There's a party tonight, wanna come?' She asks me.
"Actually, yeah. That sounds great." I tell her. I need to get out of this dorm room. I haven't been out of it in weeks beside going to class or the store.
Tonight comes in the blink of an eye. I'm wearing a plain black dress with flats and curled my hair. Faith's boyfriend drives us to the party, but I get separated once we get there.
Someone hands me a cup of alcohol and I take it. I sit on a couch and stay silent for a while.
I look around trying to see if I could spot either Faith, Jack, or someone else I know and I do. I spot someone I wouldn't expect to be here. I feel my breathing hitch in my throat. It's Zach.
I get up from my spot on the couch and push through the people, trying to get out of here, but he spots me.
"Hey," Zach calls after me, but I ignore him and keep going, pushing my way through the drunk people. "Molly!" He yells but I don't turn around. I finally get outside onto the front steps and just breathe.
