The Switch: An Allstar Weekend Fanfic

Chapter Seven

"Morning Cameron," Abby said with a smile as she passed Zach in the kitchen with her loaded tray. Zach didn't say anything, just stared at her back while she moved the dishes to sink to rinse and then into the dishwasher.

Kate, Zach's mom, noticed him staring. She looked at him quizzically but didn't say anything. When he noticed her staring at him staring at Abby, he blushed and looked away. Kate cleared her throat and said, "Cam, you gonna be able to get your 'suit and tie, suit and tie?'" She danced as she sang the lyric from the Justin Timberlake song.

Zach laughed at his embarrassing mother and started dancing around the kitchen with her. "No sweat Momma Kate! Tonight will be great, don't worry about a thing." He stopped dancing as Abby finished her dishes and laughed with them.

"And how are you Abby? Is my son still not acting himself?" Zach noticed how she said it stiffly, like she was mad at him. It made him feel satisfied that his mom liked Abby enough to side with her if the real Zach was ever doing the kind of stuff Cameron was pulling.

"Well we had breakfast together this morning," Zach listened closely to make sure he didn't have to kill Cameron. "It was really weird, but civil for the most part."

"What do you mean by civil?" he asked without thinking.

"He made a lot of rude comments, but he didn't kick me out or anything. The entire time we were actually eating though neither of us talked. It was awkward."

"Hang in there sweetie, whatever is going on with him will sort itself out. And if it doesn't a little parenting might do the trick." Kate winked and left Zach and Abby alone in the kitchen.

"I really miss him," Abby said suddenly. "He's right here, but he's not. Is it crazy that I miss him?" she asked Zach.

No, he screamed inside his head, I'm here! I'm right here, I love you Abby!

Zach was aching to reach out and hug her, but he managed to stay still. His fingers twitched in her direction though.

She turned away quickly, but Zach still saw her wipe a tear away. He lost his will power and crossed the short space to give her a bear hug. He tried putting everything he'd felt for her all week long into the hug, but Zach was pretty sure Abby didn't get the signal.

Abby turned into the hug and started really letting out the tears; it was the first time Abby had cried, and he felt good that in just seven days she already trusted him as much as she always had. He didn't say anything because he'd already said every word of comfort he could think of over the course of the week. Zach stroked her back and her hair. After about five minutes she stopped crying. Zach felt her wipe her tears off on the ragged t-shirt of Cameron's he was wearing.

He expected Abby to let go, but she just leaned against his chest. They stood like that for another five minutes while she gathered herself. Before she could though, Cameron came downstairs and saw the embrace. At the sound of his voice, Abby shot away from Zach as fast as possible; but it wasn't fast enough.

"You sure move on quickly. How many breakfasts did you prepare? One for every guy in the house? Can't sleep with me, so you figure you'll move on to my best friend. Very nice, Abby. I never saw it coming."

He walked away again before anyone could say anything. Abby started crying again, and when Zach tried to gather her up again she pushed him away. She cried alone and awkwardly against the counter while Zach stood tensed up near the refrigerator; both silently staring at the other. They stood that way for ten minutes before Abby gave up.