Wrapped

Chapter 42

~Zack

"Hey, Nathan, it's Zack," I say through the speaker while getting in the car.

"Oh, hey, Zack! How's a going?" Nathan chips on the other line of the phone, making a smile come to my face.

"Alright I guess," I say and get into the car, putting the key in the ignition, beginning to drive.

"Who are you talking to?" Pierce asks and buckles his seat belt in as I begin to drive out of the parking lot.

I ignore Pierce and keep driving while talking to Nathan. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out at the mall with me and my younger brother."

Well, technically, Nathan wouldn't be hanging out with me; just Pierce. I want them to gain a connection together, even though Nathan is still in a relationship with Axel. Maybe they could become friends; Pierce needs some good friends, anyway. It would be a splendid idea if they actually got together.

"Oh, really? I don't want to intrude or anything," He sighs over the speaker.

"Oh, no, you won't do that. You will definitely be keeping some company," I chuckle lifelessly. "Are you busy right now?"

"No, actually, but, I guess I'll meet you at the mall, then," He says, while muffling goes on through his background, "at South West?"

"Yes, sounds great," I smile again, and with that, I hang up the phone.

I get lost in thought while I drive to the South West mall. I don't know what I should say to him. Of course, there'll be tension in the room, he might just yell at me or call the police. But, I need to do this. I haven't seen this man for over two years, and haven't spoken to him for over three years. There's probably no way that he would ever want to speak to me when I see him.

"Who was that on the phone?" Pierce asks again quietly, but more irritated.

"My friend, Nathan," I look over at Pierce smiling hopefully, but Pierce sunk down in the seat, staring out the window. "I think you guys would become great friends, you know?"

"No, I don't know," Pierce mumbles under his breath, "How do you know if I will like him?"

"You guys just seem like you two would be good friends, like you guys were meant for each other or something," I chuckle lightly glancing over at Pierce again.

"You're strange." He giggles while his cheeks turn slightly pink.

I smile again in satisfaction as I finally pull up in the South West Mall parking lot. I feel bad for leaving Pierce here with a person that he doesn't even know. But, it's for the better. He can't be home alone because I don't trust whoever will come to our apartment. And I doubt he will ever want to see Pierce since of the whole accident on his seventh birthday. This is why I have to go alone.

Once I park, I turn off the car and get out with Pierce following right behind me, nearly tripping on the back of my shoes. "Calm down," I stop, causing him to pump into me and I turn around to face him. "You have nothing to worry about, alright? It's just another kid around your age and you don't have to be afraid, alright?"

"Alright," Pierce half smiles up at me and nods.

Smiling, I turn back around and walk to the entrance of the mall, still having Pierce following close behind me. Right after we entered the building, I see the familiar brown haired boy sitting on one of the benches, staring down at their phone. I walked up to him with Pierce still hiding behind me.

"Hey, Nathan," I say, startling him, but he looks up at me and smiled cheerfully.

"Hey, Zack!" He jumped up, putting his phone in his back pocket, blushing slightly, and looking around the food court. "So, uh, where's your little brother?"

I turn over to show Pierce to Nathan, "This is -"

"I'm not little," Pierce interrupts me and lifts his head up high, trying to look intimidating. "I'm Pierce, and you must be Nathan," He eyes Nathan.

I look at Pierce, trying not to chuckle, but then something caught my eye. His expression softened, his cheeks got bright red, and his lips curved into a smile. Maybe he's developing a crush for Nathan? I sure hope so.

"Yes, and I'm glad to meet you, I hope we can really become good friends," Nathan smiles back and winks.

My plan has actually succeeded.

"Well, I have some business to do, so I'll give you a call or you can call me whenever. So," I reach over to grab my wallet and grab all the cash I have in there - which isn't much -, "I'll see you guys later," I lastly say and hand the money over to Pierce.

"Wait, where do you need to go?" Pierce asks sternly and grabs my arm.

"Business that is very important," I eye Pierce like, 'I will tell you when I get home,' look. "Have fun you guys, and always stick together, alright?"

They both nod and say 'bye' to me as I leave. I get out of the mall, and back into the car, and drive.

The nervousness is building up inside of me. I don't think I can be so strong when I arrive at the house. I never even dared to go back to that house after Pierce and I left. I thought I would never ask for anything from this man ever in my life. I can't believe I brought myself to even do this.

I arrive at a white and yellow house in a small neighborhood. I park and turn off the car, and get out, approaching the front door of the house. I ring the doorbell and wait.

I can't believe I'm doing this.

After a minute or so of waiting, a middle - aged man, close to his forties, answers the door. His brown hair resembles mine, as his eyes resembles Pierce's. He's slightly taller than me, but very skinny and almost sunken in looking, making him look older.

Once he sees me, he grimaces, I return to him with a glare, "Hello, dad."

Sorry I've been extremely busy but I'm back mauahahahaha!!!!!! Anyway thanks for reading! -Luka