Summer Love// A Zach Herron fan fiction

Chapter 3

Thankfully he agrees, and we run inside. "Daddy, can we go get ice cream," Jonah asks, running inside the house. Dad looks at me. "Not today," he says. I roll my eyes. "But we can go everyday," he adds. I look at him, as Jonah starts screaming in happiness. I laugh as we go back outside. "Are we walking," Jonah asks. .yes. The ice cream store is close by." So, we walk... Well, Jonah skips more than walks, but that's probably because he loves ice cream... Anyways, when we get there, Jonah tells dad that he wants chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles on a cone, and I tell dad I want cookies and cream on a cone. "Why don't you two go pick out a place to sit," dad says. Jonah runs off, and I follow. "Why don't we sit here," Jonah says, sitting in a seat, that has a two boys sitting in it. The boys look at me. "Um, Jonah, choose a different seat, okay? People are sitting there," I say."What's your names," Jonah asks them. "Well, I'm Zach," the boy Jonah is sitting across from says. Zach is wearing a black hoodie, and black jeans.
"I'm Reed," the boy Jonah is sitting next to says. Reed is wearing a green shirt and black jeans. "How old are you guys?" "Jonah," I start. Zach laughs a little. "It's fine. I'm sixteen, and Reed is eighteen," Zach says. "Really," Jonah asks, sounding really excited. "Yeah," Reed says, smiling. "How old are you, Jonah," Zach asks. "I am six. Ronnie is sixteen," he answers, sounding very happy with himself. Zach looks up at me. "So, you're Ronnie," he asks. "Yeah." "Her real name is Veronica. Don't call her that though," Jonah quickly says. "Why not," Reed asks, looking at me. I feel my face turn red. "I just don't like being called Veronica, that's all," I say. "Oh," they say. Jonah opens his mouth to say something, but quickly closes it.
"I see you have met my children," dad says, standing next to me. I slowly move away a little bit, hoping no one would notice. "You guys are his kids," Zach asks, staring at me. "Um, yeah." "I've never seen you before," Reed says. "And you probably never will," I mumble. "What," dad asks. "I said that they haven't seen us because we have never been here before," I quickly say. Zach continues to look at me. "Yeah. Mommy and daddy don't live together," Jonah says. "Jonah," I say. "It's fine," dad says. I look at him, and grab my ice cream. Then, I walk outside. I sit at one of the picnic benches on near the beach, and eat. "You okay," I hear a voice ask. I look up and see Zach standing there. "Yeah," I lie. He sits next to me. "No, you're not. What's wrong," he says. I look at him. "I don't even know you, so why would I tell you," I ask. "Sorry," I say, realizing that I sounded mean.
"Well, let's see. I have a younger brother and sister, I like playing guitar, I was born here in Texas, and have lived here my whole life. Once in third grade, I fell off a slide on the playground, and broke my arm. Reed and I have been friends since I was ten," Zach says. I look at him. "You said that you didn't know me. There you go," he says. I smile. "Just tell me," he says. "You'll think it's stupid," I say. "Try me," he says. I look at him. "Well, let's see. My dad left me when Jonah was a a baby. It was my sixth birthday. He said that he never wanted to see us again. He made me think that him leaving us was all my fault because we got into a big fight about something the day before he left.. Stuff like that." "It's not your fault," Zach says. "Yeah, I know." "So, what about you," he asks. "What do you mean?" "I told you about me, now it's your turn." "Well, let's see. I have a younger brother, who you already met, um, I like drawing, I play guitar, that's it." "Have you ever broken a bone before," he asks.
"Yeah." "How?" "Same as you. I fell off a slide on a playground." He laughs. "Hey, I never laughed at you when you said that you fell off a slide. So, don't laugh at me." We talk for a while, than dad, Jonah, and Reed come out, and we all go home. "So, are you and Zach friends yet," dad asks. I look at him. "Look, he is a great kid. Him and Reed both. You guys would be great friends. I'm sure of it," he says. I look at the ground. "Look, I know you're upset about me leaving that day, but you're going to have to talk to me sometime," he says. "You left us.. On my birthday! I was only ten years old! Jonah wasn't even two months old! I haven't talked to you for years now, and I don't need to start now," I say. I run to the room I'm sleeping in, and close the door. I sit on my bed, and turn my phone on, looking for a wifi signal. My phone flashes 'No Signal.' I groan, and open my backpack. I take out my sketchbook, and start drawing the city. I hear a knock at the door, and hide my sketchbook under the blankets, as dad walks in.
"Look," he says, sitting down, "I know you're upset with me still. It's not you're fault I left. You're mother and I just didn't agree on anything anymore. We thought that it would be a good idea for me to move away, so I did." "On my birthday?!" "Well, that wasn't planned, but yes. I left on your birthday." "Every birthday that I have had since then, has been the worst time ever. You ruined my birthday that one year, now every year it's been ruined." "I know. I'm sorry." I look at the ground. He sighs and he leaves the room. I start drawing for a few more hours, then go into the kitchen for dinner. We have spaghetti and meatballs. "Dad, what is there to do for fun," Jonah asks, shoving his mouth full of food. "Well, if you stick with Veronica, then she can take you to the park down the street, or the beach," dad says. Jonah looks at me. "Fine," I say.
After dinner, I go back into the room, and sleep. Well, try to at least. I keep thinking about what mom is doing, and how fast summer will go until she comes home. I don't want to spend the whole summer here. "Ronnie," Jonah asks, walking into my room. I sit up, and he sits on my bed. "Yes?" "Do you miss mommy?" "Yes. Do you miss her?" "Yes." I give him a tight hug. "Don't worry. Before you know it, summer will be over, and you, mom and I will go back to the city." "What about daddy? Is he going to come with us?" I sigh. "No, Jonah. He is going to stay here." "But what if he is lonely?" I think for a minute. "We can visit next year, okay? That way we will see him whenever we can. Does that sound good?" He smiles. "Yes." He gets up, and goes back into his room.