Zenix and his Past [ABANDONED]

Chapter 31 - Zella

    It has been silent almost the whole way back, and I don't like the awkwardness... I wish it wasn't like this... ugh, I have a feeling this is all my fault... I must have made Garroth mad or sad or something... gah, emotions are so hard to work with! You can't freaking fix them! Like, why can't I just give him some sort of potion and fix all of this?! Well, if it was that easy, Zenix never would have gone berserk and he never would have gotten into that slump and we would have never been to Bright Port and... I never would have been kidnapped and caused this mess! UGH! But then again, if Zenix hadn't been chased out of God Grave and I never would have chased after him... and met Garroth... wow... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK RIGHT NOW! I am just over-worrying- like usual... I feel a tap on my shoulder and it interrupts me from my thoughts. Zenix had touched his hand to my shoulder and I look in front of me. Phoenix Drop is just up ahead! I feel like smiling at the sight of home, but I don't. Wait- did I just call Phoenix Drop HOME?! Wow, I guess it was partly a good thing that all of this has happened... We walk into the brightly lit village and Zenix lifts his head. Garroth sets Zenix down and walks in the direction of where Dale is and I follow him.
    "Ugh, Dale, ARE YOU DRUNK AGAIN?! WHAT did I tell you?! NO DRINKING ON THE JOB! UGH, SOMETIMES ZENIX HAS MORE SENSE THAN YOU!!" Garroth yells at a drunker than drunk Dale, still clutching that Root Beer. I let out a small giggle, but I quickly stop before I make a fool of myself. "I heard that! It's not-" He stops and bursts out laughing. "Okay, fine, it's pretty funny. But very bad." He crouches over Dale and smacks him.
    "I will get Zenix inside and give him a potion. To be honest, I'm not tired at all at this point..." I say to Garroth after we stop laughing. He nods and picks up Dale and walks him to his "house". I go over to Zenix, who looks very tired... heck, he has bags under his eyes! I take his hand and walk him home. He gets in bed immediately and I kiss his forehead goodnight. I get out the healing potion and slam it down on his face.
    "Ow!" he yelps, but his eyes close and I know he is asleep. I leave Zenix and close his door and I see Garroth in the main room.
    "Oh, hi," I greet him awkwardly.
    "Oh, hey, Zella. Is he asleep?" He asks.
    "Yeah, yeah he is... he is sound asleep..."
    "Good, he needs his sleep. You know, I might not act like it, but I truly do care for him, it's just I can tell he's used to not having a lot of love, so tough love is the most I can give him."
    "That is very sweet of you, Garroth. It's just that, well, I'm not really used to 'tough love' as much as Zenix is. I mean, I was mainly ignored so I mean... this is all a big change for me..." Zella sighs, "I'm sorry for acting up on you. I... I shouldn't have done that..."
     "Oh, you didn't do anything wrong, you were just curious. And it's quite understandable, I know more about you two than you guys know about me..." He answers.
    "Maybe so... but I feel like I can... well... I feel like I can tell you anything, honestly... I mean, I have told you things I haven't even told Zenix!" He looks at me, taken aback.
    "W-why? I mean, that's pretty awesome, but I could've sworn there was no secrets between you two, then, you know, the whole Nether happened..."
    "I-I have my secrets... I just... ugh, Zenix can be... ummm... nothing, nevermind. It's just that sometimes I feel like I don't know him at all... he's changing on me... I remember when we were just little kids playing by the well, and now it's like 'life or death' kind of thing... ugh, sorry, I'm probably making you confused..."
    "Zella, nothing I have ever heard you say has confused me, Zenix though..." He replies.
    "Still, things are just getting too complicated for me..." I hold my head. "I don't even know what to think sometimes..."
    "Like what? You know, you can tell me anything. I'll never tell anyone anything that you say. I promise."
    "Yeah... I know... well, I just feel like everything around me is just spinning like crazy... too fast for me to keep up with... I just really appreciate you helping me out... I really can just get tired out from all of this, and you'll just give me a lift..."
    "I'm happy you know that, then. Just, remember, I'm always ready to listen." I consider this... he has no idea Zenix killed his parents and tried to kill me and I already know that if I told Garroth, no way would he keep training him... he probably wouldn't even let him live... It's like I'm protecting a fire- it almost seems pointless... I don't want to lie to Garroth though... I just can't... I look into his dreamy blue eyes...
    "Uhh... it's just that... well... you've really helped Zenix feel a little better, but he is still... you know... troubled and what not. I love him dearly, but I just worry about him and if he will let his past get the better of him..." I explain. I guess I will just try to give little hints, "Ugh, I just... I am sorry, I just... I don't have words for what I am trying to say..." I hold my forehead and sigh.
    "What ARE you trying to say, Zella?" He asks. I grow red from anger.
    "I DON'T KNOW! UGH, YOU'RE NOT... GAH... " I stomp my foot on the ground.
    "Okay- well, if this is making you mad, then we can just drop it..."
    "Oh... My apologies... I just, get really stressed out sometimes..." I take a deep breath, "What I am trying to say is... I just fear Zenix is still... I don't know... his past might still be holding him back..." I try to explain, "I just feel like I have too much responsibility trying to make him feel better..." he nods. I look at my palm, trying to avoid his gaze.
    "You know, you shouldn't stress yourself out so much over this, you need to take care of yourself, as well as him. Take a breather and let others help Zenix."
    "But who else will?! I just can't loosen his leash. Not yet..."
    "Well, for one, he is actually MY responsibility, since, you, know, he's my apprentice, so I can take more, it's not like I'm not used to having a load of responsibilities- you just like need a day off or something. You need... A ZELLA DAY!!!"
    "Ha, Garroth! T-thanks, I just don't... You know what?! You're right!" I smile brightly and hug him, but it turns more awkward than friendly... I release him from my arms, "He should be healed enough by tomorrow for you to continue his training. Just... watch out for him, okay?"
    "Of course, why wouldn't I?" He promises.