Protection, Zack Merrick, All Time Low

8

Kimberly

Lisa grabs my hand, dragging me out of the bus once I'm dressed for the day, wearing a white short sleeve BONER t-shirt and blue jean capris.

Once we get in the cab, she turns to me to tell me our plans. "We're going baby shopping and going to eat before the show. We will be back in time to make sure the guys get back in time since it's eight AM now." She explains with a grin.

I nod and then we pull up to a Starbucks, getting coffee and going to a boardwalk type thing, heading into the Maurices, aparenly, it's a baby store.

"Zack seems to have the hots for you." She points out. "Everyone seems to have noticed but you and Jack."

"Oh please," I scoff, "Although I wouldn't mind, I highly doubt that. I'm beautiful, I know, but not his type." Admittedly, I got butterflies at the thought.

"Denny was psyco I don't want to turn Zackie psyco too." I mumble.

"What has happened with Denny from the begining?"

"Denny was very sweet and perfect, and then he moved in, and I guess he got mad and thought I was going to leave him when I went to yalls wedding, and when I got back, he had beat me.

"He was drunk, so I though it was going to be a one time thing. So We made up and I forgave him. It didn't happen again for about a month, and this time he wasn't drunk.

"He got mad at me for being out with my friends without telling him and he slammed me into the wall and wouldn't let me leave, he told me I c couldn't hang out with people anymore. At the time I was out of a job, and he wouldn't let me get one again, and I didn't mind till he made me so talking to people. He wouldn't let me leave him when I tried, and he had beat me so bad and raped me that I didn't want to talk anymore. So I only talked to Alex.

"And as you can imagine that made me mad, so Alex noticed and they came by on tour and I was wearing makeup to hide everything. I was scared shitless. But we talked about me being their manager of Flyzik really did quit which I agreed to, and eventually they told me to come, and j had escaped him, and he was angry. I'm scared hes going to find me." I whimper as I explain everything.

"Shit girl, watch out. The boys have you protected though."

●●●●●●

I wake up, bumping my head on the top of my bunk, I was crying, with choking whimpers escaping my mouth, betraying my need to be quiet.

"It's okay, it's okay." Someone whispers, trying to assure me. "He isn't here. It was just a dream."

"H-how to you know he won't find me?" I sob.

"Because I'm the strongest man on this bus, and I've seen yoir scrawny ex." Zack soothes from outside of my bunk.

"He hits harder than you think."

"Yeah well, so do I."

"Did I wake you?" I ask.

"No, don't worry." He lies.

"W-will you sleep with me?" I beg. "I don't want to be alone."

Zack climbs into my bunk, most likely smiling if what Lisa said was true.

Zack wraps his arms around my waist, and I snuggle into him. I've never actually cuddled with anyone like this.

"My head is haunting me and my heart feels like a ghost
I need to feel something, cause I'm still so far from home
Cross your heart and hope to die
Promise me you'll never leave my side
Show me what I can't see when the spark in my eyes is gone
You got me on my knees, I'm your one man cult
Cross my heart and hope to die
Promise you I'll never leave your side
Cause I'm telling you, you're all I need
I promise you you're all I see
Cause I'm telling you, you're all I need
I'll never leave
So you can drag me through Hell
If it meant I could hold your hand
I will follow you cause I'm under your spell
And you can throw me to the flames
I will follow you, I will follow you"

Zack sings to me, and I humm in content, before falling back asleep.

"I love you." Was the last thing I heard before he started singing again and I fell asleep.