started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Nineteen

When I wake, I'm in a car. It's my own. I look around and sit up. I'm in the backseat while Zac drives and Ross sits in the passenger seat. He's looking outside the window, trying to stay farthest away from Zac as possible. Zac just seems chirpy and happy to be driving.

"Guys?" I say, rubbing my head. "What happened?"

They both snap their heads to me. "You're awake!" they both cry, and then turn to each other and glare. And then I realize Zac's pretty much about to kill us.

"Zac!" I scold. I point to the wheel. "Pay attention to the road!"

"What?" he says at first and then his eyes widen. "Right!" He turns and starts driving properly. And then he answers, "Well, you kind of fainted at the hospital and since the doctor said you needed some deep rest, we're taking you home."

"But I want to stay with my mom." I sounded so immature.

This time Ross speaks. "It's not like they'd let you see her. You can't see her until tomorrow when they get her completely stable. Besides, get some sleep and rest." He gestures outside. "It's late already. It's been a long day."

He's right. The sky is a river of stars and the moon is shining up bright.

"What about your cars?" I ask. Did they leave both of their cars at the hospital? That was sweet and all but they didn't have to do that. I mean, I'm not the one dying. I could drive myself. I didn't need two boys to respond to my every beck and call. "What if someone steals them? Or if the city tows them."

They both wave their hands carelessly.

"I can call my driver," Ross says. "I'm sure Zac can get home."

The car pulls up the driveway of my house and Zac shuts off the engine. I get up and stretch before opening the door and getting out. I remind myself to call Joel later. I bet my own brother doesn't even know about Mom being in the hospital yet. I don't want to be the one to tell him. But he has the right to know.

"Thanks for being here," I say to Zac when I reach him. "You really helped me get through this." It's true. I would've probably drowned in my tears.

Zac puts his hands on both my shoulders. "Listen, it's fine. I'm glad you're okay for now. Your mother will be fine. She's strong like you." He squeezes my shoulders. "And even if you do need anything, I'll be right next door."

I place my hand over his on my shoulder. "Thank you."

"Wait!" Ross cries. He comes up to us and pushes Zac and I apart, leaving a good amount of empty space between us. "What did he mean?" he asks me. His face is scrunched up, his eyebrows knitted together.

"Yes? Can I help you?" I spit out, ripping Ross's hand off my arm in which he pushed. I rub the spot. I don't know why I'm so angry and disgusted by Ross—oh yeah, he basically played my feelings and has a fiancé.

"What does he mean?" Ross asks. "He lives next door?"

"Yes," Zac smirks. "I do."

"What?" Ross growls.

"I don't see how this is any of your business," I say to Ross, throwing daggers with my eyes. "So what he lives next door? He's been a real nice friend to me and I can count on him." I cross my arms. "Unlike someone," I mutter.

"No," Ross protests. "I don't think it's right for a grown adult male to be living right next to a helpless seventeen—eighteen year old girl. He could sexually assault you or something and nobody would know!"

"I am not a defenseless girl! I'm an adult also!" I argue. I couldn't believe Ross right now. Calling me a kid? "And don't you dare talk trash about Zac. He has been nothing but kind to me!"