The Chemistry Test

10. chemistry companions and blue jeans

Day Six

Zak's P.O.V.
10:45 a.m.

It was hard not to be excited to see her.

I knew it was weird to ask her out at 2 in the morning, but I also knew that my level-headed, normal self wouldn't have done it any other time.

I grabbed my phone from my desk and quickly began typing a message to the contact Zoe had labeled as: Chemistry Companion (:

I snickered and sent the message: Hey. Can you do 11:20?

I didn't expect her to respond right away, so I tossed my phone across my bedroom and scrounged for a clean pair of clothes. The denim button up I'd worn yesterday was sprawled across the carpet sloppily, accompanied by several other strewn clothing items. I found a decent smelling white t-shirt and ripped blue jeans and decided they'd have to do. I glanced toward the red flannel hanging in my closet and made a snap decision to muscle it on.

"Where are you going?"

I jumped, startled, and turned to face the precious, dark-haired angel that was my little sister, Lanie. Her wide green eyes blinked at me curiously.

"Hey, Lanes." I smiled warmly and gestured for her to come into the room.

She took a few small, measured steps hesitantly before dashing to embrace my legs, clutching them as tightly as she possibly could.

"Where are you going?" She reiterated as I knelt down to meet her height.

"I'm going to meet someone." I explained. Lanie furrowed her eyebrows in a way that uncannily resembled our father.

Her eyes trailed down to the floor. "Why?" She mumbled.

"'Cause I want to." I whispered delicately, trying to meet her eyes.

They flickered to mine and blinked curiously at me. "Don't leave." She hoarsely whispered, wiping her nose.

"Don't ya worry, Lanes. I'll be back before ya know it." I gave her a smile of reassurance. "Besides, Dad's home."

"I don't want Dad. I want you." She pouted petulantly.

I took hold of one of her small, dainty hands and looked her square in the eyes. "I'll be home soon."

"Promise?" She squeezed my hand gently.

I ran my thumb across the back of hers and smiled. "Promise."

--

10:56 a.m.

I jogged over to my phone, the lock screen displaying a series of apologetic texts from 'Chemistry Companion (: .

Chemistry Companion (: : Sorry! Just got up!

Chemistry Companion (: : Yeah, 11:20 sounds great! Where are we going?

I replied quickly: You'll see (;

I waited as it showed the three familiar typing 'dot dot dots'.

Chemistry Companion (: : You suck!! ):<

I chuckled and tucked my phone into the back of my jeans' pocket before heading downstairs. A recognizable symphony track of Mozart's played softly from the surround sound speakers.

Yup. Dad was home, all right.

He'd situated himself on the huge gray armchair in the corner of the living room whilst holding a newspaper firmly one hand and a piping hot cup of coffee in the other, a typical Saturday morning activity of his.

"Hey, Dad." I muttered as I paced into the kitchen.

"Come again?" He cleared his throat, lowering his newspaper. Stubble framed the lower portion of his face, matching the salt-pepper hues of his temple length, thick hair.

"Good morning." I rephrased the statement.

He nodded as if it were a more appropriate response and sipped his coffee. "Indeed." His eyes focused onto his newspaper for a moment before jetting over to me,

"Why are you dressed? It's Saturday." Dad aggressively fluffed his newspaper, eyeing me.

I swallowed and straightened my posture, aware my father was assessing everything I would possibly do or say now that I had his attention. "I'm going out."

His eyes slit as he raised his voice. "Do not rankle me, Zakary Thomas. Elaborate."

I clenched my jaw. "I'm going to have coffee with a friend."

"Oh, are you, now?" He raised his eyebrows inquisitively. "And how do you suppose you are going to do that?"

"I'm getting picked up." I replied sharply, resulting in another resentful narrowing of his eyes.

"By whom?" He countered, taking another sip of coffee. His newspaper crinkled as he folded an ankle over his knee.

"Her name is Zoe." I replied simply.

He grunted and fluffed his newspaper once more. "Very well."

Quietly, I exhaled a long sigh of relief. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the time: 11:09 a.m.

My phone buzzed as an incoming text from Zoe appeared. Chemistry Companion (: : Be there soon!

Just when I thought I'd be good to go, Dad asked nonchalantly, "Should I expect this girl to resemble the likes of Willow?"

Willow...

I almost choked on my saliva. "What?"

He drew in a breath to repeat the question, but I quickly cut in before him, "No, Dad."

"Willow wasn't a nice girl, Zakary." He replied in a patronizing manner.

I clenched my jaw and willed myself to maintain my composure. Dad raised his eyebrows expectantly at me before I muttered almost inaudibly, "Don't say her name."

"Excuse me?" He flattened his newspaper and gripped the handles of the armchair, preparing to stand .

I forced my voice to refrain from wavering, "Don't say her name." I repeated authoritatively, defiantly meeting his cold stare.

"Zakary, this is my house. I will do as I please." His voice lowered in warning.

"As will I." I retorted, grabbing my wallet from the kitchen counter as I stormed toward the door.

"Zakary Riley, you come back here this instant!" He shouted, rising to his feet. "Who do you think you're talking to? What right do you have to walk away?"

Just as my hand had clutched around the doorknob, I whipped around to face him and yelled, "I don't bring up Mom!" My heart raced in my chest. "So you don't bring up Willow."

I ignored his various threats and shouts, even as much as they scared me.

And just like that, I turned the knob and stormed out of the house.

--

A/N: So, what do you think? :D

I know this chapter is fairly ambiguous but I assure you, many answers will be revealed in my next update.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Do you like reading from Zak's perspective? Who do you think Willow is? And why does she seem to be so important to Zak?

Comment down below! :)

And I hope you all are having a magnificent day <3

-Ari xx