you will find me // zach dempsey

two.

// mia's pov //

After Monet's, me and Jess went home to get ready to give our statements for Hannah's case. I decided to go there by myself instead of having Tony and Clay bring me there. It's not that I didn't want them to or anything it's just that I wanted some time to myself.

They asked me almost the same questions they had asked the others. But the one question that really stuck to me was the one about me not stopping Zach or any of them for that matter from continuing to hurt Hannah. And it didn't occur to me until then that we didn't only hurt Hannah but there must've been a time where she hurt us because of others that have hurt her. Although I still understood that it was our faults, I also understood that these things only happened because we were hurt too.

"Miss Halter, we asked you a question," Clay's mom said as I snapped out of my thoughts.

"At that time I was hurt too," I said as I sighed, "Hannah pushed me away because of what Zach was doing so I never thought of helping her because she didn't seem to want it. I know I should have either way but I tried and all she did was push me away too."

"Okay, thank you, Mia."

After that I was able to leave but I decided to go to Rosie's because I didn't want to go home just yet. I needed some more time to think to myself; also I was getting kind of hungry after they were asking me so many questions.

As soon as I parked outside, I could already see multiple Liberty High jackets at a table near the front entrance; which meant that I couldn't avoid him if he were there. I could have just gone somewhere else to eat but it was getting late and I still needed to go home to do my homework. So I grabbed my wallet and my jacket then headed inside.

Once I walked through those doors, I felt multiple eyes on me but I ignored their stares and walked to the only available table there aka the one right next to their table.

"Hey Mia," Justin said as I just politely waved back at him. Luckily Zach's back was turned towards me and unless he turned around, I didn't have to talk to him. Although, after I waved at Justin the rest of the started to tell Zach to go talk to me. Within that moment, I prayed that Zach wouldn't give in and come and talk to me because I just wanted to be left alone right now.

But I guess my luck wasn't kicking in tonight because he soon got up from his spot and went to sit on the opposite side of my table.

"Hey," he said quietly as he nervously looked down and crossed his arms over the table.

"Hey," I said politely because I didn't want his friends to further pressure him to say something to make me talk to him.

"I'm sorry about them," he said after a small silence between us.

"It's fine. But you don't need to let them peer pressure you all the time," I said softly so the other guys wouldn't hear.

"I know," he said quietly as he still didn't really try to make eye contact with me, "So about earlier today. I know I shouldn't be asking this because it might be too soon but have you thought about what I said?"

"I haven't really gotten the chance to but I talked to Jess earlier and as normal, she advised me to give you a chance. I know it would be risky but I'm willing to let you make it up to me. But this doesn't mean you're automatically forgiven, Dempsey," I said as he softly smiled and nodded his head.

"Thank you," he said as I just smiled back.

Just as I was about to say something, Marcus interrupted, "Hey, I don't mean to intrude but the rest of us are going to get going. Zach you coming or you staying?"

We both looked at Zach and waited for an answer. Zach looked at Marcus then back at me and back again at Marcus before saying, "I think I'll stay here for a while. You guys can go ahead."

"Alright, see you two on Monday then," Marcus said as he patted Zach's shoulder and waved at me while the other guys waved as well and they all left Rosie's diner.

"So, what do you want to eat? I'll pay," Zach said as he called a waiter over.

"You don't have to pay," I said politely as I ordered some fries and a milkshake.

"I'm going to pay and that's final."

"Alright then, Dempsey," I said as we both let out a small laugh.

"You have bio, right?"

"Yeah. We're in the same class, remember."

"Are you ready for that test on Monday?"

"Yeah. How about you?"

"I'm not too sure I'll pass it."

"I mean, I could tutor you if you want," I said without really thinking about what I was saying.

"Are you sure? I don't want to bother you."

"Nonsense, I'll help you. Are you free this weekend?"

"Yeah, I think I am. Unless Bryce has another one of his parties again."

"Well, I could tutor you then. You could come by tomorrow."

"Um, yeah, sure. Thanks," Zach said nervously as I raised an eyebrow at him. Why was he so nervous? I mean he's Zach Dempsey. I understand that he gets nervous sometimes but why? Maybe Jess was right about him liking me? Wait, no it can't be that.

"Alright, guess it's settled then. Tomorrow. Just text me what time you're going there though."

"Maybe I'll be there around 5? If that's alright."

"Yeah, that's fine." I said as Zach was about to say something but our food came and we spent most of the rest of the evening eating rather than talking. But after we were all finished, we went out separate way and drove home. Needless to say, it was a good night.