The Spilt Secret | A Zamika Fanfic

Chapter 9

"You bastard!" Zack shouted again.

Keith, still in his soggy, sour-milk-covered shirt was speechless. He saw me return to the cafeteria, eyeing me the whole time as I dragged Zack away from him.

"He lied to you, how could he?" Zack mumbles, his wrist was wrapped in my hand. I dragged him out of the school. We got to the parking lot, and I let go of him. I breathed in and out heavily.

Cassandra is like a puppet master, I thought to myself. It was like my role as being me in my own life, was written by her. I feel played.

"What were you thinking?" I almost asked to myself, but Zack took it too personally. He snorted, and walked in front of me.

"What was I thinking? Tomika, I was defending you, hello? And what's with the dragging-me-out-by-grabbing-my-wrist thing?" he asks, not even pausing for breath. I looked at him, trying to analyze what he was thinking.

He rolled his eyes, then it was him who started dragging me back inside. He led me to our empty classroom, and led me to his desk. He took his phone from his pocket, and showed me something.

It was my sketch of him and Keith. The four words that Summer scribbled, visible at the photo he took.

I, for one, became extremely shy and timid. As soon as I saw the picture I wanted to run away from him.

"Who do you love?" he simply asks.

"I don't know anymore. I don't even know what love is, anyway, so what's the point?" I hung my head, my brunette curls fell against my shoulder, curtaining my face.

But Zack brushed it away. The screen that I built through the years, not wanting anyone to know what's inside this broken, immortal soul of mine.

"Fine. I... It's you," I sighed a heavy breath. "But, that's still unsure of."

He looks at me, trying to keep a smile down that keeps tugging at the edges of his lips. His eyes crinkled at the sides, narrowing it and making it smaller. He coughed his smile away, and he hugged himself, as if the new-found joy inside him would explode him if he doesn't brace himself.

Thankfully, last period of school started, and everyone came filing in. They gave us a weird but amused look. Freddy and Lawrence gave Zack a thumbs up and mouthed, "You're the man."

I swear that was the most adorable thing I've seen the boys do. They looked like brothers cheering up for each other. Summer gave me a smile, and gave a little nod to Zack.

That afternoon, Zack dropped me off again in his bike. As I climbed down his bike, he takes out a small velvet box from his pocket. When I brushed my skirt straight, he gave me the box, bid his goodbye, then left.

"Thank you!" I tried calling after him, but it seems he did not hear me. He drove farther away, until he was a small speck at the end of the highway. I got inside the house.

Mum, for the first time was at home early. She was looking out the front window, and when I got in she teased me having a Korean boyfriend. Red, my brother, poked his head from the living room. His red hair was gleaming against the afternoon sun, and his green eyes filled humor.

"Tomi has a boyfriend?" He asks, and our mum nodded. I gave them a kill-me-now expression and I just shook my head. Going straight for my room, I changed into an oversized shirt, and denim shorts.

I sat on the edge of my bed, and took the velvet box Zack gave me. I took in a huge breath, and opened it slowly. As I peered into the box, a necklace stared right back at me.

I gasped, and took the necklace. Its pendant was a bass and guitar intertwined. It hung in a golden chain, the metal shone proudly when I tried the necklace on. I smiled and quickly took my phone.

I texted Zack and gave my thanks. He didn't reply, but I was happy with the necklace.

But, what I didn't know my happiness was for a little while. Mum came by my room after dinner, and told me we had to talk. So, I ushered her to my bed and we sat side by side. My covers wrinkled when we sat, the bed frame creaked as it held both our weight.

"Tomika, your Father and I have decided something," my mother said, not even trying to look at my eyes. She fumbled her fingers, her brunette hair streaked with grey was starting to loosen in its bun.

"What is it?" I asked, then held her fumbling hands, trying to calm her nerves. She looked at me, silently telling me that I needed to understand her decisions with Papa.

"Since he works away from us," Mum hesitated. I held her hand tighter, urging her to trust me. "We are moving to be with him in two days."

Bubbles of joy bursted inside me, and I hugged my mum. I was finally seeing Papa again. But then, I realized, I had too much to give up where we were now. I hated thinking about it. It made me feel selfish.

"That's a great idea, Mum, thank you," I hugged her again, then she left.

How was I supposed to tell my friends? How about Summer? And Zack? And the band?

That's it! I have a plan!

"Mum!" I called, then got down to our living room.