Operation: Break Up

Part 23- Triple Date

“Hey hey hey!” Zack greets the couples seated in front of us. He clutches my hand tightly when he sees Riley and Forest holding hands. I look over at him and see a fake smile while putting on my own. Everyone looks surprised to see us here as they scoot over to make room at the original “table for 4.” I greet both Addi and Riley when I sit, making instant conversation with the girls.

“So, what are you having tonight?” Zack asks loudly, getting everyone’s attention. I shake my head and give him a wide eyed look, wondering what the hell is wrong with him. He wasn’t like this on the way over; why was Zack acting so different? Was it because of Forest’s little secret?

“I’m having ravioli’s,” Riley says, taking a sip of her fruity drink. I rolled my eyes at her when she wasn’t paying attention. Wait, is it just me or, is she actually smiling at him?

“Sounds good,” Zack nods to her before handing his menu to the waitress, “I’ll have the same. What are you getting, babe?”

“Hm?” It took a second to realize he was talking to me. “Uhhh, I guess I’ll just have the shrimp alfredo with a sweet tea.” I ordered my food and drink before getting rid of the menu.

As soon as the waitress walked away, Riley turned to me. “So Blynn, how’d y’all know we were here?”

“Uhhh, I didn’t,” I said, trying to play it off, “Zack just said we were going out on a date tonight; I didn’t know I would see half the town seated at a table.” I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. She giggles along with me- thinking I am so funny.

“So Blynn,” Addi confronts me while taking a drink. “What have you been doing all day, anyways?”

“Not much, just been spending time with my dad.” I reply, grinning happily about today.

“You’re dad’s home?” Bryson asks.

“Yeah. I thought I told you…?” Addison looks over at her date and rubs his shoulder. Whoa, since when was she so affectionate towards a guy? The last time I remember her ever being so close to was when she was dating Elliot; over a year ago.

“No, I don’t remember you telling me that. So much for communication, right?” Bryson says before kissing my best friend lightly on her cheek. I’m glad to see her blushing so affectionately. However, it took all I had not to send my finger down my throat in a “gag-me” manner.

Dinner carries on with light conversation; just us 6 couples stuffing our faces with delicious Italian food and talking about the latest in Silverton. I look up, only half of my plate finished, when I spot someone oddly familiar. Is that? No way, it couldn’t be...Caden?

I dropped my fork with a clutter on my plate- not taking my eyes off of him. There was someone wrapped around his arm; a pretty blonde with long hair and brown eyes. Who was that? The couple was escorted to their table across the room, taking their orders and laughing together. Was that the Leah he mentioned to me? Zack followed my gaze after a good minute of my staring, and looked back to see my crushed expression. “Check! Check!” He said loudly, trying to get the waitress’ attention. I’m sure he could see right through me; he could see that I wanted out, and I wanted out NOW.

“I’m sorry everyone, but we have to cut this dinner a little short. We’ll see y’all later,” he says as Zack hands the card to a woman. We follow her to the cash register, joining hands as soon as we reunite. He holds me a little closer, telling me that everything will be okay. I meet Caden’s eyes on the way to the door, and his gaze just falls to the table below him. “Damn you, Caden” I think, “damn you for doing this to me.”

Tears streamed down my face as Zack hugged me to his side. It had seemed as though the temperature had dropped about 50 degrees since we went inside the restaurant. He walked me to my side of the truck, probably feeling guilty for the sight we had witnessed. And to think, I actually kind of had the confidence that Caden would choose me. I can’t believe I was blinded by my own ambition- or any girl’s ambition, for that matter.

“So...how do you, uhhh, feel? Ya know, that’s probably the wrong question. Nevermind.” Zack stumbles through his words as he pulls away from the parking lot. I shake my head at his forgotten questions.

“No. It’s okay. I’m just...hurt.” I keep my voice barely above a whisper.

“I know. Damn him.” He says, fists clenching the steering wheel. “Blynn, one day, I swear, one day there is going to be a guy who won’t hurt you and won’t make you feel this way.”

“I know.” I reply. ‘I just don’t feel like talking.”

“Okay. But can I come over tomorrow? I don’t know what it is about you Blynn, but I want to be there for you. Like your best girl friend or whatever the hell you call them. Maybe we can watch some movies or something.”

“Yeah, sounds good.” I say before reaching for the radio and turning it on.

*****

I arrived home at 10:22. I was shocked by the lateness, but was quickly reminded of my night. When we got back into town, Zack decided I needed a huge blizzard from downtown Dairy Queen. We ate in the restaurant, and drove around for about an hour or two. I’m still not sure how long. We even went to the park to talk a little bit. It brought me back to a conversation we had while on the swings…

"Blynn?"

"Yes?"

"What do you want to do with your life?"

"Uhhh, I don't know. Go to college, get a degree in Psychology. Maybe one day own a personal counseling business. Then when I have all that, maybe settle down and find the one I want to be with until the day I die. Ya know, typical girl stuff." I answer to Zack's question immediately after he asks me; no hesitation.

"What about you, Zack?"

"I don't know. Graduate high school. After that? I'm not real sure."

"Well why not?"

"I don't know. Nothing really holds my interest for long." He says, digging his feet into the dirt below him.

"I can see that. But guess what? Those are the people that are worth while." I smile at him, and he smiles back.

"Why is that?" He asks.

"Because, it's like you don't know what that person will do next. It's like I'm looking behind the curtain to see what'll happen after the show. Those type of people are amazing, because those people can finish a masterpiece, and not be happy with it. They'll move onto something else. Endless motivation is my definition for that."

"Damn." He replies, meeting my gaze. We hold for a second before I shoot him a confused look.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing. It's just, why can't all girls be as deep, simple, realistic, and as positive as you? Why do they have to be so confusing? But you're not. You're like an open book." Zack shakes his head and smiles at the ground before getting up and walking towards me.

"Are you ready to go? I don't want to get in trouble for being here after hours."

"Whoa. Zack Benson? Not wanting to get busted for once in his life? Whaaat?" I drop my jaw and cover my mouth with my hands in a shocked manner. He just chuckles and grabs my elbow lightly, leading me away from the swings.

So now that I was tucking myself into bed shortly after 11, I began to think... had I misjudged Zack Benson all along? Was there really something past all the perverted comments and crude jokes? I guess time will tell.

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A.N.- So I'm shocked at how long this chapter ended up being. When I first started on it, the chapter ended up only being 686 words, but my the end I had around 1345. Whoop!

Were you upset when you found out about Caden and Leah? Is there REALLY more to Zack than meets the eye? I guess we'll find out next chapter.

XOXO,

Lucky8Girl. <3