Cough Syrup (Zach Dempsey)

Chapter 9

Sheri and I talked some more, and we were on the slow road to being friends again. Yesterday after school I went with her over to the Cantrell's they were very sweet and welcoming, I was glad that Mr. Cantrell was ok and but Jeff still stayed in the back of mind. Technically Sheri did kill someone, our friend and I didn't know what to do

Today Courtney was rearranging Hannah's memorial. I took no parts in that, anti-bulling was one thing but everyone acting like they knew and loved Hannah I can't deal with.

"Hey there pretty girl." I turned to see Monty leaning on the locker next to mine

"What's up Montgomery?"

"Just wanted to tell you how amazing your legs look in that skirt."

"Oh my god." I said rolling my eyes

"Seriously God bless the man who made it."

"You're a dick." I said with a giggle

"I know I worked hard for that status."

"And you're defending it well."

"Thanks..... So, do you want to hangout this weekend." He said and I froze.

"I don't think so Monty."

"Aw come on why not?"

"You know Zach and I just broke up and—"

"Just as friends, come on for detentions sake." He joked and just as I opened my mouth to respond,

"Hey Perri." I looked behind me to see Zach

"What Zach?" I asked.

"Um can I borrow your biology notes? I can't find mine." He said and I gave him a look, biology was his favorite class he always took amazing notes

"Monty I'll catch up with you later." I said and he nodded and walked off

"What do you really want?"

"Are you trying to piss me off?" He responded.

"What are you talking about?"

"It's barely been two weeks, and you're all over Monty."

"Yeah, well it had only been about three weeks when you asked out Hannah right?"

"Look Perri it was just a dare."

"Is that supposed to make it better? Because now I know you were just once again playing with her emotions."

"I fucked up I know that, but I am so sorry Perri, I miss you so much."

"Zach-"

"Tell me you don't miss me.."

"Of course, I miss you, but you hurt me so bad." I said then warning bell rang. Unfortunately, it was biology where we were lab partners. We sat down and just before the bell rang Jessica stormed in

"Where the hell is Justin?!" She snapped at Zach

"I don't know Jess."

"You don't know? Did he ride with you guys this morning?"

"No, he's probably just sleeping in skipping first period."

"But he hasn't been answering any of my texts." She said as the bell rang

"Did he tell you what Mr. Porter said? She asked practically hysterical

"Jess, calm down I'm sure he's fine." I said

"Ms. Davis you're not in this class."

"Look tell him to call me, Mr. Porter wants to talk to me now." She said then left the classroom.

This class was the longest forty-five minutes of my life. Zach just kept staring at me and to top it off we were given a project to work on with our lab partners.

"So, do you want to meet at Monet's after practice?" He said and I nodded in agreement

"Sure, see you then."

I glanced at the door hoping maybe this time it was Zach, but it was just a couple of freshmen. I was pissed, I had been waiting on Zach to work on this project for an hour. I had finished all of my other homework and had two lattes and he still hadn't showed. I packed up my stuff and left, when I was almost to my car he pulled up right behind me.

"Perri I-"

"Save it Zach."

"I'm sorry."

"You've been sorry a lot these days Zach."

"Perri wait."

"No, I'm done, look I'll do my half you do yours and we'll meet up before school on Friday and put it together."

"I just lost track of time."

"Doing what?"

"I was with Justin and the guys....at Bryce's" He said looking away

"You know what? You, Justin, and Bryce have a nice life together." I said shaking my head.

"I just wanted to make sure Justin was ok."

"And that took over an hour? And you knew we had plans you made them!"

"Justin is going through a lot he's staying at Bryce's hiding from his mom's boyfriend."

"That doesn't matter you stood me up, and how could you go to Bryce's after everything he's done?"

"He didn't-"

"Shut up! You can sell that lie to Jessica and yourself but Bryce Walker is a fucking rapist!"

"Perri keep your voice down."

"What the hell is wrong with you? He's fucking sick and as long as you're still friends with him I don't want anything to do with you, any of you."

"But you'll still talk to Sheri? After what she did?"

"I don't know what I'm doing anymore, but right now I don't know who to trust anymore."