Broken Heart

Chapter 12

Zachery Williams

"Hey, what's up guys?" I put down my lunch tray at our usual table.

Liam and Melissa were talking when I sat next to them. Liam had his arm wrapped around Melissa as they both laughed together.

"Nothing much. How's your plan going?" Liam asked me as he popped a fry in his mouth.

"What plan?" Melissa asked curiously.

"Apparently Zach has a crush on Kayla. He was professing his newfound undying love for her yesterday. You should have seen it baby," he said, giving a peck on her lips.

"Really Zach? That's so sweet," she gushed. "I'm so happy for you guys."

I rolled my eyes at them. "Now, now, lower your voices. Anyway, I have no clue on what to do. It's like my whole mind is blank."

"Why don't you just ask her out on a date first and then go from there?" Melissa suggested.

"That's right. Dude, grow some balls and ask her out," Liam pressed. "Oh here she comes." He started waving at Kayla, who was a few feet from our table. She smiled and waved back, making her way through the crowd and taking a seat at our table.

"So, where's Nico?" I asked her.

"He said he was gonna look around town."

"Who's Nico?" Melissa asked.

"My best friend. You guys should meet him. You're gonna like him."

"Why don't we hang out at the beach near the café tonight? We could grab some beer and have a small bonfire party." Liam shrugged.

"That's awesome. Thanks Liam," Kayla said in gratitude.

"So we'll meet tonight at ten? Is that okay for everyone?" I looked around the table.

"I'll have to sneak out, but who cares? I'll tell Nico. I'm sure he'll be happy to meet you guys," she seemed excited.

The lunch break ended as we planned out little get together. After the final bell rang, Liam dropped me off at home. I went upstairs and started doing my homework. About an hour later, I heard shouts coming from downstairs. I ran out of my room to see what the ruckus was about. My eyes widened in shock as I saw my dad pulling his luggage out of the front door without looking back. My mom was going after him while crying and begging him to stop. He paid no heed and continued to walk towards his car.

My fists curled as anger boiled inside of me. I was mad that he was treating mom like she was nothing. It hurt to see her crying like it was physically paining her. I rushed downstairs and held her shoulders to keep her from running out of the house after dad.

"Mom, stop," I said softly.

"Zach, why is he leaving? Tell him to come back. Tell him to not leave me like this," mom cried harder.

"I'm sorry mom. I'm really sorry," was all I could say. I couldn't tell her the truth about dad. It would kill her if she knew about it right now. Plus, she had to hear it from dad. It wouldn't be right for her to hear it from me. I hugged her as she cried into my arms.

After a few minutes, I got her to calm down. As I walked her upstairs, I saw Lucy poking her head out of her room. She looked scared. I decided I would go and talk to her after settling mom down. I lead mom inside the room my parents shared for almost their whole life together. Their marriage photographs were on the wall. They both looked so happy and in love in those, it was hard to imagine how things had gotten to this point. All that was left now was a broken heart and a broken marriage. How could someone be so happy at one moment and at the next, be in so much pain? I thought about it as I laid my mom on the bed.