The Heart Of Zac: Book 4 (Completed)

Chapter Four

I was tumbling on the sand, my fists pummelling the face of my good mate. I would have kept going if I didn't hear Britt screaming my name.

I got up to face Britt. Kai got up, his face bloodied from my punches and ran toward the water. His wetsuit was lying on the sand next to his board where he had taken it off earlier.

"Zac what is going on? Why are you fighting with Kai?"

Tears were streaming down her face. Tears caused by me.

"I don't know..."

It was the truth. I didn't know. Sure Kai had been out of line with his comments but at the end of the day that had been guy talk. We did it all the time. Perhaps if Kai hadn't been paying so much attention to Britt I wouldn't have reacted that way. I still wouldn't have told him the truth but I wouldn't have punched the lights out of him.

"You can't just go around punching people especially when they are your best mate and then you say you don't know why. I have to say Zac I'm not liking this side of you."

Her words stung. I knew I had disappointed her. I had disappointed myself. This wasn't the real me. I took a deep breath and tried to explain.

"He was disrespecting you. Looking at you. Asking personal questions..."

"Zac you can't go around punching every guy that looks at me. Have you forgotten what you had said about Ronnie? That it was normal to have friends that were girls. Well here's a newsflash. I can have friends that are guys too."

I knew she was right. I had acted irrationally. My fears of losing her made was making me crazy. I knew if I kept this up I was going to lose her for good.

"I'm sorry Britt.  Acted stupid and I'm sorry."

I pulled her close to me and kissed away her salty tears.

"You scared me Zac. You know you're the only guy for me. You don't have to be afraid. We are going to be together forever."

I held her close. I wish I could erase the past event from her memory. I knew I couldn't. All I could was hold her tight and hoped she forgave me.

I kissed her lightly on the lips. She responded and my heart soared. She did still love me. Our kisses deepened. We would have continued except we heard the sound of Kai screaming. We quickly pulled apart and ran towards Kai. He was limping out of the water and collapsed on the sand.

"Got stung by a bloody blue bottle."

I looked down at his leg. I could see the tentacles still on his leg. He was writhing in pain. I don't know what came over me. All I knew was the words had escaped from my mouth before I had a chance to stop them.

"You can get a massive tattoo on your back but you can't handle a little jellyfish sting."

I was immediately sorry I said it. It was cruel and unnecessary. Kai was clearly in pain and needed help not stupid remarks. The damage had been done though. Britt dropped my hand like it was poison. She then helped Kai stand up and asked him to put his arm around her.

"Lean on me. We have to get you to the first aid hut. We can't remove the tentacles by hand. They'll need to use tweezers or something."

The image of Kai with his arm around Britt riled me. I knew it was a matter of necessity but I didn't like it all the same.

Still I pushed down those feelings and supported Kai from the other side. We had to get him to the hut.

Kai was lying down on the bed. The attendant had removed the tentacles and flushed out the area. He'd be ok but I could tell he was in a lot of pain. He had taken some painkillers but he was waiting for them to kick in.

"Lucky you've got a great girlfriend here. She was smart enough to know not to remove the tentacles herself."

"She's not." "He's not." 

Kai and Britt spoke at the same time then looked at each other and laughed. I felt like that spare wheel again.

It was at that moment I realised that I had been going about this all wrong. I didn't own Britt. I couldn't bend her to my will just cause I wanted her to stay with me. If I truly loved her and she truly loved me we would find a way to be together. As much as it pained me I knew I had to let her go. Let her discover what she truly wanted on her own.

Kai and Britt were so engrossed in conversation. They didn't notice me leave the room. I took one last look as I left. Kai took her hand in his and she didn't resist. I sighed and turned away.

The short journey home felt like I was travelling on the longest road. I quickly walked through the house and headed out the back door. Jed dutifully followed me and sat down next to me. I stroked his fur, grateful for his company.

I heard the doorbell ring and I knew who it was. Still I didn't want to answer it. I knew what I was going to do but I was dreading it.

"Zac honey. Brittany's here."

My mum ushered Britt into the back yard.

"Where were you?"

She didn't seem sad or angry. Just tired. I knew in a minute that would change. As soon as I said what I had to say I knew she wouldn't want to talk to me anymore.

"Britt. I think we need to break up."

I could see the surprise in her eyes followed by hurt. I wanted to stop but I knew I had to keep going.

"We need a time out. This is our final year of high school. I have no idea what I want to do next year. I just need a break."

Brittany's eyes swelled.

"Do you not love me anymore?"

It couldn't have been further from the truth. I loved Britt with all my heart but I knew that we needed time apart to sort our feelings out. To make sure that we would last the distance. So I did the only thing I could do. I lied.

"I'm not sure anymore Britt."

She just stood in front of me saying nothing. I wanted her to say something. To say that she loved me and that she didn't want to let me go. That she would never leave me.

Instead she turned around and ran away taking my shattered heart with her.