I Found You, Something Told Me To Stay - (Jason/Zacky) Version Two.

Chapter Twenty-Five.

Hey, guys! I'm sorry there was such a delay on this chapter - I've been having some problems with my laptop (which I think I've fixed now), and I've also been having problems with Wattpad over the last couple of days?! But I think those have been fixed, too :)

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Enjoy! <3

**

Loud chatter and laughter surrounded me, echoing through the room I was in.

I was sure I couldn’t bury face further into my palm if I tried, and as I stared around the long the table that was situated in the private dining room in the restaurant, nobody seemed to notice my sombre expression.

I’d been looking forward to this family meal that was being held in celebration of Leana’s birthday. Three days had passed since I’d been at Zacky’s, and I’d left his house and returned home feeling much better than I had done when I’d arrived the day before. I felt that our dispute had actually had a positive impact, as the day after I’d embarrassingly soaked his shirt with my tears, we seemed to automatically become closer. My dad hadn’t returned home until the evening, so that day had been spent at Zacky’s also, and had been a relaxed one involving us playing video games and watching movies. He didn’t press the matter that had caused me to sob so hard into his chest whilst he’d comforted me, and I was thankful for that. It made me a lot more comfortable in his company.

Leana’s birthday meal had started out absolutely fine, just like any other Avenged family gathering. As time passed by, however, more alcohol was consumed, and what had been a normal family meal suddenly turned into a trip down memory lane. I didn’t mind at all at first—hearing some of the stories of everybody’s previous few birthdays was actually quite amusing—but as the conversation continued and more memories were brought up, I began to feel more and more distant from everybody.

I heaved a sigh, grimacing to myself in annoyance as my dad threw his head back and bellowed yet another laugh from beside me. I wasn’t sure whether it was the alcohol, or if they just didn’t care, but nobody seemed to realise just how loud they were all being.

A sudden kick came to my leg, and I looked up to be faced with Zacky staring at me from the other side of the table. I raised an eyebrow questioningly, to which he quickly mouthed “you okay?”, and I felt I had no choice but to nod and look away. Complaining—especially when it was somebody’s birthday—seemed a little selfish.

I tried to put up with it for a while longer, but as I repeatedly locked and unlocked my phone, purely out of boredom, I began to realise that nobody would notice if I quickly slipped away. I felt like I needed fresh air; to get away from the stuffy private dining room and the loud, drunken laughter, and gather my thoughts. Perhaps I just wasn’t in as good of a mood as I thought I had been, but despite feeling a little guilty that I was about to walk away from Leana’s birthday celebration, I honestly felt like I just needed some time to myself.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, standing up from my chair and glancing around at everybody. Despite the fact that my arm had brushed his as I’d stood up, my dad didn’t seem to notice my movement. Even Zacky, who was sat directly opposite me, didn’t seem to notice. And as I pulled my jacket on and muttered an almost inaudible lie that I was going to the bathroom, everyone stayed engrossed in the conversation that was circulating the table, and I was able to slip away without anybody noticing me.

The heat that hit me as soon as I was outside and in the restaurant parking lot never seemed to surprise me. It only added to my frustration, and as I squinted at the sun and ran a hand through my hair, I began to drag my feet away from the building. I didn’t think anybody would notice my absence any time soon, but I wanted to be away quickly just in case.