Cough Syrup (Zach Dempsey)

Chapter 23

I still wasn't sleeping, and to make things better my mom was hovering she was worried I could tell but I didn't know how to tell her. I went through the motions and got ready for school. When we got there I headed for my locker to get my stuff for first period, when I felt someone place their hand on my back causing me to jump. I turned to see Monty

"Hey it's just me."

"Don't touch me." I told him and turned back to my locker

"Look I'm just checking on you."

"Well don't."

"What the did I do now?"

"Why are you still hanging with Bryce?" I asked and he sighed

"I'm just trying not to rock the boat here."

"Yeah because it's just that easy."

"Look I got him stop that rumor."

"The rumor that the whole school has already heard?"

"I told the guys it's wasn't true, and I'm ready to beat the shit out of anyone who calls you a slut again."

"Well thank you sir Monty." I said sarcastically

"What's your problem?"

"You didn't help me when it counted." I said as the warning bell rang, I shut my locker and headed towards my class , but he grabbed my hand

"Perri wait lets talk."

"Don't touch me Monty!" I snapped at him then turned and ran right into someone, I felt then hands on my side

"Whoa watch it shorty." Bryce said I looked up into the blue eyes and my mind flashed to him holding me against his chest and I could feel his lips on my neck.

I jumped away from him, instantly feeling sick at the feel of his hands on me. I turned and left the building I emptied my stomach right on the grass, then that tight feeling in my chest was back again and I was having a hard time catching my breath. I felt a hand on my shoulder which I brushed off as I tried to steady my breathing whoever it was then grabbed my wrist and I tried to pull away but they were too strong

"STOP LET ME GO!" I SHOUTED

"Perri calm down, it's ok it's Zach." I heard and the thought of Zach was slowly bringing my heart rate down

"Calm down I'm here." I heard him say as I regained my focus I saw he was standing in front of me, looking worried

"Zach?"

"Yeah it's me."

"I-I'm s-sorry." I stuttered

"It's ok, I'm just worried about you."

"I'm fine."

"You're not I've never seen you like this, you're still shaking." He said taking my hands in his

"I've just been a little stressed lately, don't worry about it."

"Perri I'm not going to leave you like this." He said and I scoffed

"I'm sure Bryce needs you to kiss his ass some more."

"Look who's talking." He said and I pushed him away from me

"Of everyone I never thought you'd been the one that shit was true."

"Well you did come to the party with Monty." He said and I sighed

"You are the only person, I've ever had sex with. This thing with Monty I haven't even kissed him this time."

"Perri it's cool."

"It's not we've spent all this time going back and forth about getting back together, but you stood around and let him say those things about me. Why?"

"Because I'm a fucking coward! I know this I can't stand up to Bryce. I can't stand up to my mother. Bowing down to people is what I'm good at."

"Bullshit."

"You know it's true, but you can't get mad at me for keeping my distance. As you keep saying we're not together, I should be mad at you. You say shit like that but then your call me while you're on a date with Monty." He snapped

"I-I called you that night?"

"Stop playing games Perri, you know you did."

"No I didn't."

"Get over yourself." He said then walked away