The Lifeguard

Chapter 33

Late at night. "What are we doing here?" I asked Connor. He entered the road going to Sweeten Field at Mikael's. My stomach tighten, feeling nervous. I have nothing to face to Anna and Mikael. I'm an Anderson that destroyed Connor's life...their life. Looking back to the time I was here, they began arguing behind me. Now, it is clear that they were fighting because of me. I'm the reason why their life is a mess again. "We can't be here. I don't want them to hate me more than they already do."

"It's gonna be fine, Zoe," he says, trying to convince me.

I wasn't convinced. "What am I suppose to do or say to them? Pretend like I have no fault in this? Like I'm innocent? Connor, I'm not innocent. I can't face them. Please! Turn. The. Car. Around."

He didn't listen, he paid no attention to me. He drove until we arrived in front of the house, passing by the sunflower field. Connor turned the engine off. He opened my door, waiting. I didn't flinch. My body froze, anxious and ashamed. I've lost my dignity. The lights inside turned on. They know we're here. "It's okay," he secured. As soon as I got down, the entrance door opened. I stood behind Connor.

"Connor. It's late," says Mikael. "What are you ---" Connor moved aside, exposing me. I was looking to the ground. I couldn't look at Mikael. "Zoe," he says. He said my name like a blank statement. This made me look at him. I said nothing.

"Can we stay here for a while?" Connor asked.

"Of course. This is your house," he answered. Mikael invited us inside.

I wasn't sure if the invitation was also for me. I didn't move from my position. I stood like a statue. I wished I was. But even if I am, I would be displayed at the hall of shame. Connor who followed Mikael inside went back to get me. He held my hand and said, "you don't have to be scared. It's alright." He said it like nothing is wrong, where in fact everything is wrong because of me. The both of us walked inside the house. He was almost dragging me.

"Are you hungry? There's food," Mikael says. He walked to the staircase. "Anna! We have guests!" he yells, calling for her wife.

Connor made me sit on the couch beside him. "Do you want to eat?" he asked me. I shook my head, no. I still haven't said a word. My mouth is turning dry from being mute. Anna, who was walking down the stairs stared at me as she takes a step.

I eventually stood up. "Good evening," I greeted, being civil. I didn't want to be rude. They already hate my guts. I wouldn't want them to find another reason to dislike me. Anna nods as a sign of acknowledgement. I sat down when everyone did. I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry," was the first word that came out from my mouth. "You have all the reasons to throw me out, but before you do, I'd like to apologize. I'm sorry for everything, for causing alot of mischief."

Anna takes my hand. "You don't need to be sorry, Zoe." She smiled. Her words calmed me. I was somehow relieve to what she said. "It's not your fault. You had nothing to do with what happened. Don't apologize anymore."

"Anna's right. Whatever happened between this family and yours, none of it is your fault," Mikael reassured. "You must pardon yourself."

Our conversation continued. I told them everything I know. I also informed them what's happening, and why we are here. Mikael gone mad, but he was trying to calm himself. He wasn't furious at me, he was mad at my father. Meanwhile, Anna agreed that we should hide until they do something about the situation. Mikael managed to apologize at me for being enraged. I understand him. He has every rights to be mad.

"It's getting late," says Anna, cutting off the tension. "I'll fix the room, and have you settled in. Will you follow me? I'll give you some clothes to use," she tells me. I nodded, following her upstairs. While I was changing to Anna's old clothing, she was on the guest room, replacing the bed sheets. I finished. "Don't be afraid to call me when you need something," she says before leaving the room.

"This is more than enough," I told her. "Thank you."

Anna walked back to my position. She gently hugged me. "I'm sorry," she apologized. I wasn't sure why she would apologized until I figured that she was sorry for me; she's empathetic towards me for being an Anderson. If I was on her shoe, I would also feel sorry, but I don't need to be on her shoe to feel sorry for myself. I'm already sorry.

As soon as she left, I grab my phone to update Sean. He didn't pick up when I called him. I'm staying with Connor's guardians. I don't know for how long, but I will be okay. They will keep us safe while we're here. You don't need to worry. I'll be fine, I texted Sean.

I heard someone knocking on the door. I opened it. "I was just checking in," Connor says. His face looked tired. Not physically. I knew he's tired mentally, even emotionally. He's been through alot, but now, he's still facing more hardships. "Just knock on my door if you need me. Goodnight." He turned around. Our room was across each other. He opened his door and was about to enter his room when I called him. He faced me once more.

"Goodnight," I fake smiled.