fameless → ZACH HERRON ✓

f o r t y - s e v e n

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
( HER )

CARMEN SHUFFLES IN her seat. She leans into Zach's side, staring out the window of the Uber as Daniel looks down at his phone, invested in a new game he had downloaded. Zach notices Carmen's distress immediately and begins to rub soothing circles on the back of her hand.

"What's wrong?" He questions the girl, placing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm nervous," She stresses. "What if they don't like me?"

"I promise they'll love you," He states softly. "I already told you that."

"I know, but it doesn't affect my nerves," She murmers. "I'm still nervous. There's always a possibility that they won't like me."

"That possibility is very small," He points out. "You are an amazing person. They'll fall in love with you just like I did."

"We'll be here for you," Daniel chimes in, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "If they don't like you, we can just flee the country."

Carmen giggles, her mind straying from the situation for a quick second. "And where would we all go, Daniel?"

"England," Daniel shrugs. "I'm sure they'll take us in. Or Canada."

"Canadians are amazing," Carmen nods. "And I absolutely love maple syrup."

"We're not fleeing the country," Zach chuckles. "Like I said, there's nothing to worry about."

"There is now," Daniel says, nodding towards the large house outside the window. "We're here."

"Oh lord," Carmen breathes heavily, placing her face in her hands. "I don't think I can do this, Zach. Lets go home."

Zach's heart grows warm as she mentions the word 'home'. He still hadn't managed to get used to the girl saying the word. The girl he loved lived with him- it still sent waves of shock through him. He got the girl.

"Hey," Zach says, holding the girl's hands to pull them away from her her face gently. "It's gonna be okay. I'll be by your side the whole time."

"Promise?" Carmen breathes out, holding up her pinky.

"Promise," Zach nods, locking his pinky with hers.

"And I guess I'll go rot in the sewers," Daniel interrupts the moment, bursting into unrequited laughter. "Thanks, guys. I feel so loved."

"Love you too, Daniel," Carmen grins as he opens the car door.

The three pile from the car, strapping on their backpacks, and grabbing their suitcases and bags from Halloween Express, along with Carmen's new book. As Daniel pays and tips the driver, Carmen leans unsteadily on her feet.