The First Text (A Why Don't We Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 23

{Hey, I'm back before 2017 ends! Hope you all enjoyed Christmas+are enjoying Christmas break. I sure am. Here's the last chapter of the year-
enjoy this and enjoy the New Year's Eve celebrations <3
*metaphorically speaking to the year* 2017, you were good to me. But now on to 2018, peace out!!!}

Everyone stands there, in shock as to what just happened.

I know I should leave him be but I have a sudden urge to go after him. Before I do, I look at Jack and humiliation is written on his face.

Shit.

Zach WAS the person in the hall. He must've acted like he didn't hear and just went into the kitchen or something but like, HE. DID. HEAR.

This is so bad.

I leave everyone there and I run out of the building. The sun blinds me and I immediately notice there's a figure sitting down, looking defeated by the side of the building.

As I sit by him, I want to reach out to touch him but I think that would be wrong.

Zach senses my presence and tenses up but he just continues looking at the floor.

"Zach....."

No reply.

"I know you know about um.... Jack and I.... but I don't like him anymore."

He looks up but stares into the distance as he says,

"The point is, you STILL kissed him. That doesn't change things. You're exactly like other girls that play around Eli."

I get really defensive, somehow.

"In my defense, you can't control what I do! And I'm not like that!"

"That don't mean that your claim can justify what you did."

"Zach.... please...."

"Jesus Eli. I'm just pissed that you actually did it."

I then get that urge to touch him again, so I do this time. Gently, gently on his shoulder.

He flinches but lets me do it for a quick 2 seconds, until he shrugs me off as he looks at me this time.

"I know about Kale knowing you're here too. That time we were on the phone, I knew you told him. I know he's Leela's sister."

Oh god, what a mess!

"I-I didn't mean to tell him."

"Well, you should've thought about that before you told him BECAUSE HE MIGHT TELL SOMEONE. And Eli.... I actually thought you liked me but I bet it was to make Jack jealous so you could have him. Happy now?" he says, sounding more like a rant as he goes on.

But his voice cracks at the end, obviously bothered by all of this.

"Z-Zach...." I try and search for his eyes but his gaze just won't meet my eyes.

Finally, his gaze meets mine.

For just a split second, the connection is there again.  But as quick as it was there, it's gone, replaced by coldness.

As the tender moment is gone, he suddenly snaps.

"Leave me alone El. And do you know what? Jack will move on. He always does. He will find someone skinnier and prettier than you and you'd beg for him to come back but he won't. You see, I wouldn't do that. I used to be a fuckboy but at least I know how to treat girls. He doesn't." 

"Take it out on Jack, n- not me... " I suddenly say.

I curse internally. That definitely won't help things.