*The Story Of Us*

*The Story Of Us: Chapter 4*

Chapter 4: Zack's Comfort and Friends' Concern

We're almost home, and it's 8:30am, so we're too late to go to school today. Zack and I are comforting each other in the back seat of the car, and while nobody was looking, he pressed his soft lips against mine and we passionately kissed in the back seat. He released his lips from mine just before my mom looked back at us. Phew, that was close. I began to lean my head on the car window and sighed. Zack leaned forward to look at me, and I looked into his eyes and smiled. He pulled me close to him and I placed my hand and lied my head on his chest then closed my eyes.

We finally arrived at home and walked through the door to see the house spotless.

"Wow!" Mom exclaimed, surprised. "Nathan must have cleaned up before he left for school. It looks amazing!"

"Yes," Dad agreed, "we'll have to pay him."

"Good idea." Said Mom. Zack was carrying me in his arms until he put me back down on my feet as I leaned on his shoulder to keep my balance. I limped everywhere I went, but with his assistance.

Mom walked into her bedroom and lied Natalie in her queen-sized bed until she could get Natalie's room cleaned after the terrible incident.

"What are we going to do with Ethan's body, Mom?" I asked with curiosity.

"We will just call his parents and have them bury him." Mom answered.

"Okay." I responded. I limped without Zack's assistance and approached Ethan's sprawled corpse. "May God have mercy upon your soul, you son of a gun." Then I looked down at the murder weapon on the floor. "Literally." I frowned. Zack walked up behind me and caringly touched my shoulder and kissed my cheek. I touched his smooth hand as I looked back at him with a slight smile as he smiled back and looked deep into my eyes.

"You've done good, sweetie." He whispered into my ear. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Zack." I responded.

"...Yes, alright. I'll have him ready by the time you get here." Dad was talking on the phone with Ethan's father. "Alright, see you soon." By the time Dad got off the phone, he threw Ethan's body into a white garbage bag and set it by the door.

15 minutes later...

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"I'll get it!" I yelled as I limped quickly over to the door--with Zack's help of course. I then opened the door to see Ethan's parents, as his mother was sobbing. "Oh hello, Mr. and Mrs. O'Riann, please, come in."

"Thank you, Nichole." Mr. O'Riann said with an achy tone, as if he was crying. He lead his wife inside to find the garbage bag, that of which contained Ethan's soulless body. Dad walked into the room to greet the visitors and told them everything that happened.

Story told once more...

Mrs. O'Riann was just sitting there, bawling while Mr. O'Riann looked quite shocked and just sat there, paralyzed.

"I-- I don't understand." Mr O'Riann studdered. "I always believed him to be a very behaved young man. I had no idea he behaved this way behind my back. My dearest and most genuine apologies to you and your family, Mr. Berry. I am very sorry your daughters are hurt, and I'm sorry Zack got hurt, too, Nichole." He frowned as he took my hands and begged forgiveness. I could never say no to that.

"It's alright, Mr. O'Riann. We're all fine now." I smiled. He smiled as he gently released my hands.

"Thank you, Nichole. You're so forgiving."