Wrapped

Chapter 28

(Zack)

It's Saturday morning and I have the day off. So far, I haven't had a call from Nick. It's still a little early, so maybe he's still sleeping. I sort of did expect him to call last night after I got off work, but he never did. Was he okay? When we talked last night he sounded like he was crying. I wanted to talk more, but I was so rushed.

I lay on my couch, messing around with my phone; debating whether I should contact Nick. I already had his number dialed, but I didn't want to bother him. Instead of pressing the 'talk' button, I shut off my phone and decided to just get ready for the day and wait for him to contact me first.

Slowly sitting up from the couch, I walked down the hallway to Pierce and I's bedroom. As I enter through the door I saw Pierce sitting on the edge of the bed, holding something in his hands. His face showed that his expression was confused, even a little angry.

"Good morning, Pierce," I said with a smile and walked over to my wardrobe, pulling out some fresh clothes.

"Zack," Pierce said sternly, "What's this?"

I turned around to face my brother. "What are you talking about?" I asked.

Pierce raised whatever was in his hands to me. I looked closely only to realize it was the birthday present Nick had given to me.

My heart stopped, my stomach churned, and my breathing quickened. How did he find it? I kept it hidden away in my dresser, under all my clothes. Why was he looking through my stuff anyway? He did seem to be a little suspicious, constantly asking about whom I was on the phone with, asking if I was hiding something, stuff like that.

Biting my lip, I gave him a sad look. I really hope I didn't hurt his feelings.

Before I could say anything, Pierce put the picture down and said "Please explain what that is."

"It - . . . It was a present," I try to say casually, but I let the stutter slip out of my mouth, blowing my cover.

Pierce raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, "From Nick?" He asked, his tone sounding confused. I slightly nodded. "Are you guys dating now?" Disgust was leaking from the tone of his voice.

"Yes. In fact, we are. Is that a problem?" I reply back with a shrug and go back to my wardrobe.

I heard Pierce huff, "But, you're so much older than him."

I rolled my eyes towards him, "Yeah, so?"

"Don't you think it's a little," 'He paused for a second, searching for his words, "wrong?"

I stared at him in disbelief. How could he even say that after all the things he has done before? How could he say that after he just used Nick?

"I don't think of it that way," I snap at him, "And neither does Nick."

"How do you know what Nick thinks?" Pierce asked with a scoff.

"Because he said that he loved me first!" I exclaimed.

We stared at each other for a minute, mixed emotions running over our faces.

Pierce stood up and walked past me, muttering under his breath, "It's wrong."

.:|:.

It's been about a week since Pierce has found out about Nick and I. He now acts different around me. We used to talk all the time, now he barely even speaks to me, and when he does it just a bunch of questions of my relationship with Nick. He did apologize to me about saying it was wrong, and that it will take a while for him to get used to it.

Throughout the week, I had only gotten one call from Nick. It was a short conversation. After I asked him about his friends, he quickly said he had to go and hung up without an 'I love you' or 'goodbye'. I'm getting worried for him. I try to call him, but it goes right to his voice mail. I even left a few messages, but I got nothing.

I put my phone down after trying to call him for the tenth time. Maybe I'm annoying him. I should let him have his space, I am being a little clingy I suppose.

I stood up and stretched. I'll just get ready for the day. Maybe showering will take my mind off things.

Walking down to the hallway to my bedroom, I grabbed some extra clothes and went into the bathroom. I turned the hot water on and began to strip down. As I stepped into the shower, I heard a familiar ringing, my phone.

Maybe it's Nick! I quickly wrapped a towel around my waist and ran out of the bathroom, following the sound of my phone. As soon as I found it, I looked at the caller ID;

Incoming Call: Nick

An instant smile grew onto my face, happiness filled up inside me. But, why was he calling me now after I tried calling many times before? Oh, who cares? I get to talk to him now.

I pressed the answer button and held the phone up to my ear, "Hey, ba-" I began but was cut off by the sound of crying. "Nick?"

A muffed voice spoke on the other line, "Zack, I'm sorry."

Sorry? Why was Nick crying and apologizing? He didn't do anything, or did he?

"Nick, what's wrong?" I ask sternly.

There were a few more cries and sniffles before he spoke again, his voice high and was cracking, "I didn't mean it! I didn't want it to happen, I'm sorry!"

Didn't mean what? What was Nick crying about? Now I'm getting extremely worried. What is he talking about? Did something happen to him? Did he do something that could potentially hurt me?

"Nick, please tell me what you're talking about," I plead and pace around the room, trying to be strong, I can't cry now.

"I didn't want it, Zack. Please don't hate me for it, please Zack, please!" He screams into the phone, making me flinch. "I only love you, Zack," He whispers quietly, I could barely hear him.

"I only love you, too, babe. Now tell me what happened?" I asked with fear filling my chest.

Silence.

"N - Nick? Are you there?" I ask shakily.

Silence.

My chest tightens and my hands start to shake. Why won't Nick reply to me? Is he doing something that he's probably going to regret later?

"Nick, please talk to me!" I beg trying to hold back tears that are fighting to leave my eyes.

"I only love you, Zack," He says once more then I hear the buzz over the phone meaning he hung up.

My knees buckle, causing me to fall to the ground. I pull my phone away from my head and stare at the screen. It's my home screen. Why would he hang up on me?

I dial his phone number again and wait for an answer. Instead of him picking up the phone, it goes straight to voicemail. What is that boy doing?

Immediately, I stand back up, and get dressed in comfortable clothing, then get out a duffle bag, stuffing clothes in it without any hesitation.

I need to go to Nick now.