The Bad Boy and the British Girl

The Girl and That Boy

Zach Graye's POV:

All I can think about was her hugging that guy as she pushed me out of the house. Who was that? And what happened this morning. I woke up to her scrambling away from me, crying and unable to breathe. I knew I had to somehow get her to calm her breathing down, it happened a lot to me after my dad died, but to see it happening to someone else is more distressing than anything. Especially when it's her.

I'm in my bed right now, lying on the duvet scrolling through my phone. Sophie is downstairs with a friend from her new school, I think she's called Lilly. I was playing with them for a little bit, Sophie was over the moon when I allowed her to play doctors with me again. It was the following check up on my eye and in the end I was to have emergency surgery so that I would be able to live and see again. Sophie and Lilly, being the amazing surgeons that they are, successfully pulled the operation off and I am now able to see with full vision.

Smiling at the idea of my sister my phone pings.

George: Hey dude! Totally bored, everyone is out except my sister. Wanna come over?

Zach: Sure, Be there in 10.

Going to George's sounds like a good idea, just sit back and watch some TV. I grab my bags and shove in a hoodie and my phone charger. The music from Liz's garden has been nonstop all morning, I remember her saying something about rehearsals so it must be that. I trot over to my window, about to close the window so my room isn't freezing when I get back. I glance towards Elizabeth's garden, watching her and that guy dancing to their hearts contents. Looks like they are singing too.

Out of no where she then runs up to him as he catches her in his arms, she's grinning gleefully. I'm frozen to the spot as they both tumble backward into the floor and smash their mouths together. No hesitation, just kissing, intimately and quickly.

———

What the hell was that. I can't get it off my mind as I storm towards George's house, my heart thudding in my chest. What the hell is this feeling? I have never felt anger like this, it's like a primal possessiveness. I'm not even dating her, what am I doing?

I knock on the door to find a cheery George opening it.

"Hey-"

"Hey, can we just watch TV please?" I ask, a brief nod is thrown at me as we make our way to his living room. Charlie walks past with a mere wave and a hum of acknowledgement. I'm still pulsing in anger. Who did that guy think he was?

"Zach?" I hear George.

"Hmm? Did you say something?" I mumble back.

"Yeah, I asked if everything was okay? You are clenching your fists and haven't even spoken a word?" He raises an eyebrow as we both sit back into the couch.

"It's nothing, just uh, an argument with my mom." I mutter, I can't be bothered to get into an argument about this with him.

"Ah I'm sure it will all cool down. Anyway, heard anything from Jessica?" He asks, reminding me of how Jessica brutally slammed Liz into a locker.

"Unsurprisingly no. And I'm very glad of it. Psycho bitch." I snort.

"Yeah, agreed. So there won't be a third time then?" George asks, a question he knows will lighten the mood.

"Not with her, but there will be a third." I say, winking causing him to grab his chest in laughter.

"Baker?" He winks back, I just shake my head as I chuckle. That damned bet.

"Why are you two talking about Liz?" I hear a chirpy voice enter the living room.

"Well since Zach lives next door and needs new game as the old chick was crazy, Liz is perfect for him!" George says, slapping my back. I roll my eyes at Charlie, indicating that I'm not agreeing with George.

"Speaking of your neighbour Zachary, how is she and where is she?" Charlie asks me with a voice that sounds almost accusatory.

"Oh, Elizabeth is at her house kissing some boy." I say bluntly. My anger rippling out again.

"What?!" George exclaims, excitement exploding from him.

"Yeah, he's got like brown hair and he's quite tall. She said she was rehearsing, but clearly it's a little more than that." I almost hiss the words.

"Oh my god you idiot! That's Dylan! I'm so glad they've finally managed to do that scene. It's taken them long enough." Charlie muses.

"Pardon?" I raise my eyebrows at her. Blood is no longer boiling, but simmering.

"Dylan is the guy she is starring beside on broadway! She got the main part in the Pith Perfect Broadway Show! It's going to be amazing, and he's just gorgeous! But he's gay, unfortunately. The director wanted them to get closer and they couldn't bring themselves to kiss one another, but clearly they just got passed it today and finally did the scene! I'm so proud, I'll text her later." Charlie yelps in happiness. Wow, so there was no need for my jealousy. Well, it wasn't jealousy. Just our concern for her well being. I don't get jealous.

———

Im wandering back home, the cold air nipping at my fingertips. I trudge through the miserable rain and open my front door. Engulfed in a hug from Sophie, I shake my wet hair on her like a dog as she screams and runs away. I mumble a hello to my mom as I pad upstairs to my room, flop onto my bed and just relax.

Elizabeth Baker's POV:

Dylan left an hour ago, it was getting way too cold and he had to get back before the traffic got too bad. We finally managed to do the kissing scene, it felt very weird and strange. But we were both just professionals about it and got on through it, he stayed for a little bit of lunch and then we rehearsed more dancing before he left.

I heard Zach's window slam shut as I stopped kissing Dylan, I assume he saw so I feel like I should probably say something to him. I reach to open my window, as it creaks open a gust of freezing wind wraps around me. I text him, shivering in the cold, wanting him to come to the window. Within seconds he's opened his own window.

"Hey, how are you?" I ask him, still shaking.

"I'm fine, how was that kiss?" He asks, the small smirk on his face proved to me he knows it was fake. I wave of relief washes over me.

"Weird. Very weird. But, it was okay I guess." I mutter back.

"Sounds like a first kiss." He says, winking.

"Definitely not." I state, my eyes flicking down to the floor.

"Liz. I know I said that I would never push it again..." He starts to explain.

"It's okay. You deserve an explanation." I look up at him and meet his eyes. I move out of the way of my window before signalling for him to hop over. He does so, it's getting more graceful each time I swear.

"Liz, look you don't have to if you-"

"Ah! No. This is my choice and I am going to tell you because you deserve to know considering you have seen the affects of it more than anyone else. Bar my mother." I decide to power this through, if I'm going to tell him then I'm going to be the one in charge.

"Okay well, Liz I'm all ears..." He looks at me reassuringly as we both settle on my bed.

"Well, Zach I moved to America because something bad happened to me when I was in London. Something very bad."