Nobody Like You

Chapter Six

When I walk into the house, I see that the Novak family are gathering their belongings. It doesn't take a genius to know that they are about to leave and go back to their hotel. Thank God for Casey and her urge to leave. Otherwise, we would still be in the horrible presence of Luca Novak. There is something about him that just rubs me the wrong way and I don't know what it is.

"Thank you so much for the nice evening." Mrs. Novak smiles at the Santons.

"It was our pleasure, really." Mrs. Santon smiles back.

"What do you all have planned for tomorrow?" Mr. Novak asks the Santons.

"I think the kids want to go to Sea World." Mrs. Santon answers. "And maybe explore around Orlando a bit. Zakiyah's never been to Florida, so we want to give her the full experience. We've been a few times, so it's really up to what the kids want to do."

I awkwardly stand in the kitchen that overlooks the living room, trying not to seem like I care too much. I always just feel awkward and I never know what to do with myself. I really don't like when the attention is on me. When the Novaks look at me, I just give them a small smile.

"You haven't been to Florida!?" Mrs. Novak says in a surprised tone. "There is so much to do!"

That's not what Luca said. He's trying to ruin my trip. I hate him so much. Then again, I barely even know him.

"No, ma'am, I haven't." I shake my head.

"You're so polite for your age, but please don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel old." She chuckles. "Just call me Loraine."

I think I may be the only one who notices, but Mr. Novak scowls at his wife after she says that. It is very subtle, but I do notice it. I wonder why he just scowled at her; she didn't do anything wrong. She's not being annoying at all, in my opinion.

"Okay." I nod my head.

"Casey, go get your brother, please." Mr. Novak clears his throat.

"Alright." Casey says. "I'm gonna go say bye to Katie first."

"Zakiyah can go get Luca for you." Mrs. Santon says.

How is she just going to volunteer me like that? Why does she think that is okay? I literally came in the house just to get away from him. However, I have no other choice than to oblige.

"Yeah, I'll be right back." I smile and walk out of the sliding doors that lead to the backyard.

I scowl to myself as I walk through the doors. I expect to see Luca sitting in the same spot, but he is nowhere to be found. My eyes scan the night sky, before I see a figure by the beach. He is standing where the water meets the sand, with the water sliding through his toes. I really don't want to talk to him, but I force my feet to walk out to the beach and to Luca Novak.

He turns around when he hears someone walking and he instantly gives me this cold look. "What do you want?"

"You don't have to be so rude." I scoff and roll my eyes. "Your parents are leaving and I was told to notify you."

"Thanks, you can leave now." He turns back around and overlooks the ocean.

"Douchebag." I murmur. I cross my arms and stomp back to the house.

~

"I hate Luca so much. He irks my soul." I groan, shaking my head in frustration.

"What'd he do now?" Zack laughs.

Katie's parents are in the bedroom that they will be staying in, while Zack, Katie and I clean up everything. We already cleared the outside dining space. Now, we are in the kitchen washing all the dishes and cleaning up any other mess that could have possibly been made.

"He is just so rude." I harshly dry off a plate as Katie hands it to me.

"That's nothing new." Katie chuckles.

"You guys are laughing. I'm dead serious. He ruined my break already." I shake my head again.

"Awe, don't say that." Zack says. "We won't be with them everyday."

"Thank, God." I say. "We don't have to see him tomorrow. So, my break officially starts then."

"Actually, about that." Katie says in a sorry tone.

Zack and I both look at her like she's crazy. We know that tone. That tone indicates that Katie is up to no good, whatsoever. Now it is just a matter of figuring out what she did.

"What did you do?" Zack tilts his head.

"I invited Casey to come with us for the day. I'm sure they'll make Luca tag along." She says.

"Oh sweet heavens." Zack shakes his head. "Why would you do that, Katie?"

"I didn't want to be mean. She was telling me how her friends weren't coming for a couple of days, so she said she didn't have much to do. I was just being cordial and thinking about Dad's position." She shrugs her shoulders.

"No." I want to cry. "I really hope he doesn't come. Maybe he has friends around here he can hang out with."

"I doubt that idiot has friends." Zack scoffs.

"Guys, come on, don't be mean." Katie says.

"He sure doesn't think twice about being mean to us." I say.

"You guys are always the bigger person. One of the many reasons why I love you." She says.

"Awe, babe. I love you, too." Zack smiles and hugs her from behind.

"That's my cue." I chuckle. "Have fun cleaning the kitchen up, you two."

They don't hear me, as they are in their own little world. I'm not mad at all. I love the fact that my best friend is in love with someone who genuinely cares for her. I would never get in the way of true love. I also got out of cleaning the rest of the kitchen, so it's a bonus on my part.