A to Z

I Know She'll Never Leave Me, Even As She Runs Away

Over the next few weeks, A and Z met at The Chipped Cup everyday after school. A was only getting a few detentions a week, so he was able to meet her there most days on time. It was hard for him to endure a full six hours of school, but he made himself do it for Z. On the days the A got detentions, Z would sometimes get herself in detention as well so that they could be together. Some students at the school saw the change in the two most troublesome kids in school, but A and Z barely even looked each other's way during school hours. Z still caused trouble in her classes and went to a party every weekend. A still skipped many of his classes - though not as much as before - but he had stopped his girl-a-week habits. A wasn't blind to Z's slower reformation, but he was glad that she still wanted to meet him.

The Chipped Cup bonded them, but Z's love for books made A begin to read more. The books at The Chipped Cup were what really brought them together. Z would give A a new book suggestion every week, and A would try his hardest to finish it within that week. He wasn't often successful, but he would try.

One Sunday afternoon, A's father went out of town. A wanted to show Z his house, and, more importantly, the gigantic library his house had. A knew that Z's family was busy on most Sundays, but he knew it was worth a shot. He texted Z to ask her to come over.

Hey, love. My dad is out of town today. Come over, I have something I want to show you. Trust me, you'll like it a lot. ;)

Z took an hour to respond, and when she did it was not an answer A was expecting.

A, I will come over, but I have to talk to you about something.

A was a tad bit worried, but he was ecstatic that Z would be coming over. A rushed around his large home and tidied up the messes that his dad left in various places. Z came over an hour later, so A rushed up and down the stairs: depositing some laundry in the basket, organizing papers in the office, dusting off the neglected living room, organizing the art on the mantle. By the time he was finished, the house was beautifully clean.

When Z arrived, A greeted her happily. She stepped in unsuredly and turned to face A with a defeated expression on her face.

"Ace," Z said tentatively, "I- I can't do this anymore. We can either be real or we can stop sneaking around."

"What are you saying, Z?" A asked, fearfully.

"I'm saying that I can't be with you anymore. I wanted to tell you in person, that's why I came. But I don't want to sneak around with you after school or get in trouble just to see you. I tried changing, but I can't. And you're still getting in trouble all the time. I hoped we could change, but we can't. I'm sorry."

"No, Z, wait. I have changed- I can change!"

"No one can truly change, A."

With that last word, Z walked out sadly. A watched helplessly as she left his house. He had to let her go.