My Brothers Friend || Zach Herron

Why Not

corbyns pov

I just sat there, I couldn't move, I didn't wanna make her mad
This cant be about Zach or the boys anymore.
Zach is a good guy
But good enough for her?
Stop Corbyn, she said she doesn't like him like that, they barely know each other.
"Y/n?" she had tears running down her face
"I need you here, with me, not in LA with the boys"
"I.." I couldn't speak, I didn't wanna make things worse.
"I need the boys as well, they are like brothers to me and I can't imagine what I would do if you guys weren't with me everyday"
She was crying really hard now, I was scared, I haven't seen her like this since dad walked out.

*flashback*

"Bro, middle school is hard" Daniel patted me on the shoulder as we walked home from our first day back from spring break.
"Its different." Jack chimed in. "More idiots to deal with"
I chuckled.
I just wanted to see how y/n was doing, school had been rough for her. Only because family life was getting harder, our dad has been getting really drunk and angry lately, he yells at y/n and I. It scares her cause she doesn't understand, she thinks she did something wrong, poor girl she was only in 4th grade.
"see ya guys tomorrow!" I yelled from my driveway as the boys kept walking.
I walked into the house and found that y/n had beaten me home, she was crying, shaking and couldn't talk. She pointed up the stairs, I dropped my backpack and walked into my parents room and found a giant mess. The dresser drawers were open wide and the bed was a mess, I looked like things had been thrown because some of the most random things were out of place.
"IT'S NOT WORKING LIKE I WANT" I heard my dad's voice coming from the closet, I walked over to find my mom crying just like y/n, my dad was throwing cloths into suit cases next to his feet.
"PLEASE, THE KIDS, STOP BEING SO SELFISH, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY" My mom was a mess, my dad stared at me like he didn't even know me then ran downstairs.
He threw three suitcases into the back seat of his truck, gave us one last look and then an eyeroll before pulling out of the driveway.
We never saw him again after that, y/n only came out of her room to eat for months. My mom kinda fell apart as well, and I knew I had to step up. I would walked into her room and place her on my lap while playing with her hair.
"I am here, don't worry" I would whisper into her ear when she would try and sleep. " I'm not going anywhere, I will always be here, that's a promise you can count on, understand?" I would feel her head move up and down in response. That's how I knew I was doing a good job.
I was not gonna become my dad, not only did he leave but he made y/n feel like she wasn't good enough and left right in front of her. He was gone, and I was never gonna be like him.
Ever.

*flashback over*

"Y/n, I understand everything, but I'm not gonna be here forever. I was filling out applications for colleges when we got the call." I had planned on going to college until music took off.
" I understand that, but I still had a few months, now I only have 3 weeks at the most, I'm not ready, when I had months I could at least prepare myself" she never lifted her head when she talked.
" Well y/n you are almost 16 you don't need me" I instantly regretted that.
"Its not that I depend on you, it just that you have always been here for me. And guess what, sometimes it hurts when the people you love leave, no matter the reason." She stood up grabbed her purse and walked out the door.
What have I done, why did I say that.
I wanted to go after her but my bike was flat and my mom take my car keys after dinner if I haven't made plans before hand.
Gosh I'm and idiot.

*y/n pov*

I didn't know where I was going, I just need to be out of that house, away from Corbyn, away from my house, I need to be away.
I was walking down the road when I ran into someone.
"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention" my voice wasn't very pleasant, I had been crying for hours.
"We have got to stop meeting like this" I heard a laugh and then saw a face that actually didn't make me want to run.
Zach Herron
"Why are you out here this late?"
"I couldn't be at home." He seemed confused. "I um, had a fight with Corbyn"
"Oh I see"
"Yeah" I stared at my feet and rocked back and forth.
"Well you should be out in the cold, come on, my house is just a few minutes this way, my aunt won't mind"
"Well.." I was hesitant. What Corbyn had said was playing in my head.
You know you can't date any of the boys right
You can't be with them like that.
"Come on, please? I don't want you to be alone like this" he flashed a smile and held out his hand. 
"Why not" I gave in, I was cold and tired from crying. 
I took placed my hand in his and walked in the direction he pointed earlier. 
His hand was warm and soft, I didn't wanna look at him so I kept my eyes on the ground. I feel like that made the situation more awkward, but I didn't know what else to do.