Lori’s POV
“So, please keep this a secret from him. It would break his heart if he found out I gave up on our dream...”
“…It would break his heart if he found out I gave up on our dream…”
“…It would break his heart…”
It had been a month since Wes had told me the truth, but I still couldn’t get the words out of my head.
No. Not the fact that he dropped out. Not even the fact that his mother died. But the fact that he was hiding the truth from Zac. That I was hiding the truth from Zac.
In these past four months that I’ve known him, Zac has truly become one of my closest friends. Well, he’s my only friend, but still! I could talk to Zac about any and everything. He was my go-to person when Wes was being a jerk. He was the person I asked for help when I couldn’t figure out my calculus homework. He was my party buddy, my shopping buddy. My best friend.
And now, I was lying to him.
The guilt was eating away at my insides, but it wasn’t my secret to tell. And I would keep my word to Wes. I wouldn’t say anything to Zac about Wes’s life. It was the least I could do since Wes trusted me.
* * *
I was just about to pour the pasta into the boiling water when Zac bounded into the kitchen.
“Whatchya doin’?” he asked, his large smile lighting up his face.
“Skydiving,” I replied, letting the sarcasm color my voice. What can I say? This time of the month gets me really cranky, and even my best friend isn’t safe from my sharp tongue. He noticed my attitude, and his smile turned into a smirk.
“That time of the month, Lor?” Zac asked, his eyebrows raised devilishly.
“No,” I answered too quickly, and he merely laughed. My face burned, which caused Zac to laugh even harder. I pursed my lips and waited to him to get ahold of himself before asking, “Is there a reason you’re here, Zachary Daniels? Or did you just come to annoy me to death?”
“Ooooh, the full name. Am I in trouble?” he asked, a teasing glint still in his eyes. I rested my hands on my hips to show him how serious I was, and he sobered up immediately. “Actually, yeah. I want you to come somewhere with me,” he added hastily.
“Where?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“On a picnic!” he exclaimed, holding out a large basket that he had brought with him. He seemed to already know that I would refuse, so he started pleading, “Please, please, please, Lori!!”
“I don’t feel well, Zac,” I argued.
“It’ll make you feel better!” he countered.
“The water is boiling. I’m in the middle of cooking pasta,” I tried again. He turned me to face the stove, where my once-piping hot water had cooled.
“What boiling water?” he added for emphasis. “C’mon, Lori. Pleeeeeeeaaase!?” he nearly yelled.
I shook my head at his pouty lips and whiny tone. Twenty years old but acting like a baby. I thought for a moment before answering, “Zac, if I come with you, do you promise to stop acting like a two-year-old?” He scowled at my choice of words but started to grin when he realized that I had given in.
“Yes! Thank you, Lori. I’ll love you forever and ever!!” he promised, squishing me into a tight hug. I smiled at his child-like antics and returned the hug. He was such a big kid. And a pain sometimes. But I really loved my best friend.
YOU ARE READING
You and Me
Teen Fiction**ON HOLD** “Do you believe in love at first sight?” Her eyes widened in shock as she registered my words. “Because I could always walk by another time.” -Wes Adams Wes is a college boy, who works at a nearby gas station to make ends meet. He’s g...
