Want You Back

Chapter 7

"Good morning." said James and opened the bedroom door. Zoe turned to the side. "I got you some coffee." Zoe smiled. Actually, she wanted to go back to sleep, but the gesture was really nice. Zoe sat down and yawned. He sat on the edge of the bed and handed Zoe the coffee. The coffee was still quite warm. The right thing to start a day.

"Look Zoe, I'm sorry. Of course it's your decision. I have to deal with it." James started the conversation. "Apology accepted. Now come here." said Zoe, pulling her brother into a hug. Without spilling the coffee. Subconsciously, Zoe was still disappointed, but that's nothing you can't get over.

"I have something to tell you." said Zoe with a huge smile on her face. "Oh oh." replied James nervously. "No, no. Nothing bad. Just that I'm going to record a song." laughed Zoe. "Wow. That's exciting. I'm happy for you." replied James. "Well, I've got to get to it. Thanks for the coffee." replied Zoe, making a tactical hand gesture for James to leave the room.

Half-asleep, Zoe got up and sat down at her desk. How long it had been since she sat at that desk. The hair was disheveled, but Zoe had to concentrate now. She took her writing pad and her guitar. Zoe could also play the guitar, one of her favorite hobbies. She just hadn't played in a long time.

She thought of Ashton. He had given her the opportunity. Finally, Zoe had a chance. Unfortunately, Ashton still hadn't returned her messages or taken her calls. He ghosted Zoe. Maybe he's just busy.

Ashton was busy. He walked the crowded streets of Los Angeles. But not alone, a young woman with black hair was by his side. The two walked arm in arm toward a restaurant. It was warm and they were both enjoying the beautiful weather. Ashton didn't think about Zoe for a second. Of course, Ashton liked Zoe, but he didn't think about any feelings. For him, the whole situation was low-key. The pretty girl and Ashton had a good laugh. And why shouldn't he spend time with her, if Zoe and Ashton didn't have a steady relationship?

Zoe sat at her guitar and compulsively tried to find some inspiration. Her pencil was already chewed off. Zoe's leg bobbed nervously. It was harder than she thought. Various words floated in her head, but no sensible sentence came out.

"James!" yelled Zoe from her room. "What's up?" came a reply from the living room. "Can you help me?" asked Zoe. James got up from the sofa and went into Zoe's room. He stood expectantly at the door. "I don't know what to write about." yelped his twin. The door to the room was closed and James sat down on the rearranged bed. "And how am I supposed to help you?" he asked, confused. "I don't know anything about music, I can't help you." Zoe sighed loudly. James is definitely the wrong person to ask this. She was clearly stressed. No real thought came to her. "Okay. That can wait now. How's it going with you bro?"

"You look really pretty." whispered Ashton to Lily. The black haired girl smiled. The two sat down at a nice table. The table was outside and had a great view. It looked like the two of them were getting along really well. Ashton did not stop flirting.

Zoe and James talked a lot. The two had not seen each other for a long time. James is a real estate agent in London and is apparently making it big. Zoe sat down with her brother. It was really good for her to be with James again. "You suck up." laughed Zoe. "What?" inquired James. "You're really kissing your boss's ass." Zoe continued to laugh. "Haha. True." James admitted.

Zoe didn't think about Ashton. She was living in the moment. She was just happy, just the way it is right now.

Ashton did exactly the same thing. He didn't think about Zoe and enjoyed his time with Lily.

"Did I tell you how handsome you look today?" slurred Lily. "Thanks. You too, beautiful." Ashton laughed as he paid the bill. They got into his car. The car that Zoe liked so much.

"Hold on a second." said Zoe as she looked at her phone. It was a message from Grace. It was pictures of Ashton and a stranger. Zoe had no idea who this girl was or what she had to do with Ashton. Her heart started to speed up. "Are you okay?" asked James when he noticed Zoe's mood sinking. "No. I need to be alone." James left the room and gave Zoe a pitying look. He knew what this was about, but Zoe needed her time to herself right now.

James walked back into the living room. He sat down on the nice couch and bounced his leg restlessly.

Zoe sat transfixed on her bed and looked closely at the photos. Ashton had the girl in his arms and they were both laughing. They were apparently paparazzi pictures. She couldn't answer Grace. What was Zoe going to write to her anyways?

The tears accumulated. But Zoe did not want to cry. Not again. Not again because of Ashton. She thought that the two of them had built a stable relationship again. Everything was forgiven and now Ashton does this. Actually, she shouldn't be mad, there was no reason. The two do not have a loving relationship with each other. Was it perhaps because of their history? Or did Zoe develop feelings, she didn't know about?

But that was exactly what Zoe needed. She needed to be in tune with her feelings. This situation was used to her advantage.

Zoe sat down at her desk, picked up her chewed pen and wrote her thoughts down. All of them.

It was painful, but the thoughts came bubbling out like that. The pages were written full. Couple of chords were played. The pen was picked up again. And after a few hours the song was finished. Somehow Zoe felt bad that she used her pain from a random situation for her song, but it was her feelings that had built up over the years. And she finally wanted to let them go.

The floor creaked as Zoe walked into the living room. "I'm done. I wrote a song." she said to James. "Wow. I'm proud of you." he replied, hugging her. "Do you want to talk about it?" inquired James. Zoe shook her head. It was fine as it was now.