Forever One Of The Reasons Why 2-Zach Dempsey

2

    "So, wanna come over tonight? We could watch a movie and just chill, you know" Zach said "Yeah, that sounds great" I smiled up to him, swinging our interlocked hands back and forth as we walked "I'm helping Alex with his physio today after school but how does 7 sound?" he asked "Yeah, 7 is good. Uh, Zach I was meant to ask you something" I said and stopped "What is it, baby girl?" he asked "Bryce told me about a party at his this weekend. And he said you're going and I should come too" I said and he sighed "Yeah I...kinda have to be there" he said "You have to be there?" I asked "Look Roxy, it's complicated....we should all just....try and coexist" he said "Did you forget what he did?" I asked "Of course not but....it's time to move on. Look, he gives me the chills too but we're on the team together. We got to have our backs" he said and I nodded "Okay" I said "But you don't have to come to any of his parties or stuff. I don't want you around him without me there" he said and hugged me "I love you" I said "I love you too, have fun today at practice" he said and kissed me "Okay" I smiled and left.
After cheer practice I went straight home to do homework "What did Courtney say today in court?" I asked Jess over the phone "She said she told the truth" Jess said "Like...the whole truth?" I asked "As in she came out as gay" she said "Oh my..." I said "Yeah....It's crazy that tomorrow I have to be in there" she sighed "How do you feel?" I asked while solving a math problem "I'm scared.....I want to help but I'm scared to...I'm scared to say anything. I want to forget it so bad but I just can't...I see Bryce at school every day" she said "I'm here for you Jess" I said "I know, thanks but my battle is in my head" she said "Bryce asked me to his party that he's having in a few days, do you think he wants to be assured I don't say anything incriminating against him? In court I mean" I said "You said you're not going" she said "I'm not but I'm not sure he knows" I said "I should go, my mom called me for dinner 10 minutes ago" Jess said "Okay, talk to you tomorrow" I said and hung up. I looked at the time and it was almost 7pm. I closed my book and went to freshen up a little "Martha! I'm going to Zach's I won't be too long" I yelled as I ran down the stairs "What about dinner?" she asked "I'll eat there, bye" I said and left. I got in my car and drove to Zach house, his sister letting me in "Hey, May how are you?" I smiled as I stepped inside "Hey" she said and hugged me "I'm good, I'm just doing homework" she said "May, who is it. Oh, Roxanne, how nice to see you" Karen smiled and hugged me "You too" I said "We just got done with dinner but if you're hungry I can warm some up for you" she said "Oh no, I just had dinner before coming here" I smiled and she nodded "Is Zach upstairs?" I asked "Oh yes, did you two make plans?" she asked "He wanted to watch some movies and talk, since this whole court thing started we've all been a little uneasy" I said and she nodded. I walked upstairs and into his room "Hey baby, I was just about to text you" Zach said and hugged me "So, what are we watching?" I asked "Anything good we can find on Netflix" he said and handed me the remote "Want any snacks?" he asked "No, I just had a big dinner, Martha made lasagna" I smiled and he nodded, grabbing the pillows and blankets. He hopped onto the bed and spread his libs out "C'mere" he chuckled and I curled up in his arms, laying my head on his chest "Jess has court tomorrow" I said "I know" he sighed "I'm up in a couple of days too" he added but I stayed silent "Did you change your mind at all?" he asked "No, I'm not going" I said "Okay" he said.
I was sitting on nails the next day with Jess in court "Courtney" I said as I passed her in the hall "Hey" she said "Hey, I heard what you said in court yesterday. That was very brave of you. I should've never called you a closet monster back then" I said "It's fine, thanks tho" she said and I gave her a short hug "Hey, are you going to testify?" she asked "No" I said and left to my locker "Hey there, short cake" Jeff said "You gotta stop, really" I laughed "Speaking of, how about we go to Monet's after class?" he asked "I have cheer practice until 4:30" I sighed "My God, okay fine. How about milkshakes after that?" he asked "Milkshakes....yeah sure" I smiled "Jensen! Looking a little rough" Jeff said as Clay walked past us "Uh, yeah" he said, stopping "Are you coming to court?" he asked me "No" I said "But Jessica's there" Clay said "I know she is, I'm going over to her house later. But I'm not going to court" I said "Hey, it's her choice man" Jeff said "Yeah sure, of course. Well I gotta go, see you guys later" Clay said "Poor kid" Jeff said and I looked at Clay exiting the door "He's still so in love with Hannah Baker, even tho he's trying to hide it" Jeff added "Yeah" I agreed "I'll pick you up at 5 then?" he asked "Yeah, I'll need some time to shower anyway" I smiled and left.
Later that day, I went over to Jessica's to talk to her, comfort her. She was broken after court, another reason for me not to testify. What Hannah said was true but it wasn't the entire story. I got home pretty late, at 11.
When the morning came and I walked downstairs, I was surprised to see my mom "Hey honey" she smiled "You're back" I said and sat down "Yeah, I know this is a hard time, with the testimonials and everything" she said "Here's your lunch" Martha said and put the bag on the counter "Thanks" I said "Have some breakfast honey" mom smiled and sipped her coffee "Actually, I'm late for school. Mr. Porter wants to see me before class" I said "Oh, is that so?" she asked "Yeah, so" I said and grabbed my bag "Oh don't forget about your appointment with your therapist today at 3:30" mom smiled "Yeah" I said and left. I got into my car and drove to school. I dropped my lunch in the garbage before entering the building only to see Jess and Clay arguing "Guys, what's going on" I asked "Why don't you tell her, Clay" Jess scoffed and stormed off "Clay?" I asked and he sighed "Justin's back" he said "What? Justin?" I asked "Yeah, me and Tony went to Oakland yesterday and we found him on the streets" he said "Oh my God" I said "I tried to convince Jessica to come see him but..." he sighed "Yeah, no fucking wonder she won't" I said "Justin's going through a hard time too" Clay said "And Jess is going through an even harder time" I said "He's detoxing in my room right now" he sighed "What? From what?" I asked "Heroine, Sheri is with him and my parents don't know about any of this" he said "Jesus, Clay" I sighed "Yeah, it's pretty bad. Tony's on probation so he can't get too involved" he said "I'd come see him but I have a thing after school....I'll try to tho" I said "Thanks" he said and I nodded, leaving to first period "Hey" I smiled as I walked up to Jess, Alex and Zach "You wanna ditch with us?" Jess asked "What? No way" I said "Fine, c'mon Alex" she said "Woah, Jess hold on, you can't just ditch like this, it's first period" I said "Watch me" she said and the two of them left "What the..." I looked at Zach but he just shook his head "Just let me be" Zach said "Yeah, whatever" I said with an attitude and sat down "You okay?" he asked "Yeah...just woke up on the wrong side of the bed" I said, clenching my jaw.
Not only that my morning started off bad, but Chloe couldn't stop from keeping her mouth shut all day. She went on about how in love she is with Bryce and how she's going over to his place tonight to have dinner with his parents "Do you girls think I should buy a dress?" Chloe asked "No time but you have that cute navy dress, the one with the flower print" Angela said, one of the girls on the cheer squad "No way, it makes me look fat" Chloe said "What about that blush color one?" Krista asked "Yeah that'll be perfect" Chloe smiled and took a bite of her food "Oh my God, I'm so excited. We're so on a next level. I mean he must mean it if he's introducing me to his family" she said. I wanted to say something so bad, yell at her that she's stupid and that Bryce is a rapist. But I couldn't so I didn't "Uh, ladies I'll see you later" I said and stood up "Okay, bye" Chloe smiled. I walked over to Alex and Zach "Hey" I said and sat down "Hey" they both said "Back from ditching?" I asked "Just drop it" Alex said "So I'm not the only one in a pissy modd today huh" I said "Want some?" Zach asked, holding up his sandwich "No" I said "Did you have lunch already?" he asked "Yeah, with Chloe" I lied shamelessly "Okay" he said "Did you know about Justin?" Alex asked "Yeah, Clay told me this morning" I said "Only this morning?" Alex asked "Yes, why are you coming off like this?" I asked "Because Jess kissed me an hour ago and I can't help but know it was an impulse to the breaking fucking news!" Alex lashed out "Dude, relax" Zach said "Why does it always have to be about fucking Justin! Hy couldn't he just fucking stay in some rat hole where he belongs!" Alex said "Alex, Justin's sick" I said "Why are you standing up for him? He let that happen to Jess!" Alex said "There's plenty of blame to go around if you feel generous but don't forget to look in the mirror" I said "What is that supposed to mean?" he scoffed "Nothing" I said and stood up "Babe, hold on" Zach said but I already left.