A Zombie's Heart

Chapter 17

     The following morning, Kayla and Karissa walk into my room. 

     "Wow guys," I say, "Ever heard of knocking?" 

     They ignore my question. 

     "Celeste, your room smells like a dead body," says Kayla. 

     "Its coming from the bathroom. I avoid opening the door as much as possible ," I reply. 

     Karissa walks over and sits on my bed. "How are you feeling?" I shrug "So, what happened again? Didn't you fall or something?" 

     I take a deep breath. "Well you probably wont believe me, but it was Kiersten. She knocked me out with a gun." 

     Kayla looks at me with a shocked expression. "What!? Kiersten!? No way! Shes the nicest! I think you were just tired or something." 

     I turn my head away and look out the window. "I knew you wouldnt believe me. Um, whats that?" I point out the window and their heads follow. 

     "Zombies?" asks Karissa. 

     They're in the distance and hard to see, but theres a group of them. I lay down in bed. "I'm going to kill whoever made this drug, if they aren't already dead," I say to myself. 

     Kayla sits down on my bed next to Karissa. "So what do you think? You know, about Kiersten and Taehyung. Honestly, I think they're a super cute couple." Karissa agrees with Kayla. Then they both look at me. "Is it awkward for you seeing your ex with someone else?" 

     I look at Kayla. "First off, he isn't my ex. We were never official. And second off, I couldn't care less if they're together." 

     Theres an awkward silence for what feels like forever. The quiet is interrupted by a gentle knock at the door. 

     Karissa turns to Kayla. "Oh shoot, we have our date with Joonie and Jimin." 

     I give them a confused look. "Where on earth are you going to go?" 

     "We dont know yet," says Kayla as they walk to the door. 

     "We'll find somewhere. Get better soon!" Karissa waves goodbye and then they shut the door.

***

      Kiersten walks in about a half hour later. "Oh, you aren't dead yet? Too bad." 

     "What are you doing in my room, Kiersten? And why would you expect me dead?" 

     She laughs. "Oh, its just that, it must be killing you to see me with Tae Tae Bear." I roll my eyes and she grins. 

     "Would you get out? While I'm asking nicely?" 

     She sits on the end of my bed. "You know, at our date, he told me that he loved me more than anyone else. I think that we'll be together until death honestly. Dont you?" 

     I sit up, take my knife and press it against her throat. I get close to her face and in a low voice, I say, "I will get him back. I will do what I have to, even if it means killing you to be with him." 

     She stands up and pulls out a gun and points it at me. "Go ahead Kiersten, shoot me....what's taking so long? You're only risking your relationships with everyone here. Go on, shoot." 

     She starts breathing heavily. Then quickly, she points the gun at her shoulder and shoots. She screams loudly. She tosses the gun onto my bed right as Taehyung and Abbi run in. 

     "WHAT DID YOU DO!?" yells, Taehyung. 

     "I-" 

     "Stop Celeste," interrupts Abbi. "Just stop." 

     Taehyung picks up Kiersten and looks at me. He looks both angry and hurt. He carries her out the door and Abbi turns to look at me. 

     "I know you have never liked her, but why cant you think of how others might feel with her gone!? Some of us love her Celeste! Is this because she's with Taehyung and you're not!? Because you have to get over it! You had your chance and you messed it up!" She leaves the room and slams the door shut. 

     "It wasn't me!" I yell before bursting into tears.

***

     There's a quiet knock at the door.

     "Go away!" I yell. 

     A few minutes later, I hear a click and the door swings open. 

     "Geez, you could've made it so much easier for me if you would've just opened the door for me." Addi walks over and sits next to me. "I heard what happened. Why did you do it?" 

     I avoid her eyes. "I didn't do anything, but nobody ever believes me when I tell them it isn't me." 

     She puts a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, I know you're going through a hard time-" 

     "Yeah, but when will it end? Im tired of this! I know I screwed up with Taehyung, and I wish I didn't! But then Kiersten, the one person in my life who I actually want dead, comes and makes my life more a living hell than it already was!" 

     "Celeste, I believe you. I will always believe you, okay? And you need to believe me when I say that everything will get better. Honestly, I can tell that Kiersten is a brat who needs to be put in her place. And if we need to, we can always slip some cyanide into her water, okay?"We both laugh and she gives me a hug. "You'll be okay Celeste. I know you will. You'll figure out how to get through this. You've always figured these things out, ever since we were little." She wipes away my tears. "I love you Celeste." 

     I smile at her. "I love you too Addi. You've always been there for me. You're the best cousin anyone could ask for." 

     She gives me one more hug before getting up. "Am I a better cousin than Abbi?" 

     "Goodnight Addi." She leaves the room quietly and I peacefully fall asleep.