𝐒𝐄𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 ; zach herron

S I X

Sabrina felt like she was going to throw up any minute now.

Zach and her were walking back to her house after school (but not before stopping at a local video store to rent the movie). He was talking animatedly to her about- well, she really had no idea what. She was too lost in her thoughts to actually hear what he was saying.

She had asked people throughout the day if they'd ever met or seen someone named Zach Herron before. She'd even given them Zach's description, but no one knew who she was talking about.

The whole situation was really starting to freak her out. Especially when she realized that after three months she'd never been to Zach's house before. Hell, she didn't even know where he lived! Not to mention he never talked about his family. Ever. Sabrina just assumed that he had problems with them and that's why he never told her anything concerning them.

Maybe Zach isn't the person she thought he was. And if that was true, then she honestly had no idea what she'd do. What if he really was a stalker? Or some crazy psychopath? But how could she know for sure? The only proof she had was that no one at school seemed to know him and she'd never seen his house. That's hardly case cracking evidence.

And yet she had never felt so terrified.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She jumped, her heart beating rapidly. "Fine. Why do you ask?"

"You seem a little on edge. And you're really quiet."

"It's nothing, don't worry. I was just distracted." She tried to give him a smile, but it felt forced. Plus, she couldn't meet his eyes.

"Alright, if you say so." His tone clearly stated that he didn't believe her.

They made it to her house and quickly began setting up for their movie night. Sabrina made popcorn as Zach put in the DVD. The creepy music had already begun as soon as Sabrina had sat down on the couch trying to get comfortable. Zach moved closer to her and she let him share the blanket.

As they watched the film, Sabrina did her best to shake away the unease she felt from her daily discoveries. There had to be a logical explanation to all of this and she was just overthinking the situation. There had to be.

So instead she focused on the movie, which was pretty terrifying actually. There came one particular scene where Sabrina felt the hair on her arms stand on end. She knew the killer was going to pop out, she just knew it. And yet, like the scaredy-cat that she was, she still screamed in surprise when it happened.

But that wasn't the most embarrassing part. No, the worst part was that she basically leaped into Zach's lap in the process.

"You alright there?" he chuckled.

"I should have never let you talk me into watching this," she grumbled.

"Come on, it's not so bad."

She glared at him. "Are you even human? I'm pretty sure this movie can give people heart attacks."

He laughed. "Okay, okay. We don't have to watch the rest if you don't want to."

"Thank God! Just turn it off already! Please!"

Zach turned off the television while shaking his head at her dramatics. As soon as the light from the screen vanished, the whole room was encased in black. Sabrina could barely make out Zach's face, but she could feel his presence surrounding her. It may also have to do with the fact that she was still sitting on his lap.

A minute passed before he moved. His hands went around her waist slowly, as if he were afraid she'd run off if he went too fast. Her hands were on his chest, gripping his shirt tightly to make her hands stop shaking. His forehead leaned against hers, his breath coming out in short pants.

"Sabrina?" he whispered.

She couldn't respond. She could barely breathe at the moment, let alone actually form a sentence.

"I really want to kiss you right now."

That snapped her back to the present. "I-I've never- I mean, I don't-"

"It's okay," he said, his tone reassuring. "Me neither."

"Really?"

"Really." He placed his hand on her cheek, his thumb moving softly across her skin. "We don't have to if you don't want to. I understand."

"No! I do," she said quickly, wrapping her arms around his neck in attempt to pull him closer. "I want to."

He smiled, making her heart feel like it was doing a gymnastics routine. She couldn't wait anymore, so she leaned in the rest of the way and kissed her best friend.

A tingling sensation rippled through her as soon as their lips touched. It wasn't a heated, passionate kiss. But instead it was warm and sweet, just like she thought a first kiss should be.

She felt as if her senses had heightened as the kiss continued. Her skin turned hot whenever she touched his skin. Her ears could only catch the sounds of their heavy breathing. His scent reminded her of the ocean, which was strange since they didn't live near one. And his lips were warm and tasted like salty popcorn.

They moved slowly as Zach's hand drifted to Sabrina's hair. He started to lean over her as she laid back against the couch, never breaking the kiss. His forearms rested beside her head as her hands ran through his dark unruly waves.

It didn't take long for the realization to hit Sabrina straight in the gut.

Jesus fucking Christ, I'm making out with Zach! My best friend. Who may be lying to me. Who may be a psychopath. And also a stalker. What am I doing?! But it feels so good... SNAP OUT OF IT!

"Zach," she gasped, trying to catch her breath.

"Hmm?" he hummed while trailing kisses down her neck.

Her eyes nearly rolled back from how amazing that felt, but she was determined to stay focused.

"Where do you go to school?"

He chuckled, his voice sounded deeper than usual. "Sabrina, we've walked to the same school together for the past few months. I think the answer is pretty obvious."

He leaned back and started kissing her again. She almost relented, but she just couldn't let it go.

"Zach," she said again, breaking the kiss. "Just answer the question."

He stared at her for a moment, his eyes not shining as brightly as they usually do. "Sabrina, what is this about?"

"I asked people around school today about you, but no one knew who you were. It's been three months, Zach. How come no one has ever seen you before?"

"I like to keep to myself."

"But I asked all the teachers who teach senior classes and they've never heard of a Zach Herron either."

He sighed. "Can we not talk about this right now?"

"No, Zach. I want to know."

He sat up. "Why is this information so important to you?"

"Because I don't know anything about you!" she exclaimed.

"What are you talking about? You know a lot about me."

"I don't know where you live, I know nothing about your family, and it seems like you don't even go to school! Why can't you just tell me, Zach? I'm your best friend, these are things I should already know about."

He frowned and looked away from her. "I can't tell you, Sabrina."

"Why not?" she asked desperately. "This is honestly scaring me, Zach! How am I supposed to trust you if you can't even talk to me about the simplest things?!"

"Sabrina!" her mother barked, flicking on the light of the living room. She didn't even hear her car pull up. "Why in the world are you yelling?"

"It's nothing, Mom. I was just talking with Zach."

Her mother scrunched her eyebrows. "Who's Zach?"

When Sabrina turned to the boy next to her, he was gone.

Zach had disappeared.