In This Lifetime...

Chapter 7: The Promise

Stas- *wakes up in a panic then rubs her eyes before looking around* What are you doing here?

Zac- Telana called me, she said I should come see you....and I couldn't sleep....and it's 3 am. *laughs a little*

Stas- Oh *sits up next to Zac and laughs* How did you get in? My dad would've never let you in. He doesn't know you.

Zac- Telana let me in. Which left me questioning why she's here so late...?

Stas- Oh she practically calls this her second house since she hates going home. My dad treats her like a daughter so she just chooses not to leave. Fine w.... *remembers how Telana walked out on her before she fell asleep* yeah... *runs her hand back through her hair* You must be tired.

Zac- Oh I see...you don't seem so joyful about it...do you not like her? *looks over at Stas*

Stas- I do...it's just we had a little misunderstanding earlier, and she walked out on me...then I fell asleep and...

Zac- Slept in hell?

Stas- You can say that...

Zac- Do you wanna talk about it? *wraps his arm around Stas*

Stas- *lays her head on Zac's shoulder still remembering her boyfriend's "rules"* I just...don't leave. I don't wanna be alone. I'm sorry.

Zac- *pulls Stas closer and lays back down with her* I'm not going anywhere. Don't worry.

Stas- How did your mom let you go? *lays her head on Zac* She practically hates me.

Zac- She's allowed to do what she wants. But that means I am too. She was asleep, so I paid Nic not to tell her I left.

Stas- *laughs* You bribed your own brother? That's pretty smart.

Zac- Yeah.. He does anything for money. Literally. *laughs* So do you wanna talk about this nightmare? You know, to get it off your mind. I'm here to listen if you need to.

Stas- *stops laughing and goes silent for a while*

Zac- ....or we don't have to.

Stas- oh sorry, I got distracted by your heart beat. It's got a good beat to it. I'm weird I know. *laughs*

Zac- *notices how she changes the subject but goes along with it laughing* Oh I see. Yeah, the sound of a heart beat fascinates me. It's got good rhythm...well...if your heart is healthy that is.

Stas- can we talk serious for a minute? *sits up and looks at Zac*

Zac- *still laying down but looks up over at Stas* yeah sure, what's up?

Stas- *hesitates* So... Ever since we started talking, I feel like I can open up to you and be myself, and I've just... I've never been able to do that with anyone before.. It's crazy, how you can understand my pain, understand my story, understand it all. Because you've been through the same. It's crazy.

Zac- it's suppose to be that way. It's not crazy, it's meant to be like this. You came into my life at a bad time for me and since then, you've made it great. I came into your life and I have tried more than ever to make you happy. Because when I'm talking to you, happy is all I am.

Stas- You're the best Zac. I'll never leave your side. I know we've only been talking for a little while but you mean a lot to me. We have a connection, and it's almost as if you were made to come into my life. Such a blessing.

Stas's Dad- *wakes up and walks into the living room to see Telana passed out on the couch* Hmmmm...*walks upstairs slowly and listens in on Stas's room*

Zac- *hears someone at the door and quietly gets up* Don't move Stas.. *opens the door slowly and see Stas's dad*

Stas's Dad- *takes Zac by the hair and throws him into the hallway wall* What the hell do you think you're doing? *looks at Stas* is this how I've raised you? *walks into towards her*

Zac- *knocks his head into the wall*ouch.. *lunges back up and forward toward Stas's dad and pulls him back* You can hurt me. Don't touch her. *steps in front of him and stands there*

Stas- *gets around Zac and her dad and runs down to Telana* Telana! Get up!

Telana- *shoots her eyes open* Your dad found Zac didn't he.

Stas- how'd you know...

Zac- Go ahead. Take a hit. I'm ready.

Stas's dad- You little jerk. Don't even give me an attitude *gets in Zac's face* because you'll regret that. *punches Zac scare in the face and gives him a bloody nose to match the blood gushing out of the gash in his head from being thrown into the wall* it's too late for you to be here so unexpectedly. *picks Zac up and drops him on the ground with force*

Telana- Oh...I just had a feeling. You know...the way he stormed up there. The way he's yelling. I don't know you tell me Stas. *sits up and let's Stas sit next to her*

Zac- *stands up awkwardly to hide his pain and wipes the blood off his forehead* Are you done yet...

Stas's dad- oh son, you have to leave now. *grabs Zac by the hair and drags him to the stairs and shoves him down towards the door*

Telana- *stands up and goes to help Zac up* Zac. Run. Now. *gets Zac out the door and runs to sit back down before she gets caught*

Stas- *grabs Telana and yanks her back down on the couch* We're not coming back here tomorrow.

Stas's dad- *walks down the stairs and looks in at Stas and Telana* If you ever bring anyone over again this late at night without my approval, that's gonna be you tumbling down those stairs. *walks back to his room and slams the door*

Stas- We've got to get out of here.

Telana- we?

Stas- this isn't your damn house. Be mad at me or whatever but you know that you need to help me. I've had your back for ages. Let's go. *goes up to her room avoiding the blood stains and grabs her stuff then goes back downstairs and outside to her car* wait... *sees Zac's car still out front* Zac?

Zac- *rolls her window down* Need a ride? How about Telana?

Telana- *walks out with her bags and looks at shocked as Stas* Oh hey Zac..yeah we'll need a ride. Or Stas will anyways, I have to get my car out of here. *goes to her car and gets in* My house. *drives away and speeds up the street*

Stas- *looks at Telana driving away* Can you give me a ride to her house.. *walks towards Zac's car*

Zac- *gets out and helps Stas with her stuff* Sure. *gets in the car and drives up the road silently*

Stas- Zac, I'm really sorry...I didn't know he'd snap like that.. Honestly. If you never wanna talk to me again..*looks down to hide her tears* I understand. You don't deserve that..

Zac- *pulls over and looks at Stas* Hey, look at me.

Stas- *wipes her eyes and looks at Zac*

Zac- I'm not mad at you. I don't want you to feel like just because your dad doesn't like me or anything crazy like that is gonna make me hate you. I told you, you make me happy. You make my life better. I'm not gonna take that and just let it go over something so little. I'm here to stay. *holds out his hand*

Stas- *grabs Zac's hand* Promise..? Because so ma- *gets cut off*

Zac- I get it Stas. So many people have said it but didn't mean it. I know. I've been through it. Things happen. Real people stay. Which is why I promise that I'll never leave. No matter what. Ever. *attempts to make her smile* Like Edward told Bella in Twilight... You are my life now. *cracks a smile over to her*

Stas- *breathes out in relief and smiles at Zac* This is why I can't live without you by my side. Please don't leave.

Zac- I won't. *gets back on the road and drives to Telana's house still holding Stas's hand* I promise you that.