The Death of Jacob Track (Book One of the 33X Series)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

November 4, 2014

Zacchya really needed some good news. She was happy, of course, that Trevor had come home the day before from jail. She actually slapped him for being so stupid and reckless! And then she hugged him tight, saying "You leave me for jail again, I'm going to kick your ass, bro!" She loved him too much to stay mad at him. She was a pretty forgiving person in general, and definitely understood his point of view after he explained it all. She was mad that he was stupid enough to go to the tracks to see Jacob. Furious that Jacob was actually there and not a rumor. Mad that Nick was abused, but sympathetic to their "hero" wannabe moment. Sad that Trina and Alicia were injured.

Then she had to deal with April and Tim being gone as well. Trevor was friends with both, so he was saddened as well, but not as much as she was. April was her best friend. It really hurt she hadn't even said goodbye. All of her texts to April were returned as "undeliverable". April had completely turned off her phone, no service.

And to make it even worse, she got a call from Sunnyvale that her friend, Marissa, was dead. Marissa had a long history of self abuse, so she knew that the call would come eventually, but she never expected it so soon. But knowing someone will die if they continue their destructive behaviors, and them actually dying, is quite different. Marissa had made it numerous times where she shouldn't have lived, but always pulled through. Apparently that wasn't one of those times.

Between the grief, sadness over April, worrying about Trevor, and her depression all combining together, she was a bit surprised she hadn't lost it yet. Her emotions were running too high and she was having a lot of difficulty keeping it together.

As she sat at the lunch table, she realized how bad things had gotten over the past week. Alicia and Trina were gone in the hospital. Bobby was apparently grounded or faking sick, as he wasn't there either. It was just her and Trevor alone. She picked at her ham sandwich and chips, but she didn't feel that hungry. Trevor wasn't eating much either.

"You think everyone knows I was in jail?" Trevor asked quietly.

"Who cares if they do? Don't let them judge you. They don't know your true intentions."

"I know. I just am so full of guilt from it all, I feel like it's a beacon on my face." Trevor sighed.

"I know. You are glowing a bit." She smiled.

"Ha ha..."

"I can't imagine you'd not feel guilty. I think I'd disown you, if you didn't!"

"You probably should anyway. You realize I could do prison time for this..." Trevor sighed again. He wanted to make a joke and forget his troubles, but they were too heavy on his shoulders. He wanted to be a good brother and comfort his sister, but he didn't have the strength. That alone made him feel even worse about himself.

"Trevor I would never disown you and you know that! We're womb-mates! I love you!" Zacchya smiled, trying not to focus on the thought of her brother in prison.

"Womb-mates! Oh you've been watching 'Jack and Jill' haven't you?" Trevor smirked.

"You know I love Adam Sandler movies. They help cheer me up! I watched it the other day."

"Maybe we should watch it together after school. I need a good laugh and a good twin movie."

"Yes, definitely we should!" She smiled. Her life might be in a bad spot, Trevor's too, but she always had her brother. Just Trevor being there beside her, not even trying to help, helped. They were twins and best friends. She couldn't make it without him, and she surely didn't know what she'd do if he did go to prison.