Introverted Love!

Chapter 5

This morning since I had a day off from work I decided to clean the house with Lizetta. I had woken early but dad was nowhere to be found. I really worried about him overworking like this and decided I would wait for him tonight.

Lizetta started on the kitchen as usual her faviroute place and I built up the courage to tackle the garage which we kept saying we would clean but never got around to. Well today was the day I was feeling energised for some reason I felt calm and my head was no longer cluttered with thoughts. I pushed the button on the garage control but nothing happened so I tried to pull the shutter up from the bottom. I got half way when it suddenly slipped out of my hand and I moved back to avoid getting hit. I stumbled over the empty boxes I had bought to clear out with and landed on something soft rather than the tarmac I expected.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked straight into Zack's. They were dark but warm with a deep pool of emotion. His jet black hair hung loose again today. He wore a fitted grey sweater and black pants. I straightened myself up and looked down embarrassed. I was about to thank him when I saw his bandaged right foot. The memory of yesterday came rushing to me but the anger didn't follow, if anything I felt ashamed for not hearing him out and for being so harsh in my punishment. He must have seen me staring
'It doesn't hurt, its just bruised lightly' he spoke softly but clearly like he was giving a speech. I remembered in childhood he was never one to talk much and he lauged even less.
'I'm sorry' i wispered still too embarrassed to look up. This was the second time i had to apologise to him and I didn't like it.
'I was angry but I should have heard you out instead of....' I trailed off.
Looking up at him the sun shone in my eyes and I blinked several times unable to see him clearly. He moved an inch to the right and in doing so blocked the sun, the movement was so subtle I thought I had imagined it altogether.
'Are u able to hear me out now' he said anticipation made his brows furrow in the centre.
A sheepish grin formed on my face ' Well right now i have a garage to clean so..'.
For the first time in 15 years i heard him chuckle and the sound was musical. Startled i looked at him just as the smile faded once again replaced by that emotionless expression he always wore so well.
' Since I'm off work I'll help you' he walked forward into the garage. I noticed how he tried to act like his foot was fine but he winced everytime he put too much pressure on it. I ran behind him and pulled at his arm until he faced me then i pushed him gently into a big red rocking chair that had been my grandma's.
' Sit and sort' I motioned to the collection of books and cds in a blue box by the chair. Without saying a word he began and I started moving the black little crates of photos my father had moved from inside the house after mum passed.

Before we knew it was 2pm in the afternoon and a low rumble from my stomach made us both jump. We had been so engrossed in sorting through old toys and used kitchen utensils we had lost track of time.
'Wow we've been at this for hours' i smiled noteing how well we had worked in almost silence without it ever feeking awkward. 'We should go in and eat' i rubbed my stomach. He looked at me then at his watch
' I should get going i have work to finish before my dad gets home, sorry i cant help you more but i think it's almost done ' he turned to walk back towards his house and i just waved to his back ' thanks' i said feeling dejected. We hadn't spoke about last night and i didn't have the guts to say anything. I trudged onto the porch and swung the front door open to find Lizetta curled up on the sofa watching Neighbours on Channel 5.

'Excuse me what do you call this, I thought you were supposed to be cleaning the kitchen' I grunted
'Finished hours ago' she said without moving a muscle
' Well you could have come and helped me with the garage then'
'Seems like you had all the help you needed' she giggled making my cheeks burn crimson.
'I'm hungry' I said changing the topic as I turned towards the kitchen and left.