caring isn't for everyone | z.k •PRETTYMUCH AU•

•fifteen•

"For real?" Austin asks, looking his best friend with worry with a hint of amusement. He placed his hand over his mouth to avoid showing what he found so funny. He coughed, playing it off.

It was only because he told him about the sad masturbation and another random Brandon encounter.

Zion nodded. "I don't know if I can do this anymore. She's not even here and it feels like she's controlling me. Meanwhile she's probably getting play by Edwin and Nick—"

"Sorry, what?" His brows raised. "Are you dumb? Why the hell would you let her go there?"

"Chill on me," He says, crossing his arms. "I just wanted her gone for a minute because she was just pissing me off and at the point it didn't matter where she went."

Austin sucked his teeth. "Now it does. Do you realize what you just did. You left your fine ass girlfriend in a house with two people who are willing to do anything to make her better, and you think she's going to say no because you two are on a break?"

He had a point, he always did to be honest. Though he was the odd ball out of not messing with so many girls compared to his friends he was still grounded enough to spit some common sense.

"I didn't think of it that way." He said, staring off into the distance.

"Obviously not. Call her."He says, grabbing Zion's phone from beside him, handing it to him.

"What—"

"Call her."

"No! I don't-"

"For fucks sake, forget your pride and have some common sense and call Amari!" He threw his phone at his bare chest. "Tell her to come back here, and make a reservation for a hotel or something."

He took the phone from his lap, looking at it then looking at Austin, who just seemed completely over the moon with his bullshit. He unlocked his phone, going to her contact and pressing call.

He held the phone to his ear with hesitation, ready to move and press the red button. Soon enough, the ringing stop and there was silence for a second or two.

"Hello?" Her voice was gentle, so soft.

"Hey." Zion's eye's shot toward Austin, who gestures for him to say his piece. "I want you to come back over so we can talk."

"Why?"

"I'll explain that when you come back home."

There was a pause.

"Just say what you have to say now."

"It's better if I tell you in person. Amari, don't argue with me."

There was a deep breath. "I'm not trying to, I just want to know before I go. Do you want to bring my stuff back with me?"

"Yes."

"We're still on break?"

"Yes."

"So why do I need to come back?"

"Mari don't fucking argue with me."

"Calm down. I'm not. Z— I'll get my stuff I'll come over, okay? I don't need you to be upset with me any more than you already are."

He shook his head, almost forgetting she can't see him. "No, I'm not upset. Just come back home so we can talk, pack all of your stuff."

"Erm, okay. Bye,"

"Bye."

She hung up the phone, watching her screen as she locked her phone, throwing it next to her on the couch.

Nick walked down the stairs, observing that she was all alone. He smiled to himself before walking over. Plopping next her she didn't even bother to turn in his direction.

"Who was that?" He asked, hoping he wasn't overstepping.

"Z. I'm going to go get my stuff ready." She began to rise from the couch.

Nick's first instinct was to keep her from going too soon so he'd grabbed a hold of her hand. "Why?"

"He wants to talk."

"About what?" He asked, standing, still holding her hand.

But then she snatched it away, a bit bothered now. "Why are you prying?"

"I'm just worried about you." He says, watching her face twist into a mean mug naturally. "I'm sorry. I just want to sit with you for a minute. He can wait."

He somehow got her to sit back down, though she was still feeling rubbed the wrong way. She watched as his hands rubbed together like he'd just placed moisturizer in them. He sighed. "You know how I feel and everything, so I just want to propose an opportunity you can give me right now; to kiss me."

"Nig-"

"Wait! Wait, wait." He placed his hands up in defense. "Only if you want to."

She grunted. "That's exactly how all of this started. Me kissing you at all and that's were you want to go? Nick, how selfish are you?"

He scratched the back of his neck. "I'm not. That's why I'm asking for consent."

She rolled her eyes. "Do you even care about me? What I'm going through? Who I'm actually with? Cause this situation only benefits you,"

"Mar, you're looking at it wrong—"

"I'm looking at it right." Her eyes shot at him like daggers. "I need to go now."

She stood from the couch once more before charging over to her room to pack her stuff right back up. Just as she closed the door behind herself Edwin appears, coming after the storm, completely confused. Nick just sat there, disoriented.

The dominican glared at the boy sitting on the couch. "The hell did you do, Mara?"

"I was trying to catch my open opportunity, but she's about to leave.

He just shook his head. "You should give it up, because next thing you know you go and ruin a relationship. I'm gonna go in there, and ask her if she needs a ride."

He watched as Edwin marched away onto check on Amari. He shrugged, talking to himself now. "Oh, Nick don't go ruin a relationship! Oh please," He mocks him as he gets up from his seat on the couch to grab something to drink from the fridge.

Meanwhile, Ed watched her as she stuffed her clothing in the same large back she brought, throwing his hoodie over herself this time, though it was the climax of summer. He scrunched up his nose at wardrobe choice but then smirked a bit as she took the sleeve to her nose, sniffing it.

"Do you want me to go drop you off?" He asks, watching her zip up the bag.

"That would be nice," She replied.

He jerked his head in the direction, a gesture telling her to get a move along since it seemed she was all ready. He'd already started walking away before she could call to him.

"Wait!"

"Not done?"

She shook her head. "No, just... thank you."

He looked to his left then to his right. "For?"

"Being there, like every single time even though you know I'm being dumb." Amari giggled.

"It's what I do. Now, let's go."

~*~*~*~