zoe | b. hargrove

3 6

𝖆𝖈𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊, 𝖘𝖈𝖊𝖓𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝖘𝖎𝖝

♥

LIVING IN AGONY
___________________________________

Zoe's days felt repetitive. Wake up, go to school, visit her dad, go to sleep. The brunette girl had began making bad habits, like drinking all day and smoking.

Her group had noticed her drastic change in behaviour and they heard her cry her eyes out at night. Although Jesse hated smoking, he still bought cigarettes for her. Jesse knew how she was feeling and sometimes it's nice having something that gives you a release, even if that release is slowly bringing you to your death.

Zoe arrived home from the hospital, only to find Billy's car sitting out the front of her house. This happened often, Billy would come over unannounced and the group would let him inside, in hopes that Zoe wouldn't get mad.

Usually she didn't, but sometimes she did. Zoe hates it the most when he bought Jessica over. Although the first time Jessica ever stepped foot into Zoe's house she was in awe, which made Zoe feel some type of empowerment.

Zoe walked into her house with a cigarette in her mouth. She greeted everyone, completely ignoring Billy though. Zoe sat down next to Katherine.

"You okay?" Katherine asked.

Zoe sighed. "Been better," she responded. Katherine nodded and glanced over at Billy who was confused.

"Why are you smoking?" Billy asked.

"Why do you care?" Zoe replied, glaring at the boy.

"Because, stop doing it," Billy said, taking a step closer.

"You can't tell me what to do Billy, we're not together," Zoe said. She stood up and walked away from the group of teenagers.

Zoe headed out the back door and Billy followed her.

"Seriously, Zoe. Move on, I want to be friends," Billy said.

Zoe chuckled. "Sorry that I can't get over you as quickly as you got over me," Zoe said, throwing the cigarette on the ground and squashing it. "Not everyone is perfect like you and your little girlfriend Jessica," Zoe smiled.

"Shut up," Billy rolled his eyes. "Do you think I like seeing you hurting?" Billy asked. Zoe shrugged, glaring up at him. "No. I don't," Billy said.

"Then why score yourself a girlfriend when you told me we'd be dating by the time I got home from the Ukraine? Obviously I would be hurt," Zoe said, rolling her eyes.

"I wasn't thinking straight," Billy sighed. Zoe felt a tiny bit of hope. Did he regret it? Was he going to break up with Jessica and run into Zoe's arms where he belonged? "But I... I think I love her," Billy said.

Zoe pursed her lips, she blinked the tears away. "That's great, Billy," Zoe said. "I wish I could be happy for you for finally opening yourself up to someone, but I can't," Zoe whispered.

"I'm sorry," Billy said, grabbing her hand. "You'll always have a special place in my heart, Zoe. Thanks to you I learnt how to trust people," Billy smiled.

Zoe pulled her hand from his grip. "I need to get over you and the only way I can is if you leave me alone," Zoe sighed. "So please, don't smile at me when you see me at school anymore and stop coming over to my house. If we're both out with our friends, don't talk to me, sit on the other end of the table to me... just leave me alone, please," Zoe said.

"Zoe," Billy whispered, his eyebrows furrowed. He didn't want to stop trying to be her friend.

"It has to be this way, I can't keep living in agony because of you," Zoe said, wiping her tear stained cheeks. "I need to heal... please let me," she said.

Billy nodded, "i'm sorry."

"I know," she smiled, giving the boy one last hug before she left him forever.