Introverted Love!

Chapter 22

The sun poured through the window, my eyes flickered open as I scrambled around for my phone. 06:38am it was still early but the sun had won as I remembered last night i had forgoten to close the curtains after I had sat by the window watching Zack. He had dropped me at home around 11pm but on his way back home he had gone to the garden and sat for hours on the grass staring out at the night sky. He had no idea i watched him, my heart ached watching his face look so confused and burdened - he was going through a lot and i had no idea how to help. 

I got up and put on my dressing gown, I knew today would be difficult because I needed to sort out things between Luke and me. I had taken the day off work and so took my time in the bathroom showering at snail pace not wanting to leave the comfort of the warm water and straight into confrontation. I knew Luke wasn't in a much better place but something had to change and besides him staying with us was temporary. I stumbled down the stairs still groggy from lack of sleep, almost tripping on a familiar grey suitcase by the stairs. 

'Oh you're awake, I was just coming up to get you' Lizetta looked pale and although she smiled at me it never reached her eyes. 

'What's wrong?' i searched her face for clues but she just turned and walked towards the kitchen. I hurried behind her and saw a light blue suitcase on the kitchen floor. 

'Erm, what's going on?' I asked Luke who was perched on a kitchen stool scoffing scrambled eggs. He didn't look up at me but after swallowing smirked 

' It's time we were on our way' he put his fork down and picked up a glass of orange juice gulping it down in a second. 

'Well we talked last night and since Luke is doing better now, the two of us will be moving back into his apartment' she spoke fast I just stood shook not that Luke was leaving that actually helped me but that he was taking Lizetta with him. I had never been without her for years and it stung that she would leave like this without warning. 

'Why so sudden? and where is dad?' I panicked 

'He had to leave early this morning but we said our goodbye's last night and he agree's it's for the best. Don't worry I'm only down town or on the other end of this' she waved her mobile in her right hand and smiled, again it didn't manage to fool me she was as devastated as I was. I ran into her and hugged her tight.

'Why?' i said simply knowing the answer, she was getting Luke out the way to prevent more drama. She let me hold her for a moment but then almost pulled me off and sat me down, she pushed a plate of waffles in front of me

'Eat up' she began washing the dishes that Luke had cleared and he left to put the suitcases in the car. Everything happened so fast I was left in the driveway just staring at their car speed off without realising that tears had been falling the whole while. The collar of my shirt was soaked and i crumbled onto the ground holding my knees I breathed heavy. The air wouldn't come, I panicked and gasped but it felt like I was drowning and I began hyperventilating. Thoughts of my mother raced in my head and I tried to control the anxiety but I sank deeper and deeper until my sight darkened and my head hit what felt like a soft pillow. 

The sun bothered me again, I winced but every time I tried to open my eyes they felt so heavy and shut again. 

' Maya, are you ok?' I heard the soft worried voice and my mind searched amongst the fog for the name of this well wisher. 

'Are you awake? ' it spoke to me again but this time a hand stroked my cheek sending tingling sensations down my spine. My eyes shot open and I saw Zack's face inches from mine which for some reason meant I sprang up and straight into him. 

'Ouch, sorry Maya' he apologised without reason as he rubbed his forehead. I however, didn't even register the pain. 

'What is going on, where am I?' as I questioned him my memory returned and I realised I had a panic attack when Lizetta left. How did Zack find me?, I was now laying on the sofa in my living room but had no recollection of how I got here. 

'Maya, please stop with the questions, first tell me are you ok? do you feel well? does anything hurt? do you need to see a doctor?' he spoke fast and my head spun I held out my hand instinctively to steady myself as I fully sat up. He moved his arm until my hand wrapped around it, without looking up at him I explained what happened and that I was fine. 

[Zack's POV]

When I had seen her laying on the driveway my heart stopped and the blood dried up in my veins. Now that she was a awake and told me the full story my heart finally dared beat again and I let out a deep breath. A part of me felt terrible for her and what she must be feeling since Lizetta was a mother figure to her and it must have brought up painful memories of the past. No matter how much I didn't want to I also felt the other part of me that was overjoyed that Luke had left or should I say been taken away. She wouldn't understand it but we could all see his dangerous influence and I was afraid I couldn't protect her when he was here all the time. 

She was still unbalanced and held my arm tightly with her eyes shut as she spoke. 

'Zack, i'll be fine now if you need to go' she almost whispered and I just laughed at her child like appearance 

'Like i'm really going to leave you alone Maya' 

' Why not everyone else does?' she mumbled and my heart sank. I caressed her head slightly until i moved it to lean on my shoulder

'I promise to never leave you, now rest' I stroked her hair as she drifted back into sleep, she must have been drained. When I knew sleep had taken over i gently lay her down and got up to make dinner. I knew my way around the kitchen since i had practically raised myself and Zainab. I decided to make lasagne as I knew she loved it. I had put it in the oven and was cleaning up when she turned the corner to the kitchen looking groggy rubbing her eyes she stopped when she saw me. 

'Zack, I thought you must have left' i don't know who was more shocked, her to see me still here or me whose heart stopped for the second time that day when i took her in fully. Standing there she was breath-taking, her hair now loose fell in her eyes and my subconcious imagined blowing it out of the way. Her eyes were slighlty swollen from all the crying and she bit her lips invitingly.  I looked away as I felt my cheeks begin to burn. 

'Just getting dinner ready' I coughed to calm myself. She almost skipped across the kitchen and perched on a stool

'What we having?' she looked excited and I was glad she was feeling better

'Lasagne, you used to like it' 

'I still do' she looked at me intently and I changed the subject to stop myself from reaching over the counter that separated us and pulling her into me.  

'It's just gone in, want to watch some t.v while we wait?' I walked around her back into the living room and picked up the remote. I looked at her as she walked in behind me 

'How are you feeling now?' 

'I'm completely fine, thank you for everything'

'Don't...'

'Hmm'

'Don't thank me for things I should be doing and want to do' I shook the t.v remote as if to ask what she wanted to watch

'Guest's choice' she waved her hands at me and sat down on the sofa pulling a blanket on top of herself.