Guys My Age ~ Christopher Velez

I Don't Owe You Anything

"What the fuck?"

Zabdiel's shout echoed through the room, standing just behind a smirking Madison. Christopher released Zoe from his grip, complexion paling along with hers. She gripped onto his forearm, nausea rising in her stomach. Footsteps thundered down the hallway, everyone spilling into the room. They took one glance at the anger radiating off of a usually calm Zabdiel and the horror on Christopher's face before connecting what had happened. 

"My sister? You kissed my fucking sister!" He lunged forward, gripping Christopher by his collar. Zabdiel drew back his fist, slamming it down on Christopher's nose with a sickening crunch. Zoe made a move to stop them with one hand subconsciously on her belly, Edith stopping her before she could. Both women looked at the other three boys with pleading stares, all of them moving forward to tear their friends apart. "You're supposed to be my best friend, not try and get in my sister's pants!" 

It took all three boys to peel a much larger Zabdiel off of Christopher, the smaller boy stepping forward in anger. Zoe moved out of Edith and Jade's grip, both of them knowing Christopher wouldn't hurt her. On purpose, at least. "Mi Vida, calm down," She rests a palm on his chest, looking his injuries over to the best of her abilities. "Looks like we're telling him now," Zoe muttered under her breath, slowly turning around to face her brother. The disappointment in his eyes crushed her, cocking her head to the side with watery eyes and a sorrowful tone of voice. "Zab-"

"No," Zabdiel snarled, still having three sets of arms holding him back. "Tell me this isn't the guy you told me about," He pleaded, his entire body going limp while he put two and two together. Zoe's silence told him everything he needed to know, Erick positioning himself somewhat in-between them once they let Zabdiel go. "Tell me you're not in love with him, of all people. What makes you think you two would ever work?" He shook his head from side to side with a callous laugh, face turning to stone. "He's using you, Zoe."

"Enough, Zabdiel," Zoe interjected, an all-new wave of fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "I love him with everything in me," Zabdiel rolled his eyes, staring at them in disgust. "He treats me better than anyone ever has, including my own family." She spilled her true feelings, gaze flitting over to shoot Madison a look. "You're dating a girl who use to be my best friend, did you ever stop to think about that?" Zoe gave Madison a venomous glare, turning back to Zabdiel. 

She stepped up to her brother, Christopher holding himself back from grabbing her. "Not once have I mentioned how badly she's treated me, your own sister. Because your happiness is more important to me," Zoe smiled weakly, cupping the side of Zabdiel's face. He relaxed for a fraction of a second, his face going slack. "How is this any different?" Zabdiel's exterior hardened once again, moving out of Zoe's reach so that her hand fell back down to her side. 

"Because," He glared at Christopher from over Zoe's shoulder, doing the exact same to his sister. "Unlike this little thing that you two have going on," Zabdiel grabbed ahold of Madison, pulling her into a short kiss in front of everyone to make his response even more dramatic. A look of disgust rest on both Zabdiel and Madison's face, but a glint of victory reflected in her eyes. It boiled Zoe's blood. "Our relationship is real," Zabdiel chuckled mockingly, Madison opening the door behind them. "He's gonna hurt you, and I won't be there this time."

"This time?" Zoe snapped, going from sad to furious in a matter of a split second. "Since when have you ever been there for me?" All of the pent up emotions she'd felt over the past twenty-two years of her life were all bubbling to the surface. "You know why I waited so long to- tell mamá y papá about David? Or any other boyfriend? Because nothing I could ever do would be good enough for them, let alone you." Her voice cracked, hating the fact she was an angry crier. Zabdiel's face softened slightly, but she wasn't anywhere near done.

"I was shipped off to camp every year, I practically raised myself." Everyone questioned if they should stop her, but with one shake of his head, Christopher had them stand down. "While they fawned over you and your music career, do you know what I was doing? Working. Saving money so I could buy a plane ticket to go somewhere where someone believed in me!" Zoe shouted, saltwater trailing down her cheeks. "I'm the person I am today despite you. I love you more than anyone, you're my family. But, I don't owe you anything." Zabdiel watched her with a slack jaw and mournful eyes. "I finally found someone who believes in me and loves me for who I am, and I'm not sorry for that."

Zoe walked backward, running into Christopher's chest. His arm automatically slid around her torso in a protective manner, somewhat relieved he could finally touch her without hiding. Don't get him wrong, this was not the way he wanted Zabdiel, the man he considered to be one of his best friends, to find out. But, in a way, it lifted a generous weight off of both his and Zoe's shoulders. 

"I love her, Zabdiel." Christopher finally spoke up after several uncomfortable moments of silence. "She means everything to me, and I intend to make her happy for the rest of her life." Zabdiel clenched his jaw while Joel, Erick, and Richard prepared themselves to step in once more. "You can hate me, but don't be mad at her." He gripped Zoe's waist, the fabric of her red dress slightly foreign under his calloused hands. Zabdiel shook his head slightly, motioning for Madison to walk out the door. He paused in the doorway, locking his gaze on Christopher.

"When tours over, we're done."