The Chemistry Test

33. ice cream and amends

Day Thirteen

I'd had enough. 

My heart squelched at the thought of Zak, broke at the thought of Mark, burned at the thought of Gwyn and Hunter, and overall ached in frustration and hurt.

At my wits end, with no one to turn to, the only comfort I sought was that of a delicious scoop of Creamie's ice cream.

"I'll have a single scoop of chocolate fudge brownie, please,"  I said, leaning against the cool glass panel.  "Actually, what the hell, make it a double."  I deserved it.

"Sure thing, Zoe."  Melanie cocked a blonde eyebrow at me and took the wad of cash I slid over the counter.  "That'll be seven-fifty.  Is that all?"

"Hmm,"  I hummed, glancing behind me toward the candy rack.  "And a bag of Germie Wormies, please."

"Okie doke, coming right up."  She smiled, clicking on her laptop.  I grabbed the bag of my brother's favorite candy and placed it next to the ice cream, more aggressively than I'd intended, seeing as Melanie's blue eyes diverted from the screen to where I'd plopped it down.

"Hey, girl, are you good?"  she asked, opening the glass case to scoop my ice cream.  "You seem a little tense."

I plastered a smile onto my face, hoping I could pull off the 'I'm totally fine, nothing is wrong here, everything is sun and daises with Zoe' look, but I was sure I looked as uncomfortable as I felt. Melanie and Andrea were behind the majority of the social media backlash against Gwyn and Hunter, and I simply couldn't look at her the same way after she'd stabbed her friend in the back without a second thought.

I tried to put it all out of my head. She didn't need to know why I was upset. All I wanted was my damn ice cream and some time to think, free of distractions.

I ran a hand through my hair. "Yeah, I'm good.  Just a little bit stressed over the play, with opening night tomorrow, and everything."

"I get what you mean."  she smiled, scraping the bottom of the tub.  "I mean, I don't really get it since I'm not an actor, but--"  She placed my cup on the counter.  "--I can imagine."

"I'll be fine."  I gave her a reassuring smile, grabbing my ice cream and tucking the bag of candy under my arm. Time to get the heck out of here. "Hope to see you there."

I turned to leave, but Melanie's cold hand grasped around my arm, stopping me in my tracks. 

"Hey," She smiled warmly, consuming most of her face due to the size of her mouth.  "If it makes you feel any better, he's freaking out, too."

I frowned, shaking my head.  "Who's freaking out?"

She rolled her eyes, "Your gorgeous costar.  Who else?"

I licked my lips, trying to ignore the stupidly handsome vision that flashed across my memory as soon as she'd said the words.  "Zak?"

She nodded.  "He was in here a couple days ago.  We were just talking at the counter, and somehow your name came up, and he--"  she snickered, "--He got all flustered.  It was really cute."

Half of me didn't want to know--didn't want to care--but my curiosity had already gotten the best of me.  Asking a couple of questions couldn't hurt.  "Oh, really?"

"All I'm saying is you've got nothing to worry about."  She squeezed my arm.  "After dating the guy, I'd say I know him pretty well.  I haven't seen Zak so excited about someone since, well,"  she paused, "Well, not even me.  I've never seen him like this."

"I, um--"  I chuckled, a mixture of emotions swirling in my chest.  "I guess that's a good sign."

"It definitely is." She winked, "No need to worry.  Plus," She leaned over and whispered with a laugh, "He's a great kisser."