Home For The Heart - Zachary Merrick

~23~

~Alyssa~
Zack and I got to my house and sat in my room. We both obviously were avoiding what he said to me at school.

I was looking through my closet, folding clothes and putting them away. "How'd he find out you guys moved?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure." I picked up a dress and put it on a hanger. "Wait," Zack grabbed it out of my hand and held it up to me.

"Okay, what are you doing?" He handed it back to me and picked up the sweater I wore when we got rained on. "Put those on."

I raised an eyebrow but I did what he said. I shut my closet door and changed into the dress, completely confused as to why he wanted me to.

I put the sweater on and opened the door, throwing my clothes into my hamper. Zack looked up from one of my magazines and his jaw dropped.

"You'll catch flies." I shut his mouth and he stood up. "That looks amazing." I raised an eyebrow. "So, why?" He sat back down and I put my hands in the sweater pockets.

"You haven't seen your dad in over three years. I thought it would be nice for you to dress up for him." I crinkled my nose.

"That sounds so bad out of context." He rolled his eyes and I sat next to him, taking my magazine. Green Day was on the cover.

"Imagine if you guys were on the cover of Kerrang." Zack looked at it. "I can only dream." We looked at the magazine until Mom called for us.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself. Three years. What if he's here just to say he doesn't want to be involved with us anymore?

Or maybe he found a new woman in prison and wants to start a family with her. I looked at Zack and he gave me a reassuring smile.

The whole conversation we had after school melted away and I calmed myself down. I walked down the stairs, my bare feet on the cold wood.

I walked towards the kitchen and stopped.

There he was.

Mom noticed me and smiled brightly, making Dad turn around. He looked exactly the same as he did three years ago. His eyes creased as he smiled brightly.

I walked slowly over to him, as if it was a dream and I was about to lose him. "Hi, Alyssa." I smiled softly.

"Hi, Dad." I reached up to hug him and his arms wrapped around my small frame tightly, like he didn't want to let go.

I for sure, didn't want to let go.

He finally did and looked at Zack behind me. "Who's this?" Zack stepped forward, holding his hand out. "Hi, Mr. Evans, I'm Zack."

Dad shook his hand and smiled. "Please, call me Peter." Mom motioned for all of us to sit. "I've been trying to get him to call me Marie but he refuses."

Zack sat next to me and pat my knee, making me smile. We started eating and making small talk. Dad asking both of us how school and our grades were.

"Lyss is definitely going to be top student. I wouldn't be surprised if she was valedictorian when she graduates."

I blushed, trying to hide my face with my cup. "So, how long have you two been dating?" And there it was.

"Actually, we're not dating." I laughed awkwardly, trying not to make the situation so. "Oh, really?" I nodded.

"Mom just really likes Zack. She thinks he's a good influence on me." I had never told Zack that, so that made him light up like a tree on Christmas.

Dad was surprised. "Well, am I allowed to ask if you have your eye on someone?" Yes, I do. And he's sitting next to me.

But, no one knows.

"I do." Mom and Zack stared at me. "Oh. Tell me about this boy what's his name?" Oh, how do I do this?

"I don't remember his name but he's really nice and he always knows how to make me smile. It makes my day better when I see him."

I do remember his name. His full name.

Mom and Dad continued small talk until Zack's phone started ringing. He stood up and walked out of the room to answer.

I avoided Mom's gaze, just waiting for me to make eye contact with her so she can ask me about this boy I've got eyes for.

Zack returned, shoving his phone in his pocket but not sitting down. "I have to go. There's an emergency at Rian's." I nodded and gave him a quick hug.

He left and we went back to dinner, the old feeling of our complete family returning.