Home is where the heart is at ~ Zachary Merrick (book 2)

~3~

~Alyssa~
It was almost Malachi's second birthday and I was currently at Zack's, trying to get his gift together. Zack was still half asleep in his bed.

We slept over at each other's houses almost all the time.

"Zack," he lifted his head, one eye half open. "You need to get up." He put his head back down and rubbed his face.

"It's too early." I rolled my eyes and took his hands. "It's almost noon." He finally sat up. "Why do I have to come again?"

"Because," I stood up and picked up my bag, taking clothes out. "Malachi loves you and my family wants to meet you."

We were taking the weekend to go to Pennsylvania to get together with the whole family for Malachi's birthday. Everyone was begging me to bring Zack with as soon as they found out he was back from tour.

"What if they don't like me?" I pulled my shirt off and slid on a My Chemical Romance tee. I always changed in front of Zack.

The first time I did it, he was not expecting it, but now he doesn't mind. "They'll love you. And if they don't, I'll fight them."

He groaned and got out of bed. He wrapped his arms around me and leaned down to give me a peck. "You're so cute."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You're more cute when you're dressed and ready for this weekend." I pulled away and he pouted.

"You ruined the moment." I threw one of his shirts at him. "Go get ready." He left the room and I grabbed Malachi's present and set it next to my stuff.

Zack and I were driving separate since I have to be back Sunday night. I was able to get out of school today but I had to be back for Monday.

I stuck on a pair of jeans and put my sweatpants into my bag and made sure I had everything. I wandered downstairs and Carla was making food.

"You two got up pretty late." She handed me a plate with a sandwich and I took some chips out of the bag. "I was up early. We were both up late into the night watching movies."

She implied, "I heard you two. I don't understand why you have to argue about every movie you watch." It was our thing.

The only time we ever truly argued with each other was over movies and movie characters. And in the end, we both end up laughing.

"Sorry for keeping you up." She smiled and Zack came in. He was wearing a Green Day shirt and jeans.

"Are you both packed?" Zack sat next to me, stealing one of my chips. "Yeah, I just need to grab some blankets and a pillow."

She also gave him a sandwich. "Thanks for letting him come with me. Everyone really wants to meet him."

She concurred, watching her son down a whole sandwich. "Don't do that, you'll choke. And of course. He's almost twenty, I don't have to make his decisions."

I honestly forgot he was over a year and a half older than me. When we finished eating, we put our stuff in the car, said our goodbyes to his parents, and made our way towards Pennsylvania.

I messed with his radio, switching between stations. After hearing clips of Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, and Maroon 5, we heard a familiar voice singing.

I looked up at Zack. He was in shock as much as I was. "Is that?" He nodded, completely in disbelief. "Oh, my God!"

He turned it up and we sang along with Alex on the radio. "I got your picture, I'm coming with you. Dear Maria, count me in!"

I knew every single word to all of their songs. Probably because I was shown them before they were even released.

When it finished, the host's voice came on. "That was new and upcoming band, All Time Low's song, Dear Maria, Count Me In."

He started talking about them and I reached into the backseat, taking my phone out of my bag. "What are you doing?"

I shushed him and dialed Alex. "Hello?" I put him on speaker phone. "Hey, guess what we just heard on the radio?"

Zack was grinning. "What song?" Zack spoke up. "Dear Maria! They were playing our song!" Alex sounded like he was choking on something.

"Holy shit, are you serious?!" He finally composed himself and spoke. "Yes! They were talking about you guys!" He was cheering loudly.

"That's fucking awesome! I'm gonna call Rian and Jack and let them know." He hung up and we enjoyed the rest of the car ride.