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

~12~

~Alyssa~
It was Friday night and I was waiting for Zack to come over. I was working on any homework I had and listening to Green Day.

My phone was ringing and I answered. "Hello?" I wrote down an answer in my book. "Hey, I can't make it tonight. A band thing came up and we've got to figure it out."

I instantly frowned. This was like Zack to cancel last minute. "Oh. Well, maybe we can do it another weekend."

I pushed my notebook off of my lap. "Yeah, maybe. Anyway, I've got to go. I love you." I took a deep breath.

"Okay, bye Zack."

I ended the call and threw the phone onto my bed. Someone knocked on my door and it opened. Mom came in, carrying a basket of laundry.

"Hey, I thought Zack was coming tonight?" I sat on my bed. "He can't make it. He's been so secretive lately." She moved my stuff and sat next to me.

"Honey, maybe he's just working on a surprise for you." I looked at her. "He's never been like this before. Even when he was getting me Cookie, he wasn't this secretive,"

Cookie perked up at his name. "Maybe he's cheating on me." Mom rubbed my shoulder. "He would never do that. Maybe confront him the next time you see him. In the meantime, you need a stress reliever. Why don't you and I have a girl's day tomorrow?"

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah," I agreed. "Maybe that'll help. I mean, I've got finals and I have to write my speech, it's all too stressful."

She kissed my forehead and started putting my laundry away. I glanced around my room and realized what a mess it was.

I began to throw any dirty clothes into my hamper and trash in my trashcan. Mom took any dishes downstairs and I worked on getting my room to look more nice and less of a pig-sty.

~

Mom and I spent the whole day shopping, going out to lunch, going on a nice walk, and even getting our nails done.

As soon as we got home, she started on dinner and I kicked my shoes off and set my stuff by the stairs. Malachi wandered over to me and I sat down on the couch and put him in my lap.

"Where's Zacky?" I sighed. "Zacky's busy." Malachi frowned. "I want Zacky." I hugged him and rubbed his back. "I want him, too,"

I looked down at him. "Meanwhile, why don't we color?" He got excited and agreed. He loves to color. I set him down and he ran off to get all the stuff.

The doorbell rang and I went to answer it. I opened the door to reveal Zack. "Hey." I stared at him for a good ten seconds and began to shut the door.

"No, wait, stop!" He put his hand on the door and I opened it back up. "I can't do this!" He frowned instantly.

"What do you mean?" I pushed him out and followed him, shutting the door behind me. "This! The sneaking around, the ditching me for stupid shit! I can't handle this on top of all the stress!"

I knew shouting at him wasn't the best idea but I had a lot of anger to release. "Lyss, listen to me." I stopped him.

"Are you cheating on me?" His eyes widened. "What?! No! I promise I would never do anything like that!"

I threw my arms up. "Then why won't you tell me what's going on?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "I can't tell you."

I shook my head and started to go back inside but he grabbed my hand to stop me. "What?" I faced him and he took my other hand.

"Lyss, I promise that what I'm doing is not anything bad. I can't tell you what it is. And on top of that, I'm working on another project that's getting to be difficult to start."

I avoided his gaze and took my hands back. "It hurts me, Zack. It hurts that these things are more important than our relationship. You're not around much anymore to the point that Malachi is constantly asking me where you are."

He took my hands again. "Listen. I've been busy with my main project and the band. The guys and I had to discuss a radio interview last night that we had this morning. And this one project is huge for me."

"And what is it?"

He pursed his lips. "I'm working on a new thing. To be able to communicate with fans and to get into more of my hobbies and interests. I'm calling it Amerrickan."

I tried to hold back my smile but ultimately failed. "American? Like, what we are?" He shook his head. "No, Amerrickan. It's my last name but make it sound the same."

Smart.

"You know I can help you with that. If it's a way for us to spend time. I just miss you." He gently kissed my forehead.

"I'm still here. And I promise you, I have most of the time consuming things done." He pulled me into a hug and I rested my head against his chest.