cruel summer

Glow of the vending machine

Zach's POV:

We are over. Me and Hailey. I can't believe it. I'm happy free confused and lonely at the same time. It's miserable and magical. I can't decide on my feelings. I want to cry and scream for joy at the same time.

Today at work I saw Allie standing there. She was looking so pretty. I didn't know what to do so I awkwardly waved and gestured for her to come to me. She's beautiful. She's really gonna be someone. She's been happier lately, she seems to be getting better.

"Hey!" She said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I already told you, I'm fine."

"Okay...just checking if you changed your mind.."

"I'm fine. But thanks."

"No problem."

We didn't talk much today. For the next few days I decided to hang my head low while I thought about stuff. I wanted to tell her how I felt and now is the perfect time.

Allies POV:

I'm not sure what's up with Zach. He hasn't talked to me much for a few days. It's weird. Maybe he's just going through grief. I'm not sure. I really want to hang out with him. Maybe now we'd have a chance.

I saw him during lunch.

"Hey, Zach!" I said.

"Oh! Um hi Allie.." he seemed surprised.

"So, how are you?"

"Good. I'm a bit busy now, we'll talk later, okay?"

"Umm...yeah, okay.."

Why was he ignoring me? I'm so confused. He is obviously not that busy. Did I do something? Maybe he's not into me. I have to accept that, even though it's hard.

Zach's POV:

It hurt me so much to brush her away like that but I knew that if I was near her it would all just slip out. I needed a plan. It didn't have to be perfect, I just had to tell her and see if she felt the way I felt. After work today I passed her a note telling her to meet me near the vending machine in the cafeteria.

The cafeteria was dark and the only light was the bright blue glow of the vending machine. I saw her walking towards me. This was it. I was going to tell her. It's too late to back out now.

Allies POV:

I have no idea why he told me to come. He's been ignoring me for the past few days and now he suddenly wants to 'talk'? This is so confusing.

I walk to the vending machine and see him standing there looking oh so amazing! I wanted to melt. I had to remind myself I wasn't dying to be honest.

"Hey," he whispered, smiling.

I took a step forwards. We were almost touching.

"Hey," I replied. My heart was beating so fast.

"I need to talk to you. I can't keep this in me. I can't keep shoving away my feelings."

"You can tell me anything.." I whispered.

He smiled as he took a step closer. We were almost kissing. I started breathing heavily.

"I feel like I have this connection with you, I've felt this way for a while. It took me some time to figure out how I exactly felt for you but now I'm sure." He whispered.

He leaned in and his lips were almost touching mine. I put my hand on his chest.

"I think...I think I love you." He whispered.

My heart skipped a beat. What? He...he what? He looked at me with his face looking like it just light up. He was waiting for an answer.

"I..." I started. "I...."

He looked at me expectantly, grinning. I could see some tears in his eyes.

"I..." I said again.

The smile started to fade away from his face.

"You can't say it, can you?" He asked. I could see the hurt in his eyes. I wanted to say it, I tried. I couldn't get the words out.

"I..."

He moved away from me.

"I was stupid to believe you felt the same way!" He said loudly.

"Zach, I do!"

"Then say it!"

"I can't!"

"Whatever!" He yelled as he stormed off. I broke down crying. Why couldn't I say it?

Zach's POV:

I thought I saw the signs! I thought she felt the same way! No! She was just another girl that I wanted but couldn't have! I ran home and cried. People say it's not 'manly' to cry but I don't care. I love her! I love her more than I've ever loved anyone!

I ran through the garden gates into the house. Well, it was more of a mansion. My parents were really rich. I hated that. I hated everything until Allie. What is there to live for anymore? I cried, cried and cried for her. She broke me like a promise! I could never face her again. I'm not sure why I'm so upset. She was never mine to lose yet she was the best thing that's ever been mine! I remember it all too well!

Allie's POV:

I'm a monster! I do feel that way for him! Why didn't I say it? I felt that way for him! I could say it, I had to hurt him instead! Why didn't I say it?

I broke him! I broke him like a promise! I cried. I don't know why I cried, I'm the one who hurt him. Maybe I'm not ready for this! Maybe I need to take things slow! I don't know! I don't remember anything from us anymore, it's all just a blur. I'd like to be my old self again, where I could say it but I've changed. I wish I just told him how I felt in the glow of the vending machine.