Eyes Shut (Zach Dempsey)

Chapter 10

One month later

Junior year got off to a rough start that night of Jessica's party, Jeff was killed in a car accident. They say he was drunk driving, but the last time I saw him he didn't seem drunk. Then again Zach and I left pretty early on. The whole school was messed up, Jeff was one of few jocks at this school that actually had a soul. He was always nice, always smiling and he treated people with respect. I also noticed that since that night Hannah has been acting different. She's been really distant not answering my calls, when she does, she says she busy then hangs up. I assumed it had something to do with what happened between her and Clay at the party. The other day I went to surprise her at work only to find out that she had quit. When I finally caught up with her and asked what been going on she told me that her parents needed her to help out at the store and that's all I could get out of her before she ran off.

Zach told me to give her space, but Zach's a really passive aggressive person. He invited me over to his house, to help him with his college apps. He had a lot of scholarship offers, but he wanted to pick a school we'd both go to together.

"Well, the problem is your grades." I told him

"You know I just don't get this shit."

"You could but you don't apply yourself."

"God you sound like my mom."

"Because she knows just like I do how smart you are. We can clearly see that from your biology grade. I get it that marine biology is your focus, but colleges look at all of it." I said as he scrolled through his phone

"You can at least act like you're listening to me." I said hitting his arm

"Come on Bryce is having a party."

"What? No, we're not going." I said

"Aw come on babe."

"No! You see this is why you won't get into a good college."

"I'll deal with that later."

"Yeah, remember that, when I get into an Ivy League, and then meet some cute Ivy League guy and dump you. You'll be thinking how it all could've been avoided by studying." I tease

"I'd just kick his ass and you'd coming running back." He said and I rolled my eyes

"Come on P just for an hour."

"One hour that's it." I said

Of course, we ended up staying all night it was a Bryce Walker party, what can I say? As the night wore both Zach and I were drunk. We stripped down to our underwear and got in the hot tub, with Jessica, Justin, and Monty and some other girl Stephanie I think her name was.

"Oh my God I'm starving! Zach go get me a slice of pizza please?" I said kissing his cheek

"Oh me too." Jessica said but Zach shook his head

"Please." I said as I started kissing his neck, I knew he would give in soon when Jessica started yelling

"HANNAH! HANNAH BAKER!"

I looked up to see her wondering around looking a little lost.

"Hey!" I called and she waved

"Will you do us the biggest favor and bring us over a couple of slices of pizza?" Jessica asked.

"Yes! Pepperoni please!" I added and she nodded and grabbed the box and brought it over.

"Oh, thank you!" Jessica said as we attacked the box.

"How long have you been here?" I asked her

"Oh, I just got here."

"Watch it you're getting pizza grease in the water." Stephanie said and I rolled my eyes

"Relax think of it as a new spa treatment." Jessica said

"Oh yeah I heard about that one it helps with cellulite." I added

"Me too but it only works with cheese." Hannah said

"And tomato sauce." Jessica added and we laughed as Stephanie huffed

"Hey Han get in" I said

"Oh no I didn't bring a suit."

"So? I didn't either, just wear your underwear It just like a bikini." I said and she hesitated.

"Don't be such a pussy!" Jessica snapped splashing her.

"Ok. Ok. Ok." She said then stripped and got in.

"Where have you been?" I asked hugging her

"Busy helping my parents with the store." She said and I gave her a look, that was her favorite excuse as of late.

"It's true, look we'll do something this weekend."

"Alright just stop disappearing please?" I asked and she nodded. We kept drinking which led to a game of truth or dare. Then Jessica and Justin basically began dry humping until they finally stumbled insides.

"I'm so tired." I said laying my head on Zach's shoulder and kissing his jaw

"Oh no don't tell me you two are going to start now." Stephanie complained

"Nope we're going take this inside." Zach said wrapping his arm around me as we got out the hot tub

"You should do the same maybe you won't be such a bitch." I called as the guys laughed.

"See you Hannah." Was all I said, normally I would check and see if she was ok or if she needed a way home but this time I just waved as I went inside with Zach