Stepbrother | l.h

42: Emotionless Zombie

Chapter Forty-Two

"Emotionless Zombie"

I remember being younger and being absolutely terrified of zombie movies. The way they looked dead but still were half alive. The way they moped around as they searched for their next prey.

Never ever had I ever thought when I was at that age that i'd become one in the future. An emotionless zombie, just moping around the house.

Sure, I didn't have some weird craving to eat brains but I still fit the description perfectly,

I had bags underneath my eyes that came in 50 shades, due to the fact I'd only gotten about 4 hours of sleep in a three days span of time.

My hair was also thrown in a matted bun atop my head. I hadn't combed it in a few days and I decided throwing it into an up-do was the best way to cope with it.

My outfit consisted of one of Luke's hoodies I had stolen awhile ago and my baggiest pair of sweatpants I could find. I also had knee socks that were hidden underneath the sweatpants, covered by a pair of Pandora's slippers. All I can say is I wasn't exactly prepared to see the light of day for a while. I was perfectly fine staying in Pandora's room and binge watching Netflix.

But, of course my mom couldn't let me do just that, she always had to come in and ruin things for me -- not to sound like a stuck up white girl, but it was true.

"Can you run to the store and pick up some more snacks for me?" She asked, walking into Pandora's room in a robe. I groaned lightly, but agreed anyways since i didn't have enough energy to even attempt at putting up a fight. "Thanks, doll."

I choked down a whine as i heard the nickname leave her lips. Out of all of the nicknames she had to say, it had to be Luke's favorite one for me. How ironic.

I hopped out of bed and made my way to the car, not bothering to change out of my pajamas. If I was going to be a zombie for the day, I might as well stay to it in public too.

After I had to drive Luke home from school that one time, he gave me a few lessons if that ever were to happen again. So now my driving skills were pretty good, per say.

*

The drive to the store was short and boring, filled with red lights and sharp turns. I honestly should have put up a bigger fight and just stayed home. Right now, I'd probably be re-watching supernatural and eating a tub of ice cream.

It shouldn't be a long trip either way, and I could always just buy myself some more ice cream all the while getting some more snacks for my mom.

So, that's what I did. I made a sprint to the ice cream section and grabbed five tubs of whatever ice cream that had chocolate in it.

I'll admit I probably looked like a pig, but i didn't really care. I didn't really care about anything anymore. Its like I'm just a empty vessel. No longer filled by a soul.

I hadn't noticed how long I'd been staring at the ice cream until I felt a light tap on my shoulder, being shook out of whatever trance I'd been put in,

"Amber?" The familiar raspy voice asked. I turned around, five gallons of ice cream in hand and stared at Calum with wide eyes. In the midst of turning around, one gallon dropped and rolled to Calum's feet. Where, he gingerly picked it up and shot me a cheeky smile, "Let me help you,"

"Thank you." I blushed, suddenly wishing I had put some effort in the way I looked.

Calum shrugged, "It's no problem."

Awkward silence was shared between the two of us as we both stared at our feet, only the hum of the lights above us making noise.

"So... crazy night tonight?" Calum asked motioning to the gallons that he and I were holding.

"The craziest." I blushed. I wasn't about to tell Calum how I'd probably just be hogging these down my throat as i cried over another supernatural episode. I mean, come on, I have some morals.

"You know you can just tell me the truth." He frowned,

"I have no idea what you mean." I spoke slowly. One of Calums many features is how he can basically figure out your whole life story with one batt of an eye. So, it was no surprise when he automatically knew I was a wreck on the inside... and out.

"Luke's in the same shape as you, well, minus the five tubs of ice cream." Calum told me. I was going to ask him how he knew that Luke was in bad shape, being as which they hated each other, but i decided against it for this conversation was already taking an awkward turn.

"I honestly don't think I'm in that bad of a sha-"

"Bull crap," Calum interrupted me, "For starters, you're buying five gallons of ice cream just for yourself. Plus, I'm dead sure you've been wearing those clothes for days and don't even get me started on your hair."

Calum paused and stared me head to toe.

" and.... is that Luke's hoodie?" He asked, pointing to the black material that was currently covering my bra.

I slowly nodded, looking down to my toes in shame.

"I'm taking you with me." Calum told me, grabbing the ice cream out of my hands and putting them back into the fridge. Then setting his basket down on a shelf near him.

"What? Where?" I asked, planting my feet in place as calum grabbed my wrist and started to pull me with him.

"We're going to Luke's house, and you two are going to make up,"

"No, we're not." I told the boy, stomping my foot lightly. I was not about to drive to Luke's house just so I could get there and run into this 'other woman'. I've gone through enough heartache for this week.

  "Yeah, you are and you two will start dating again and eventually  get married." He told me with such confidence in his voice, it kind of frightened me.

  "You should meet my cousin, Pandora. You'd guys would really hit it off,"

Calum sighed, "stop trying to change the subject,"

"I'm not trying to change the subject. I already told you I'm not going and that's my final answer, Cal." I argued, pulling my wrist out of Calum's grasp.  "He's already found a new girl toy anyways,"

Calum looked confused at my words, as if he had zero clue of what I was talking about.. which, I wouldn't blame him - seeing as which Luke hid the fact so well from me.

"What do you mean, a new girl toy?" He asked, to which I just looked away. "Amber, what do you know that I don't?"

" If you and Luke are so buddy buddy, why don't you go ask him who answers his cell phone when he's not around to answer it himself."    I snapped. I don't know where the sudden hostility came from, but I'm kind of happy it came out because I knew this conversation wouldn't end anytime soon.

"Amber - what do you mean?" Calum questioned, "You called him?"

"I've really got to get going." I started, beginning to walk away, "it was really nice talking to you but I have to go,"

And with my words I was off and out of the store, leaving without a single thought about how I didn't get a single snack for my mom or how rude it was to leave Calum like that when he was only trying to help. All that was on my mind at that point was Luke Hemmings and only Luke Hemmings.

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Finally back from my vacation, how are you all?

Sorry I didn't really give you a warning as to when I was leaving, I would have if I had Internet/service.

I love you all so much ! See you next chapter.

-maddy xxxx