Counting Stars

•15•

I wake up to a small smile on my face, most likely from last nights end events. Zach has a way with me.

"Savanna" Zach murmurs lightly, stirring in my hold, well our hold, he's holding me, I'm holding him, so our hold.

"Morning handsome" I giggle, pushing his bangs back and placing a single kiss on his pale forehead.

He murmurs something that I can't quite make out, before nuzzling himself back into his former position and re-closing his eyes.

"Zach" I whine, shaking his shoulder playfully "we have to get up, today's chores day, you know how that is" I say, throwing my head back in annoyance at the thought of a day dedicated to fucking chores.

"Nooooooo" he whines, stuffing his face into a throw pillow and holding out the last vowel of o.

"Yesssssss" I mimick, causing him to shoot me a playful glare. before groaning and hoisting himself up from the couch.

"Now you get up, lazy" he smirks, taking both my hands and literally yanking me from the couch.

"Zachhhhhh" I whine, throwing my head back mockingly whining and making a fake pouty face, causing Zach to throw his head back in laughter.

Actual laughter, it's rare when Zach laughs, it's actually quite a nice sight, great actually, he honestly has the best laugh ever.

"What?" He asks, small smile still lingering on his lips, oh great he noticed my staring at him, that's not stalkrish at all.

"Nothing" I say, slightly smirking and heading to my closet. "I'll be quick" I call.

I took a shower last night, so no need to worry about that, I quickly slip on leggings and a t-shirt, it's actually quite warm in here. i run a brush threw my hair, apply the usual make up and head out to my room, only to find Zach looking threw one of my photo albums.

"What are you doing?" I ask, joining his side to examine the pictures.

Zach jumps a little at my voice but brushes it off, "I found this under your bed" he asnwers, not taking his eyes off the picture I recognize as my mom, dad and I all posing for a Christmas picture we got taken at maceys for the front of our cards.

"And why were you under my bed?" I ask casually.

He shrugs lightly, seeming focused on the photos in front of him.

"Your family seems nice" he says, a bit of emotion in his voice, I know family's a tough subject for him.

I causally shrug, not wanting to rub my problem free life in his face "there ok I guess"

Zach looks at me as if i had just said I was starting a business "ok?" He asks, making it just as much harder to explain without offending him some how.

"They are fine" I say, dropping the subject, I don't feel like Zach getting upset and seeing him cry, it breaks me.

He simply nods,getting the message and closing the book, shoving it back under my bed.

"Well" I sigh, "we should head down stairs" as much as I hate to leave this room I can't miss kitchen duty, Ron will kill me.

Zach nods, following me down the hall towards the cafeteria, which is were we are suppose to meet everyone on these mornings.

"Morning savanna" Mikey says, grabbing my attention with a small smile, Mikeys hair is spiked today, with his usual colored t-shirts and jeans.

"Morning" I smile, stopping and giving him a tiny side hug, zach awkwardly stands where we stopped, shoulders stiff, with his hands stuffed in his pocket.

Mikey and I hold a conversation for a few minutes, I try to include zach, to make him not feel left out, I know how he gets, but all he does is give simple one word answers while him and Mikey glare at each other.

"See ya" Mikey smiles, and turns on his heel, heading towards the gaming room I'm guessing.

I turn to see zach, still glaring Mikey's way. "what's with you?" I ask, nudging his arm.

Zach flinches away, exiting his former daze he seemed to be entranced in.

"Sorry" I murmer, looking down at my hands. zach merely shrugs and takes my hand, easing my guilt a bit.

"Don't take it personally" he murmers, offering a small smile and leading us toward the cafertiea.

Once we reach the kitchen everyone is already at work. 4 people are doing the dishes, 5 people cover the tables, and 8 other people are doing the floors.

"Um, uncle Ron" I say, stepping over 2 boys to get to my uncle, who is currently talking to a woman.

"Savanna" he growls, pulling me over to the side where no one can hear us.

"Where the hell have you been" he exclaims quietly, "iv been looking for you all morning"

"Sorry"i say not getting why he needed me, when he clearly has more than enough help.

He sighs, running a hand threw his graying hair "well there's nothing left to do" his voice is calmer now, thank god.

"I guess you get the day off, just don't miss again" he sighs, returning to his clip board.

When I return to zach, he quickly puts his arm around my waist and leads me out of the room.

"What's the rush" I half laugh, looking up at his stone cold face.

"Did he hurt you?" Zach asks, fist clenching and un-clenching repeatedly.

I give him a confused look, but soon release what he means, Ron tugged on my arm slightly harsh, that must have triggered something for zach, he reacts about the tiniest things.

"No he didn't hurt me" I say softly, taking one of his clenched fists and unclenching it, inter-winding our fingers.

He sighs and pulls me to him, causing me to wrap my arms around his neck, zach places his hands on my waist and we kind of just stare at each other.

"Your beautiful you know that?" Zach murmers, brushing his lips with mine.

I feel my cheeks start to burn and I look down, smile playing on my lips.

Before I know what's happening, zachs lips are pressed against mine and I feel my body sore.

How could anyone abuse zach? How could anyone even think of hurting him? He's sweet, funny, yes he has a bit of a temper, but that's not his fault, zachs perfect, everything he does, I hope his father is burning in hell because zach deserves nothing but the best