Fake • Zach Herron

T W E N T Y - F O U R

Jessica's POV

last night Myta came back to the hospital to take me home after dropping everyone else off earlier in the night. i slept right through till 11 so i decided to just stay off school. i ignored texts and calls from everyone - i just laid in my bed, thinking about how Zach just left me after i poured my heart out - and i was thinking about my grandad. i was feeling really hungry so i got up and went to the door, as i went to open it there was a knock, i furrowed my eyebrows and saw Zach standing in front of me
"jess" he said and bit it nails "i brought you food" he smiled lightly handing me a chipotle bag "i guessed that you would be hungry" he said
"aren't you supposed to be in school?" i asked yawning
"i skipped the rest of the day, we need to talk - and i guessed that you would need me - "
"woah. no i dont need you" i shrugged, he looked down at me
"yes you do" he said
"no i dont - i can take care of myself thanks"
"well you needed food - i brought you food"
"i didn't ask you to bring me food. i could of got some myself"
"jess im just trying to be nice!"
"i dont need other peoples help, i can look after myself!" i said and walked out of my room.
"jess, wait" Zach shouted after me. i felt him grab my arm and turn me around "you need a friend right now. stop pushing me away"
"i dont need a friend Zach. besides i have loads of friends"
"and i dont see they anywhere, they are at school. and did they bring you food? no, no they didn't" he said crossing his arms
"they dont know about grandad"
"a real friend would. and im your real friend jess, so stop with this act!"
"act? what are you on about?"
"this whole pretending to not want to be friends with me, because i know you do"
"Zachary i dont want to be friends! get that in your head" i shouted, i never call him Zachery, only when im mad, or very annoyed at him. when i looked up at him it looked like he was trying to fight back tears, i know i was, i felt embarrassed and so weak. and having Zach of all people shout at me isn't helping in anyway. i sighed and ran my hand through my hair - avoiding eye contact
"im trying to get over you" i whispered, if i spoke any louder id probably cry... "you being around all the time isn't helping, at all"
"jess look at me"
i didn't, i couldn't look at him
"jess" he said, much more forceful. i still didn't look at him, so he grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. his expression softened completely when he saw i had tears in my eyes. "i cant just let you go, your my best friend" i had tears rolling down my cheeks now "im fighting for you jess, doesn't it mean something to you?" he asked
"it means a lot Zach" i said "but when i see you with her, im over come with pain" i said, and i was searching his eyes to try and find anything... "she doesn't treat you right" i whispered, i went to wipe my tears away but Zach did it for me.
"jess, i dont treat her right, and i know it. but i cant help it i-i cant stay hooked on someone for a long time" he said
"but we kept our friendship for a long time. how is a relationship diferent?" i asked
"jess" he said and took my hands "you are so so, beautiful, but im just not the guy for you." more tears rolled down my cheeks "i dont deserve someone as beautiful and smart and caring like you, but someone out there does. and that someone is so so lucky, like the luckiest in the world. and i do care about you - a lot. but i cant be with you. ill just hurt you.... again" he said
"i dont want anyone else but you" i whispered
"jess im sorry, im sorry for leaving you yesterday. im sorry before being such a shitty friend and im sorry for not liking you back" he said
i bit down on my lips and sniffled
"ill come check on you tomorrow" he said and just left....