Before The End

Eight

One week. McKenzie had managed to ignore Zack for one whole week. The fact that he was too ashamed to talk to her helped. She had come to the conclusion that she had to stop pinning over him. She had to move on from her little crush on Zack Winchester. He’d always see her as a sister. He didn’t care as much as she did. Hell, last weekend had proved it. If he couldn’t even make an effort to not throw a party like she act, then a relationship was out of the question. And so she spent her week growing. Moving on. Getting over him.

Monday morning came after her week of realisation and she found herself heading towards the principal’s office. She hadn’t done anything wrong, at least she hoped not. Ruining her perfect record was not an option. Stepping into the waiting area she was greeted by Miss Canfield with a smile.

“Morning McKenzie.”

“Morning Miss C. Am I in trouble?” She asked sheepishly.

“As if you could ever get in trouble. It’s a wonder that you’re related to Jason.” Miss Canfield laughed shaking her head. “We have a new student. We were hoping you could show him around seeing how your timetables are the same.”

“Oh. That’s no problem where is he?” She asked just as the door to Mr Blackwell’s office opened.

“Ah There she is. Miss Black this is Martin. She will be showing you around Martin. Welcome to Redwood.”

“Thank you Mr Blackwell.” Martin smiled. Mr Blackwell walked back into his office and McKenzie held her hand out for him to shake.

“McKenzie Black.” She smiled as he shook her hand.

“Martin Cortes-Rodriguez. It’s a pleasure to meet you McKenzie.” He said looking down at her.

Grabbing his locker number and combination and their passes, they made their way out of the office and towards Martin’s locker.

“Huh.” She said looking down at the paper.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, your locker’s actually next to mine.”

“What do you know?” He smirked.

“So what made you transfer to Redwood?” She asked as they stopped in front of his locker.

“My family and I moved here from Spain actually.” He said. “I don’t have that much of an accent because I grew up in America.”

“How long where you in Spain for?”

“Five years.” He told her while closing the locker door. “We might move back in a few years. Dad’s business has us always on the move.”

“That sucks.” She mumbled as they walked through the empty halls.

“You get used to moving from city to city eventually.” He shrugged.

“This is our stop.” McKenzie said standing in front of their first class for today.

Stepping in their math teacher waved them in not stopping his explanation on whatever was on the board. McKenzie took her usual seat next to Harry and Martin found himself at the back. Glancing around the class and watching most of the girls in class sneaking glances of Martin Kenzie chuckled. He was going to fit right in with the fabulous five. Which is what she called Jason and his friends behind their backs.

His curly brown hair, dimpled smile and gleaming green eyes spelled trouble. And little did she know just how well he fit in with Jason and the guys. He practically ran the business. But no one was supposed to know who he was. The family believed he was Cotes’ newly adopted son seeking refuge in America. They didn’t need to know he was next in line and here to see how his father’s business was run. How his business was run.

...........

“Who was that guy you guys were sitting with at lunch today?” Logan asked Harry at home after school that day.

“Oh that was Martin. He just moved to Miami from Spain.” Harry answered not looking up from his homework.

“Aren’t you usually with Kenzie after school?” Liam questioned.

“Martin asked if she could show him around town. I didn’t feel like being a third wheel.”

“How would you be a third wheel? They just met nothing’s going to happen.” Zack grumbled.

“Because he likes her. And in seeing how I’ve been watching them the whole day he won’t sit around and pin over her from a distance. Unlike some people he’s actually a guy that looks like he’ll go after what he wants and be successful in acquiring it.” Harry snapped glaring at his brother.

“Harry don’t.” Jason said knowing exactly where the kid was going to go. What he was going to say.

“You lost her because you were too scared to man up and tell her how you feel.” Harry continued not caring he needed to get this off his chest. He’d been silently watching his brother not saying anything for far too long.

“I never had her in the first place.”

“Are you that blind?” Harry scoffed.

“Harry...”Everyone said glaring at him.

“No. He needs to know this maybe then he’ll realise just how much he messed up. McKenzie liked you. She had the biggest crush on you since we were kids. Everyone knew. Even the whole school knew you two idiots liked each other but were too blind to see. Too scared to make a move.”

“Had?” Zack whispered.

“Yes had. Because she realised that nothing was going to happen. That if you didn’t care enough to keep a promise no matter how small it seemed you don’t care enough for her. She’s not going to waste anymore tears on you and I won’t let her.” Harry said getting up and walking out of the house.

Zack sat completely still staring at the spot Harry had been sitting. She actually liked him. And for as long as he had. And everyone knew but no one told him. Everyone knew but him.

“You guys knew?” He asked finally unfreezing.

“Yes.” Noah sighed.

“And you didn’t tell me.”

“If we’re being completely honest you weren’t ready for her then. And you aren’t now.” Logan said.

“You should have told me.” He hissed feeling his anger rising.

Jason nodded to the others and they left the two of them alone. Zack was starting to visibly shake in anger. He was blaming them. If they had told him maybe he wouldn’t have messed up. Maybe he wouldn’t have stopped himself so many times because he believed telling her how he felt would make things weird. Because he believed there was no way she could feel the same. But she did, and they watched him struggle. Hell the assholes advised him.

“You look mad buddy. Do tell why?”

“You could have told me.” He repeated.

“Do you know why none of us told you? Because you didn’t look like you seriously liked her. We were protecting her from you in all honesty.”

“I would never hurt her.”

“Not physically. Her little crush on you was toxic. She watched you go from girl to girl, watched you constantly overlook her. She was insecure for the longest time. Trying to see what it was you liked about those girls and maybe be like them to get your attention. It took Harry and Symmone a whole year to snap her out of it. And another to make her not look down on herself. And what was your excuse? They were a distraction. You were with them because you couldn’t have Kenzie. You couldn’t have her because of them. Because your actions told us more than your words did.

If you genuinely like someone you don’t just sit around saying it and hoping that by some miracle they like you too. You take care of them, you show them. If Harry ever told us he liked her we’d believe him, we’d support him. Because he’s there for her always. He talks to her every day. He makes an effort, makes sacrifices. You don’t. That party was her way of testing her and you failed. She doesn’t care that we have wild parties, she just wanted to see how much of an effort you’d put into her request. And the fact that she found you didn’t and on top of that found you on the verge of sleeping with Camilla she realised what all of us have known for years. You don’t deserve McKenzie.”

Zack unclenched his fists and looked up at Jason. He knew he was right. He didn’t deserve her. He didn’t make any effort. He lost her. But he wanted to get her back he was going to. He had to.

“I didn’t know.” Zack whispered.

“Because you weren’t paying attention.” Jason sighed.

“I need to make things right.”

“No you don’t. You need to stay away. At least until she’s completely over you. Then you can be friends with her. I don’t want her involved with anyone that does what we do and you still need a lot of growing up to do.”

“I’m sorry Jay.” Zack said looking down. “I didn’t know i was hurting her.... I... I thought.”

“I know Zack.” Jason putting a hand on his friends shoulder. Now go get ready we need to go meet Joaquin at the house.