Before The End

Three

Jason made his way through the Redwood halls towards his sister's locker. He needed to talk to her. Just as he was nearing it she had already left with Harry for their first class. He would have to tell her later.

"I can't believe she's serious." He heard Symmone say as he approached the group still at her locker.

"They aren't wrong." Logan shrugged.

"Who are we talking about?" Jason asked causing everyone to turn to him.

"Well I have to get to class. Noah?" Sy said walking away.

"Right behind you." Noah said joining her.

"You guys suck." Logan said glaring at the retreating pair.

"Are you gonna tell me or will I have to find out myself?" Jason asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well you know how McKenzie's birthday is like next week and you're already planning a party?" Logan asked.

"Yes?"

"She doesn't want one."

"Why not?" Jason asked straightening up.

"Because she thinks it'll just be another one of our crazy house parties. And she kinda has a point." Logan said.

"No it won't. Why would she honestly think that?" Jason asked.

"Because it wouldn't be the first time you got one of her things and turned it into yours." Logan said. "Just talk to her dude."

"Yeah okay." Jason sighed just as Logan walked away.

Sighing he walked away from his sister's locker and towards his first class for the day. Just as he was about to enter the classroom he was tackled by two bodies. Looking up he spotted a smiling Zack and two of his teammates.

"Thanks guys." Zack said helping his best friend off the floor.

"Was that necessary?" Jason asked shoving him away.

"No. But thanks to you I had to get a ride from the demon twins." Zack said plopping himself down on his desk.

"Your car should be done by now. I'll ask McKenzie." Jason said taking his seat.

"Why would Macky know whether my car is done?"

"Because she's the one fixing it." Jason shrugged.

"Really. Little Macky can fix cars." Zack said smiling to himself.

"No."

"What?"

"I know that look. I've told you a million times, my sister is off limits." Jason said glaring at him.

"Oh come on. I didn't even say or do anything." Zack protested.

"In the eight years I've known you, you think I don't know that look in your eye when you're thinking about her?" Jason asked.

"I just think it's pretty cool that she can fix cars." Zack shrugged looking down.

"And I just think you need to move on. This little crush of yours is gonna get her into trouble."

"Don't you think I'm trying." Zack sighed. Jason gave him a sad smile and patted him on the back.

"For what it's worth. I don't think she'd go out with you even if the circumstances were different." Jason said.

"Real encouraging Jay." Zack said shoving him away.

Jason let out a laugh just as their teacher walked into class. He had to keep discouraging them. Because if either knew their feelings were reciprocated it would be hell.

........

After school McKenzie stood in her father's garage doing the finishing touches on Zack's car. Jason had brought it to her to fix saying he wasn't going to spend money having it done when he had her to do it.

She had grown out of her sparkly princess phase a long time ago. It was due to the fact that she spent a lot of time with her dad and Jason growing up. After her mom died she had no female role model to shape her into a stereotypical girl. And besides, cars are way cooler than barbies.

Her dad had already bought her her first car. The first in what she was hoping would be a glorious car collection.

"You know when Jason said his little sister could fix cars I didn't believe him. At first I thought he had another sister other than you." Zack said leaning against the garage door. His varsity jacket looking really good on him.

"Sorry to disappoint you." Kenzie said wiping the grease off her hands.

"I didn't say I was disappointed. Just surprised." He smirked.

"Well if you want the car I'm done with it now." She told him looking down.

"Is the car in the drive way yours or your dads." He asked.

"Its mine. Dad got it for me." She told him smiling. "Its like a pre birthday gift."

"Aren't you like what 12?" He asked.

"I'm turning 16 in a week Zack." She grumbled. Of course he would think that.

"I know when your birthday is Macky." He laughed. "I was just teasing you."

"You seem to do that a lot." She sighed handing him his keys.

"You kind of make it easy." He smirked.

"Yeah yeah just get your stupid car."

"Thanks Macky." He chuckled walking past her.

He had to admit. He did enjoy teasing her. He liked it cause she'd get that little spark in her eyes like she did when they were little. He started seeing less as they grew up. She became quieter around him over the years.

He loved seeing the old her pop up during their arguments. The overly confident Macky who would put you in your place. Who wasn't afraid to voice her opinion whether it offended you or not. The Macky only he never got to see. She was her usual self around everyone but him. And that made him feel like maybe Jason was right. Maybe he really didn't have a shot with her.

"Are you excited for your party?" He asked her wanting to stay longer.

"For Jason's sake I hope I'm not having one." She said.

"Why not?"

"It'll just be another one of your parties. I don't feel like being overshadowed by my brother or worse you this year." She said shrugging.

"When have we ever overshadowed anyone?" He asked.

"Harry's sixteenth, Liam's graduation party, all my birthdays since the day we met, Logan and Noah's..."

"Okay I get it." Zack sighed. "How about this. No big party this year. Just the eight of us at home doing whatever you want."

"No party?" She asked. "You sure you can manage that?"

"I promise you Macky. And if you don't have the best day ever you can even stop talking to me." He said walking towards her and smiling.

"I swear to god Zack. If anything goes wrong..." she sighed.

"Nothing will. Trust me." Zack said.