Life saviour

Chapter eleven - I can't do this anymore

Zoe's POV:

Mom is draining me. She is taking all my energy. I started feeling sleepy in school. I can't sleep in my classes. I might get in detention for that. My grades are not improving either. Almost every teacher wants to talk with my mom. Her phone number is in the register. I keep making excuses that she is a busy person. I have no idea where my dad is. I believe he doesn't want to have anything in common with her. I understand him. There is a reason why he left. I can send my grandma to school, but I won't do it. I prefer it if she didn't know about this. I don't want things to get worse for me. I talked with my grandpa about the party. He said I should go. I'm not that optimistic, but I'll listen to him. I might have a success. At least I won't be at home. That's why we started arguing almost every day. She doesn't listen to a single word I say. I'm trying to help her, but she doesn't accept it. My grandparents keep talking to her. There are no results. It's like something got into her and won't let go. Things weren't good, but now it has become worse. She doesn't go out of the house and keeps complaining about everything. I'm another maid. Mom can't keep telling me what to do when she is not doing it. If I could, I would've moved out a long time ago. I hope that she will realize what she has been doing.

I went to the party. Everything was great until I didn't receive a call from my grandma. Mom was drunkenly dead. I have no idea how much wine she took, but she couldn't wake up. For a second, I thought about the worst thing possible. Luckily, it didn't happen. The only good news for me was that I kissed Zach. Technically, he did it, but I liked it. Sadly, I had to leave. When I came back, the party was over. I didn't want to stay home anymore. His parents don't need to know about this.

I woke up without moving much. Zach had wrapped his hand around me. I should go home. Well, if I move, he will wake up. There must be a way I can get up. I took the pillow and put it under his arm. That should work. I was about to get up when he pulled back down. Maybe he woke up before me. I don't think he will let me go. I don't mind staying here, but I can't. Everything was great last night, but I should come back to reality.

- Zach, let me go. I should go home.

- Can't you stay here for longer? I won't do anything. I promise.

- I know, but my life is not here. I have to face the reality.

- Will you share it with me? I want you to be happy.

- I am.

- Don't lie. I can see it in your eyes.

- It doesn't matter if you know or not. Nothing will change.

- That is not true. I can change you.

- I have to go.

- No, you will have breakfast with me. - he said and grabbed my hand

- Zach.

- Please. You can do me a favor and stay here.

- You won't give up, will you?

- No, I won't. You can help me cook something. What do you want us to eat?

- Nothing. I'm not that hungry.

- Can I go home with you?

- What? Why?

- I think you need to stop hiding from me. I won't give up on you.

- Can I have some time?

- Yes. Until we finish breakfast.

- Really?

- I thought you knew me already.

- Fine. You can come home with me, but you can't judge me.

- Don't worry. I will never do that.

- Thanks.

- What happened at the party? Why did you leave?

- I had to go home.

- Something with your parents?

- My parents are divorced. I live only with my mom.

- Where is your dad?

- I don't know. I haven't seen him for the past two years.

- He doesn't want to see you.

- I think it's because of my mom. Things get worse every day.

- What happened with your mom?

- She got depressed. The woman drinks wine as if it's water and doesn't want to go out of the house.

- Why didn't you tell me? I won't judge you or make fun of you.

- I didn't want people to feel sorry for me. It's fine. I learned to live with it.

- You can make a change.

- My grandparents are helping me. I mean, my mom's parents.

- I'm sure they don't like the situation.

- This hurts them, but they can't do anything. There were no results.

I didn't plan to tell Zach this way, but he won't leave me in peace. We ate our breakfast together and walked out. I'm afraid he might leave if he sees what is going on. I don't have other friends or people I'm close with. We went to my house. The walk was silent. I have nothing else to tell him. When we walked in, I started looking for my mom. She was sleeping on the couch. Of course, there was a bottle of wine next to her. I wonder when she went to bed.

- Mom, you have to wake up. Mom. Mom!

- What? You can leave me alone.

- Wake up and do something. A shower will be a good idea.

- I don't need it.

- Yes, you do. You smell like wine and chips. When did you go to bed last night?

- I don't know. It was after the episode of my show.

- Which episode?

- Thirty-two.

- You watched thirty-two episodes in a day. Is that even possible?

- No, they were like twenty.

- Why don't we go out? The weather is good today.

- No chance. You can go out with the boy who is weirdly staying there.

- But I want to go with you.

- Then find another mom.

- I don't have another one. I have only one, and it's you.

- I don't want to be outside.

- Will you at least shower? Please.

- I'm going to bed. Wake me up for lunch. - she said and left

- I'm sorry about that. You were the one who wanted the truth.

- She doesn't listen to anything you say.

- No. I have tried many things. My grandparents as well.

- We can make her lunch.

- I do this all the time. I have other things to do.

- Don't you want to find your dad?

- Not really. He can't help me. There is a reason why he left us.

Zach and I stayed in my room. I wanted him to go home, but he refused to leave me. I appreciate it. Well, he doesn't need to waste his time with me. We had lunch together. I left my mom some of it in her room. He wanted to go out with me to a place. I have no idea where we are going. I'm not much in the mood. I'll say that when we are together, I feel like I'm escaping reality. It's a world where everything is perfect. Sadly, it's not real.

- We are here.

- What is this place?

- It used to be a park with lots of slides. Kids were loving it. Now, it looks like this.

- Why are we here?

- Because this place reminds me of you.

- What?

- You look exactly like this place. The difference is that you don't need money to fix everything.

- I don't understand. What does it have to do with me?

- How do you feel about this place?

- Weird. It's so lonely here. No one comes here.

- Does this remind you of something?

- I see. It has nothing to do with me. I'm fine.

- Are you sure? Now I know what is draining you.

- Will you leave?

- What? Why would I do that?

- Because I'm not what you expected.

- So what? I don't judge people based on their problems. That has nothing to do with their personalities.

- To understand that you will stay with me.

- Yes, I will. Nothing can make me go away.

- I hope you stay behind these words.

- I do. I think you should trust me more.

- Try to understand me. I have trust issues.

- Don't tell. You can stay at home again if you want.

- Thanks, but I'll go home. I already wasted your time.

- If you had wasted it, I wouldn't have offered this to you.

- I see. I have to go home.

- One more thing before you go.

- What?

He didn't say anything and kissed me. It was supposed to be only once. I don't think he wants to let me go. If I could, I would've stayed with him all day. Sadly, I should go back to reality. I like this, but it's not for me. He pulled away, and I left. I can't stay with him. My life is different. I was going home when someone grabbed my hand and pulled me for a hug. He has no idea how much I needed this. We watched a movie in the living room. I don't want to do anything else.

- Why are you here? Your life is outside with your friends.

- My life, my rules, my decisions.

- Yes, but.

- No, but. I will stay here with you. My parents are coming back tomorrow.

- This doesn't mean. - I tried to finish, but he kissed me again

- Don't say anything.

- Is this how you shut up every girl?

- Only the ones who don't do what I say.

- You won't win against me. I'm a tough person.

- This only will make it better.

- If this is one of your games, I don't want to play.

- It's not. I mean everything I have said to you.

- Let's say that I believe you.

- Don't you?

- Give me some time.

- You have all the time in the world. I can wait.

- Wait for what?

- You. I know you don't accept people in your life easily.

- At least you have learned something about me.

- I did.

- Sometimes, I feel like I can't do this anymore.

- Call me whenever you need help or someone to talk to. I'll listen.

- Thanks. I might do this.

- We can always go out if you want.

- Not today. I want to stay here.

- Why did you choose to stay with your mom?

- I stayed because of the house, not her. I was born here. I can't leave.

- I understand, but she is not helping you.

- It doesn't matter. She can move out, but I won't do it.

- You are stubborn.

- Thanks. I appreciate the compliment.

- If I could, I would've taken you home.

- No, thanks. I'm not going anywhere.

- Even if the house is on fire?

- Yes. I will always stay here.

- It's good that you value things, but.

- But nothing. I don't want to talk about this anymore.

- Fine. I won't say anything.

- Thank you.

I hated him, and now I like being around him. I didn't expect him to change so quickly. He used to make fun of me. I still have a voice in the back of my head. It tells me it's a game. Well, it's my choice to trust him. As I have said many times, I have nothing to lose. Things can't get worse for me. The good news is that I have someone close to me. The question is about how long this can last. I want to keep it for longer. The thing is that I'm not sure if this is possible. That doesn't mean I won't try. Otherwise, I will never know what would've happened. I hope that this is not one of his games.