Life saviour

Chapter eighteen - You should talk with her

Zach's POV:

I still haven't found Zoe's dad. I need to ask for the information. I should think of an excuse. They will ask me why I need all this. My friend and I are not related. I can be her long-lost cousin. No one will believe me. I need a better excuse. Her grandpa agreed to come with me. I won't let him do it. She might get mad about this. It's better if only I'm involved in this. There is another problem for me. I have no idea what to tell her dad. He has no idea who I am. The other thing is that he might have moved on with his life. His new wife might not like to hear about his daughter. It only matters what he will say about that. I'm sure he will want to see her. It has been two years since he left her. This man can ignore the differences with his ex-wife and talk with Zoe. The question is if she will do it. I'm afraid she might not want to do it. After all, I don't know what their relations are. She doesn't talk much about him. I noticed how she reacted when I asked her about him. It's better if I don't mess with this, but it's too late. I have already decided on this. Zoe might hate me, but I don't care. Her mom looks better, but she isn't. She doesn't have a relationship, but what she does is wrong. I hope that my friend will finally have the life she deserves.

Today, I will meet Zoe's dad. Yesterday, I went to the municipality. Somehow, they gave me the information. I have everything I need except for a plan. I should make this man listen to me. It might be the hardest part. I have no idea how to do it. There is a chance that he won't believe me. I won't be surprised. We don't know each other. That doesn't mean I will give up. Zoe is my friend, and I'll do everything to help her. She has done a lot for me.

I'm with Dylan in the hall. Jake and Logan are sick. They were fine two days ago. I have no idea what happened to them. Dylan doesn't want to talk with me. He is still mad about Zoe. I'm not leaving her. Why he doesn't want to understand that? Something happened to him. I believe a girl is involved. It's good that he doesn't know about Jake's girlfriend. Otherwise, he will get mad. Zoe offered to talk with him. I might let her do it. I don't expect him to tell her, but it's worth a try.

- Why are you still mad at me? It's stupid. We are not kids in kindergarten.

- No comment.

- Come on, Dylan. What do you want me to do? I don't want to lose my best friend.

- Oh, so now I'm a best friend. Get lost.

- I won't do that. If you come, I'll change my mind.

- What?

- I want us to hang out like we used to.

- Dump her, and I might forgive you.

- What? I'm not doing that. Zoe is staying with me.

- Then, I'm leaving.

- Wait! Can't you forgive me? Who hurt you so badly?

- It's not your business.

- So it's a girl. Won't you tell me?

- No one hurt me. Unlike you, I won't change because of someone.

- I didn't change because of her. My parents expect that too.

- So it's because of someone.

- I want my best friend back. Please.

- Since when have you been so nice to people? It's disgusting.

- Dylan, it won't hurt you.

- I'm not falling for that. She has brainwashed you.

- You can talk with her if you don't want to share it with me.

- With Zoe? No way. I would rather die.

- Dylan. Don't talk like that. We are friends. I'm only trying to help you.

- Help yourself. I think you need this more than I do.

- That is not true. I'm fine. My problems have nothing to do with other people.

- Now, it's my fault.

- I didn't say that.

- There is no need to. I feel the attack.

- I'm not attacking you. Won't you listen to me?

- No. Logan is the only person on my side. You and Jake are weird.

- Why?

- Because he acts as if he has a girlfriend.

- What? I haven't noticed it.

- He has one, doesn't he?

- I don't know. I don't tell him what I do with Zoe all the time.

- There is no need to. At least she is a good toy.

- Zoe is not a toy. I won't use her.

- That is your problem. I'll go.

There is no point in arguing with him. I spent my next class texting Zoe. She had P.E. I'm sure she can pull off the excuse every girl has. During the lunch break, I called her dad and scheduled a meeting with him. I only said it was something important. I'll tell him the rest when I go to see him. That happened after school. I'm a bit nervous, but I won't let it show. I won't waste his time. It will take me not more than ten minutes. I knocked on the door and walked in.

- Mister Smith.

- Yes. Who is asking?

- It's Zach.

- Are you the person who scheduled a meeting with me?

- It's me.

- Ok, come and sit.

- Thank you.

- For what do you want us to talk? I'm sure you don't need my professional help.

- No, I don't. You have a daughter. Right?

- Yes, I do.

- Zoe.

- Oh, this one.

- Do you have another one?

- She is not mine. Why are you here?

- I want you to talk with Zoe. Will you do this?

- Is she still with her mom?

- Yes. Zoe won't move out of the house.

- I have offered Zoe to come with me. She refused to do it.

- She stayed because of the house, not because of her mom.

- What? Really?

- Yes. She told me this.

- Who are you?

- We are friends.

- It doesn't look like that.

- I like the benefits.

- Now I believe it. I wanted to see her, but not her mom. I have my reasons.

- Ignore them. She is your daughter!

- Watch the tone.

- I'm sorry. She has no idea that I'm here. If she finds out, your daughter will get mad at me.

- I won't tell her anything. I'm sure you two have a history.

- Let's not talk about this right now. Some things need to be private.

- I will agree here.

We talked for half an hour about her. I didn't expect him to be interested. I'm glad that he agreed to meet her. After I met with him, I went home. I texted Jake. He wanted me to tell him what happened. Everything went well. I invited Zoe home, but she denied it. Instead, she made me go to her grandparents' house. Her mom will be outside again. I got invited for dinner. I emailed mister Smith about his daughter. He didn't tell me when he would come to see her.

- Hello.

- Hey. Thank you for coming. - Zoe said and hugged me

- Did something happen? You are in a good mood. It doesn't happen often.

- Everything is good, but nothing happened. I woke up like that.

- Well, I like this version of you more.

- Thank you. I want to show you something.

- I'm coming.

- I'm baking cupcakes. Do they look good?

- They are still in the oven, but yes. I like the looks of them.

- Sweet. You will be the first one to try them.

- Are you ok?

- Yes, why?

- Because you have so much energy. I can tire you quickly. - I said, whispering

- You wish. I won't let you do it that easily.

- What?

- You have to earn it.

- How?

- The problem is not mine. You can find a way to do it.

- Will you give me a hint?

- Don't be silly. That will be too easy. Fight.

- What is wrong with you today? - I asked, chuckling

- I don't know. It's your fault.

- How is mine? I haven't seen you today.

- Let's forget about it. Will you help me study?

- Studying and me don't belong in the same sentence.

- Please. Pretty please.

- I wish I wasn't like that.

- Yay! Thank you. - she said and kissed my cheek

- I wish it was real.

- Be careful what you wish for.

- Why?

- It's simple. - she said and kissed me

- I wish for another one.

- Nice try. It won't work on me.

- The first one did.

- This game is for two, but the winner is only one.

- True.

I don't know what is going on with her. I have never seen her like that. It's like she is another person. I genuinely love it. Hopefully, she will be in such a good mood more often. I wanted to tell her about her dad, but I didn't. It's better if she doesn't know it was me. There is a chance she might not like this. I don't want her to get mad at me. Her grandma came home for dinner. I wanted to go, but Zoe didn't let me. As long as she is happy, I'll stay here.

- Are you on a high?

- What are these questions?

- I'm sorry, but you were never in such a mood. I don't know if it's real.

- It is. I feel good today. Is it a bad thing?

- No, but is it permanent?

- I don't know. Can't you appreciate that I'm good?

- I have done it since I saw you like that. Can you be like that every day?

- I can try.

- That is what I want to hear. By the way, the food is delicious.

- Thank you. If you come more often, I might cook more. - Zoe's grandma said

- I appreciate it, but it's better if this is not a habit.

- Why not? It doesn't matter if I will put one more plate.

- My parents don't know what I do. I'll keep it this way. - I said, and he laughed

- I kept things from my mom, as well.

- Really? You have never told me that. - Zoe said

- You haven't asked. It wasn't that big of a deal. In the end, she always knew everything.

- You can't keep secrets from your parents. - I said

- Do they know about me? I mean, when I sneaked in.

- No, but I think they might have been suspicious about it.

- If you get in trouble, blame me.

- I can do that, but they won't believe me. It will be my fault.

- You can try.

- I'm good. It won't be my first time getting in trouble. My parents blame me for anything.

- I'm sure they have a reason for this.

- At this point, I don't care. Can I try your cupcakes now?

- Sure. I'll bring a few.

- You can put all.

I didn't know my friend could cook. It was delicious. She needs to do it more often. I stayed with her until she wanted to go home. Something happened to her today, but I took my benefits. I tried for more, but she knew the limits. I didn't pressure her. I'm sure she will give me everything I want when the time comes. Zoe is not a toy. This time, I will keep the girl. Maybe this is what I needed the whole time. I mean, someone who will open my eyes. It's not about the kiss or something similar. It's about the person she is. That is why I like her. I hope that we'll keep the friendship for a long time.