Life saviour

Chapter fourteen - I'm keeping her

Zach's POV:

I had a sleepover with Zoe. I felt horrible for rejecting her, but I had to do it. Dylan said that we don't date. It's like he was mad when I told him about this. I don't know what is going on with him. He wasn't like this before. Something changed. I want to help him, but I don't know how. I'm not sure if he will tell me. In the end, I accepted her offer. I can't stay away from her. Maybe it was because of what happened at the party. I can't stop thinking about this. She is not a one-night stand. I know that. For some reason, I want this to happen again. We are keeping to the friendship part. Well, I like the benefits. I have no idea how she does it, but she is good. I managed to have something similar at the sleepover. That was the best I have ever had for months. I'm not trading this for anything. That's why I know how Jake feels. Luckily, only I know about this. If Dylan finds out, he won't like it for sure. I still don't know what is his problem. When it comes to dating, he becomes angry. Once, I tried to ask, but it didn't end well. Since then, I haven't bothered him. One thing is sure. I'm keeping Zoe. I don't care if it's a secret or not. It's the first time that I like a girl. I'll use all my chances. I hope that things won't fall apart quickly.

Zoe is from another planet. I don't know how she can stand me with the things I do. Lately, I haven't been in trouble. My parents don't think the same. I'm grounded for a week. I'm not allowed to go out after dinner. It's not like they can stop me. I can sneak out through the window. Sometimes, I don't understand them. I'm old enough to do whatever I want. This is part of being a teenager. I don't have to think about everything. People learn from their mistakes daily. At least they don't know about Zoe.

I woke up and checked my phone. There were no new messages. I texted Zoe to check on her. This became like a daily morning thing. Also, she likes it. I got out of bed and went to get ready for school. Later, I walked downstairs for breakfast. My parents were there, but we didn't talk. I went to school and saw Jake. He is the only one who knows about Zoe. I couldn't tell Logan. He might tell Dylan, and he will get mad at me. I don't see anything wrong with that, but he does.

- Good morning. How are you? - I asked

- I'm good. I see you are happy. Did something happen?

- I don't know what you mean.

- For sure. How is Zoe?

- Sweet like butter.

- How many times did you do it?

- As long as she let me.

- She is a girl. That says a lot.

- It is what it is. What happens with your chica?

- Nothing. I'm still waiting for good news.

- Can you do me a favor?

- Sure. What is it?

- I want you to talk with Dylan. Something has happened. Whenever I mention dating, he gets mad.

- I'll do it, but I can't guarantee what will happen.

- As long as he doesn't get mad at you, everything should be ok.

- I believe this is not the only thing you want from me. - he said, chuckling

- Can you cover me for the last class?

- Why? Where will you go?

- I'll tell you later.

- Hey, guys. How are you? - Logan asked

- We are good. Where is Dylan? - Jake asked

- No clue. I haven't seen him since the morning. I mean, outside of class.

- Is he ok? It looks like something is bothering him. - I said

- I don't think he will tell me. Last night, he texted me. Check this out. - he said and gave us his phone

- I'm having the best night in my life. This girl is good. You can be her next date.

- What is this? - Jake asked

- I have no clue. He started jumping from girl to girl every day.

- Something tells me he has a problem.

- Don't tell. We have to talk with him.

- I tried, and he got mad. I'll leave this to you.

- There he is. I'll go. See you later. - Logan said and left

- What?

- Why should I cover you? - Jake asked

- I'll go to see her.

- What? Really? How serious is this?

- I don't know, but I want to try. It might be worth it.

- For sure. Tell me how it went later.

- No problem.

I decided this on the way to school. I don't know if she will like this, but I don't care. I will fight for what it's mine. During the lunch break, I was with my friends. Luckily, they didn't ask anything. I don't have time for their questions. I was impatient until my last class. Jake said he would cover me. I trust him on this one. Without anyone noticing me, I walked out of school. I was on time when I heard the bell in her school. I'm not sure if I have to go in. Well, no one can stop me. Soon, I saw her.

- Zach? What are you doing here? Don't you have another class?

- I skipped it.

- Why? For me?

- Maybe. I had nothing to do in this class.

- Do you know what can happen? You can get in trouble.

- I already am. My parents don't allow me to go out at night.

- What did you do?

- Nothing. Mom is dramatizing. I'm an angel.

- Yes, sure. Pure angel.

- See? Even you believe it. I'm clean.

- What do you want from me? I have to go home and check on my mom.

- I can come. Please. I'm not allowed to go out later.

- I know you will do it. After all, it won't be you if you don't do the opposite of what your parents say.

- True, but this means I have to sneak through the window.

- Zach? What are you doing here? - Ally asked

- Nothing. I have to go. Are you coming?

- Zoe? Do you have to tell us something? - Ellie asked

- No. I'll go home. We'll see each other tomorrow at school. - I said and walked out with Zach

- I believe you haven't told them anything.

- I don't need to do it. They shouldn't know everything.

- Shall we go?

- Yes. You can lead.

I stayed with her until it was time for my parents to go home. They know they can't control me in the afternoon. That is why I have to stay at home only during the night. Mom has ordered dinner. We don't eat that often. I believe something has happened. I didn't do anything this time. I don't care what she says. I'm clean. She looked at me but didn't say anything. I have no idea what is going on with her. I'm out of trouble.

- What? I didn't do anything.

- I didn't say the opposite.

- But you looked at me with these eyes.

- What do you mean?

- You are ready to accuse me of something I didn't do.

- Do you always think like that of me?

- Yes, I do. Can I go out later?

- No, you are grounded.

- Come on. I didn't do anything.

- Yes, you did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have grounded you.

- You do it because you hate me.

- I don't hate you. It has nothing to do with that.

- Then why only you do it? Dad doesn't have a problem with me.

- I never said that. - my dad said

- What?

- I left your mom to ground you, but the idea was mine.

- Why? I didn't do anything.

- Stop defending yourself. Next week, you can go out again.

- Next week? I want to do it now.

- Rules are rules. Be a good guy, or you can spend the next week here.

- That is not fair. Why do you care so much about this?

- We don't want to argue with you. How was school today?

- The usual.

- You need to start paying attention in class.

- For what? I won't use any of this in real life.

- You will. Trust me.

- I'll be in my room. I can't stand you two.

- Not nice. Your mom and I work hard for you.

- Really? I want to hear it from her.

- What?

- Say it. If you love me, you won't be so strict with me.

- I have to be since you don't listen.

- Yes, sure. Find a better excuse. - I said and walked to my room

You have to be kidding me. My parents are impossible. After some time, I received a message from Zoe. She wanted to see me. This time, it's not for a good reason. I believe something has happened. I can't go out, but she can come. I told her to text me when she was near my house. I waited for my parents to go to their room and let her in through the backyard. Hopefully, they haven't heard anything. I don't need more problems.

- I'm sorry for coming like that. I had nowhere else to go.

- What happened?

- My grandparents came for dinner. They do it to check on my mom. She was in one of her moods today, and they got mad at me for yelling at her. I went out. I'm sorry for bugging you with this.

- It's ok. I won't mind seeing you again.

- I'm not in the mood for anything.

- Zach! - my mom said

- Hide in the bathroom.

- Why?

- I'll tell you later. Hurry.

- Ok, ok.

- Zach?

- Yes. Do you need something?

- Give me your phone, tablet, and laptop because you won't talk with your friends while you are grounded.

- You can't be serious.

- Come on. Give me everything.

- Here. Are you happy?

- No, but you should understand what grounded means.

- Yeah, yeah. Can you leave? I'll shower and lock the door so you won't come in again.

- Do whatever you want as long as you are here. - she said and left

- It's clear. - I said and walked into the bathroom

- Are you sure?

- I am. - I said and turned on the shower

- What are you doing?

- I told my mom I would take a shower.

- Sure.

- Hey, don't be upset. I prefer the happy Zoe. Can she smile for me?

- I'm sorry. I have too many things in my head.

- Is one of them me? - I asked, moving closer

- Zach, not now. I'm not in the mood for anything.

- Are you sure? I think you need something to calm you down. - I said and put her on the sink

- Don't do it. We are friends. Remember?

- Friends with benefits.

- But mainly friends. I don't want to cross the line.

- There is no line here. It's only you and me.

- But I.

Before she could finish, I kissed her. I know she wants it, no matter how much she denies that. This might be the only place where I haven't kissed a girl. There is a first time for everything. Of course, I didn't let her go with a simple kiss. I wanted more. We talk about Zoe. As I expected, she didn't pull away. I can feel her sadness through the kiss. She needs to move out of her house. It's not healthy for her. I let her stay here for the night. I will let her go home tomorrow. Suddenly, my night became better. Who said I need to go out? I hope that my parents won't find out about this.