Life saviour

Chapter twenty - Green light

Zach's POV:

Things with Zoe keep getting complicated. I wonder when I'll tell her the truth. I won't play with her, but I'm afraid I won't be the one for her. I can step away, but she will think something is going on. Dylan said he would stop going out with me if I didn't leave her. I can't do that. At the same time, I don't want to lose my best friend. We have been together for a long time. I have met him before Zoe. Let's not forget that I didn't like her. That was in the beginning. I have changed my mind. The problem is that I don't want to lose my friends. That's why I might talk a lot with Jake, but Dylan was the first person I met from my friend's group. We did many things together. Not all of them were good. In school, we did many pranks. The teachers were tired of us. I still remember some of them. I have no idea what to do to make him stay. The problem is not Zoe. I'm sure about this. I can tell her about it, but there is a chance that she might leave me. I can't let this happen. Both of them mean a lot to me. I might ask her to talk with him. Nothing else has left me. I'm not sure if this will be successful. She has to try. He doesn't want to listen to me. It looks as if I'm the bad one. I hope that my friend will make up his mind soon.

Another weekend came. I texted Zoe to check on her. She said she had a free day. This is perfect. I told her where Dylan would be. Let's see if she can do something about that. I didn't tell her about what he said. Otherwise, she might not like it. I texted my other friends to see if they had plans. Jake said he was busy. I believe something is going on with him and Vanessa. He would call me later. I won't bother him. It looks like I'll be alone. Logan has plans for the morning. I need more friends. I can go out alone.

I woke up and went to get dressed. Later, I went to have breakfast. My parents were still in bed. I went to get something from the fridge. I can cook simple things, but I won't do it. A sandwich will do the work. I sat down to eat. Dad appeared soon. He didn't say anything and made a cup of coffee. I don't drink this. I prefer something sweet and delicious. I might change after a few years. For now, I'll keep it this way.

- How can you drink that?

- What? Coffee is good if you don't drink too much.

- Yes, but it's not sweet.

- And? Not every drink needs sugar. I put some in the coffee, but it's not much.

- Gross.

- You will start drinking it one day.

- Hopefully, it's not soon.

- Are you ok? You haven't been in trouble in quite a while. Your mom and I have noticed this.

- I have other things to do.

- We need to ask you something.

- Hey, mom.

- Did you sneak a girl here that day?

- What? Why would I do that? Also, you will see her.

- Because I feel you did something. I have an eye for such things.

- Why do you care? It's in the past. I don't do such things.

- If you don't tell me, I'll ground you.

- Stop pretending to be serious. - I said, and she laughed

- Fine. Won't you tell us who is the lucky one?

- Why? I don't date anyone.

- But something is going on. You stopped doing what you used to.

- I have problems with Dylan. That's it.

- Can we help?

- I wish. You can try to talk with him.

- What is the problem between you two?

- He is mad that I decided to be friends with one girl.

- Why? There is nothing wrong with that.

- I believe he had problems with a girl. It's good that he doesn't know about Jake's girlfriend.

- Jake has a girlfriend. Why don't I know?

- Mom, you don't need to know everything. Also, I promised to keep his secret. It's because of Dylan.

- Have you talked with him?

- Many times. Zoe promised to do it. Maybe if he talks with a girl, he will share more.

- Who is Zoe?

- A girl I met in the old school.

- Is this your girlfriend?

- I'm not dating her.

- You said you had a girl as a friend. This is what I said.

- Oh, it sounded like the other thing. I get it.

My parents and I talked for some time. I got a message from Jake. He sent me a picture of him and Vanessa. Hold on. Is she here? It means her parents let her stay with my friend. That is great. He wanted us to meet outside. Zoe was invited as well. I texted her, but there was no reply. I waited for him at the usual spot. He came with a smile on his face. I won't be surprised if he never leaves her alone. The girl needs to breathe. I'll keep his secret for now.

- So the princess is finally here. - I said, chuckling

- Yes. I got a green light from her parents.

- You have passed the test.

- What test?

- The first impression is important.

- True. How is Zoe? What happened with her dad?

- I texted you about this.

- I know, but we never talked properly. Is she mad at you?

- No, but she didn't like it.

- I thought she would be here.

- She didn't answer my message. Maybe she has plans. I asked her to talk with Dylan.

- Why?

- I sent her there. I thought they would've finished.

- Dylan and Zoe? Are you kidding me? He hates her.

- She is my only chance. He doesn't want to talk with me.

- Is Zoe your girlfriend? - Vanessa asked

- He wishes she was.

- That is not true. We are only friends.

- For now. I wonder when you will tell her the truth.

- I have nothing to tell her.

- To tell me what?

- Zoe? You came. - I said

- Yes. I'm sorry I'm late.

- It's ok. How did it go? Did he say something?

- A girl is involved, but not the way you think. It's something about a contest that a girl won by cheating. He said this would've changed his life.

- A contest?

- Yes. Does anyone know what it was about?

- I have no clue. He has never mentioned it. - Jake said

Vanessa and Zoe quickly click it together. Maybe they should've met a long time ago. We walked around the town. I don't know what they gossip about. I believe it's not about us. I still think about what Zoe said for Dylan. Why a contest would upset him so much? Also, if it was in middle school, that should be in the past. I gently pulled her closer and made my friend go to his girl. She is here because of him, not Zoe or me.

- What was that about?

- Leave them alone. She is not here for us.

- What do you want us to do then? I don't even know where we are going.

- Me neither. Did Dylan say something else?

- No. I don't think he wants to talk about that. Whatever happened back then, that meant a lot to him.

- I don't understand what contest he is talking about.

- Only he knows.

- I can't believe he held on this for so long.

- When you lose someone you loved, you don't heal instantly. Here is the same.

- Yes, but what was the price? It can't be money. His parents have enough.

- Not everything is money-related. He won't tell me more. Why don't you chill? If he wants to share, he will do it.

- I have to tell you something.

- What is it?

- He made me choose between you and him.

- What? Why didn't you tell me?

- Because I didn't want you to think it was your fault. Whatever has happened affected his mind.

- Now I know why he hates me. Did you plan on leaving him?

- What? No. I will never do that. He is my best friend.

- I think you two should sit and talk. Tell him how you feel.

- All I can tell him is that he is wrong about you.

- I don't want you to argue because of me.

- It won't be because of you. Trust me. You have nothing to do with that.

- I didn't tell him that you sent me there.

- Good. He might get mad at me.

Zoe and I kept talking. Jake and Vanessa wanted to go to some places. We left them alone. I don't know for how long he can hide her. She will go to her old school, but they will be together daily. Zoe and I went home. I don't think she has been here since the last time. Back then, I sneaked her in. Now, I don't have to do that. My parents came home. They invited Zoe to stay for dinner. We skipped lunch and watched movies the whole afternoon. The little things that make people happy.

- So you are Zoe. - my mom said

- Whatever he told you, it's not true.

- It's interesting that you say it because he didn't tell us anything.

- What?

- Some things are private. - I said

- I don't know what you did, but he stopped getting in trouble. Thank you for that.

- I didn't do anything.

- Zach, are you ok? It's like you saw a ghost. - my dad said, chuckling

- Did something happen? - Zoe asked

- I got a message from Dylan. He knows I have sent you.

- How? I didn't tell him anything.

- Listen. I know you sent Zoe to talk with me. Don't worry. I'm not mad. It was good to speak with a girl. Maybe she is not that bad. I think you should keep her. Please, tell me when you have free time.

- That is a whole compliment. Said from him means a lot.

- It is. You did your magic on him.

- I didn't do anything. We only talked.

- It's enough. You know what to say and when to say it. This is talent.

- If you say so. I don't believe it.

- Can you stay for the night? I won't do anything.

- Thanks, but I have to go home.

- Your mom?

- Someone should check on her. She started inviting different people home, and I'm afraid this won't end well.

- You can always go and live with your dad. He made the offer.

- You know I can't do it.

- It's your choice. He looks like a decent parent.

- What a way to characterize him. - she said, laughing

- What else am I supposed to say? I'm honest.

- I like you for that. Maybe I should say brutally honest.

- Everyone has their flaws.

- What are yours?

- Thank you.

After dinner, my mom stole Zoe from me. They can talk as much as they want. I won't say anything. I don't own her. My friend can do whatever she wants. I tried to pleaser her to stay with me. It didn't happen. At least she let me take her home. It's better than nothing. When I came home, my mom asked me a lot of questions. I didn't hide anything and told her the truth. I like Zoe, but she doesn't know about this yet. I will talk to her when the right time comes. That might not be soon, but I'm patient. The good news is that Dylan likes her. I hope that they can keep up with the good relations.