To love and Be Unloved

Chapter 4: Awake

Zane wrapped his arms around Jae, holding her close under the blankets wanting to well wanting to show her that she was wanted and that she was loved no matter what and that he would always protect her, that he would always be her best friend even if he secretly wanted more; this need for his best friend was driving him crazy ever since he said no more moments with Jae. Maybe they needed some time apart but the thought of his Jae bird being away made him feel empty, it had to happen just not right now because he was enjoying the smell of coconut that wrapped around the both of them as he held her.

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Jae awoke startled, she dreamt she was behind the dumpster again but this time with no Zane in sight, silent tears fell from her eyes; she felt arms wrap around her tighter "You okay?" Zane whispered kissing her shoulder, Jae took a moment in shock because this was new never before has she been able to think back to any moment that he has held her or cuddled her, "I've got you, you are safe with me." Zane said sleepy like. At that moment Jae wanted to cry more because she hasn't felt like this in so long, except when she was with her best friend.. "This was so messed up. " she thought to herself.

Jae awoke again with the sunlight shining, slowly she climbed out if bed and quietly got her bag, slipping out of the room making sure she didn't wake Zane; feeling horrible for leaving quietly without a word Jae sat in her car trying not to cry as she had the realization that she was in fact undoubtedly in love with Zane, it hit her like a freight train but she would have to suck it up because it could never become a reality, it would only bring pain and that she never wanted to feel again. Turning out of the neighborhood Jae turned the music up to drown out the thoughts, as the gate cranked open she caught the landscaper watching her which gave her a nauseous dark feeling but Jae quickly shook it off and blamed it on her all over mood of exhaustion, she needed to get away; driving non stop to the hidden creek she loved to go hide at and clear her thoughts.

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Zane awoke when he rolled over to feel the space next to him empty only smelling of distant coconut barely remaining on the pillow, he walked into the kitchen thinking Jae was up and going for the day like always but sadly her realized she was gone when he saw the remainder of the house empty only filled with darkness; Zane went back to the room to see if there was a note or a simple text but just like the rest of his house it was all empty, "What the hell did I do wrong?!" Zane whispered into the silent void rocking his brain wondering if it was something he said that drove her away, he screamed but only his echo answered him.

"Shut up bro, Jae is probably just being her usual psycho self" Zane complained to Drake, "Man she isn't crazy all she did was leave dude she has a life. The two of you are best friends and nothing else. " Drake commented but to no avail did Zane want to listen, "Well she could have said something, hell it's been the whole day and she hasn't checked in! " Zane raised his voice in irritation, Drake gave no reply because he knew yes it was out of worry but also because he never understood Zane when it came to Jaelynn the whole situation was something in itself, Jae took off sometimes and it was completely normal but Zane didn't like not knowing "Sh*t I need a drink, I will hit you up later bro! " Zane quickly hung up walking to the liquor cabinet.

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5 hours later

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Zane heard light knocking on the door, hoping it would be Jae but instead he opened the door to some girl; "Hello! I am so so so glad you answered, ummm I got a flat tire right over there and no one answered my calls so I started knocking but low and be hold no one answered, you are the first one and I'm so happy you did! " exclaimed the strange girl quickly, Zane scratched his head and yawned "Let me put a shirt on and I will get you taken care of, I am Zane by the way. " Zane spoke has he held out his hand to the girl; "Oh I'm Liv, so sorry" she giggled.

Zane walked with the girl the two blocks to her car where sure enough he saw a very deflated tire, "So how exactly did this happen?" Zane questioned while inspecting the tire but the girl was distracted by something on her phone; Zane got to work with the jack and replacing the tire with the spare that was thankfully in the trunk, something was off the poor girl had her tire slashed. "Hey your tire was slashed... " He spoke with concern, she looked up "What the hell? F*ck it was probably my ex which means he knows I'm staying with my cousin. " Liv rubbed her face, as Zane was about to provide her comfort when the girl's phone rang, "Oh one moment I have to take this, it's super important."

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*Liv's phone call*

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"Yeah it worked so far, he is fixing my tire right now. " Liv spoke into the phone "No, I didn't see anyone else that lived there, I will try to get into the house but hey I have to get back to my car before he questions stuff. " Liv spoke softly to the mystery person before hanging up and walking back to Zane.

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"Hey you're all fixed up, b that is definitely something you need to keep looking out for. " Zane said with concern as Liv walked closer to inspect Zane's handy work. "Thank you so much! You are a absolute life saver, how can I ever pay you back?" Liv spoke as she rubbed Zane's arm smiling, "No worries, Just a polite thing to do. " Zane laughed looking at Liv; "Well how about a beer then?" Liv asked biting her lip, "Sure I mean I have a few cold ones back at the house, we can go back to my place and drink rather than getting crowded at a bar." Zane flirted putting on his big smile with a slight side eye, his signature look as Jae would say, he pushed the thoughts of away and took Liv back to his place.

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2 hours later

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"I promise you will be safe here little one, Zane will love you as much as I already do." Jae spoke to the little kitten she rescued while at her hiding place, the little black fluff ball meowed as they walked to the front door of Zane's house, Jae pulled out her spare key hesitant and hoping he was still asleep on his day off secretly hoping he never discovered her leaving in the middle of the night. The lock clicked and Jae quietly opened the door as if to sneak in; "F*ck yes just like that. " Jae heard Zane moan which she knew how he sounded all too well especially since it was only less than twenty four hours ago she heard it for herself; knowing damn well that she shouldn't have continued to walk in, she pushed passed the regret... Jae looked up to see some girl on top of Zane clear as day on the living room couch, shocked Jae turned for the door still holding the kitten and ran to her car slamming every door shut behind her!

The only reason she came back was to ask Zane if he actually meant what he said and to confess what she felt but turns out he was just saying stuff in order to sleep with her and make her feel better, "Guess I got my answer Biggie, not in the way I wanted but I still got it." Jae spoke to the kitten as as she started to reverse spying the the silhouette of Zane walking her way through the foggy rain covered windows, "Hold on Biggie!" Jae petted the kitten and reversed even quicker just to avoid him leaving him in the glow of her tail lights, "Screw him, he hasn't changed one but in these last ten years; once a f*ckboy always a f*ckboy! " Jae vented to herself, she felt dumb for thinking he was actually in love with her, "I must be some dumb bimbo he sleeps with when he drinks and gets bored especially when he has no one else" Jae cried into the heat of the car speeding to her apartment.