Two Vibrant Hearts

I woke up with a killer headache. I moved my head a little and realized it wasn’t on a pillow. I forced my eyes open and looked up to see that I was laying next to Matt, using his chest as a pillow. I breathed deeply, still not even close to getting over the fact that Avenged freaking Sevenfold has become my friends in the span of two days. I sighed happily and soaked up the feeling of Matt’s arm around me. After a few minutes I stretched and gently rolled out of his bed, being careful as to not wake Matt up. I stretched and noticed that my ankle didn’t hurt as much. It still stung to put a lot of pressure on it, but atleast I could walk. I quietly limped out of Matt’s room and found my way down the hall to the stairs. I quietly stepped down the stairs and stifled a giggle when I saw all of the guys in the living room. Brian was flopped across the couch, Johnny and Jimmy were snuggling in the middle of the floor, and Zacky was laying face-down right next to the wall. I stepped around them and went to the bathroom. I quietly filled up a cup of water and walked back to the living room, wanting to relax. A glimpse of light caught my eye, and I noticed the door to the backyard. I quietly went over to it and snuck outside, making sure to make minimal noise.

I turned around after I shut the door and noticed a small couch facing towards the sunrise. I didn’t realize it was that early, and even though the sun was above the horizon, it still made the sky orange. I sipped quietly on my water and looked at the backyard. It was really peaceful in California, and it made me feel calmer than I have in a while. After a couple minutes I heard the back door slide open, and I glanced over towards it. Zacky was now awake, and was rubbing his eyes as he walked to me. He sat next to me and smiled softly. I smiled back and handed him my glass of water. He took a sip before handing it back. We said nothing as we sat and stared at the scenery in front of us. He sighed and out of the corner of my eye I saw him smile.

“It’s really beautiful, isn’t it?” He asked. I nodded and his smile never faltered. He stretched his arm out across the back of the couch, and his arm lingers around my shoulders. He looked at me and smiled. “How are you liking California?”

“I love it here. Seriously.” I answered, looking back at him. He nodded.

“That’s good.” He replied. I smiled and nodded. He turned his head towards me, his green eyes sparkling. “Why’d you move to California?”

“I came here to be with Emma,” I said. I bit my lip and looked away from him. I sighed and I saw interest flash across his face. I purse my lips, staring out at the sun. “But primarily I came to get away from my family.”

“I know what you mean.” Zach agreed, nodding a little. I felt tears start forming, but I pushed them away. I felt Zach staring at me, and I felt like I could confide in him.

“It sucks, you know?” I began, looking into space. I felt Zach move a little and I sighed. “I mean, you grow up thinking your parents are perfect. Thinking that they’re your role models and your relationships in the future should be like theirs. I mean of course, you always have those days where you hate them. But overall you just look up to them. You grow up wanting a relationship like theirs and that they love each other more than anything. But then one day, they stop talking to each other. Stop kissing, stop hugging, stop doing things together. Instead they fight and resent each other. Of course you’re just a kid, so you don’t really understand what’s happening. And one day, a random day, you walk towards your room, passing your parents’ room on your way and… And you hear your dad say that he thinks your parents should get divorced. Your mom agrees. After that… you just want to get the hell out of the house as quickly as possible. Get away from your parents. Because they don’t think of their children and what they’re doing to their lives. How they’re affecting the child’s thoughts and feelings on relationships. They only think of themselves. And they ruin not only their child’s life, but they ruin the relationship with the child.”

By this point I was crying, tears silently falling down my cheeks. My breaths staggered a little and I closed my eyes. I felt slightly embarrassed that I was crying in front of Zach, but I was also getting hit with all the emotions I had been pushing back since moving to California. Suddenly I felt arms around my body and I was being pulled into Zacky’s chest. I let out a sob and wiped my eyes as Zach quietly shushed me and rubbed my back.

“Trust me, Kid. I know exactly how you feel.” Zach whispered. I looked up at him, and he was staring down at me. I sat up a little and gave him a questioning look. He chuckled, but it was humorless. “My parents got divorced when I was sixteen. It’s been 12 years and I’m still not over it. The last I heard from my dad was that he’s going to the Midwest. Haven’t talked to my mom since I moved.”

“I didn’t know that your parents were divorced.” I whispered. He looked at me and smiled a little. It wasn’t a happy smile, it was a sad smile.

“Not many people do. I don’t like talking about it, you know?” He explained. I nodded, knowing exactly what he was talking about. He pulled me closer and I rested my head against his shoulder. He tightened his arm around me and sighed. I felt him smile and I glanced up at him. He looked down and smiled a little. “Fuck our parents. We’re doing way better without them.”

“I have only known you for the better half of two days and I feel as though we’re brother and sister,” I said, smiling at him. He smiled widely and nodded.

“That’s what we’ll be. We’ll be each other’s brother and sister. There for each other when others aren’t.” Zach suggested. I nodded vigorously and he smiled widely. He kissed the top of my head and I smiled. We sat silently for a few minutes, leaning against each other. He nudged my face and I looked up at him. His eyes were serious and full of passion. “Do you like Matt?”

“Define the term ‘like’.” I said, blushing a little. He gave me a look and rolled his eyes.

“Would you enjoy getting into his pants.” Zach rephrased, rolling his eyes again. I giggled and he smiled. “That was adorable.”

“We’re taking away the fact that he’s the singer of my favorite band, right?” I questioned. Zach moaned at my question, causing me to laugh. He nodded his head, giving me a look. I looked down and blushed. “Well… he’s really sweet, and nice, and attractive. And I kind of owe him for saving me from getting raped.”

“So you do?” Zach persisted, smiling. I nodded and his smile widened. “Good. He’s had so much trouble finding a girl to take care of him. I can tell he really likes you.”

“Yeah, I noticed that everyone is shocked that I got Matt to have feelings.” I snickered. Zach laughed and nodded. I sat up and looked at him, something suddenly hitting me. “What did you guys do to the dude trying to rape me?”

“He bolted the second our feet hit the floor.” Zach laughed, pride showing in his face. I laughed and he pulled me closer. “We’re just lucky we got back on stage before the fans attacked us.”

“Thank you, by the way. For defending a fan who managed to almost get herself raped at her first Avenged concert.” I said, smiling. He smiled back.

“No problem, little sis.” He replied. My heart fluttered. He stood up and offered his hand to me, in which I took it. “Let’s go in and wake up the idiots.”

“Okay.” I agreed, following him as we went in.