Truth or Deal.

I was on my way to meet Zack at the mall for a movie when Toni and Aaron walked up to me, hand in hand. I had been dreading this moment ever since I got back to Huntington Beach from Los Angeles and even though I knew it had to come sooner or later I would have much rather it come later.

“Hey,” I greeted them with a fake smile on my face. “Are you guys are dating now?”

Toni nodded, “Yeah, we made it official prom night. I tried to find you but you must have already left.”

“With Zack Baker.” Aaron rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, what’s going on with that?” Toni asked me.

I hesitated, “Oh, you know, I’ve actually got somewhere to be…”

Aaron grabbed my arm, “No, you need to explain what’s going on. You’ve been so sketchy lately. Are you with Zack Baker or not?”

There was a lump in my throat, and I swallowed hoping to force it down. “Yes, but not like you guys think. I’m kind of playing him.”

“What do you mean?”

I sighed, “I had a deal with someone, but in order to get what I wanted I had to date him.” I shrugged like it was no big deal, but deep inside the monster of guilt inside me began to roar.

Aaron doubled over in laughter, and I didn’t understand why until Toni pointed behind me. I turned around and my heart fell into my stomach.

Zack stared at me for a long moment before turning around and walking off in the opposite direction. I called out for him, but he didn’t stop. I ran after him, ignoring Toni and Aaron calling after me. Once I reached him I called his name again and grabbed his arm.

“Leave me alone.” He told me, yanking away.

“Zack, please just listen to me.” I pleaded.

Zack turned to me, his face hard. “Evelyn,” he said as calmly as he could, “leave me alone. I mean it; I can’t talk to you right now.” I noticed his arms and hands were shaking violently.

“Can I come over later?” I asked him.

He shook his head, “I’ll talk to you when I can.” And he walked away.

**

A day passed and I was doing my best to stay hopeful. Zack didn’t come to school and I felt guilty when my teacher pulled me to the side and told me that I failed my calculus final but passed the class.

When school let out that day I decided to go over to Zack’s house. I knew he had told me to stay away and he would talk to me when he could but the anxiety was crippling. I got out of my car, ran up to the porch and I knocked on the door.

No answer.

I checked the driveway for Mr. and Mrs. Bakers vehicles and when I didn’t see them I grabbed the hidden spare key and inserted it in the lock. After opening the door I walked up the stairs and heard loud music coming from Zack’s room. I took a deep breath and turned the doorknob.

“Zack?” I peeked my head in, “can I come in?”

Zack turned off his stereo, “breaking and entering now, too?”

I lifted up the spare key and put it on his dresser. “Spare.” I stated.

Zack look although he hadn’t slept since I saw him last. His hair was a mess and he thoroughly looked exhausted. “I told you I didn’t want to talk to you.”

“I know,” I told him, “but please let me talk. You can just listen. I…”

He interrupted, “Who was it?” I shook my head, not understanding the question. “Who made you that deal, Evelyn? And what was it you wanted so bad that you just decided that fucking with me was okay?”

“It’s not like that, Zack, I…”

“Bullshit!” He exclaimed. “Tell me the truth right now. I deserve it, Evelyn. I’ve been nothing but good to you.”

“I know that Zack, I…” I started but Zack gave me a look and I decided it was just best to come clean. “I needed my calculus homework done. The person who came to me and said they would do it if I gave you a chance and went out with you.”

“Who was it?”

“Zack,” I shook my head. I didn’t want to tell him it was his best friend, his brother, his bandmate.

“Get the fuck out or tell me who it was. Was it one of your friends?” He asked me, I shook my head; tears began to fall onto my cheeks. “Was it one of mine?”

I covered my face with my hands and sobbed into them.

“Which one was it, Evelyn?” Zack demanded. I shook my head. “Tell me which one it was!”

“No!”

“God Damnit, Evelyn.”

“I can’t!”

“I will never speak to you again if you do not tell me right now!” Zack yelled. I shook my head, my hands still covering my face. “Get the fuck out of my house! I can’t believe…”

“It was Matt!” I sobbed.

Zack didn’t say anything, but he clenched his fists so tight his knuckles turned white. “Matt?” He said quietly, his voice cracked. I sobbed and went to grab Zack’s arm but he shook me loose and made steps towards his bedroom door.

“Oh, Zack, don’t go over there! He didn’t mean to hurt you! He knew I was going to fall in love with you and that’s why he did it! He loves you, Zack, you’re his best friend! He just wanted you to be happy!” I grabbed his arm and he shook me off again, but didn’t take another step towards the door.

“How long was this supposed to go on for, Evelyn? You had your calculus test a few days ago. I mean, you even slept with me.” He shook his head, “You’re crazy.”

I sniffed and wiped my eyes, “I broke the deal off, Zack.” Zack laughed humourlessly. “No, I’m serious; right after I got home from New York, you left my house and I went straight to Matt’s and broke the deal off.”

“You told me you loved me while you were playing me,” Zack realized, inhaling deeply and then looking away from me.

“It hadn’t been about the deal between me and Matt for a really long time, Zack.” I grabbed his hand and felt a tinge of relief when he didn’t pull away. “The reason I started dating you might have been a lie but everything else was real, Zack. I love you so much, and if I could go back in time and change it I would. I’ve never felt this way with anyone before. I’ve never felt the fire that I feel with you until the first time we kissed. Please, please forgive me.”

Zack finally looked down at me and I realized he had started to cry. He studied my eyes for a long time and then slowly brought his lips down to mine, and the fire within me ignited. I wrapped my arm around him and tried to pull him closer to me but he pulled away.

“I have to go talk to Matt,” he said quietly. “Please don’t be here when I get back.”

I felt as though someone had just punched me in the stomach. “Zack…”

Zack shook his head, “I don’t ever want to see you again.”

And then he was gone.

And my heart shattered on his bedroom floor.

Notes

The end!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the continued love and support for this story!! I started rewriting it out of bordeom but you guys have really made me remember how much I loved it, which is why a sequel will be coming your way soon!!! You guys are fucking amazing!! The sequel will be titled Regrets and Romance and will be posted some time later today!

Side note: I decided to stop being lazy and added actual chapter titles to the chapters for anyone who cares.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again for the feedback!! Keep an eye out for the sequel!

Title credit: Of Mice & Men "Glass Hearts"