14- “Excuse me?” Avery was in disbelief at what Zac had just called her.
“You heard me” The voice coming from within Zac wasn’t what Zac usually sounded like.
“You saved me.” His eyes were flashing, his fists were clenched. He looked up at her.
“You saved me,” He repeated “And now I know the truth about you.”
“The truth about me? What are you talking about? Zaccy, I –“
“Don’t call me that!!” Zac shouted. “I know the truth about you now, Laurel.”
Laurel? Avery thought to herself. He hadn’t called her Laurel in the ten years she knew him.
“You were just like everyone else,” he continued “Damn, damn me. I thought you understood me. I thought you’d realize what I was doing. You’re nothing but an immature.... an immature...” he repeated, “ten year old…” he searched for the right word, “Kid!” he spat out.
“A stupid little girl thinking she’s done some good deed because she saved her fucked up older brother’s life, when she should have realized that he had no way out. Damn you to hell… Laurel.”
Avery stood and stared at him, her eyes widening more and more at the insults coming out of his mouth.
“Is that how you really feel about me?” she whispered.
He seemed to be taken aback by her question, and pondered it for a few moments.
He wanted to tell her no, that he loved her, that he was saying these things out of anger, that whatever she did, she couldn’t leave him.
Have you not forgotten what we’ve told you Zac? She doesn’t love you.
Fuck off! She does!
Don’t lie to yourself. You have nothing left to live for in this life. You ruined everything for everyone.
I didn’t!
You even killed your sister, Zac!
I…
And you’re going to destroy Avery soon, with all the shit you put her through. With all the shit she does for you, only because you’re famous. You’re going to mess up her life, just like you’ve messed up your own.
Please go away…I need her.
Bullshit! She’s just using you Zachary! She’s just like the rest of them. Just like Jessica shows you off and talks to you only in front of her friends, just like Mackenzie asks you to tell him stories only when Taylor and Isaac are out. They all hate you Zac. Avery’s only pretending to help you, to make herself feel good, to be a charitable, perfect little fucking Samaritan… to look like the sweet little sister. You don’t need her Zac! You don’t need anyone.
But she loves me…
She doesn’t!! She doesn’t!!
“She doesn’t…” Zac whispered.
“She doesn’t…”
“Zac?” he hadn’t answered her question, but had gone off into his little world once again.
“You never answered me Zac, is that how you feel about me?”
He looked at her and debated his answer. She had never looked so sad or hurt. This was so damn hard, he needed her so much. But she had saved him, and she was using him. Or so he thought.
“Zac??”
“I hate you Avery Laurel." he spat out. "Get the fuck out of this room, and get the fuck out of my life. Forever”
“I’m sorry you feel that way” was her response.
And he heard her begin to cry, a long wail of defeat. And she was gone.
Zac then realized that he’d just said the biggest lie of his life.
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"And that was the last time I saw him. My sister and brothers left my mom and dad as soon as Zac was out of the hospital, but I stayed. Partly stubborn, partly hurt over Zac's words, partly hoping my mom would change. And I haven't seen them since."
