Zac knocked on the door to Cara's room. Maggie had let him in, wondering why he was there. And to be honest, he wasn't entirely sure himself why he was there. He barely knew this girl, yet he was giving her his shoulder to cry on. He could barely believe he was doing this, standing there right then, about to comfort someone. But there was something about this girl. And he had known it the first time he'd seen her when she walked into the store. And if she needed a friend right now, he was going to be that friend.
Cara opened the door and walked off, plopping down on her bed. Zac stood there for a second, while Cara sniffled quietly. She held a large pillow in her arms, not looking up at him.
"So . . . what happened?" Zac asked. He walked over and sat down on the bed next to her.
"I called him . . . there was a girl there with him . . . ," Cara replied. She started crying again. "He was cheating on me! And I haven't even been gone three days!" Zac put his arm around her. She sobbed quietly into his shoulder.
"It's okay, Cara, really," Zac said gently. Cara just sobbed harder. "Hey, atleast you found out now that he's a jerk, rather than later. It saved you more heartache." That just made her cry more.
"If he calls, I don't know what I'm going to say to him," Cara said.
"Why don't you tell him to get lost? If he's already cheating on you, then you must not mean as much to him as he claims you do. Any guy who would cheat on a wonderful girl like you is a fool," Zac responded. Cara wiped her eyes with a tissue, smiling slightly at him.
"Thanks, Zac," Cara said. "I think you're right. If he calls, I'll just tell him it's over and then hang up. I don't deserve to be treated like this."
"You're welcome," he answered.
"Thanks for coming over like this. I mean, I know we just met and all, and you barely even know me. But thanks," Cara said. "You're a good friend."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you consider me a friend and trust me enough to let me be there for you," Zac said.
"Well, I kind of feel like I've known you forever, since I'm such a big fan of your music and all. I feel as though I grew up with you," Cara explained. Zac smiled, his brown eyes glistening in the lamp light. She felt that strange feeling again, as though he could see into her soul. But this time, she found it very hard to look away. His eyes had almost a magnetic power to them.
"If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to be more than just your friend," Zac said quietly. He touched her cheek gently. She closed her eyes, melting under his touch. He leaned forward, brushing his lips softly against hers. Magic, absolute magic. They began to kiss a little more, wrapping their arms around each other. Zac hoped the moment would never end. Suddenly the phone rang. Cara pulled away, startled. She wiped her mouth, then picked up the phone.
"Hello?" she answered. "Oh, hi, Damon . . . yeah, that was me earlier . . . oh, she's just a friend? Nothing happened? Oh, okay . . . I miss you, too . . . yeah . . . it's okay . . . no, I was just crying because I was homesick . . . I love you, too . . . I'll talk to you later. Bye." Zac stood up and walked toward the doorway, more than just slightly peeved. "Where are you going, Zac?"
"Home. I'm really tired," he replied.
"Well, that was Damon. It turns out that girl was just a friend. Nothing happened," Cara said. Zac scowled. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just really stupid that's all. I'll see you at work tomorrow," he said. He walked downstairs and let himself out, slamming the door loudly. The sound made Cara flinch. She buried her head in her pillow and began to cry again.
Zac stood in the back of the store, unpacking some books and putting stickers on the binding. He heard Cara come in, but didn't go up to the front to greet her. He had left her a note on the door outlining her duties for the day, simply because he didn't want to speak to her, or even look at her. What had taken place last night had not only humiliated him, but left him feeling an acute heartache. What he couldn't understand was how someone as intelligent as she was could just give in so easily to the first excuse a guy gave her. It was obvious that there was more story behind this thing with Damon and that chick. And Cara hadn't even put up a fight, like she said she would. She had just accepted Damon's apology and taken him back. No questions asked. And that really ticked Zac off. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him, and turned around. Cara stood there, staring at him.
"Please go away. I don't want to talk about this right now," Zac said. He turned back around to face the box of books. He picked another book up and turned back around to face her again.
"I'm sorry, Zac," Cara said softly. "I didn't mean for that to happen. I took advantage of your feelings at a time when I was weak. I was wrong for that, and I'm sorry."
"I don't really care about that," Zac said. "What I'm trying to understand is why you gave in to him so easily. You and I both know that excuse he gave you was bullshit." Cara looked down at her feet, fidgeting. "Is it because you love him so much that you're choosing to be blind to it? Or because you feel so lonely that you're afraid to let him go? Huh?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Cara said quietly, playing dumb to his accusations.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Zac exclaimed. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have let me kiss you!"
"I told you that was a mistake!" she shouted back at him, turning red with anger.
"No, it wasn't! And we both know it!" Zac said. Tears of rage filled Cara's eyes. "And when he stomps all over your heart, and you see I was right, don't come crying to me! I don't want to hear it!" He threw the book he had been holding on the floor.
"I won't, trust me!" she said bitterly. "Oh, you've shown your true colors, Mr. Hot Shot! You're nothing but a cold-hearted, unfeeling toad, and I hate you!" She stomped her foot, then walked away. Zac followed her towards the front of the store. Between shelves, he grabbed her by the arm and spun her around to face him. Tears of anger were pouring down her cheeks. He wrapped her up in his arms, as she sobbed into his chest.
"I'm sorry, Cara," he said gently. He kissed the top of her head. "Shhh . . . it's okay."
"I'm sorry, too," she said. She pulled away from him, wiping her eyes. She looked up at him. Concern shone through his brown eyes. Another tear fell down her cheek, and he brushed it away. Suddenly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the kissed. He pushed her against the shelf as they began to kiss more passionately. Finally pulling apart, they were both gasping for breath.
"Go to Isaac's wedding with me," Zac said. He kissed her on the forehead, still holding her to him. "I want everyone in my family to meet you, and I want you to meet them."
"Sure," she agreed simply. They started to kiss again.
