It was the fourth of July, and Katie was preparing to go to the Hanson's for dinner and a swim, and then to a carnival, then to the park to watch fireworks. It was going to be a packed evening, and Katie couldn't wait to spend it with Zac. Her whole family knew about it, but she didn't know what he told his family.
Why are you worring about this? She asked herself. It wasn't like they were a couple or anything. But still, she knew he liked her. He had said so. It was near three in the afternoon, and they were to be at the Hanson's at four for an early dinner. Katie had taken a shower, and was doing her hair. Tonight was going to be special.
She walked over to her closet and picked out some khaki shorts and a black tank top, and got dressed. She put on a little makeup that Nicole had taught her do use, and then touched up her hair and brushed her teeth. She walked into Morgan's room.
"Hi." She said.
"Hey." Morgan said, picking up some of the clothes that were strewn about her room.
"You almost ready to go?" She asked.
"Yeah, i'm just picking up some of the clothes i tried on." Morgan said.
"Oh."
“So are you excited about seeing Zac?’
“I am bursting.” She said.
Morgan smiled. “It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?”
“it’s a great feeling.” Katie agreed.
“You guys will have fun tonight.”
“Yeah I know, I can’t wait.”
“Do you know if he told his parents yet?” Morgan asked.
“I doubt it.” katie said.
“Oh.”
“Well it only been two days.”
Katie had told her sister the events of Saturday night yesterday, and Morgan had said that he was showing the classic signs of future boyfriend material.
“Mo, do you think he’ll ask me out?’
Her sister smiled as she pulled up her hair into a pony tail. “I don’t know...and I can’t promise anything, but I wouldn’t be surprised.” Morgan said.
“Oh my gosh i’m nervous.”
“I’m coming.”
“Oh no hurry.”
“Well now you tell me.”
“Sorry.”
"Okay, i'm ready." Morgan said, straightening her tank top.
The two walked downstairs, where Judy was getting everyone together.
"Okay, are we all ready?"
"Yeah." They said.
The famiy loaded into her suburban, then started to the Hanson's. Katie felt her stomach flip flop. She didn't know what Zac would say or do. What if he changed his mind? What if he didn't like her?
She shifted in her seat, then tried to forget about Zac for a moment. She looked at Morgan over Madison’s head. Her sister smiled at her, and gave her a wink. Her stomach flipped again. Her thoughts were interrupted by the halt of the car and little kids scrambling to get out. They walked up to the door, which was flung open by Jessica and Avery.
"Hi!" They yelled through the screen.
"Jessica!" Krista yelled.
The four little girls ran in the door, and then the rest of the family reached it.
Soon Diana was at the door, helping everyone in.
"Hello, hello, come on in." She said.
"The kids are so excited about tonight." Judy said.
"Well they should be, the carnival is a lot of fun, the kids just love it every year." Diana said to Judy.
Katie walked into the living room, holding Madison. She saw Taylor and Isaac in the kitchen.
"Hi." She said.
"Hi." Morgan said, coming up behind her.
Taylor's eyes switched from Katie to Morgan. he smiled. "Hey there." He got up to give her a hug.
"Where's Zac?" Katie asked Isaac. "I need to talk to him."
"Um..." Isaac looked at Taylor. "He's in his room." With that, Katie turned quickly and walked toward the steps.
"But he might not want to see you." Isaac finished quietly.
"What?" Morgan asked, looking at them.
"Well..."Isaac said.
"Zac got into a bit of trouble." Taylor began.
"What happened?" Morgan asked.
Zac sat on his bed, reading a comic book. He didn't get it. This one usually cracked him up, no matter how many times he had read it. Today it seemed like nothing could make him smile. He couldn't seem to forget what had happened the other night. What was he going to tell Katie?
He would have to think fast, for she was coming over in a few minutes to have dinner with his entire family. His parents knew, but they hadn't said much. They were used to his brothers being beat up and getting in fights, but not Zac. He heard footsteps and looked up in the doorway of his room, where Katie stood.
"Zac, why aren't you downstairs..." She trailed off, seeing his face.
She closed her mouth, then walked over to him slowly. "What happened?" She asked.
"Oh, I...Had a little problem the night i walked you home." He said, looking down at his hands. He had a dark bruise on the side of his face, and his lip was split on the side. He had bruises on his arms, and he looked embarrassed and ashamed.
"What happened?" She repeated, standing in front of him.
"Um, you know how Ian was mad?" Zac asked.
"Yeah..."
"Well he's mad at me now." Zac said.
Katie gasped.
"Ian did this to you?"
"Um, yeah."
"Oh my god, i swear I'll-"
"No, Katie, no...You won't do anything. I have to do this by myself." he said.
"Why did he do it?" She asked.
"Because he's a jerk, like i said." Zac said.
"But why you?"
"Well, as it turns out, dear old Ian followed us home. Apparently, he still liked you, and he didn't like what he saw on your front prorch." Zac said.
"Oh my god." Katie said.
"Yeah. As soon as i got around the corner, he and about four other guys pounced on me, and i was taken by shock. i didn't even realize who it was until they were done." Zac said.
"I'm so sorry." She said, sitting down next to him.
"So am I." He said.
"What are you going to do?"
"I dont' know yet." Zac said. "I know Ian, he won't fight fair."
"Zac, I don't want you to get hurt again." She said.
"I won't." he said.
"Well...what does this mean for us?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I still like you, Zac." She said, looking down.
"I like you too." he said.
"But?"
"But us going out wouldnt' be the best thing to do." He said, reading his mind. "That is if you want me to live." Zac smiled, nudging her with his arm.
"yeah." She said sadly.
"I know you're dissappointed." he said.
"I am."
"But we can still be friends." he said.
"This is so stupid." She said, looking at him.
"I know." he said quietly. He looked at her, his brown eyes staring into her blue ones. He leaned closer, and she leaned in also. They were just inches apart when Zac heard footsteps in the hall. He jumped up just as Isaac walked in. He looked at them quizically.
"Uh, dinner's gonna be ready in a few...you might want to get down there if you want seats...together." He mumbled, closing the door.
Zac looked at her and smiled. "That's Ike for ya." he said.
"Yeah." She said, looking a him with a smile. It faded when she thought of Ian. Tears started to form in her eyes again when she thought of Zac, the dance, and the excitement she had felt when she thought of the fun they would have had together.
"Aw, come here." He said, outstretching his arms.
Katie walked over to him, and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. She could smell his cologne, and decided that if was a comforting smell that she liked. Just hugging him made her feel closer to him, and a lot better. Zac's hand stroked her hair as the tears fell from her eyes. They stood in the middle of his room for a few minutes, just hugging.
"I know this is hard." he said.
She nodded.
"But it's just for a little while." He said. "You've got to understand. i want to deal with Ian my own way."
She nodded again, and together they went down to dinner.