Chapter 1
I looked at Aaron. He was crying. What was happening? Why was the world crashing down so suddenly? My name is Zak Bagans, and my life has broken.
"Zak, love," Payten said, "come here!"
I walked into my quaint kitchen, tired and grumpy. Today didn't seem like a day to love someone.
"You look like hell!" she exclaimed, she looked beautiful with such messy, napped hair.
"I know." I said, climbing onto the counter watching her make dinner from across the small room. She kept looking up at me with her innocent green eyes. The look that made me feel so helpless.
"You need more sleep. You need to stop staying up so late watching reruns of your stupid wrestling."
"What?" I was surprised at her tone. I knew she didn't care for the wresting I watched, and we joked around about it constantly, but this time she seemed genuinely angry,
"I don't even know if it's that- Zak, you aren't nearly as focused anywhere anymore. I swear, you come home and you seem to be in a daze 24/7." She must've seen the confused look on my face as she continued. "I'm just. . . worried about you. I love you."
I slipped down and paced across to her and held her close. I kissed her temple as I said "I love you, Payten."
I tickled her waist and we laughed together for the first time in days.
Peyton and I had been dating for 7 months, living together for 2. I knew I loved her after the 4th date, and it turns out she is the best roommate ever.
The phone rang, with it's blaring tone. The caller ID said Goodwin Residents. I reached to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey Zak, it's Aaron."
"Oh hey Aaron," I said, relaxing a bit; I did not want to talk to her.
"I was wondering if you and Payten wanted to go out with us tonight. Grab some drinks at Alula and maybe talk, the four of us?" He sounded sincere enough.
"That sounds good. I'll fill Payten in on it."
"'Kay, cool. See you later, brah."
"See ya."
I was genuinely surprised that he would ask me. Maybe he had finally realized what she was doing to our friendship. But maybe it was setup so she could corner us to try and make us believe her. All I knew is that was not going to happen.
"Hey babe," I started to Peyton, "Aaron just called to ask us if we wanted to hook up with him and Macy at Alula tonight; wanna go?"
"Hmm," she hesitated, "would it be good see them now? It was only a couple weeks ago."
"It's fine! We're not going to make a scene like before. It wasn't worth it." I said, flashing a pleading smile. I had missed Aaron, and I wasn't going to let his new idiotic girlfriend come between our real friendship.