Chapter Seven: Breakfast With The Goodes
Zach twisted the handle of the hot water off and reached for his towel. He wrapped it securely around his waist and stepped out of the shower. He moved in front of the steamy mirror and swept his hand over it, just enough to reveal the features of his face. He took a deep breath and looked his reflection in the eyes.
"Zach!" A little voice called out from behind the locked door.
"What is it Carter?" Zach called back to his youngest brother, barely moving.
"You've been in there for ages! I thought you might've drowned." Carter replied.
"I assure you Carter I'm not dead." Zach laughed.
"Oh, good." Zach heard his little brother's footsteps retreat down the stairs, then race quickly back up, "And it's time for breakfast!" Carter called out.
"Got it Carter, be down soon." Zach quickly changed into some jeans and a comfortable hoodie and headed downstairs. No one was in the dining room which meant they must have been having breakfast outside.
Zach was greeted with four smiling faces, well three because Alexis never really smiled.
"Good morning, Zachary." Todd spoke as he looked up from the novel he was reading.
"Todd, please call me Zach." Zach said as he sat beside Carter.
"Zachary is the name written on your birth certificate; therefore your name since birth has been Zachary." Todd rebutted.
Zach sighed at his brother, "Why can't you be like other 11 year olds?" Zach joked.
"Why can't you be like other 17 year olds?" Alexis grunted at Zach.
"Ah, Alexis, I almost thought you weren't here from the amount of silence." Zach replied back to his sister.
"Kids, can't we just have a no-fight day today, please?" Their dad interrupted.
"That's right, Martha's coming over today." Alexis smiled. Zach saw his father's cheeks turn a bright pink as he tried to occupy himself by pouring Carter a glass of orange juice.
"You didn't tell me Liz's mum was coming over." Zach said as he shovelled a spoonful of scrambled eggs into his mouth.
"Ew! Zach chew with your mouth closed!" Alexis shrieked. Zach ignored his sister and waited for his dad to answer.
"Well, she is, and she's bringing Liz too, so please behave kids." Zach's dad pleaded.
"No need to fret, father, I'm positive Alexis and Zachary will be capable of setting aside their differences for one hour I presume." Todd said.
"What did he just say?" Carter asked scratching his head.
Zach held in a laugh and went back to eating his food.
10 minutes later, the side gate pushed open and revealed Martha and Liz.
"You made it," Zach's father smiled at the two, "Please, sit."
Liz gave a polite smile and moved around to sit between Zach and Todd.
"Good morning Elizabeth." Todd said.
"Hello Todd," Liz smiled, "How was your morning?"
"Quite ordinary actually." Todd answered, turning back to his novel. Liz slowly nodded and faced Zach.
"How's Cammie?" Liz asked.
"She's great." Zach replied.
"You know, she really likes you." Liz said.
"It's a good thing I feel the exact same way, isn't it?" Zach answered.
"Zach, please don't corrupt her."
Zach rolled his eyes at Liz, "Give me some credit, Lizzie."
"Don't call me Lizzie." She replied.
"Oh, that's right," Zach smirked, "Only Jonas can call you that."
For a small girl, she hits hard. Zach thought.
Zach rubbed his shoulder where Liz had punched him, at that moment; his phone in his pocket began to vibrate giving Zach an excuse to leave the table.
Zach smiled down at the caller I.D. and pressed the answer button.
"Why, hello Cameron." Zach greeted.
"Hey, Zach," Cammie giggled. God, did Zach love the sound of her happy.
"I was just wondering if you're still coming tomorrow."
"Of course I am." Zach answered.
"Great, 2-6, just in case you forgot." Cammie said.
"I didn't forget." Zach replied reassuringly.
There was silence on Cammie's end for a few seconds, until Zach decided to speak.
"Is there something else you wanted to tell me, Cammie?"
"Um…yes," Cammie responded, "Thank you, again."
Zach wished he was with Cammie right now, just to hold her and kiss her, and tell her it was alright.
"You don't need to thank me, Cammie." Zach said into the phone.
"But I want too."
Zach couldn't help the smile spreading on his face. Why was she just, so, cuddly? Was that even the right word for her? Zach thought.
"Zach! Come down, we're cutting the banana cake!" Zach's dad called.
Zach gave a quiet groan and called out, "I'm on the phone!"
"To who? This is banana cake!" His dad replied.
Zach heard Cammie laughing into the phone.
"See, I'm missing out on banana cake for you." Zach laughed.
"Well, I'm very honoured." Cammie joked.
"Zach! Hurry up!" His dad called out again.
"Go," Cammie said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay, bye Cammie." Zach said before hanging up.
He shook his head for a few seconds. Did I really just hang up on the most amazing girl for banana cake? Zach thought.
He walked back downstairs and immediately let the smell of the baked good waft into his nose.
Everyone turned to face Zach.
"About time." Alexis murmured.
"I was on the phone." Zach said again, hoping to make a stronger argument.
"Ooh, let me guess, Cammie?" Alexis asked.
"How do y-"
"I do have ears, Zach." Alexis interrupted.
Zach walked over to his seat and waited for his slice of cake.
"Geez, he really is whipped for her." Alexis whispered to Liz.
