9

"You're not serious," she stammered. "You're lying—right?" Aerith had dragged herself out of his bed, and slipped into her clothing. "You—can't."

Zack was quick to follow. He trailed behind her, grasping her shoulders tightly. "Why not?"

"Because – I – Zack…that was the first time I've ever slept with somebody who hasn't thrown money at me! You can't be in love with somebody like me. I'm not…supposed to do that. You're not supposed to do that!" She choked out. Goddess—if she started crying again, he wouldn't know what to do. He'd probably try to kiss her, and end up getting a fist to the face.

"That isn't fair. I love you and there's pretty much nothing that you can do about it. You could even knee me in the dick and I'd still love you. Aerith, just let me. Let me love you. Let me take you out on dates to the best places, let me help you sell flowers – let me take you dancing, and let me kiss you all over. And…move in with me, and just…let me. Please. Please." He spoke with desperation; it was so strange to see him like that. Aerith remained still in his arms, refusing to speak. "I'll teach you how to swim, and how to skate, and you can just…sing. Sing to me, and don't ever stop. I love your voice. I want to make you laugh as much as I can, because I've fallen in love with your giggles. Even the sound of you breathing – it helps me sleep at night, when you're next to me. I've got so much love to give, Aerith. Please just let yourself accept it. If – you don't…I don't know what to do with it." He sank to his knees, and pressed his face to her midriff. "You don't even have to love me back. You just have to…exist."

She stared at him in utter bewilderment. Nearly everybody in the school took Zack as a classless rich boy; he treated everything as a game – always got what he wanted, slept around, played his way through university, and lived a life of sheer glamour. Maybe that was why she chose to stay away from him. But Aerith was so scared of actually being tied down to somebody, for fear of hurting them in the long run. It wasn't that her mother had told her she couldn't date – it was she who had told herself so. If she just got through school without ever having somebody by her side, she'd make it out okay. Less broken hearts; less tears; less everything.

Her silence put him on edge. He was still holding on to her as tightly as he could without hurting her, hoping for any sort of response from the girl. Even if she swatted him away; told him he was an idiot, or just…left…at least it was something. Silence was poisonous. He loathed it. Ever since he was a child, he had been immersed in quiet. His parents seldom spoke to him whilst growing up, and now that he lived alone – he was in a constant blanket of muted sounds.

"I'm not…supposed t—"

"Remember what I told you? About not giving a damn about what you're supposed to do? Just – do something for yourself. Please? Do it for you, and not for anybody else on the Planet. What do you want, Aerith? Follow the dream. Whatever it is."

He felt her pull away. She moved to the doorway, back toward him. There was a brief hesitation before she slipped out. From where he sat, head inclined and eyes closed, Zack could hear the front door open and promptly close.

His Love had left.