Cammie POV

"Going… home?" I repeat. "As in, back to the house next door with your abusive mother, home?"

Zach nods. "I can't stay here forever, Cam. You have to have realized that…. What happens when your mom comes home and there's a strange boy living in her house, alone, with her daughter? What happens then? Listen, you're my best friend, and I really appreciate everything you've done in the last two days, but I can't stay here," he explains. "And can you even honestly say you want me to stay after what I pulled this morning?"

I look to the ground. I can't say I'm one-hundred percent comfortable with what happened just a few hours ago, but if I had to choose between my comfort and Zach's safety, I would choose his safety. Every. Single. Time.

"Zach, this isn't about how I feel," I say sternly. "I'm not upset about what happened, and you don't need to feel bad about it. Don't let that be the reason you go back into a dangerous environment. Please."

Zach stands up and approaches me slowly, taking my hands in his own. "Gallagher Girl, I'll be fine. I can handle myself; I promise."

I wrap my arms around him and hold on with all my might. "I can't," I whisper. "I can't stand the thought of you being there. I can't lose you, Zach. You're the person keeping me grounded right now." I love you.

The unspoken words ring loudly in my ears.

Zach holds me carefully, his arms wrapped lightly around my shoulders, like he's afraid I'll break if he uses any more strength. "Gallagher Girl," he whispers, "I'm just next door. Right across the alley if you need me."

"But what if she takes you away from here?" I sniff, "What if she drags you to another state so you can't see me anymore? What if… what if…" I'm spiraling. The anxious thoughts are snowballing, my mind going to worst-case scenarios. I can't stop thinking the worst of them all.

What if you die?

I shudder and press my forehead into Zach's shoulder. "If you leave, who's going to keep the nightmares away?"

Zach rests his chin on my head and sighs. "Cammie, I promise, if you have a nightmare, just open the window and I'll be over. That's the great thing about being neighbors," he says brightly, trying to lift the mood, "We're right there when the other needs us."

I nod slowly and loosen my grasp slightly. "Okay," I whisper. "All the same goes for you. If you ever need to get away from your mom, my home is open to you."

I follow Zach down the stairs and to the front door.

I pull him against me one last time, not wanting to let go, but knowing I have to.

"I love you, Cammie," he whispers into my hair.

"I love you too, Zach," I answer just as quietly.

And then, he's gone.


A/N: Short chapter this week. It's been a weird day. I got home at like 11:30 at night after watching my mom and two of her siblings get tattoos. My eighteen-year-old aunt crushed my hand while she was getting hers. Obviously, it's no excuse, but I hope you all can understand and forgive me. As always, thank you for reading, and please leave a review so I know what you guys think.

With love,

StormcloudPercival13