Chapter 28- Here marks the start of Zoey's Story. Do not worry. You are not loosing Ezria. I promise.
Keep in mind- Zoey knows Aria was a teen mom, but she doesn't know how her parents met.
Okay, I'm super excited to write this. It's going to be fun!
Let's begin!
No "previously" for this chapter. Sorry loves. It's the start of a new section, so if you need a reminder about what's happened, read the recaps for the previous chapters.
9 Years Later
Zoey POV:
God, why do internships have to be so stressful? I wondered, its not like they paid me or anything. I had just spent July working in a law firm in New York City. I learned a lot, because my boss really used me. He had me doing work from the moment I stepped in the office. Not that I minded, it's just the stress that came along with the work that irked me.
I lucked out and have parents that trust me, so I was allowed to stay with an old camp friend for the entire month. They let me, a 16 year old, stay in New York, a huge city, with a rowdy camp friend. For a month. Lucky, lucky me. I mean, they know that I'm going to go out on the weekends, but they also know that I wont do anything stupid. I have a good head on my shoulders.
I had a lot of fun, but am ready to return home. I missed my parents and my best friend, Sarah. It's funny because Sarah's mom is my mom's best friend too.
"Excuse me, Miss?"
I spun around to face the masculine voice. "Yes?"
There was a man who appeared to be in his 20's standing before me. He smiled at me, "I was just wondering if you knew which way track 26 is."
I grinned back, "Yeah, that's my platform, too. It's this way."
We swam our way through a sea of travelers in the train station. I was taking an overnight Amtrak train back to Pennsylvania. My parents had booked me a roomette and regular seat. I'd never been on an overnight train ride and I was excited! It's an interesting way to travel. There was only one aspect of the trip that I was curious about. Amtrak trains don't have one-person sleeping cars, so I booked a bed. My roommate is unknown. It could be anybody.
I turned to the man beside me, "What's your sleeping car number?"
"19. It's a roomette."
"Mine too, just I'm in 34." I was genuinely upset. Not that I really knew this guy, but he seemed nice enough. Not likely he would kill me in my sleep.
"Aw, too bad." He said. "But we'll both be on the train. Maybe we could get a meal together?"
I laughed, "Yeah that sounds nice. Just, I don't know your name."
"Jeremy." He stuck out his hand, "Nice to meet you."
I grinned and shook it, "Zoey."
Jeremy walked me to my sleeping car so I could get settled. We'd exchanged numbers and he promised to text me in a few hours so we could meet up. My luggage was taken to storage, while I snatched three days worth of clothes and my carry on.
I opened the door to room 34 and found a small, but comfortable space. In front of me was a small closet, with one shelf and multiple hangers, and to my right sat two velvet seats across from each other. There was a pull down table in between them with a backpack on it. I was tempted to peek through it, but I knew better. I would've hated it if someone were to go through mine.
I dropped my bag onto one of the seats and decided to explore the train. I needed to find the café, bathroom, and my regular train seat. The bathroom was pretty easy, down the hall and to the left.
I found my seat in section 20. The seats were put together in little compartments, much like in Harry Potter. I smiled at my own comparison. I love those books and movies. I slid open the door and took a seat next to the window. I pulled To Kill A Mockingbird out of my bag. I've read it billions of times by myself and with my parents and will never get enough. It's just too good. I pulled my legs up onto the bench and leaned against the cool window. The train was moving fast but I hardly felt it. The outside view was so absorbing, that I almost didn't see a shadow enter the compartment.
I turned to face it. I froze. Literally, I couldn't form words to speak to the all too familiar boy in front of me. Jacob Lindon. I hadn't seen him since elementary school. He and his friends switched to the school across town starting in 6th grade. I'm not really mad about what he did to me back when we were kids, but we never really talked about it. To be honest, I totally forgot that ever happened.
"Zoey?" He asked. His voice was low. Jake wasn't the 2nd grader I remembered anymore.
I stood to face him, "Jake. Wow, what a coincidence."
He laughed, "Yeah. I don't think I've seen you since, what? 5th grade?"
"Sometime around then." I responded.
"Well, it's nice to see you." He smiled, "I'm glad I don't have to sit with a stranger all day."
Well, we are kind of strangers, I thought. "Yeah, same."
He was always taller than me, that trait still stood. He was probably around 5' 11'', with dark hair and those green eyes I remembered vividly.
"Which book?" He asked, eyeing the novel in my hand. He had taken the seat next to me.
I turned to him, "To Kill A Mockingbird." I looked at it, "Harper Lee."
"Oh, what a book. One of my favorites."
"Mine too."
We sat and caught up for a while. He told me all about his summer, staying in New York with his friend, Alec, and his mom. I remembered Alec from school. He was one of the ones convinced that Mr. Fitz was my dad. Jake apologized multiple times but I never gave him the time of day. I'm kind of over it now, though. We can just move on.
"So I'm coming back to Rosewood High this year." He hesitated, "All of my old friends are."
"Really?" I asked, curious. "Why come back for junior year?"
"Lot's of reasons. For one, the education at Rosewood High is phenomenal."
I laughed, "If I remember correctly, you weren't exactly the academic type."
"You always were." He said it as it with finality. As though there wasn't a doubt in his mind.
I smiled and returned to my book.
I was interrupted an hour later by a buzzing in my purse. I checked my phone. It was a text from Jeremy.
Dinner at the café in 15. See you there?
I smiled giddily. He remembered!
Jake looked up at me, "You alright down there?"
"Yeah I'm fine. I'm going to grab dinner with…" I hesitated, not knowing what to call him. "With a friend."
"I thought you came alone."
"I did. I met Jeremy this morning."
Jake looked upset, and I watched his eyes register that I was going on a dinner date. But I was probably just looking too far into things. Why would he even care?
"Zoey, are you sure that's a good idea? You don't even know this guy."
Why was he acting like my father? "I'll be fine, don't worry." I turned back as I left, "See you later!"
I changed quickly, back in my roomette, and headed to the café. Jeremy waved to me from where he was sitting: a table in the back. The very back.
I smiled and walked over to him, "Hey, Jeremy."
"Have a seat. I already ordered."
I sat across from him and crossed my legs. "Did you find your room okay?"
"Yeah. Granted, I'm sharing with a random guy, which sucks, but other than that it's fine. Only one night." He looked at me, "What about you?"
"Haven't met my roommate yet. But I saw and old friend of mine on the train which was nice." There I go again, using the word "friend" where it doesn't belong.
"Yeah that's cool." He stopped as the food arrived. He had ordered us pasta and salad. "So," He asked, taking a bite. "What's your major?"
He thinks I'm in college. "Uh, I'm leaning towards English."
"Oh. Cool." He didn't offer up any information about himself. "You want a beer?"
Okay, I'm not going to lie and say I haven't drank before. Plus, I was in the mood. "Yeah, sure." I let him order. "So are you from Rosewood?"
"Originally, yes. I'm coming back because I love the area. If I can't find a job in town I'm going to move to the city. More options there."
"Yes, of course."
We had another round of beers.
The meal ended wonderfully. I was a little tipsy, but Jeremy was a great guy. He walked me back to room 34, and took my hand. "I had a great time tonight," He said.
"Yeah, me too." I looked up at him; he was much taller than me. "Thanks."
"Sure." He leaned in to kiss me. I tilted my head to the side and our lips collided. Jeremy was very rough. He kissed with force and jammed his tongue into my mouth.
I turned away, "Stop."
He kissed my neck, and put his hands under my shirt.
"Stop it!" I pleaded.
"C'mon babe. You know you want to."
"Jeremy, please." He had drank a few more beers than me, "You're drunk. Stop it." He pressed me against him as I struggled to break free. "Let me go!"
Jeremy had managed to unbutton the top four buttons to my blouse and dived in for another kiss. I screamed.
The door to room 34 swung open. Behind it stood a very angry looking Jake Lindon.
And the cliffhangers are back! Expect an update soon! I'm having so much fun writing this that I can't stop. Are you liking Zoey POV?
What will happen next?
XOXOXOOX,
Danni
