Chapter 7: Confrontation Part I

Colt's POV

Oh shoot. When I saw the girl suddenly ran across the road I pressed on to the break as hard as I could. I thought I was going to knock her down. Thank God there were no cars behind me. When my car came to a halt, I was filled with rage. What is she trying to do? Kill herself? I was really mad. I got down from my car and was ready to shout at her when I realize that the girl was Ze. Tears were running down her cheeks, she was sobbing and her body was trembling in fear. She was shocked. I ran up to her.

"Ze, are you Ok? What happened? Did someone hurt you?" I asked, full of concern for her. She didn't reply but just nodded her head. I pulled her to the side of the road and asked her again. She was drying her eyes with both her hands and then she finally spoke.

"Colt….I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I am ok. I just didn't see your car coming. It's just a shock to me," she replied, her voice shaky.

"OK….Ze, I know something has happened. Come, get into my car first. We can talk later," I helped her into my car. I could still feel her body trembling.

As I started driving, Ze looked much better and I decided to question her.

"Ze, what happened? Aren't you in school with Rocky to finish up decorating the hall? And by the way, where is Rocky? Did you both have a fight or something? I was curious.

"No…nothing happens between us," that's all she said but as I looked at her, she looked down and was ready to cry again at the mentioned of Rocky.

"So, where is he? I thought both of you are walking home as usual?

"We were initially going to have ice-cream. Rocky wanted to give me a treat for helping out but last minute Emily and a bunch of their friends were going to the bowling alley so Rocky went," Ze explained. She has an embarrass look on her face.

Ze's POV

Oh dear…I feel so embarrassed after what happened. I shouldn't have cried. I have no right to cry.

Colt's POV

I thought for a while before I spoke again.

"And you get upset that Rocky broke his promise last minute?" there was a pause from Ze. It looks like she is searching hard for the right answer.

"No…I am not. I was just……," her voice trailed off. She couldn't think of anything so say. I guessed my intuition was correct. She likes Rocky.

"Ze, you know that you can tell me anything. We are best friend and we used to confide to each other our problems. You have always been there to listen to my problems. This time, let me be the one who will listens," I said with deep concern.

"Colt, I am fine…I was just…

"You like Rocky, isn't it," I asked, cutting her off before she could finish.

"No, I did not," she replied rather too quickly. I knew she was lying. Ze is bad at lying. She has always been so innocent and she can't even lie to a 6 year-old.

"Come on Ze, it's only two of us here. You know that you can trust me," I said before I pulled over at the side of the road. I turned to look at her. Her head was hung low, her eyes were red and she looked so down. She hesitated a moment before speaking.

"Yes…I think I like Rocky…a lot…more than a friend," she finally blurted out, her head still hung low.

"And if I guessed correctly, you didn't tell him right?" I knew Ze too well. She always thinks about the other person rather than herself. She knows by telling Rocky she might hurt Emily and put Rocky's and her friendship at risk. She wouldn't do anything that would hurt any of her friends.

"Colt, you know that I can't tell your brother. Even if I tell him, things aren't going to change. The person he likes is Emily. He has been waiting for her for four years…FOUR YEARS… Moreover, I truly cherish my friendship with Rocky," I know my brother. He is loyal and it isn't fair to Emily too. But I still think Rocky should at least know how Ze felt for him.

"How long has this been going on," I asked casually.

"I guessed it is close to a year ever since the shooting incident at the supermarket," she answered, her voice sounding soft. As I looked at her, I realize Ze is a very beautiful girl. She has flawless complexion, must be due to her Asian blood and genes, long straight jet black hair and big beautiful dark brown eyes that lit up whenever she smile. She is a pure Chinese American. Not only is her outer appearance is beautiful but her inner one as well. She would make a great couple with Rocky except that she is right…Rocky already have Emily and he is so much in love with her.

"Colt, I want you to promise me that you will not breathe out a single word about this to anyone especially Rocky," her voice sounded serious. I just nodded.

At the Douglas' Home

Colt POV

After I sent Ze home, I went home just in time for dinner. Rocky was not home yet while Tum Tum were doing his homework in the room. We were having dinner half way when Rocky walked through the kitchen door, apologizing for being late.

'Where have you been, Samuel?" dad questioned.

"I was out bowling with Emily and the rest and I have forgotten the time. I am sorry. It won't happen again, dad," Rocky answered, sounding guilty.

"Come sit down Samuel, we have left some dinner for you," mom said while passing rocky a plate.

Rocky seems to be having fun with Emily. Part of me was angry at him after what Ze had went through today but part of me is happy for Rocky. Although I can be a pain in the butt sometimes, I still love my brother and wanted him to be happy.

After dinner, it was Rocky and my turn to do the dishes.

"Colt, you and your band will be performing on prom nite right? So, how many songs will you guys be playing? I need to inform Rob as he will be the DJ for the nite," Rocky asked while he passed me a plate to be dried off.

"uh….five song," I said casually. My mind I still thinking about the incident that afternoon.

"By the way Rock, how do you find Ze," I asked suddenly. I guessed Rocky was surprised coz he looked at me with a confused look.

"I mean, what is your opinion about Ze," I asked again, trying to sound casual. I have no intention to tell Rocky about Ze's feeling but I am curious to know his feeling towards Ze.

"She is ok….a very nice girl and helpful. She is our best friend Colt,"

"That's all?"

"Well, she is smart and kind," Answered Rocky. I just nodded. With that I didn't ask any more questions. To Rocky, Ze is just a good friend and nothing more. We went back to our room after the dishes were done

Ze's POV

"I am a total fool. I shouldn't have cried. I have no rights to cry. Now that Colt knows about it, I wonder will he tell Rocky. But I know Colt. He is my best friend since that bully thing and I know he won't trade me. But I am feeling embarrassed having Colt knows how I feel about Rocky," I said to myself as I lay on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep, who could after what happened today.

The next day at school

Ze had a dark ring under her eyes when she woke up. Of course, she didn't sleep till it was around 4a.m. she hardly have 3 hours of sleep. She got a shock when she looked herself into the mirror. After the incident yesterday, Ze was feeling sluggish. She got dressed and headed to school, as usual with the Douglas' brothers and Emily. This time Colt was behind the wheels. Ze, Emily and Tum Tum sat behind while Rocky sat at the passenger seat. During the whole ride to school, Colt couldn't help stealing glances at Ze from the rear mirror. He can't wait to ask how she is when they are alone. Ze of course was looking out of the car window, too busy organizing her thoughts about yesterday's incident to notice Colt looking at her. After 15 minutes of drive, they reached school.

Colt's POV

"Thanks Colt for the ride," Ze said after getting out of the car.

'Yeah,Colt, thanks," echoed Emily.

"See you guys later. I gotta go or else I'll be late for my science class. Oh I hate science," groaned Tum Tum. Today I have no mood to tease my little brother. There are thoughts in my head that I need to settle.

"Ze, I will see you after school today in the hall. We will finish up the remaining painting of the back drop," Rocky said .

"Sure, see you," Ze replied. With that Rocky walked to the school entrance with Emily, both holding hands. I could see Ze looking at them till they disappear from her sight. There was a sad look in her face. When she turned, she caught me looking at her. She gave me a faint smile and entered the school entrance. I hurried up.

"Ze!!," I called her. She turned around and smile at me. She somehow knew what I was going to ask her so she said "Colt, I am fine. No worries about me. I hope you keep your promise," Ze said, still giving me the smile.

"I will of course. I won't tell anyone, you can trust me," I said and gave her an encouraging smile.

"Thanks Colt. I really needed that," with that we walked to our lockers together.

I do not know why but I feel so much sympathy with Ze. I guessed because she is my best friend. She has been with me and my brothers during the worst time of my life, or our lives, when dad was shot when he was in one of his FBI cases. I thought I would lose him forever. I was so depressed, angry and confused. It was Ze who sat by my side in the hospital and allowed me to cry in her arms while she consoles me. This was the first time, I, Colt, cried in front of a girl. As she stroke my hair and said soothing words to me, I felt my whole body relaxed. She was a big influence in my life. After that, our friendship was stronger than ever. It was the same too with my two other bothers.

So now, seeing how hurt Ze is because of her feelings towards Rocky, I wanted so much to help her, to ease her pain but I do not know what to do, except to support her decision to keep mum about this matter.