We were all sitting in the library as Zach and I told our friends about the Tina thing. It was silent until Bex started taling. "That little," Grant covered her mouth before she could say anything else.
I sat on the couch closest to the fire quietly.
Macey sat next to Liz and Jonas.
They sat mumbling about how it seemed impossible that Tina set off the alarms and got off school grounds so quickly.
I knew better.
Nothing is impossible; just improbable.
Zach shifted, moving the couch along the hard wood floor slightly.
We hadn't said anything to each other since we told them about Tina. We hadn't touched. We hadn't looked at each other. It was like the fact that Tina had gone to Zach's mom had put up an invisible barrier.
Slowly I ran my fingers through Zach's hair.
He looked up at me and grabbed my fingers.
He said nothing but his eyes screamed "Forgive me."
"For what," I whispered.
He let go of my hand and turned to face the fire.
Macey smiled at me sadly.
I laid my head back against the chair.
Tina Walters, the girl I had gone to school with since seventh grade, was a traitor.
She was working with Zach's mother.
Zach's mother.
Zach.
Zach wouldn't even talk to me!
Suddenly, he stood up. Without saying anything he left the library. I looked at all my friends and they nodded. Go get him.
I unfurled myself and followed hm. He turned the corner, disappearing into the shadows.
"Zach," I said quietly.
"Don't."
He stood up, his face hidden by shadows.
"Don't try to consol me Cam."
"I…," I tried to get out but his shook his head.
"Stop."
"Zach, you act like it's your fault!"
"It is," he yelled. I flinched. Zach has never yelled at me before.
"Do you want to know the real reason why I'm here Cam?"
I stayed still.
"I'm here because my mom tried to recruit me! I refused. I knew she would just try to get to you through me! I was so mad…I tried to kill her. When I failed I ran. I called Joe. He came and got me," he kicked the wall angrily.
"She could have been dead by now Cam; but she's not. It's all my fault."
He fell back against the wall, shoulders shaking. I moved over to him and let him cry on my shirt. There's nothing wrong with crying. Crying just means someone's been strong.
I held my arms around him and didn't let go.
Eventually Zach stopped crying but we never moved.
"I'm sorry Cam," he whispered.
"Shh," I pressed my lips to his forehead, "just let me be strong for you."