Hide and Seek

I stared at the screen not paying it much attention. Instead, my mind was hyper-focused on what had just happened. Was I reading into this too much? Probably. Zack was a very loyal guy so it was probably just a friendly peck on the head. Yeah, that's what it was, a friendly kiss on the head given to me by my best and only friend.

My best friend, damn my life.

You can say that again.

Zack's laughter brought me from my thoughts. As much as he would deny it, this was his favourite movie. Every time he was sad I would put it on and make him some macaroni and cheese with bacon, his favourite dish. I remember the first time we watched Shark Tale actually. It was his fourth birthday and he was not feeling very well so his mother suggested watching a movie instead of a big party like they normally did. For me, that day was special because it was the first time we spent his birthday together, just us. Alone. He was always popular, which meant when he had parties, he was constantly surrounded by people. He tended to forget about me until it was time to cut the cake.

''Zack?''

''Mhmm?'' he hummed tiredly

''Hi,''

He looked down at me, smiled then pulled me closer to him.

''Hi,'' he whispered and then went back to the movie.

One thing about Zack was that his room was colder than a polar bear's coochie and if I know anything about anything, it's that if it's cold you'll sleep better. That fact was proven true when within four or so minutes I was out like a light.

...................................

I had to pee.

It was warm and I had to pee.

I tried opening my eyes but it was working, I was just too tired. What time did I go to bed last night? I tried to go to bed around nine every night or I won't be able to function properly.

I decided to just feel my way to the bathroom instead-but when I tried to get up I was pulled back down. Not only that but the person holding me was squeezing my stomach which heightened the need for me to use the bathroom. I brought my hand up to try and unwrap the arms that encased me but the person that held me just grumbled and buried their head into the crook of my neck. Their breathing evened out and with each warm breath out a shiver ran down my spine. Their nose was slightly tickling the fine hairs on my neck, it made me want to laugh but I did not want to wake up whoever was cuddling me.

I did not freak out because I knew where I was, I just didn't know if it was Zack, Daniel or one of the twins. They sometimes snuck in when I came over. We would all sleep in Zack's bed until someone rolled off and woke the others.

I rubbed my eyes trying to get rid of the tiredness. When I finally had the strength to keep my eyes open, I slowly turned to see who was wrapped around me like a boa constrictor. Honestly, I wasn't surprised to see Zack. He was the definition of a clingy cuddle bug, at least he could be from time to time. Again I tried to remove myself from his grip without waking him up, again I failed.

Am I the only one who hates disturbing people? It doesn't matter if the purpose of that person was for me to ask for help, I hate inconveniencing people. So, I laid on the bed and felt the rise and fall of Zack's chest against my arm along with the soft breath against my neck. I really tried to wait but I had to go. I couldn't put off waking him up any more than I already had or we'd be in an awkward position.

''Zack,'' I whispered.

No response.

''Zack,'' I said again a little louder.

Still no response.

''I really didn't want to do this but you left me no choice,'' I cleared my throat and got closer to his ear, ''ZACK!''

I moved back just in time as he shot up eyes wide. He looked around frantically,'' What? What? What happened?''

''I have to use the bathroom,'' I said.

He was silent for a long time before he released me with a grumble. He turned over and probably went back to sleep.

''Sorry,'' I said as I got up and went to his en suite bathroom.

He mumbled some response.

I did my business and brushed my teeth, yes I kept a toothbrush here along with other stuff. I was here so often I'm surprised his stepmom hadn't given me a room for myself already.

I peeked out of the bathroom and he was leaning against the headboard. I hadn't realised he was shirtless until just then. Even though I saw him shirtless before, quite a bit too, it still never fails to leave me speechless. There was something about the way his smooth skin glowed and how the ridges of his defined abs made him look fit without being bulky. It was surreal.

He looked up at me and smiled. I swear I died and went to heaven. Being hopelessly in love sucks.

''I'm going to get breakfast,'' I told him.

He nodded and went past me to go into the bathroom.

''Save me some bacon, okay?'' he called out from across the closed door, his groggy voice straight out of a dream.

You have it so bad, it's disgusting.

I went to the kitchen; I really wished I had dinner last night.

''Good morning Kiara,'' Auntie Kris said as she cooked.

''Good morning Auntie Kris and Uncle Alex,'' I said politely

Uncle Alex said good morning but he didn't stop listening to whatever he was listening to.

(In case you haven't read Blind Date, Alex is Zack's dad and he's blind. It's on W*****d if you want to read it. Account:candy4baby)

''Do you need help?'' I asked as I sat at the kitchen island across from Uncle Alex.

''Sure, could you crack and beat those eggs for me please?''

I went to the fridge and then went in search of a big enough bowl.

''How are you darling? I can't wait to see your play next week,''

Auntie Kris was like a mother to me, she was always there to give me advice. She would take me shopping and to the spa at least once per year. She tried her best to always be at my performances, in fact, she would do my hair and take me to all my practises when my brother couldn't.

Back when he loved you.

''I'm doing fine. I'm so happy you'll be there. I'm a bit nervous because I really want to go on the trip,''

''Where are you going? Are you going to be safe?'' she worried as she turned to look at me before going back to frying bacon.

''Honey, she's almost seventeen. She'll be fine,'' Uncle Alex said in hopes of soothing his worried wife. ''If anybody does anything you let me know, I'll let them rot in the darkest deepest pits of hell.''

I could help but let out a laugh. I loved how they cared for me more than my parents. 

''I promise no one will hurt me. They certainly can't with my knowledge of Karate,'' I imitated a chop.

''Mum, I'm hungry'' Daniel came into the kitchen wearing his Spiderman pyjamas.

''Say good morning because I know I taught you manners,'' she said sending him a glare.

He smiled sheepishly before he said good morning to everyone.

''Ooh bacon,'' Daniel said his eyes lit up as he saw the crispy fatty strip of joy. As he reached for it his mum smacked his hand causing him to pout. He sat beside his dad at the island with a sigh.

''Good morning my lovely parents, brother who apparently calls my best friend,'' Zack said as he walked into the kitchen.

''Honey scramble these eggs for me please,'' Auntie Kris said to him. ''Kiara darling toast these slices of bread for me, please. Daniel set the table sugar, thank you.''

We immediately went into action. No one disobeys Auntie Kris without getting the short end of the stick.

''Haha you have to work,'' Uncle Alex said as he laughed at us.

''Alex, go wake the twins,''

''Yes, ma'am,''

''What are you guys planning on doing today?'' Kris asked as she sliced some fruits.

''I don't know, I might hang out with Mindy if she's free,''

There was silence before Kris said ok

''What about you Kiara dear?''

''I have rehearsals until four so I'll be busy,''

''Oh yeah, I can't wait to see you on stage. I feel like when you go to Los Angeles I should go with you,''

''Why do you get to go?'' Zack asked as he raised his eyebrow.

''Because,'' Daniel said, dragging out the word,'' I help her memorise her lines,''

''When?''

''On the phone,''

''If you needed help why didn't you ask me?'' Zack asked me

''I don't know,''

I did know. He wouldn't focus. Besides he wasn't going so I wasn't going to perform for him.

''Fine,'' Zack grumbled moodily.

.................................

We sat down to eat breakfast. We talked about everything from Zack's new girlfriend to my brother and how he was doing.

Zack and I cleared the table and then we did the dishes.

''I can't wait to see you perform,''

''I thought Mindy was practising. I don't want to take away your time with her,''

''Nonsense, if anything I'll bring her along. Is that okay?''

I'm kind of glad he asked me, but it has put me in a bad position. I can't say I don't want her there. I don't want to be the bad guy.

''It's whatever,''

''You don't want her there, do you? It's ok I won't invite her,''

I was surprised and he could tell because he rolled his eyes and bumped me with his shoulder. I smiled at him and he pulled at my braid.

''Have you seen my phone by the way?'' he asked

''No, did you check under the bed?''

He shook his head and told me he would look there when we were finished.

When we were finished, I helped him look.

''I'll call you,''

''Good idea,''

I looked around, my phone was in my bag but where was my bag?

''I can't find my bag,'' I said slowly.

I was about to freak out because rehearsals start in an hour and I needed to get home to shower and change.

''MUM! HAVE YOU SEEN MY PHONE AND KIKI'S BAG?'' Zack screamed to his mum.

''NO!'' she screamed back.

''STOP SCREAMING!'' Daniel interjected.

''Zack I need to leave soon. I need my bag, you know I hate being late,'' 

''Everything is going to be okay, trust me'' he said holding me by the shoulders hoping to keep me calm.

''We'll check the kitchen, you can check the car,'' he devised a plan.

I nodded and went to the garage. I basically flipped the car upside down and I couldn't find any of our missing stuff unless the pink lace bra belonged to Zack but the size looked too small. I lifted it and inspected it. Who does this belong to? How long has it been here? You know what I don't even want to know.

''Did you find anything?''

''I don't think this will fit,'' I said showing him the bra.

He blushed and snatched it from me before he threw it back into his car.

''Come on,''

''I'm guessing you didn't find anything?''

He shook his head, I could feel the tears of frustration burn the back of my eyes.

''Hey, hey relax. I told you everything is going to be okay,''

''You keep saying that but we don't know that. Ms Fiddleson is strict, she'll have my head if I'm late. The last time someone was late she kicked them out of the production. I can't get fired,'' I said as I shook him.

''Trust me, we'll find it we just need to think,''

''That's what I've been doing, glad to have you on board now,'' I snapped

''Woah, chill dude,''

I was about to tell him where he could put his chill when Van and Nessa ran into the room giggling.

''Are you looking for something?'' Van asked cheekily with his slight lisp.

I narrowed my eyes and glanced over at Zack. He nodded his head slightly.

Grab them.

We ran after them as they sped out the room. They were fast and loud as they screamed and ran away.

They hid in their room. Bad idea on their part.

''Come out come out where ever you are,'' Zack said

''I don't think they're in here,'' I said rather loudly. This was followed by giggling coming from under Nessa's bed.

''Oh well,'' Zack said as he tiptoed to her bed.

''Gotcha,'' he said he snatched Van and when Nessa ran out I scooped her up.

''You will be punished,'' Zack said deepening his voice.

We tickled them laughing as they kicked and laughed.

''Will you tell us where you hid our stuff?'' I asked

''No,'' they said between laughter. I love them but the simultaneous talking was creepy.

I watch too many horror movies.

''Tell us and we'll stop,'' I sang

''No,''

''Tell us and we'll give you a slice of cake,'' Zack bribed.

''Cake?'' Nessa asked.

''Yup, I'll make it chocolate,''

''Okay, we'll tell you,''

We looked at them expectingly.

''It's in the closet,''

Sure enough, it was.

''You little sneaks,'' I said ticking them again.

''Oh shit, you need to hurry or you'll be late,''

I groaned,'' I need to shower,''

''Shower here,'' Zack said throwing a towel at me when we got back to his room.

''Hurry,'' he said when I closed the door. 

Short story made shorter Zack's fast driving had us in front of the school five minutes early.

''Thanks, Zack,'' I said smiling

''Go get them best friend,'' he said, ''I'm proud of you,"