Zee

The following week was the best week of my entire life. As promised I did go to Nick's house every day to steal their food.

Can you blame me?

It's free food.

Plus Sara is a really good cook and you always get a muffin or cupcake at the end of the meal.

Nick and I also had some conversations.

Yes, Plural.

I'm really proud of myself.

At first, I thought that after hearing the truth, Nick will never talk to me and will forever think I'm crazy. But he did!

He still thinks I'm crazy.

He hasn't said it but I know. I can read expressions. His expressions are really easy to read actually. He's an open book.

But he's still talking to me. So that's something to celebrate.

We also played video games together. He beat me in some. I beat him in some. I haven't beaten him in FIFA yet.

Maybe someday.

I wasn't thinking of telling him my truth at first but when I thought about it I realized I wanted him to know. I wanted at least one person to really know me and I wanted him to be that person.

I know he'll never actually believe that I'm from another world but if he trusts me he'll at least think about a possibility.

And I'll try my best to make him trust me.

I suggested that he think about getting rid of the motorcycle and he said he would. I'm a step closer to completing steps one and two.

I've also added a new step.

Make Nick smile.

Surprisingly he has never smiled at me. Not even slightly.

I will make him smile. I mean I am pretty funny. He has to laugh at one of my jokes.

I haven't gotten any time for sightseeing, I've been busy eating, sleeping, and binge-watching.

Basically doing nothing.

The dream.

The book world isn't that different from the real one. At least aesthetically. Everything's the same. The leaves here are also green, the tv shows are the same.

This was a fictional town, shouldn't there be something different? The leaves should be blue for instance.

A blue leaf would look really cool.

But no.

Everything's same.

Except for all the houses. All the houses in this neighborhood looked like freaking mansions.

Was everyone rich in this fictional town?

Currently, I'm headed toward my rich neighbor's house to steal more of his food.

I have no shame whatsoever.

Well, shame doesn't get you free tasty food so fuck shame.

I was going to ring the bell but I noticed that the door was slightly opened.

What the fuck?

I cautiously went inside.

It's fine Zee, if someone breaks in all you've to do is try and fight and then you'll die.

At Least you got to have a few weeks of pure heaven before you died.

I slowly went toward the living room.

"Zee? Is that you?" Sara asked from the kitchen.

I let out a breath of relief.

"Yes," I shouted and went into the kitchen.

"Sara, you left the door open. Do you know how scared I was?"

"I did? Sorry, my mind was elsewhere."

"Sara are you okay? You don't look that well." I sat beside her.

"Yeah, it's just..." She took a deep breath. "Nothing, forget about it. Are you hungry?"

I put my hand over hers. "Sara, you can talk to me."

She looked at me. "I'm exhausted. I talked to Nick's dad. Talking to him just angers me. He always talks about how I'm spoiling Nick. I'm not a good mother. All those stupid shit when he isn't even here to see Nick."

She buried her head in her hands. "He wasn't always like this, you know? He was a sweet man. But he changed. He didn't treat me like I deserved and then he started bullying Nick. He didn't deserve that. I didn't deserve that. For that reason, I decided to divorce him. But he still manages to give me headaches just by calling."

She looked so small and fragile. I patted her back. It would've been great if I knew how to comfort people.

Everything has a first time, doesn't it?

You got this, Zee.

How hard could comforting someone be?

"You're a great mom, Sara." I started with the obvious.

She looked at me with teary eyes. "How do you know that?" Her tone suggested she didn't believe me.

"I know Nick. You've raised him well, and look how charming he turned out to be."

She chuckled.

See?

She's smiling.

You're doing great, Zee.

Go on.

I continued, "Nick loves and respects you a lot. Anyone can see it. You're the most important person in his life. If you don't believe me let's ask Nick. Where is he?" I glanced around.

"He's outside to meet a friend."

"Oh, it's okay. If he was here I'm sure his heart would break seeing you cry." I wiped her tears. "Sara, nobody can tell you if you're a good mother or not. Even if it's your ex-husband. No one has that right. I know you're a good mother. Nick knows it. You know it."

Sara stopped crying and was intently listening to me.

Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

Don't think about it.

Just carry on.

"Don't let other people's opinions, who don't know you, affect your mood."

She smiled. "How did you become so mature?"

Well, you kinda have to when life decides to throw a sack of lemons at you. "By watching movies and tv shows. People think it's a waste of time but it actually teaches so many things. I've learned most of the things from watching those."

TV and cake weren't only Jake's parents.

Except that I didn't have cake.

She gave me a sad look. "You must really miss your parents right?"

Parents.

The actual people?

Yeah, this world's Zee has parents.

I don't.

I don't consider that asshole as a father, my parent and I've never met my mom. So I don't really have any opinion about her.

If I had good parents I'd miss them, right?

"Yeah, of course, I miss them. But I know their work is important. Not just cause they want to give me everything they could but also cause they like their work. It's admirable. They are doing what they like so I understand." Zee must have thoughts like these right?

"You really are mature for your age."

"Stop making me feel old, Sara."

She raised her hands in surrender. "My bad."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah. Thank you."

"Tell me something. What do you usually do when you're feeling bad?"

"I usually bake. But when I was in college I used to go out to clubs and get drunk with my girlfriends." She laughed remembering that. "It was really fun."

"Okay. Then we're doing it."

"We're baking? Sure let me just–"

"No, Sara." I cut her off. "We're going clubbing."

Her eyes went wide. "No Zee, absolutely not."

"Why not?" My brows drew together.

"Because you can't drink."

"I won't and don't drink Sara. I had decided this way back. We'll just go to make you drunk and let loose."

"Me and drunk? No Zee. I'm the adult here and I should be responsible. You don't have to do that. And you won't be able to go into the club, you're underage remember?"

"I'm a teenager, remember? I'm damn sure I have a fake ID in my room somewhere."

"If you had decided you won't drink, why do you have a fake ID?" She squinted her eyes.

"Just in case." I shrugged.

"No Zee. We're not going."

"Sara," I said softly. "When was the last time you completely let loose? Last time you did something wild? Last time you got super drunk and regretted it the next morning?"

"I-I don't remember."

"Then let's do it. You don't have to be responsible today. Just be Sara. Not Nick's mom, Just Sara. Fuck being an adult and the responsibilities that come with it."

"I can do that?" She looked so hopeful it broke my heart.

She doesn't need anyone's permission to have fun.

"Of course, you can."

"If I say yes would that make me a bad adult?"

"Sara." I looked her dead in the eyes. "Fuck being an adult."

She thought it over then nodded. "You're right. Fuck being an adult. I deserve to have a drunken night."

"Yeah, you do."

"By the way, I noticed you cursed in front of me and you can't do that Zee."

"Yup, I just noticed it myself right now. Won't do it, Sara. I'll just go and get my ID and then we'll go clubbing. Okay?"

"Yeah. I hope I'm not making a mistake."

"You're not."

______________

"This was a mistake. This was such a big mistake. There are so many people here Zee and I'm sure the guard knows you're underage. He must be calling the cops as we speak. Let's go home, Zee." Sara shouted over the music.

"Sara, stop being so paranoid. Of course, the guard knows I'm a teenager. Half the people here are, don't worry about that. This is your first time in a long time coming to a club, that's why you're anxious. Give it time, you'll feel better." I reassured her.

"You're really confident. How many times have you been to a club?"

"None. This is my first time."

"What? So you're saying we both are amateurs here?" There was a look of horror on her face.

"Yup. But don't worry I've seen clubs in movies and stuff."

"You know real life is different from movies right? Zee let's just go home." I was pulled toward the exit by her grip on my wrist.

I stopped her. "Do you actually wanna go home? Like from the core of your heart. You really wanna go home?"

She looked around the club. "No. I...I just don't know how to do this anymore."

"Me too. But we'll figure it out together." My eyes found the bar. "And I know where to start." I held Sara's hand and dragged her toward the bar.

"What would you like to drink?" The bartender asked as we reached him.

She hesitated a bit.

"Sara, it's okay. You can get drunk." I whispered.

She nodded. "Shots. I wanna do shots."

"Shots it is."

"Two shots and a coke. But can you give me the coke in a shot glass, please? Don't mix it with alcohol. I just want a coke." I told the bartender.

He nodded.

"I'm not going to drink but I can pretend like I'm drinking. You said you used to go to clubs with your girlfriends right? I'm gonna give you the whole experience."

She smiled. "Thank you for doing this, Zee. You didn't have to do it."

"Of course I did. I don't think you'll be able to make tasty food if you're in a bad mood."

"Yeah. But you also just wanted to cheer me up right?"

I looked straight and said, "Maybe."

When the bartender gave us our drinks. I raised my glass."To fuck being an adult."

She raised hers. "To fuck being an adult."

We both had the shots. I saw Sara and acted just like her.

She took the other glass and drank it.

"Woah, easy there."

She smiled. "I wanna drink some more, Zee."

"You can drink as much as you want. But not too much. You're gonna drink a normal amount."

She nodded. "Okay. I just need to use the washroom."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No. Stay here and order some more shots. I'll just be back." She hugged me. "Thank you, Zee. Really." She whispered into my ear.

"No problem Sara." I hugged her back.

"I'll just be back."

"Okay."

Nick

Why did I come to a club again? Oh yeah because my idiot of a best friend said it was a good idea. It wasn't. I couldn't stand the noise and there were too many people in the room.

That's how clubs are Nick.

I know.

That's the reason I didn't want to come.

But Zach has a superpower. He can really convince people. He's also an asshole. He left me alone and was talking to some girl.

That is why I stood alone in the corner of the room. Away from everyone. Even then some people tried to talk to me, I pretended to be on a call every time that happened. That shit always works.

In an effort to avoid boredom after playing some games on my phone, I looked around the club and saw someone who shouldn't be there.

My mom. With Zee.

They just did shots.

Is she crazy?

Oh, wait she is.

She brought my mom into a club.

My feet automatically took me towards them. Mom went somewhere. Zee looked at me as I reached her and smiled. "Nick, hi-"

"Are you insane?" I cut her off.

She frowned. "What's wrong?"

Seriously?

"You brought my mom into a freaking club, that's what's wrong," I said, my voice dangerously low.

I was furious. I didn't know her that well but I never thought she'd be stupid enough to bring my mom to a club. Who does that?

I trusted her with my mom and this is what she does.

Should never really trust anyone.

"Nick it's not—"

"Zee, what were you thinking? Oh, wait you weren't were you? My mom doesn't like places like this. Did you think about that once before you brought her here? If you wanted to go to a club you should have brought your friends with you, not my mom."

I took a step toward her. "And underage drinking, Zee? Seriously? How did you even convince my mom?"

"I didn't drink Nick and—"

"Oh wow, so you're lying to me now. Well, it wouldn't be the first time." And to think I was considering believing her story. What was I even thinking?

Of course, that's a lie.

Just a story she made to get rid of her boredom.

In response, she did not say anything. Her gaze remained fixed on me for a few moments. She clenched her jaw. Then she turned her attention away from me.

"Cat got your tongue?"

A guy was nearly bumping into Zee. Instantly my arm was wrapped around Zee and I drew her towards me, before glaring at the guy. A good amount of space allowed the guy to pass by without having to hop on Zee. He apologized and left.

Zee removed my hands from her shoulder and took a few steps back.

"Zee—"

"Nick?" My mom asked from behind her. "Oh my god, it is you! What are the chances." She grinned and hugged me.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" I asked, breaking the hug. "What did Zee—"

"Oh yes. I was feeling really bad today and I told Zee how I used to come to clubs when I felt bad and she brought me here. I'm so glad that she did. I'm feeling so much better."

Uh, what now?

Mom wanted to come here?

Fuck.

Still, that wasn't all. "Mom, how could you let Zee drink? She's underage you know that."

"Oh, she didn't drink."

"I saw her having a shot with you mom." Why is she lying?

"That was coke. She just drank it in a shot glass to keep me company."

Well, double Fuck.

Mom looked at Zee. "What happened? Why do you look so gloomy?"

The smile on her face didn't reach her eyes. "Your Son was just being Charming."

She stared at me with an angry expression on her face. "What did you do, Nick?"

When I opened my mouth to answer, Zee laughed. "Relax, I'm kidding, he didn't do anything."

Mom's face was filled with relief. "Oh okay."

But I did.

I fucked up.

Really bad.

I began, "Zee I—"

"Hey guys," Zach said.

"Zach, hi!" Mom hugged him. "I've missed you."

"Aww, I missed you too Sara. It's good to see you. I didn't expect to see you in a club though," He said, breaking the hug.

"Oh, Zee brought me here because I wanted to."

"Zee?" His brows drew together.

"Oh, you haven't met her."

Mom put her hand around Zee's shoulders. "This is Zee. Our neighbor and currently my girlfriend."

"Hi, I'm Zach." He put his hands ahead for a shake.

"I'm Zee." As they shook hands, Zee said, "We both have great names."

"I know right!" Zach's eyes gleamed.

"Wait What are you two doing here? Were you planning on drinking?" Mom spun her gaze between us.

"It was Zach's idea to come here and you know I don't drink, Mom."

Zach looked at me feeling betrayed and then at mom forcing a smile. "And I came here 'cause I...wanted to... listen to music." An awkward smile spread across his face.

"Great save, buddy," Zee said.

Buddy?

That slipped the smile from my face.

Why did she call him that?

And why is it making me angry?

Zach laughed awkwardly. "Well since we're all here, let's sit together. I've booked a table, let's go."

"What happened to the girl you were talking to?" I asked him.

"Her girlfriend told me to back off."

"Wait, let me have my shots." Mom said and had two shots just like that.

Wow.

I had no idea she had this side.

Zee didn't talk to me at all. She talked to mom. She even talked to Zach. They just met a few hours ago and they were already hitting it off. It did not make me feel good.

Well, after the way you behaved with her, you deserve it.

I know. I need to apologize to her.

Mom said she was exhausted so we decided to go home. Zach dropped us home and left.

"Sara, can you go home first? I need to talk to Nick." Zee stopped in front of our houses.

"Sure honey." Mom hugged her and then left.

Zee waited until mom was in the house then turned to me and said, "Nick, did I do something to you?"

Confusion gripped me as I said, "What? No."

"I must have done something to make you think the worst of me."

"Zee, I'm so—"

"No Nick, listen to me." She cut me off. "You don't trust me. I get it. Me telling you I'm from another world didn't help that case at all. It's okay. But not trusting me with Sara? Are you serious?" She took a step toward me as I took one back.

"You saw me at a club with her and you immediately thought the worst of me. You thought that I brought Sara into a club without thinking about her wishes and just did what I wanted to do. So tell me have I ever done something to make you feel like you shouldn't trust me with Sara?" I was shocked at how fast she spoke.

"Zee, I was—"

"Have. I.?" She asked sternly.

"No." I gulped.

She forced a smile.

A chance to talk finally came my way. "Zee, I'm so sorry."

She frowned."Fuck your apology, dude. What you said hurt me. It really hurt me." She took a few steps back and started pacing back and forth. She paused in front of me and took three deep breaths.

"Nope. Not working. I took three deep breaths but I'm still angry and hurt. I'm gonna walk away from this conversation without giving you a chance to say anything just like you didn't give me a chance to say anything at the club."

She held my gaze. The air was cold and stern."I know I'm probably being childish but I'm furious, and hurt, my head is spinning a little because I paced back and forth way too fast to even think how childish I'm being right now. I just know that I don't deserve this." With that, she went into her house without looking back once.

Great job, Nick.

You hurt her.

Shit.

There is no way she would listen to any word I say, even if I apologized.

She needs time.

I'll talk to her tomorrow.

Yes.

It's okay.

You can fix this.

You have to fix this.