STATIC (LGBT)

Chapter 53

“Hey, I gotta go do something.” I said. “Meeting up with Heather.”

When I stood up Zoë stopped doing what she was doing and stared at me straight in the eyes.

Her dad unconsciously let her go from their exercises and said, “I'll go bring some water. Resting time. Good job”

Patrick gave Zoë's shoulder a warm pat as he walk past me onto the porch and got into their house. The bells that hung near the door rang and it reminded me that it was pretty much Summer already. It was really obvious from the heat but it wasn't as bad as it could be, not yet.

“You guys going to hang out?” Zoë asked me as she came closer. She rubbed her right arm muscle with an expression of slight pain. Strengthening.

“Yeah... No.” I said looking to the side, “More like talk.”

“Okay.” I locked eyes back with her and found a small look of sadness. “You two need it, don't you?”

And here's the thing. Despite the combination between France's death anniversary, Jessica's passing and the events afterward have taken a big toll on Zoë, she's still sort of the same. It's so hard to explain but the way she stands is always strong, as if her feet are really down on earth. The feeling she radiates is always so womanly and attracting. Her face, even if seeming weary, projects understanding and comprehension... It's just her eyes that reveal to me how sad she's really feeling.

I didn't answer back to her but just stepped close and hugged her waist tight as she surrounded my shoulders with her arms. I guess that as a result from everything our hugs have become so much more comforting. Almost as if I fit right in.

My hands went up to her face when she pulled away and some how I felt like I was seeing her for the first time in days. She was smiling, for some reason, that smile that makes me smile even more. That contagious one that I've always lost against. The one that is too hard to fight.

“Take care, alright?” She said, loosing up that smile a little. I was driving.

“I'll be okay. Don't worry.” I said as my fingers ran down to her chin. “I'll call you when I get there.”

“If you remember.” Zoë said huffing out a laugh. I guess it's just at night that she's not like this. Almost as if the darkness and inactivity brings everything back in. “Go. Heather won't want you getting late. You know how she is.”

I kissed her then, feeling my body shatter slightly at the feeling of it, and turned away.

Sigh...The smile I had faded out immediately. I knew that even if Zoë was acting like this with me... it was just with me. She mentioned that it comes out naturally even if she sort of starts crying out of the blue sometimes.... But she's afraid of everyone else. She's afraid of herself in front of everyone else.

Even in front of her parents I know it's hard.

… I clutched onto my folder as I walked down to my garage and got on the small Hyundai my parents bought a while ago. I don't understand why they bought such a small car considering how, around here, it's not so useful for the winter...

On my way downtown I kept glancing at my iPod, phone, pencil, earphones and folder... I wasn't too sure whether I was doing it right or wrong, but that was all I could think of. When the idea just popped into my head I realized that it could work... but..

“You're late.” Heather said to me as she saw me arriving and getting out of the car.

“You too.” I commented to her and she smiled slightly in innocent agreement. “What time is it?”