started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Twenty-Two

Before I could do anything, a knock sounded through the door.

"Laura? Ross?" It's Zac. He taps against the door again. "Could you please open the door?" Ross sighs, retreating and running a hand through his hair. He looks angry, sad, and just tired. I turn and open the locked door. Zac is standing there, dough and what else all over his face and arms. "Madam Jong is ready to eat."

Before I can say anything or explain why we took so long or what we were doing, Ross shoves – literally shoves – past me and out the door. He stops in front of Zac for a second, throwing a glare, before shoving past him too. Zac and I stare wide-eyed after Ross.

"Did you guys have a couple's fight or something?" he asks, pointing at Ross's retreating figure. "Something's up his ass."

I force a smile. "Isn't there always?"

Dinner goes by fast. I stuff down the food that Zac had made – pancakes – and throw in a couple of cued laughs and smiles at the right time. Madam Jong seems satisfied with everything and Ross ignores me during the entire meal and even after. It seems the only person making conversation and actually trying is Zac, who chirps on about funny stories of him drunk.

Madam Jong is coming to visit Mom with me tomorrow. I am thankful for the support and excited to see Mom again. I haven't actually visited her yet with doctors running tests to see any other hidden brain damages.

That night, I fall asleep quickly, a lot on my mind but also so tired from everything. Ross, Mom, Joel – who's been sleeping because of jet lag – and Zac run through my mind. And then I think about Mom; the possibilities, the chances about the situation.

Ross and Zac can't protect me forever.

The next morning, I wake up before anybody else. I'm in my bedroom and I try not to accidentally step on Madam Jong while I sneak out of my own room. She pulled out an air mattress from the supply closet that I never knew existed and slept on it.

I had tried convincing her that she should take the bed. She said something about elderly discrimination and that it was her first time sleeping on an air mattress and I simply couldn't say no.

I brush my teeth and place my hair in a bun. The fridge is empty when I open it, with some random vegetables and an empty milk carton lingering. Zac used everything last night.

I need to go shopping.

Without Mom here, it's my duty. For some reason, it makes me want to cry that she's not here. At least I'm visiting her today. I should also pick something up for Mom – her favorite flowers or something.

"What're you doing up so early?"

I turn to the source of the voice. Zac is there, his dark hair in all angles, and only in boxers. My face reddens and I quickly turn away. How rude of me to stare while he's in his boxers.

"Laura? What's wrong?" His voice is raspy and slow. He scratches his hair and shuffles past me to the fridge. Opening the fridge, he takes the empty carton of milk. I should tell him that there's nothing in it, only some expired lumps left in it but I can't think straight with him basically naked. "Ew," he says, flinching from the milk carton.

"I-it's expired and mostly empty," I stammer.

"Thanks for telling me a second too soon," Zac says sarcastically. I can almost feel his mouth press into a thin line.

"Why aren't you looking at me?" I feel a hand on my shoulder, turning me around.

I squeeze my eyes. "Put some clothes on, Zac. I have virgin eyes."