You Look Pretty Low

[Trinity]

The days rushed past till it was the 3rd week of June. Peyton and I still hadn’t spoken about the possibility of finding our mum, and none of the boys had brought it up either. It was basically a taboo subject.

Right now I’m waiting for Alex and Peyton to get out of the shower so we can go over to Jack’s house – it’s his turn to hold practice. I would’ve gone with Rian about half an hour ago, but he’s picking up Kara first, and I know they want time alone. I’m generous like that. Anyways, so far, my sister and Alex have been in the shower for 45 minutes.

Funny enough, I doubt much washing is going on.

[30 minutes later]

Peyton and Alex have finally emerged from the bathroom, Peyton with an innocent expression and Alex with a smirk. Eww.

I rolled my eyes, earning guilty giggles. Gaskarth giggles. Niiiice.

“Just get dressed, yeah? I’ve already had 4 distressed calls from Zack and 6 distressed calls from Jack to find out where we are,” I said dryly

[40 minutes later]

Jesus fuckk. We’ve only just pulled up outside Jack’s house, thanks to Lord Gaskarth spending so long in front of the mirror. His hair looks exactly the same as when he woke up, so I don’t get what he spent so long doing. I leapt out the car and rang Jack’s doorbell, only to have it flung open and Jack’s voice filling my ears.

“T-Bag!!!! I thought you weren’t going to make it!” Jack wailed, throwing me over his shoulder

I just laughed, letting him carry me to wherever he was going, Alex and Peyton following hand-in-hand. Out of nowhere, Jack flung me forwards, so I closed my eyes and squeaked loudly.

“Hello to you too, beautiful,” a familiar voice chuckled

I snapped my eyes open, blushing furiously when I saw I was now in Zack’s lap. Must. Cover. Embarrassment.

I did the first thing I could think of.

I kissed Zack full on the mouth, earning a lustful moan from him and a disgusted moan from everyone else. Pfft. Like I care.

“So what songs are we practicing today?” Rian asked cheerfully, sliding his arm round Kara’s shoulders

I broke away from Zack and sat next to him to listen. What? Their band interests me. =]

“We should probably do Circles. We haven’t practiced it in a while and we’ve got the massive gig at the Paladium next Sunday,” Alex suggested

“Sure, I need to work on my bass in that anyway,” Zack nodded

“Awesome! Let’s go!” Jack said excitedly, making us laugh

Kara motioned to Peyton and I to follow her into the kitchen. Then Zack stood up, extending his hand to help me up too. What a gentleman.

“Are you going to have a girly gossip first?” he asked softly, smiling down at me

“Mmhmm. Then we’ll come and watch you,” I nodded

Zack took my hands in his and leant down, pressing his lips tenderly. This kiss was short, but as always it left me breathless. I took a moment to steady my breathing before looking back up at Zack. He was smirking. Damn.

“I didn’t know I had that effect on you,” he grinned

“Shut up and go play your bass,” I grumbled

Zack just laughed, making me blush. What is with this blushing?! I turned round to walk into the kitchen, only to have him slap my ass. So I did the mature thing.

I stuck up my middle fingers.

Walking into the kitchen in the sound of Zack’s laughter, I was met by the smirks of Kara and Peyton. Fuckk.

“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as calmly as I could

“Come off it sis, we all saw that,” Peyton snickered

“Saw what?” I asked, this time a little more confused

“You and Zack,” Peyton fired back, rolling her eyes

“What about us?” I asked again, now definitely confused

“You mean you haven’t noticed?” Kara asked slowly

Noticed what?! I just shook my head, earning shocked looks when they realised I wasn’t lying.

“Zack’s changed a lot since he met you,” Peyton pointed out

“What do you mean?” I pouted

“Trin, I’ve known the boys a very long time. Zack’s always been shy – like, ridiculously shy. You know that…what he was like when the two of you first met. But now…he’s different. The tender kiss? The ass slap? The old Zack never would’ve done something like that,” Kara said softly, smiling

“I didn’t do anything purposely,” I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest

“Woah, it’s not a bad thing that he’s changed. You do know why he’s changed, right?” Peyton asked, raising an eyebrow

“To keep me interested?” I guessed, shrugging

“It’s a factor…he loves you,” Kara smiled

Woah, what? What the fuckk?!? Too much to handle...

“It’s so obvious, Trin. The way he stares after you when you leave the room. The way his eyes light up as soon as he sees your face. The way he’s so much more confident around everyone. He loves you,” Kara explained

Kara’s words raced through my mind. He couldn’t possibly love me…he couldn’t! I guess my torrent of emotions showed in my expression, because both girls guided me to a stool and sat me down.

“You don’t love him…do you?” Peyton said sadly

“No,” I whispered honestly

“If he knows that, his heart will break,” Kara said softly

“I know. I do really like Zack…but I don’t love him. I don’t love anyone apart from Peyton. And that’s the way it’ll always be,” I mumbled

“It doesn’t have to be that wa…”

“Save it, Pey,” I said sharply

Peyton raised her hands in surrender. Kara just smiled sadly at me. With a sigh and a run of my hand through my blonde hair, I stood up from the stool and started walking towards the back door.

“Where are you going?” Peyton frowned

“For a cancer stick. Go and join the boys – I’ll be back in a minute,” I said with a forced smile

Peyton frowned but nodded, knowing I needed my space for a couple of minutes. Kara stood still for a moment, before looking me dead in the eyes.

“Just please don’t hurt him,” she said weakly

“I wasn’t planning to,” I muttered

And with that I walked out the back door.