Temporary

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
^*Harper’s POV*^
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Zacky asked me again, and I nodded. He came back from Matt’s about an hour ago, and I couldn’t help but feel bad. First for letting Matt and I get caught, second, for knowing that in the end, this will hurt Zacky, and third for giving Jimmy and Zacky the impression that Matt sexually assaulted me.

“I’m fine.” I whispered, and he sighed.

“I thought he had changed.” Zacky said, his voice barely audible. “But I guess not.”

“At least he doesn’t hate me anymore.”

“I guess.”

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
^*Matt’s POV*^
I kept my head tilted back as I sat on the counter, resting my head on the cabinet. I can’t be around Harper anymore. That was beginning to sink in. I’ll find a way around Zacky. I won’t be able to take it if I can’t be around her. I glanced over at the clock on the stove: five PM. Zacky and Harper are usually in bed by ten. I’ll find a way over then. I jumped down from the counter, feeling a little dizzy from blood loss. I walked back into the living room, and sat down on the couch, and my eyes fell over to the red splotch on the carpet. I thought about cleaning it up, but I think I’ll wait and see who thinks I’ve murdered someone.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
^*Harper’s POV*^
I gently slid out of Zacky’s arms, careful not to wake him. I tiptoed out of the bedroom, seeing it was nearly twelve midnight. I took the stairs slowly, for a few of them creaked. I needed to get to Matt’s house. I needed to apologize for my shitty cover, and possibly getting him beat up by Zacky. I felt bad about it, about having to say those things about him to save my relationship with Zacky. I finally got to the bottom of the stairs, and to the door. I started getting my shoes on, and the door opened, and I turned around in the pitch blackness, and went to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth, muffling the shrill noise.

“Shh! It’s me!” I heard Matt’s voice whisper frantically, filled with caution and desperation. His hand left my mouth, and I fell into him, wrapping my arms around him, thankful he wasn’t some deranged psychotic murderer.

“Oh god, you scared the shit out of me.” I whispered, still feeling my heart beating furiously.

“Sorry.” He whispered, and I pulled away, looking at him.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned, curious as to why he was in Zacky and I’s home at midnight.

“I needed to make sure everything was okay.”

“I was just on my way to your place.” I said, and sighed. “I wanted to apologize for what happened this afternoon.” I said, and she shook his head.

“No, it’s okay, you didn’t have a choice. Although, Zacky said that if I ever come around you again he’ll shove his fist up my ass.” He said, and I tried so hard not to laugh.

“I’m sorry.” I said, and he hugged me again, and I put my head on his shoulder.

“It’s okay.” He repeated, rubbing my back. “I got a really awesome blood stain on my carpet now, so it’s all good.” He said, and I pulled away.

“Who’s blood?” I asked and he shrugged.

“Mine. But don’t worry, he didn’t hit me that hard.” Matt just brushed it off like it was nothing.

“You didn’t hit him back, did you?” I asked, suddenly concerned for Zacky.

“No, I wouldn’t do that to you.” He said, and I heard something upstairs, and guessed it was Zacky, waking up.

“Shit.” I muttered, and turned back to Matt. “You need to go.” I said, and ushered him out the door. He turned back and pecked me on the lips.

“I’ll see you later.” He said, and I nodded as he left, and I closed the door behind him.

“Harper?” I heard Zacky’s groggy voice, and I turned towards him, quickly kicking my shoes off.

“Did I wake you up?” I asked, and he shook his head.

“No, I just woke up.” He said, and I made my way over to him. “What are you doing up?”

“I wanted something to drink.” I said, and wrapped my arms around him. “I love you, Zacky.” I said, wanting to make sure he knew it.

“I love you too.” He pulled away from me slightly. “What’s with the sudden showering of love?” He asked, and I shook my head, fighting a yawn.

“I’m tired, and out of it.” I said, and he laughed lightly.

“Then let’s get you back to bed.” Without warning he swept me off my feet, earning a giggle as he kissed my cheek and walked up the stairs to bed.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
“Matt, what are you doing here?” I asked as Matt came in. Brian had called Zacky over to help with something, and he had just left a few minutes ago.

“I came to talk to you about how to smooth things over with Zacky.” He said, and I let him in, and we sat down on the couch.

“I’m not really sure how to answer that.” I admitted truthfully, and he sighed.

“I was hoping you would.” He looked at me. “He can’t stay mad forever, can he? I mean, he’ll have to forgive me at some point and forget about it, right?”

“Matt, you’re talking about a guy who’s stage name is Zacky Vengeance.” I said, and he sighed.

“You’re the one who made it look like I attacked you.”

“But, you know that I didn’t expect him to walk through the door.” I corrected and he nodded.

“Right.” He muttered.

“All you can really do is apologize. Only time will really tell.” I hated how that sounded. I hated the fact that Matt and I got caught. I hated the fact that Matt isn’t on good grounds with Zacky. I hated the fact that I already love Zacky with all my heart, and now I’m beginning to fall for his best friend. Fuck…I hate how that sounded.

“I guess.” He muttered, and then looked back at me. “Harper, you know I love you, don’t you?” He asked, and I nodded. “Good, because I have a feeling you may never hear that from my lips again after I talk to Zack.” He said, and stood up. I stood up with him, and stopped him from walking away.

“Wait, what do you mean?”

“How do you think it’s going to look when I apologize for sexually assaulting you?” He asked, and I suddenly realized how horrible that’s going to go.

“It was nice knowing you.” I muttered, and threw my arms around him, in an encouraging manor.

“Very funny Harp.” He said, and I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I pulled away and he kissed my cheek.

“I was serious, I love you.” He said, his tone much more serious. “I have a feeling he really is going to try and kill me.”

“He won’t; trust me. Why would he try and kill you for apologizing?” I asked, and he just sighed.

“Because, he’s Zacky. He’s protective of you.” He said, and I shook my head, and kissed him on the lips lightly.

“He won’t try and kill you trust-” I was cut off when the door opened.

“H- Matt?!” Matt and I went into action when we heard Zacky’s voice. Matt kept his arms locked around me, and we exchanged sympathetic glances, as I struggled in his grip.

“Zacky! Help!” I screamed, and I could see a flash of hurt in Matt’s eyes as Zacky rushed over, and pulled Matt off of me, and I immediately retreated towards the couch as Matt pushed Zacky away, and then Zacky retaliated with a swing, which Matt ducked, nearly tripping backwards. Zacky finally got a punch in to Matt, and I could see genuine anger on Matt’s face as he swung back with greater force, knocking Zacky away, but not down. Zacky, tackled Matt to the floor, and begun swinging.

“I thought I told you to stay away from her!” Zacky yelled, and I watched as fists flew back and forth. Matt punched Zacky again, and Zacky hit back, and a second later Matt threw another punch, connecting with Zacky’s temple, allowing him to get the upper hand as Zacky momentarily fell into a daze. Matt got on top of Zacky, grabbing his collar.

“I have stayed away from her! I’ve stayed away from her for as long as I fucking could!” Matt screamed, and I went over as Matt drew his fist back again, ready to send Zacky into next year.

“Stop!” I yelled, grabbing his fist, and he looked up at me. “Just, get out, Matt.” I said, glancing down at Zacky, his breathing heavy as he watched Matt. Matt hesitantly got off of Zacky, and pulled his hand out of mine as he stormed off towards the door, and slammed it shut behind him. I just stared at the door, feeling horrible that I let this happen. Zacky got up, and wavered slightly on his feet.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
^*Matt’s POV*^
I can’t believe I let that happen. I should just stay away. I can’t love Harper. I just can’t. It’s proven impossible, and Zacky’s barely conscious state, and my fucked up face is proof. But strangely, I don’t feel bad about beating him up. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt he had it coming to him. I thought things were fucked up before, but now everything’s gone to hell. I can’t be around Harper anymore. I’m oddly content with that thought, because it seems that whenever I am around her, I wind up getting in trouble. Hence Zacky thinking I have sexually assaulted his girlfriend now twice, and then beating the shit out of him for really no reason. Just because he hit me first. Though, I was friends with her first, but he fell in love with her first. I need to stay a friend. I think it’s obvious now that I was never supposed to love her, even though this feeling’s never going to leave my heart. This feeling that I’ve built up over a few months. This love that keeps leading me back to her. It’s never going to fade. I’m going to be stuck with it until the day I die, and if I ever get caught with Harper in my arms again; that day isn’t very far away.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
^*Zacky’s POV*^
I was sick of it. Sick of Matt’s behavior. He just wouldn’t stop. He didn’t show any remorse that he kept trying to get with his best friend’s girlfriend. It was like he didn’t care. I really thought that he had changed, I really did. He had stopped fighting with Harper, and stopped calling her names, and constantly bothering her, but hell, I shouldn’t have let that make me think that he had changed. He’s Matthew Sanders, he hasn’t changed hardly one bit in his lifetime.

“Are you feeling okay?” Harper asked as I sat on the bathroom counter, and nodded as I tossed another bloody tissue in the trash.

“I’m fine.” I said, and then sighed. “I hope he doesn’t come back. I never want to see him again.” I said quietly, and she nodded.

“Me either.” She said much too quietly.

“Are you alright?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Yea, I just wish he would stop.”

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
^*Harper’s POV*^
I wasn’t lying when I agreed with Zacky. Matt beating up Zacky was uncalled for. Completely, even if Zacky did throw the first punch. He was just trying to protect me from what Matt and I lead him to believe. That gave Matt no right to nearly knock him out. No reason at all. I was questioning my small feelings for him now. Can I really love someone who beat up the guy I’ve been in love with since before high school? Can I love someone that has anger issues that are enough to literally kill someone? Can I love someone who maybe really doesn’t care about me? …No…he does care about me. I can’t really deny that. Matt does love me, doesn’t he? If he didn’t he wouldn’t keep coming around. But now, I hope he never comes around again. I can live without him. But who knows, maybe that’s just my own anger issues talking.