Forever Ends Too Soon

For Realsies

Zach's POV:
"Hey, Laurie, I'm home." I say and she hugs me, but it feels different.
"I should go, I have class soon."
"It's four in the afternoon." I laugh.
"Then I should get my schedule for the semester figured out."
"Laurie, did something happen?" I ask her and she glares at me.
"You're just going to leave me!" She yells and I am really confused right now.
"No, I won't. What are you talking about?" I ask her.
"They told me you would!" She cries and I take her away from the others, who are staring.
"Who told you?" I ask her.
"I don't know. There were three girls and they told me all you do is date girls for a while then break up with them."
"You've met my lovely ex-girlfriends." I say and she has tears forming.
"Zach, is it true?" She asks me.
"For them, yes, but you're different. I would never do that." I tell her.
"Why? Because I'm too fragile or something?" She yells.
"No, because I love you!" I yell and she stops.
"So you didn't love them?" She asks. Loaded question.
"Of course I did at one point, but not the same way I love you." I tell her and she looks at the ground.
"I don't want you to leave." She tells me.
"And I'm not going to. I left, but I came back, didn't I?" I ask her.
"This time."
"Next time will be the same. And any time after."
"Why did I let them get to me?" She asks and starts to walk away.
"Because I wasn't here to show you any different." I tell her.
"I really don't deserve you, Zach."
"You deserve so much better than me." I tell her and she smiles.
"Maybe I do, but with you, it's not settling." I kiss her.
"I know it's only been about seven months, but I want to do something special next week." I tell her and she turns her head to the side.
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"Just wait and find out."
"Okay, fine." She says. I put my arm around her and we walk back to the guys, who are unloading the bus.
"Wow, thanks for the help." Cameron says sarcastically.
"He was dealing with a more pressing issue." Laurie tells them and they laugh.
"And what was it this time?" Michael asks, not really interested.
"She ran into three ex-girlfriends."
"Oh." Cameron says.
"You win." Michael says and Laurie smiles.
"Told you it was more important. I'm not always conceited." Laurie says and I kiss her.
"You never are." I tell her and she looks at me.
"Who are you dating, then?" She teases.
"The best girl in the world."
"Good answer." She tells me. "Well, the girls and I are going to wait over here while you finish." She walks off with Marcella and Jennifer.
"You two are really happy, aren't you?" Cameron asks.
"I hope so. I'm happy and I think she is, too." I tell them.
"Good, don't let her get away." Michael advises.
"Assuming my plan works, she isn't going anywhere."