Lend Me Your
Heart
Thirty-one
Even though I was still upset with my brother from last
night.
I’d seen him drunk before, but never so drunk that he put
peoples’ lives in danger and couldn’t even stand
straight.
But, even though it upset me, I decided to put it behind me and
enjoy Thanksgiving with my now-sober family and Zach.
I got out of the shower before Zach was even awake and run
upstairs, spending about an hour blow-drying and curling my
hair.
I changed into a black, long-sleeved dress that went to my knees,
black tights, and red heels.
Then I put on some mascara and lipstick that matched with my
shoes.
We were going to my aunt’s house, which meant I had to look
good.
That family expected a lot from me, considering my brother and I
were the oldest kids on that my mom’s side of the
family.
We were supposed to be role models, but since my brother
didn’t turn out too great, I was their last hope.
When I walked downstairs, I noticed Zach dressed in a red polo,
black dress pants, and shiny black shoes.
“We’re matching and we didn’t even plan
it!” I said excitedly, making his head turn towards me in
surprise once he heard my voice.
My mom was making breakfast and my dad was collecting firewood
outside; I could see him through the glass windows.
My brother and Ellie were lying on the couch, watching some adult
cartoon show.
By the look on their faces, you could tell they were definitely
hung-over.
Zach’s eyes wandered from my feet to my eyes, making me
blush.
I guess he had permission to do that now, after what happened
last night.
“You’re right. We do match,” he said, smiling
with his pretty, white teeth, “But you look better than I
do.”
I saw the corner of my mom’s mouth twitch up into a smile
while she continued to cook.
“Not true,” I said, sitting next to him at the
kitchen counter.
I honestly had to fight the urge to make out with him every
second of everyday now.
My mom turned her back on us completely, stirring something in a
pot.
When she did, Zach locked eyes with mine and then looked at my
lips, like he was overly eager to kiss me, too.
But, as he slowly leaned in towards me, we heard someone clear
their throat behind us, making our heads pop up in surprise.
My brother stood there, giving Zach a disapproving look and
wiggling his finger.
“I’m not gonna let it happen again,” Mike said,
his voice low enough so my mom didn’t hear, “Not with
my sister. Understood?”
Zach nodded, but as Mike started to walk away, I grabbed the
fabric on his shirt and looked him in the eye whispering,
“I can’t kiss Zach…but you can bring home
random girls and get drunk at night?”
His jaw clenched as he fought the urge to slap me upside my
head.
“I’m a nineteen-year-old guy, Layne. You’re a
sixteen-year-old girl. You can’t take care of yourself! You
can kiss this idiot as much as you want at school, but you
aren’t gonna do it in front of me, okay? I’m not
going to let you make mistakes in front of my own eyes when I
know I can put a stop to it,” he whisper-yelled to
me.
“He’s not an idiot and he’s sure as hell not a
mistake,” I shot back, my eyes watering.
“That’s what you think now. Just wait,” my
brother told me, “You’ll learn. Boys only want one
thing. I would know.”
With that, he shot Zach another glare and walked away.
I turned back to Zach and gave him a sympathetic look.
“You aren’t a mistake, Zach,” I told him,
“Don’t listen to him, okay?”
But, Zach didn’t seem convinced.
The look on his face was a mix of anger, concern, pity, and
confusion.
“What if he’s right, Layne? I’m not good enough
for you.”
“So what? None of what he said was true. Connor is a
mistake. Connor is a boy who only wants one thing. Zach, you
don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Suddenly, my mom turned around, looking concerned.
“Why do I keep hearing whispers behind my back?” she
snapped.
Zach and I looked down at our shoes in shame.
“Sorry, Mom,” I said.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Davis,” Zack repeated.
“Would anybody like to tell me what’s going on? Are
you two fighting?”
“No, Mom.”
“No, Mrs. Davis, we weren’t. I’m
sorry.”
Her eyes softened and she offered Zach a small smile.
“As long as we’re okay. Listen, both of you. After
I’m done with this soup, we’re heading down the
street to Aunt Mary’s. You can walk or wait until I’m
done to take the minivan.
Zach looked at me and said, “What do you want to
do?”
“Heels,” I said. “I am not walking there in
heels.”
Sorry I posted it so late
today!