Chapter Text
Zakharia's POV
I love you. It's a strange way to express admiration and adoration. The saying itself is strange. The meaning of the word descends to such deep levels for one to truly understand. Yet people say it so easily as if it's the same as saying "hi."
I myself have never said the word, not even to my own parents. Except there's one thing person that I could ever get myself to say it to. One problem, she's my enemy. And that's not even the worst part, she's my boyfriend's sister. Nonetheless, I still love like her. The second I saw her I was completely flabbergasted. How could one be as utterly beautiful as her? She felt like a dream. Her hair, eyes, lips voice- everything really- is just indescribable. I know that I shouldn't love like her, but who wouldn't?
"Kenz, could you come here for a second?" Max asked. It sounded more like a demand rather than a request. Mackenzie appeared from her room. She was wearing clothes that her brother would never let her go out in. Damn...
I mentally tried running away from the thoughts that appeared in my head. I wanted to kiss her so, so bad. I restrained myself from tackling her onto the floor and ruining her right in front of her brother- my boyfriend. Max looked nervous, his eyebrows slightly furrowed and his lips trembling. I gave his hand that I was already holding a soft reassuring squeeze, flashing him a rare smile.
"Yeah, what do you need?" Mackenzie said, glaring at me with a small frown. When Max looked back at her I gave her a devious smirk, causing her to roll her eyes. "I'm leaving Zak in charge of you until I come back," he sighed. "What? Why? Where are you even going?" she bombarded him with questions. "I'm studying abroad for the year in Europe and he's the only one I can trust to not do anything to you," he explained.
I'm the last person he should be able to trust, especially with his sister. I knew what he meant by "doing anything to her." He meant fucking her senseless. I can't promise that, though. I guarantee that I will within the first month of staying with her. I didn't tell him that, of course. If I did then I wouldn't be able to see either of them, which I would be fine with if Mackenzie wasn't on the line.
She knew that there was nothing that she could do about it. "Fine, when are you leaving?" Mackenzie then asked. Max paused a second before responding. "Tomorrow..." he muttered. "And you decided to tell me now?!" she yelled at him. I didn't want to get in the middle of this, mainly because I knew how these fights ended. "Maz, it's okay. I know that you didn't have the determination to tell her. It's not your fault," I whispered into his ear, sending chills down his spine. He glanced at me with a somewhat motivated smile.
Mackenzie stomped out of the room in disgust and frustration. "I'll go check on her, you stay right here, 'kay?" I told him. Max nodded his head as he watched me stand up and head straight to her room. A left, then another left, go forward by 6 steps. I did this at least a couple times every month. Coincidentally for the same reason each time. Max is too scared to tell Mackenzie something and she gets mad about it. It always gets on my nerves.
I knocked on her closed door that was previously slammed shut when she dramatically walked out. She already knew that it was me since Max would just open the door, but unlike him I respect- or at least try to- respect her privacy. "What do you want?" she said in an annoyed tone. "Calm down, I just want to talk," I responded. Mackenzie groaned and I could hear her drag herself to the door. When she finally opened the door I greeted her with a sarcastic smile and immediately went inside her room.
She turned around, rolling her eyes once more. God, I wanna make those eyes roll back. I sat down on her bed and patted the spot right next to me, gesturing for her to sit down. At that exact moment the most gut-retching things popped into my head.
"Look Kenz, you know that he didn't mean to make you mad," I started. "So how come he told you, but not me, his own sister?" she shakily asked. "That's not something for me to answer. If you really wanna know, ask Maz," I said. I didn't want to lie to her, she's different from Max. She sighed and leaned back, laying on her back. "I'm sorry for all of the trouble I've caused," she apologized after a few minutes of pure silence. "It's alright," I commented.
I heard Mackenzie yawn, "I'm going to bed now," she then said. I nodded my head and stood up, walking towards the door. I paused at the doorway. "Goodnight, Kenz," I said, a little bit above a whisper. "G'night, Zak," she responded. I gave her a soft smile before fully exiting the room.
"Is she okay?" Max asked me as he saw me from down the hallway, also getting ready to go to sleep. "Yeah, don't worry your pretty little head off," I said as I walked up to him and ruffled his hair. He let out a small laugh before heading to his room. I was staying the night so I could help Max pack early.
I went to the guest room and grabbed some gray sweatpants from the dresser. I kept my clothes here since I was the only one who used this room. Afterwards, I proceeded to go to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. I liked feeling clean, even if I was about to go to bed.
I put my boxers and sweatpants on, leaving my shirt off since it gets pretty hot when I try to sleep. Emphasis on the try since I have insomnia and rarely sleep. I left the bathroom and went to Max and Mackenzie's room to do my regular nightly checkup on them. When I went to check on Max, he was already fast asleep. I set off for Mackenzie's room next.
To my surprise, she wasn't sleeping. She was reading a book. Reading a damn book. "Kenz, what are you doing?" I asked her, peeking through the doorway. Her gaze immediately shot to my chest. "Where's your shirt? And what are you even doing here?" she asked, demanding an answer. Her cheeks were tinted pink. "I was about to go to sleep, like you should be doing. And I always check on you and Maz before sleeping," I explained. I walked into her room and sat on the edge of her bed.
"What're you reading that's apparently more important than sleep?" I questioned somewhat sarcastically. I looked at the cover of the book, Shatter Me. "Shatter Me," she said. "I can see that, what's it about?" I asked. Mackenzie closed the book then turned it around to look at the summary on the back.
"No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but the Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time- and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever," she quoted from the book.
"Ew, is it some lovey-dovey romance?" I then asked. "It's a romantasy. Mainly fantasy but a bit of romance every now and then," she explained. "Same thing," I countered. "Not even close," she opposed. I rolled my eyes. "I'll leave you and your books alone now, don't go to sleep too late, alright?" I followed up with. Mackenzie nodded her head and instantly got absorbed into the book again.
I didn't get any sleep that night, per usual. I got up from bed around 5 A.M. after staring at the ceiling for 4 hours. I brushed my teeth and showered, the same as at night. I changed into a white tank top, boxers, and a different pair of gray sweatpants. I went to the kitchen and made breakfast; scrambled eggs, sausages, and chocolate chip pancakes. I laid everything down on the table along with a carton of orange juice.
Once I finished preparing breakfast, I went to wake Max up. I didn't wake Mackenzie since she didn't need to wake up early, unlike Max. He was leaving today to go study at Oxford.
"Maz, you awake?" I whispered from outside his door. I heard a groan then something crashing on to the floor. I quickly opened the door, "Is everything alright?" I looked down and saw Max laying on the floor with half of his blanket covering him. I sighed and walked over to him. "You gotta wake up, Maz," I whispered in his ear. I gave him a soft peck on his cheek in hopes to snap him back to reality.
"Mmm..." is all he said. "C'mon, you have to pack up," I told him. After a few minutes, Max finally got up and ate breakfast. The only downside is that we have less time to pack now.
By the time we finished packing, it was 7:30 A.M. and Mackenzie had already woken up. His flight left at 10 so we had a few more hours to do- I don't know- stuff...?
We ended up watching a movie to pass the time. Specifically The Polar Express, Max's choice. Mackenzie suggested watching The Grinch since the dog has the same name as Max. Except that's the exact reason why Max hates it. He doesn't have a certain reason, he just hates it.
It was 9:15 by the time the movie finished, the perfect amount to get to the airport and get him checked in. Thankfully there wasn't too much traffic since it was a Thursday. "Maz, promise me that you'll call me everyday," Mackenzie demanded. He patted her head and laughed. "I'll try my best, alright?" he responded. She nodded her head happily as she gave him a tight embrace. Once she let go I got my chance to say goodbye. "Make sure to update me everyday when you're free," I reminded him, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "I will." He was on the plane by 9:50.