Read Chapter One: Part One before reading this or it won't make sense. I had to split them up because it was such a huge chapter. Enjoy!
"Oh. . . okay." I murmured. I stood there, motionless, as Zach found a suitcase and began cramming it with my clothes. He crept into the hall for a moment, despite my silent protests, and came back with various toiletries. Once the suitcase was bursting with clothes, photos of him and me, shoes, and miscellaneous items, Zach zipped it shut.
I couldn't believe we were doing this---at seventeen, we were just out of high school, had no way of income, and no place to go.
"Zach. . ." I trailed off. I was going to suggest we wait, but Zach interrupted me.
"Riley, your stepfather beats you, your mother doesn't protect you, and your friends don't know." Zach said, his voice still placid. "That leaves me. I, for one, plan on protecting and providing for you."
It was so sweet, yet we were crazy teens. He said all of the right things, but when I needed him most I feared he would leave. "Zach, this is absurd. We're not even married and we don't have jobs or a substantial amount of
money or. . ."
Again, Zach disrupted me. "Look, Ry. I've saved up since I was eight for a car, when my parents bought me one, I kept all the money. I have enough for us to live on until I get a job. And. . ."
Zach kneeled down, glancing up at me anxiously. "I didn't want to do it this way, but Riley, I love you, okay?" He inhaled air hungrily, then continued speaking. "I want to be with you forever. I know we're young. Let's face it, though, I need you."
"Zach."
Ignoring me, Zach added, "You need me too." Biting his lip, he said evenly, "Riley, will you marry me?"
I wasn't sure. He was Zach, my best friend since the second grade. He ha always been there for me, we had begun dating at fourteen, and we'd always loved each other, either in a relationship or friendship aspect. Yet, we were so young. Then again, he wanted to take me away from all of my problems, save me from a family that could only destroy me.
"It doesn't even have to be soon," Zach said, "You could just be my fiancé for a while. I can wait however long." Zach gulped, his knee was shaking. "I do want this. I've been thinking about it a while now. They always say to have a husband that's also your best friend, well here you go. Just think ab---"
"Yes." I replied, surprised I wasn't crying again. Zach was too sweet.
Zach blinked. "Yes? That's it? We're getting married someday?"
"Yes. I want to marry you. I love you." I said simply, but on the inside I was excited. Zach loved me, we were getting married. One day.
"Alright." Then, ever-so-sheepishly, he added, "I don't have a ring. I'm sorry."
I strode over to the window. "That's alright," I slid through the window, feet first. "Are you coming or not?"
Zach grabbed my suitcase and clambered through, shutting the window behind him. We managed to slide off the roof, and almost hurt ourselves in the process. My suitcase provided as a nice cushion as we slipped off, though.
We climbed into Zach's car. He slung his arm around my seat and smiled at me. "Where to?"
lol