"Marnie?" A random girl taps my shoulder as Zoey and I walk through the corridor to math. I don't recognise her. She's a pretty blonde girl with bright blue eyes.

"Yeah?"

"Um, my names Jennifer, hi," she waves.

I laugh, "Hi."

"So, since your friends with Zeke, could you ask him to return my calls. He's probably been too busy to answer but it's been weeks," she giggles, nervously.

Poor girl.

"Okay, but you shouldn't hold your breath with him. He's a player, and you could find someone a lot better."

She raises her eyebrows at me, "Wow."

"What?"

"Aubrey was right."

Oh God.

"About what?"

"You like Zeke."

Okay, seriously? She got that from me trying to help her?

"Calm down crazy," Zoey laughs, "Don't get mad at Marnie just because Zeke actually answers her calls."

Actually, he doesn't. But I decide not to tell her that.

Jennifer gasps in an over exaggerated way then struts down the corridor.

"Somebody forgot to take her medication this morning," Zoey rolls her eyes. "Why didn't the bitch just find him herself?"

"It's not easy." Zeke is always hiding somewhere at school. He's not even trying. Everyone thinks he's with some vulnerable girl in the janitors closet or something, but I don't think so. If he wanted a make out session with someone he wouldn't go somewhere private for it. He doesn't care enough. And he's says he's not desperate enough to hook up with someone at school.

I sit through my classes, taking notes on everything the teachers say and being the best I can be, as usual. Then the lunch bell rings, and I go to the cafeteria in a good mood and find Isaac on the way there.

"Why are you so happy?" He asks as we stand in the lunch line.

I shrug, "Life's good right now."

"Congratulations. That's a big achievement," he ruffles my hair.

"What problems do you have going on right now?"

He sighs and looks around the cafeteria, his eyes landing somewhere. "It's nothing. How are you and Mason?"

"We're good."

He nods, "Have you seen Zeke?"

"No, why?"

"Just wondering," his eyes move to the cafeteria door.

We get our food and he asks me to take his to the table while he goes to the bathroom, so I take it and sit with Zoey and Cole. They sound like they're arguing.

"Marnie! Finally, you're here," Zoey sighs.

"Marn, tell Zoey to stop hating me," Cole says.

"You've already told me to tell her than three times today," I sit down beside Zoey and put Isaac's food next to Cole.

"Tell her to tell me why she hates me then."

"I don't fucking hate you, Cole!" Zoey yells, "You're just fucking annoying and I wish you'd leave me alone."

Cole looks shocked as he visibly winces at her words. "Fine. I'll leave you alone," he sounds angry and gets up from the table and starts to walk away.

"Cole-" I call after him but am interrupted when Isaac and Zeke come into the cafeteria. Isaac is walking backwards fast as he holds his hands up, and a very angry looking Zeke storms after him.

"Zeke, would you stop!" Isaac yells.

"Not until I kill you," Zeke barks back at him. He catches up to him and grabs him by the collar of his shirt, then punches him.

I gasp and run to the scene, then notice Maggie is there, pulling on Zeke's arm.

"Let him go! Stop, Zeke!" She yells.

Oh God what the heck is going on?

Zeke punches Isaac again and Cole runs over, pulling him off of him but succeeding more than Maggie was.

"What the fuck, dude?" Cole yells as he tries to control Zeke.

"I caught him making out with Maggie," Zeke yells, his eyes on Isaac who has blood running from his nose. "Who knows what else they're been fucking doing! And for how long."

Oh God.

This day has took quite the turn. It's been about ten minutes of having no problems.

Everyone is gathered round, some people are recording. Seriously?

"Dude, we were going to tell you-"

"Tell me what?" Zeke cuts Isaac off, "That you're dating now? My little sister? Or are you just fucking?"

"Zeke, shut up!" Maggie looks around at everyone watching, embarrassed.

"You weren't supposed to find out like this," Isaac says calmly.

Zeke manages to get out of Cole's grasp and grabs ahold of Isaac and throws him to the ground. I quickly rush to Isaac's side, making sure Zeke doesn't do anything that'll cause serious damage.

"Stop hurting him!" I yell at Zeke. His eyes soften for a moment before they turn angry again.

"Why are you defending him? He's been sleeping with my fucking sister!"

Maggie comes over and helps Isaac up. It probably wasn't the best thing to do though because Zeke looks like he's about to explode from anger. I didn't know he was this protective of Maggie.

I stand in his way as he tries to go to Isaac again. "I know she's your sister but you can't hurt him like this. He's your friend."

"Everyone move out the way!" Someone yells as they come through the crowd.

It's one of the cooks. She gasps as she takes in Isaacs bloody face. Other teachers come in too, one of them is principal Sanchez.

"Zeke Blakely!" He yells, "Come with me right now."

"It wasn't his fault," Isaac tells him, "I started it."

Why is he taking he blame after what Zeke just did to him?

"Shut up, Isaac. I don't need your fucking help," Zeke tells him and walks out of the cafeteria with Sanchez.

"Shit," Isaac mumbles when they're gone. He sits down and Maggie hands him some tissues to wipe his face.

"Are you okay?" I ask, sitting beside him.

"Yeah. Zeke won't be. He shouldn't have fucking done that. I told him if he wants to hurt me he can do it somewhere else. Not fucking here."

"I don't understand," I look at Maggie for answers.

"My Dad is going to kill him," she explains.

Oh God.

Cole laughs, "Count on Isaac to be worrying about Zeke while he's getting the shit beat outa him."

"Shouldn't you go to the nurses office or something?" Maggie asks.

"No, they'll tell Sanchez a load of shit about how bad it is." Isaac pulls the bloody tissues away from his nose and Maggie hands him more.

I can't believe Zeke would do this. I know he has a temper but how could he do this to one of his best friends? I'm worried about what his dad will do though. Zeke's probably gonna get suspended for this, and I have a feeling his dad won't be too happy to hear that.

+++

"Thank you for coming, Marnie," Evelyn gushes as I enter their house. "I need to get back to work, and Zeke's dad will be leaving soon," She lowers her voice to say the next thing, "Zeke usually makes bad choices after a visit from Paul, so please, just keep an eye on him."

I nod, "Of course."

She smiles gratefully, "Thank you, dear."

When she leaves, I walk around the house looking for Maggie. The downstairs is empty so she must be in her room or out somewhere. I walk upstairs, trying to keep quiet so Paul won't hear, and as I reach the top, I hear his voice coming from Zeke's bedroom.

"Do you know how embarrassing it was to have to leave my work and have a meeting with your school Principal about my delinquent of a son?" He's yelling so loud I can hear everything he's saying perfectly clear. "You are an embarrassment, Ezekiel! When are you going to grow up?"

Not wanting to hear anymore, I knock on Maggie's door before going in. She's lying on her bed, a worried expression on her face.

"It's been going on for so long," she says, "I wish he'd leave."

I sit on her bed. You can still hear the shouting from in here, but I try not to listen.

"Why did Zeke react that way when he saw you guys?" I ask after a couple minutes silence.

Maggie sits up, leaning her back on the headboard. "Zeke is the player. He knows how much he hurts girls, and he doesn't want that to happen to me," she pauses. "I think because our dad is never around, he's just went into the role of man of the house. He doesn't let me have guys over and would literally kill any guy who hurt me."

It's nice to know that Zeke has a protective and caring side to him. Even though he knew he was gonna get into trouble for what he did, he did it anyway because he cares so much about his sister.

"How long has it been going on with you and Isaac?"

She thinks for a moment, "Three months I think. Stuff had been going on between us, but he only officially asked me to be his girlfriend recently."

"I always thought you guys acted weird around each other. I just didn't think this would be why."

Maggie's bedroom door opens, revealing Paul. He glances at me for a second then looks at Maggie.

"I am leaving now, Maggie. I will see you soon," he doesn't hug her or anything. Maggie just nods and he leaves.

Once i'm sure he's gone, I stand up and tell Maggie that I'm going to check on Zeke, then walk to his door and knock. He doesn't answer, so I decide to just walk in.

He's sitting on the edge of his bed with his back to me, his head in his hands. When he hears me come in, he turns around. And my heart drops.

His right cheek is completely red, indicating that he's been slapped. Hard.

"Oh my god," my jaw drops slowly. He turns away. I walk over and sit beside him. He's doing his leg shaking thing again, he's been doing it a lot lately.

"Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Go home, nerd."

"Your face-"

"I said I am fine," he interrupts me. "Just go." Looking into his eyes, I know he doesn't want me to go. If I go he'll use cigarettes and alcohol to replace me.

"No."

He doesn't argue.

"Do you want some ice?"

He shakes his head. I want to do something to help him. The thought of Zeke's dad slapping him is making me feel sick. How could anyone hurt him? How could he hurt his own son? Zeke only did what he did because he cares. Yes, maybe he could go at it a different way, but violence is the only way he knows. That's not his fault.

Maybe if his dad was around more then he'd know how to handle his temper. He'd also know the proper way to treat girls.

"Some girl called Jennifer told me to tell you to call her," I say, wanting to take his mind off of this.

He furrows his eyebrows, "I don't recall knowing a Jennifer."

I laugh, "That's not surprising. Someone could tell you their name and you'd forget it within one minute."

"I didn't forget yours though."

That's true. I was surprised when he said my name that time in the corridor the day after I babysat him.

"I feel special,"

"You are," he watches me intently, waiting for my reaction.

"Zeke?" Maggie interrupts, standing at the door.

"I do not want to talk to you," Zeke says, standing up and walking to the door, about to close it in her face.

"Why not? You're the one who punched my boyfriend. Where's my apology?"

This girl has a death wish.

"He is not your boyfriend," Zeke glares at her. "I'm getting mom to give you the sex talk tonight, by the way."

"There's no need, I figured it out myself."

He does a sarcastic smile, "Haha aren't you a smart cookie. Now move," he drops the smile and pushes her out his room.

"Oh do you want some alone time with your carrot?"

Carrot? What?

"Shut the fuck up," he slams the door.

"What is she talking about?" I laugh.

Zeke bites his lip, "Nothing. Maggie just gets confused sometimes and starts talking about carrots. You should hear the shit she says in her sleep," he laughs nervously.

"He's lying!" Maggie shouts from the other side of the door. "Carrot means-"

"Shut up or i'll tell Isaac you fucked our cousin!" Zeke shouts over her.

"I did not do that!"

"He won't know that!"

"You're a dick," she kicks the door and the sound of her bedroom door slamming echoes through the house.

Zeke clears his throat, "So, you hungry? What do you want to eat? And don't say carrots. I never want to hear that word again."

+++

teaser: mason fucks up

what'd u think of zeke gong cray cray at Isaac?

ly

-e