Eli’s heart was racing. He hadn’t felt half this nervous or scared when he’d come out to his parents, why was he feeling it now? He shook his head, “No, not Charlie. Not anymore, Zach.” He answered, finally letting his head drop to look at Zach in the eyes – it’s what he deserved. But Eli couldn’t help the fact that his own eyes were wide with fear and emotion. He’d never wanted to run so much in his life yet he was rooted to the spot. He had to see the reaction, had to see the disgust and resentment before he could completely write Zach off… it was what he’d been preparing himself for.
Charlie was all Zach knew. All he ever wanted to know. And being corrected, being told she was gone and dead just felt cruel. That was someone he loved more than anything and anyone in the world. It was that second that Zachary Kane lost the fight and his chin nearly fell to his chest, his eyes glued to the dirt as he felt his heart slowly be torn apart. It took a while before he could even begin to speak, he was suddenly thrust into mourning and expected to accept it all at once. “How long?” His voice was low and raspier than usual, the signs of pain clear in the tone.
