Chapter 23 -
Now, I thought about it over the movie, if I should tell Kim what was said. I really didn't want her to freak out and break up with me over a threat. But I knew I had to do something, something to make sure she would be safe. I know this might seem crazy, maybe even a little rash..... but my brothers' and I had been talking about moving to New York to work on the new album, and now, more than ever it seemed like a good idea.
We decided that the movie was enough to satisfy the need to get out of the house for a while, so we went home. When we got home, everyone crowded around me, handing me the gifts they had bought. Taylor got me a couple new pairs of drum sticks, which were pretty cool. I had a thing about collecting weird colored ones. He also got me a pair of dark blue suede pants, they were kind of cool, but looked more like something he'd wear! Ike got me a couple of CD'd that I had been wanting, you can never have too many Van Halen CD's. Mom and dad got me a couple of vintage t-shirts. Who knew that there were so many Led Zepplin and Def Leppard t-shirts out there?
"Thank you everyone." I put on a small smile, I knew I couldn't manage anything more than that. Lauren's words played over and over in my mind. 'I'm gonna kill her Zac, she's a bitch!'
"Zac, are you ok? You don't look so good." Kim asked as she placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Uh huh, I'm fine. I think I just need to go upstairs and lay down or something. I'm....... not feeling so good." I was getting so used to lying about things lately, I was actually starting to believe myself!
"Well, why don't you go up and take a nap or something. Kim's right, you look a little pale." Isaac said as he picked up some of the wrapping paper from the floor.
"Hey Ike, can you and Tay come upstairs with me for a minute. I really need to talk to you guys." I stood up and walked toward the stairs, both of my older brothers' in tow behind me. I wasn't sure how I was going to ask them to move with me, I would just have to do it. I knew I'd have to explain the sudden change of heart, and I knew it had to happen as soon as possible.
We made it up to my room and I shut the door gently. They stood there with their arms folded over their chests, waiting to hear what it was I had to say.
"Well? What is it?" Taylor asked raising his eyebrow at me.
"I think we need to move to New York. I decided that it's a good idea."
"What? Since when? You were totally against the whole thing a month ago!" Isaac said.
I knew that! I had utterly refused to move to New York before, it was like moving to an entirely different country! Tulsa was home, and New York was........ well, New York.
"I know, but I think it's a good idea now. I just changed my mind, ok?"
"Bullshit Zac. What's going on? You never 'just change your mind'. And we're not leaving this room until you tell us what's going on, and why you're suddenly so eager to move." Taylor looked over at Isaac and Isaac nodded his head in response.
I knew that I couldn't win a fight against the both of them, and frankly, I didn't feel like fighting anyway.
"Fine, Lauren called earlier. When we were at the movies, and she said some pretty nasty stuff. She told me that she saw Kim and I, our picture together, and she flipped out. She said that she's gonna kill Kim. Now, I'm moving to New York with Kim, whether you two jerk-offs go with me or not. But I will be there to protect her as best as I can. I will not let anything happen to her." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was pissed off, yet I wanted to cry again. What was wrong with me? I was turning into..... well, a baby!
"Whoa, dude. Calm down, ok. Lauren said that? Exactly those words?" Isaac asked putting his arm around my shoulder.
"Yes Ike, she said she was gonna kill Kim!"
"Jesus man, this is bad. What did you say to her?"
"I told her not to call me again, and that if she showed up at anymore shows I'd have her arrested. I threw in a few nasty words here and there, but I was mad! She had no right. But damn it Taylor, I don't know what to do."
"Well, I guess there's only one thing we can do. New York it is." Isaac said quietly.
"R....... really?" I asked, looking over at him.
"Yeah man, wherever you go, we go. There isn't a band without you, remember?"
"Taylor? What do you think?" I asked quietly.
"Well, I think this Lauren bitch has a serious problem, but Ike's right. I'm behind you no matter what. So yeah, New York, here we come!"
My brothers' got some serious brownie points that day. I had never asked anything so serious from them, but they were behind me and I loved them more than I could ever tell them!
Now, to figure out a way to tell Kim...... and our parents!
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