The Girl Who Writes And The Boy Who Likes Her

Journal Entry 1

She told me to write it down. That it would help me to see things clearer by letting my feelings out in my writing. She promised me that would keep me going without her. With her soothing voice, she assured me that I would work things out soon.

I know the truth now, the woman I trusted had lied to me. I was the puzzle she couldn't solve; I was the one patient she couldn't fix.

Dad would remain dead, while I left him behind to move halfway across the country. I wanted to hate mum for making me move, but I couldn't. I wanted to hate her new boyfriend but I couldn't. Even though he had been dad's best friend, I still couldn't hate him. Dad died because of me, so the only person I could ever blame and hate was myself.

Chapter 1

Zachary, where are you going? a soft feminine voice made Zach stop and stifle a groan. He had hoped to sneak past his mum without too much hassle, now his stealth seemed useless.

Out, Mum. He answered as carefree as he could.

Get in here first, young man, there is something I need to discuss. Her voice turned stern so he knew this was going to take a while. He texted his mate Baz that he was going to be late before walking into the kitchen.

As usual, his mum had an apron wrapped around her as she baked what looked like tiny little quiches. A messy ponytail contained her light brown hair, while her hands and face appeared covered with what looked like flour. She smiled at him and her brown eyes, just like his, sparkled. He went to snatch up one of the cooling quiches that smelt delicious but she smacked his hand with her wooden spoon.

His mum, Pippa was a caterer. She was forever in the kitchen cooking up delicacies for one different event or another, making their house smell scrumptious. His dad, Michael was a dentist. Zach often laughed at his parents for how opposite they were.

If his mum catered a children's party, his dad would spend all his time tutting under his breath about cavities or other dental problems. His parent's loved each other and for that, Zach was grateful. He had seen some of his friends go through the pain of divorce and it had often been unpleasant for all involved.

Okay, so what did you want to talk about? Zach asked as he seized one of the quiches and popped it into his mouth before she could demand it back. She scowled at him while he returned an innocent smile at her.

You know how we organised a cruise this year? Pippa asked and Zach nodded.

Yeah, so?

We’re not comfortable leaving you here alone so I found the perfect solution. She finished with a tap of her spoon on the tray.

Zach’s heart dropped. He had looked forward to that week by himself. He should've known it was too good to be true. His parents fretted over him too much.

Lay it out there, Mum; the suspense is killing me here. Zach used his driest tone, which made his mother sigh.

I know you think you're old enough to be left on your own but I would worry far too much...

Mum, I'm nearly fifteen. He grouched.

My best friend, as you know is moving here the week before we leave and she has offered you to stay with her and her family. Pippa told him and Zach groaned. Great! Now he would be with people he didn't know for a week rather than celebrating on his own.

Mum! he whined in protest.

That's what we decided and you had better behave at June's. She's gone through enough in the last few years to not be troubled by another teenager. At that, his mother slapped the wooden spoon down on his knuckles that were creeping towards another tasty quiche.

Ouch, Mum! he rubbed at his hand while she smirked.

We are going out to dinner with them the week before you have to stay with them, so you can get to know them a bit. She explained while he nodded. His parents had decided his fate whether he wanted to agree or not.

Great, can I go now? he pointed towards the door so she sent him off with a swish of her hand.

Be back by curfew, mister. She called out to him and he yelled back an agreement.

Zach’s agitation grew as he went to meet his friends, knowing he would have to tell them the bad news wasn't helping. His week alone had disappeared. Now he had to deal with people he’d only heard about in conversation before. People he would have to tiptoe around as well, if what his mum said was true.

Gone was his freedom to do what he wanted. He was now in the control of some woman named June. With his week destroyed, he started to prepare himself for the worst week of his life.

Time seemed to speed him towards the arrival of his mother's best friend from high school and his week's incarceration with her. Zach found himself growing irritated the closer it got.

His friends annoyance about the news of his incarceration didn’t go down well either. They had all expected to have parties, movie nights, and even being able to hang out all night. Now they had nothing.

Tonight his family were going to meet the best friend's family. Apparently, they had started moving in yesterday so it was time for the friends to catch up. Zach was furious about it.

He tugged on his worn jeans and stared at the button down shirt Pippa had ironed for him. The temptation to crumple it up and throw it in the pile of other dirty clothes in his room rumbled through him. Instead, he sighed and pulled it on. His mother never expected too much from him and he knew she was excited to see her friend. He decided to suck it up and try to put on a moderate happy face.

They drove to a restaurant that his family had never been to before. It looked lavish and expensive making Zach want to groan. There was no way he would get a filling dinner from here. This was the kind of place that served tiny portions of food that were overpriced and never filling enough.

June! Pippa called in a happy tone.

Zach looked over to where Pippa dashed off too. An elegant blonde woman beamed at his mother as they hugged each other. They began to start chatting away and Zach tuned out.

June, I’m sure you would like to meet my husband and son, Pippa pulled her friend over to where Zach and his father stood. This is Michael and Zachary.

Pippa beamed with pride at her family. Zach meanwhile tried not to fidget as June gushed over his father about how long since they had all seen each other. They all went quiet for a moment, before June pushed a smile to the forefront and turned to Zach.

Hello, Zachary, I hear you are coming to stay with us next week? June said trying to break up the awkwardness.

Uh, yeah. Zach answered as his eyes darted between the blonde woman and the man who had arrived with her, who must be her partner.

This is Thomas, and back over there is my daughter, Emily. June said her voice dropping at her daughter's name.

Zach's eyes drifted over the smiling man who seemed friendly. He glanced at the girl and with certainty; he knew his jaw dropped open. She was the most gorgeous girl he had ever seen. Her long blonde hair hung down in a shiny, silky curtain. When she looked up, he saw beautiful moss green eyes and ruby lips that beckoned to him.

He raised his eyes to hers after travelling all over her slim, petite figure. Her intense sadness struck him, a deep running depression that seemed to swallow her whole. She didn't smile; in fact, she didn't even acknowledge his presence when he croaked out a greeting.

Before long, they group sat and Zach looked distastefully at the menu. It was as he expected tiny portions and ridiculous prices. Emily sat opposite him but he wasn't sure what to say to her. She didn't once look at the menu; she stared across the room with a blank look.

When the waiter came to take their orders, she said nothing but her mother raised her brows. She still kept quiet so her mother ordered for her. The beautiful Emily went back to staring and Zach cleared his throat hoping to distract her from her thoughts.

Emily, is it? I'm Zach, he said trying to sound confident but knowing it came out awkward. She turned those stunning eyes to him before returning to her staring. So are you going to come to my school? he babbled but once again, there was no response.

I'm sorry, Zachary, but Emily doesn't talk much. June leaned over to tell Zach who frowned at the girl in confusion.

He wanted to know why. He had so many questions that he wanted answered about her. Why was she so sad? She sat there in her long black skirt and baggy dark blue shirt, not even seeming aware of the world outside her own. What had happened to make her like this? Zach noticed her mother sending her worried glances every now and then, which only made him more curious.

Their food arrived and Zach tucked in straight away. It wasn't enough to fill him but it was delicious. He watched Emily from the corner of his eye. She hardly ate anything. She pushed the food around on her plate far more than she put in her mouth. Her mother noticed too because around the happy chatter at the table she scowled at her daughter.

Eat, Emily. Her mother insisted and the younger girl put a spoonful in her mouth in an automatic response.

Zach was surprised that Thomas said nothing to Emily. He too occasionally looked at her as if she was an unsolvable puzzle. Maybe Thomas wasn't her father, Zach thought to himself, realising that they looked nothing alike. Thomas had olive skin where Emily was pale like her mother. Thomas had dark hair and eyes, which was also the complete opposite to Emily.

Zach thought over things as he ate. His week at their house may at least find answers. They seemed like nice enough people so perhaps it wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

Monday morning dawned and Zach dragged himself to school. Only five days left of normality before he had to go and stay with the Dawson family. He was still wondering whether it would be a good thing or a bad thing. Then he thought of the mystery of Emily and that made him want to stay with them.

He sat with his friends at their usual spot beneath one of the wattle trees out by the front gates. He was taunting his mate Baz when one of the girls let out a gasp before laughing.

Looks like we've got another weird one in our midst. His friend Alyssa pointed. Zach turned and saw Emily looking awkward on the outside of everyone's groups.

Hey, leave her alone. Zach surprised himself when he defended her and Alyssa looked shocked at his reaction.

He walked straight over to her, not giving a damn what his friends thought. He knew the guys would check her out, hadn't he when he first saw her? She had looked defenceless and alone so he couldn't leave her at the hands of some of the jerks at this school. Which he knew included some of his best friends.

She continued to look at the ground as people walked past her, staring at her with blatant curiosity. Once again, she wore dark blue and black but he knew it didn't mean she was weird. She had a genuine sadness about something and Zach wanted to know what it was.

Hey, Emily! he called out and the girl turned to him with a jerky move as if she hadn't expected anyone to know her. Those moss green eyes of hers met his with surprise, fear and sadness. Do you need to get your schedule and everything? Zach asked with a grin.

He reached out to touch her shoulder in a friendly gesture. She flinched away from him so he pulled his hand back. Her stare turned fearful and he wanted to curse himself for being such a fool.

Come on, Emily, and we'll get all your stuff sorted out okay? he gestured that they should start walking so she followed him.

Sensing eyes on him, he turned back to his friends who were darting questioning looks at him, but he shrugged and kept moving. He wasn't going to abandon the poor girl, especially knowing he had to spend a week at Emily's house.

Comparing their schedules, he noticed they only had English together. That was also the one class some of his friends were in too. He handed Emily all her things and her earlier panic seemed to increase. Luckily, they had English first so he could help her if she needed it.

He led the silent Emily to her homeroom, which was down the hall from his. It made him uncomfortable leaving her there but he explained things before he left. He was never sure if she understood because she never once responded.

I'll see you after homeroom, Emily, and then we can go to English together. Zach told her while all she did was continue to stare at him.

Emily watched Zach walk away with a confident stride. He slapped the guy who approached him a high five and they began to talk. As he went to go into the classroom down the hallway, he turned back to look at her and smiled. It was a genuine smile, one both welcoming and kind. She hadn't had anyone treat her so nice for such a long time that her heart clenched but filled with warmth.

So new girl, how do you know Zach? an angry voice asked, interrupting her thoughts.

She turned and stared at the girl. Emily had seen this girl talking to Zach earlier before he had come over to help her. Emily didn't answer her but she looked at the girl who seemed furious.

Weird and mute, this should be interesting. The girl sneered before laughing.

Alyssa, stop being so mean. Another girl chided before they moved into the room together.

Emily looked back to the classroom where Zach had disappeared into and her heart lurched again. A crowd of kids came around the corner heading straight for her so she slipped into a chair. The dread and panic flared as the whole room stared at her for a moment.

Hello, gorgeous, welcome to Thompson Creek high. Where have you been all my life? a guy sat down next to her and Emily stared at him wide eyed before moving her chair away from him.

Yeah, good luck Jer, I think she's mute. The girl Alyssa said with a laugh before the teacher walked into the room.

Emily tried to breathe through the anxiety clutching at her chest as the teacher called her name. She couldn't answer, not even a simple nod. This was a bad idea her coming to school. She should have stuck with a tutor who could learn to deal with her funny quirks, her panic attacks, and her inability to communicate.

All eyes fell to her and the whole classroom kept on staring. She couldn't move. She froze between a panic attack and a heart palpitation. At that moment, the door opened and everyone turned to see who it was. Zach walked in the door with a confident smile on his handsome face. He walked straight to her desk, his warm brown eyes alight as he handed her a piece of paper.

Don't you touch her, Jer, Zack aimed the firm words at the guy next to her whose mouth popped open. Sorry to interrupt but my schedule and Emily's got mixed up. Oh, and Mr Cotton, this is Emily Dawson. With that, he walked straight back out of the room and everyone stared after him in shock.

Making friends already, Miss Dawson. The teacher sounded sarcastic before gesturing to everyone to get back to what they were doing.

Emily tuned the world around her out as she picked up her writing pad. She let her characters flow thorough her onto the paper and she was able to relax. The bell had rung but she was in her own world and never noticed.

Hey, Emily, we have to get a move on or we'll be late for English. She heard her name and looked up to see Zach standing over her waiting.

Where was she again? Oh, yeah, school. She snapped back into things and regretfully stowed her writing away. She had to focus, as much as she wanted to keep writing she couldn't. She followed Zach out with a sigh, realising the hallways were almost empty of people.

She didn't dare get her writing pad out for the rest of the day, which was harder than it had seemed in the beginning. She turned her focus to schoolwork and all the complications it gave her.

Lunch was the most nerve wracking with all the raucous noise of everybody in one huge room together. Emily wasn't sure what to do or where to go so she stood there at the doors to the canteen.

Hey, there you are, Emily, come and join us. She heard Zach's voice in the crowd and relief filled her.

He had been so helpful to her today and she was grateful for his assistance. He gestured to a table full of people including the nasty girl Alyssa from this morning and the guy who had tried flirting with her. She went still and backed up a step.

Come on, Emily, these guys are my friends. Zach assured her but it didn't help to ease her anxiety.

He led her over to the table and all eyes turned to them. Zach started introducing them to her but she could only remember Alyssa, the brown haired girl from earlier. Then Jeremy who was the guy that sat next to her, as well as Meghan who seemed nicer than the other girl was. Once everyone had greeted her and Zach made her sit down, he left to get lunch.

Conversation stopped and they all turned to her. Her whole body tightened with anxiety as they stared. She tried hard to stamp down on the panic that threatened as she tried to breathe but it was impossible.

I think we need to get you up to speed here. Alyssa sent a sickly smile Emily's way.

Alyssa, don't be mean. Meghan insisted from the other side of the table.

I'm not, Alyssa rolled her eyes at her friend. Let me explain, we have all been friends for years. We don't like you coming in here and taking Zach away from us. Alyssa's words sounded sweet but Emily could hear the steel underneath.

The panic almost blinded her as she stood up to get away from that awful girl who Zach called a friend. She walked outside needing the crisp, autumn air to fill her lungs. She heard her name called out but she never once turned back.

Tears stung her eyes. So much for her mother's idea of getting a new start. Even here, she was shunted off to the side or criticized for what she appeared to be. Zach had seemed so kind to her, which only led to disaster. Had it all been an act?

Maybe this was the curse that had seemed to follow her since her father's death. No matter where she went, it appeared that she was doomed to a life of unhappiness and depression.

Journal entry 2

Zach's coming over to stay with us tonight. I'm nervous as much as my anxiety is biting at me. The truth is all this week he has been nothing but nice to me. His friends are a different story. Either they have been mean or they ignored me.

It was obvious to me now that Alyssa liked Zach and for some stupid reason she sees me as a threat. Did she think I was taking Zach from her? I felt sorry for Zach. He would be stuck with me for the next week whether he liked it or not.

Chapter 2

Zach packed his bag, still of two minds whether to beg his parents to let him stay at home. He hated to say it but being around Emily was awkward. It was as if he talked to himself when trying to converse with her. He knew none of his friends seemed