"Jealousy is just a lack of self-confidence."

****************

Lilly's POV

Nerves jack-hammered my heart and wrapped around my throat, the anxiety slipping all over my spine as I stood there waiting for his reaction. I felt him stiffen a bit, shock and pure confusion emanated from his eyes in waves.

"Zack?" He asked, like he couldn't comprehend the thought, "How is this Zack's fault? I don't get it."

I swallowed down the nervousness tightening my throat and explained, "On the game day, they were going to pick up the best player on the team for a full scholarship, and Zack wanted that scholarship so bad, so he exchanged Chase's medicine with something else," The thought alone had anger rushing back to my chest and my jaw tightened, "It triggered his attack, which had the coach discarding him from the game, which removed the actual best player from Zack's way."

With every word I said, the shock in his eyes doubled and for a moment I got scared he might not believe me. Zack is his nephew after all. If he went and asked him, Zack would definitely decline this, "He didn't exchange the medicine back, which is the reason why Chase's health hasn't been that well all this time."

I noticed how his hand tightened over the desk and his gaze drifted down, still thinking this through. At his lack of words, my fear doubled, and I sucked into a deep breath, "I know you might not believe me, but-"

"No, no," He shook his head, his gaze falling back on me, "I believe you, of course, I am just," His eyebrows pulled closer, "I am just not able to process this, I never would think...never that Zack would even remotely think about doing something like this," The muscles of his jaw tightened, the shock in his eyes got replaced by anger, "It makes sense actually, Chase was taking his medicine but it wasn't even helping," He shook his head as the truth finally made sense in his brain.

He sat down on the chair, the gravity of the news pulling him down as a defeated breath left his lungs. He rubbed a hand over his face before he raked it through his hair, his eyes so lost, trying to drink in the feedback of what I just dropped over him.

I walked closer to the desk and added, "I didn't want to tell Chase about this, because he still cares about Zack, this...this would break his heart," The important thing is for Zack to never think of doing something like this, "I felt like telling you would be the best option, an adult should handle this, not us, you can...you can make sure Zack doesn't repeat this."

He nodded, his tone grateful, "You thought well, I am really glad you told me first," He tapped his fingers over the desk, as if trying to control himself and stay patient, "I will deal this," He shook his head, "Zack was always a troubled boy, but," His jaw tightened, "I never thought he would cross a line like this."

"You won't tell Chase, right?" I asked, worried.

"No," He shook his head and strictly added, "But I will make sure Zack never comes near him again, that's for sure." He got to his feet, "I should also talk with Chase's doctor about this," Worry creased lines over his forehead, "Oh god, I hope this doesn't have a long-term effect or something."

I nodded, "Yeah, please, I am worried about that too." I said as I reached for my bag and fumbled through its content, "I already replaced the medicine with the real one," I pulled the bottle I took from Chase's room and extended my hand to show it to him, "This is probably the one Zack used, you can show it to the doctor to see what it is."

He walked closer to me and took the bottle, he opened the cap and looked at its inside. When his eyes flickered back to me, his eyebrows pulled together, "How did you figure all of this out?"

I shrugged, "I just put two and two together," I said, "I confronted Zack about it and his reaction proved my accusation right."

His eyebrows pulled together, "His reaction?" He questioned before realization flashed in his eyes, "Lilly, did he hurt you?"

I pressed my mouth shut, not knowing what to say at the moment. I didn't want to add fuel to this fire. This is not about me, it's about Chase, and his health.

A furious breath left him, he rushed a hand over his face as he looked away, "Of course he did," Anger twisted his voice and his entire being buzzed with fury, "That's why they got into a fight yesterday," The rage pushed at his insides increasing the intensity of his tone, "I am gonna fucking kill him!"

My eyes widened as he went for the door. I immediately rushed after him, getting in his way and stopping him, "Please uncle Ashton, you need to calm down."

"How am I gonna calm down, he freaking hurt my son, he hurt you," Denial and pure fury darkened the blue of his eyes, it reminded me a lot of Chase, "I gave him everything, I just...I don't understand why!"

"I know that, I know, but," I can't believe I am the one being mature over here, "Chase is here and he can't see you angry like this," I added, "You can go and talk with Zack about all of this later."

His eyelids glided down, and he sucked into a deep breath, trying to regain control, "Chase is waiting for me," He said on a low whisper, more to himself than to me, "But I need to take care of this first."

He took his phone and typed something before he came beside me, his hand rested over my back, "Come on," He said, pulling me outside the office with him.

***********

Ashton's POV

In a matter of seconds only, everything felt different. After my talk with Chase, a weird sense of relief had rushed through my chest. But just like that, that relief was replaced by worry and anger. It consumed me in and shook the logical part of my brain; the part warning me that no matter what, Zack is still a kid, that he is my nephew, the one that I promised my sister that I will always take care of no matter what.

That part's voice was muted now. Nothing else mattered at the moment. Just one thing, that my son was hurt, by no one other than his cousin, the one that I always pushed him to get closer to.

Fuck. How did this happen, how did I let it happen?

I tried to get a grip over myself when my eyes spotted Chase, a few meters away, standing with Alex and talking about something.

When we reached them, Alex was the first to talk when his eyes fell on me, "Hey, look I am gonna leave now, beca-"

"You're not going anywhere, wait right here." I said before my eyes went to Chase, "Can we talk?" I asked and he confusingly nodded his head.

"What do you mean I am not going anywhere, what the hell," Alex started to whine and I thanked god that Lilly took his attention away as Chase and I walked a bit far from them.

"Something kind of urgent came up," I shook my head, already hating that I am canceling on him, "I am sorry, look I know we just talked about this," A low sigh parted my lips, "But this is so important, can we just postpone the golf for like an hour or two?"

He nodded his head, "Yeah, sure."

"I am really sorry, I-"

He smiled, "Dad, it's okay, you don't have to apologize." He added genuinely, "All I meant before that just don't over-exhaust yourself with work, for your health's sake at least, that's all."

My lips curved a smile and I shook my head, "You don't get to worry about me, that's my job," I added, and the thought had my chest tightening again. I laid my hand over his shoulder, "By the way, how do you feel today?" I asked, my eyebrows drawing closer, unable to hide the fear in my tone as I added, "Does anything hurt, do you-"

He shook his head, interrupting my series of questions, "No, I am fine," When he noticed the doubt in my eyes, he stressed out again, "Really, I kind of feel better lately."

"Still, I will talk with your doctor, we can go tomorrow for just a usual checkup, okay?" I asked, the plea in my tone had him nodding his head, agreeing with me, "Yeah, sure."

What Lilly just told me surged through my head again, tightening my chest and pressing. I still couldn't understand how Zack could be so reckless, so evil, to the point he'd physically cause any harm to Chase.

With my hand still over his shoulder, I couldn't help but pull him closer, wrapping my arms around him. My eyes pressed shut and my other hand pressed over the back of his neck, "I am really sorry, I never meant to hurt you in anyway," I said before I pulled back, "I promise I will never do that again." I promise I won't let anyone hurt you again.

The smile that came to his face after had my chest tightening even more, it was genuine and innocent. I will fucking kill Zack. "I am sorry too about last night," He said, "And about Zack, I can't promise you that we will be like before, what he did was wrong," He added, the muscles of his jaw tightened a bit, "But I can talk to him and try to fix this somehow."

I immediately shook my head, "No," I said and Chase's eyebrows pulled in confusion, "Don't, I...I can deal with this." I didn't want him near Zack anymore.

"Look bimbo, no way in hell I am waiting for you, I am leaving," Alex's voice interrupted our talk. I turned around to look at him, "No, you are not, you're coming with me, something came up."

"What the fuck-" he stared back at me dumbfounded, "I don't care, I was already gonna throw my work on you and I promised my daughter that-"

I interrupted him, "And I promised my son too, but this is kind of urgent."

"Dad, this looks more important, why don't you go with him," Lilly said, convincing her dad for my benefit, "And Chase can drop me off at home."

Chase nodded, "Yeah, I will drop her off, you two take care of your work."

Alex huffed, "God, do I hate you." He mumbled at me in annoyance and I rolled my eyes.

Chase took Lilly and I dragged Alex with me outside, "What it is so important now?" Alex whined again as he seated himself in the car.

"Well, I kind of need you to stop me from killing my nephew." I added casually as I took into the road.

His head shot to me, "Kill who and what?!"

I explained the rest to him; about what Zack did to Chase and how I needed him by my side now so I won't go bash crazy on Zack when I see him.

"This son of a bitch, I am gonna kill him!" Alex said, his eyes wide, "How dare he hurt Chase like that," He rushed a hand through his hair, "Stop by my house first, I need to get my gun, this bitch needs some real ass-kicking!"

"Okay, so maybe getting you along wasn't such a bright idea." I said with a sigh.

"I can't believe this," Alex mumbled as he rubbed at his jaw before he turned yo me, "You know, in every family, I swear in every family, there is that one evil envious bitch that ruins everyone's life, I swear."

My eyebrow raised, "Talking from experience?"

"Very much," He sighed, "Which is why we should be careful while dealing with him. Kids like Zack could either redeem themselves and become good or turn out to be one of the worst people in this world."

He added realizing that's the reason why I brought him along, "You can't let that happen." He stressed out.

"Yes," I said, "But he should learn that he can't hurt my son and get away with it."

"Of course, but how you deal with this could also just push him to do worse." Alex added and even though the logical part of me agreed, the anger brimming against my chest couldn't give a damn.

I turned to him, "And that's why you are here."

His jaw tightened, "You're giving me a responsibility I might not be able to handle."

I shook my head, "I disagree." I said, "You've always pulled me back from the edge."

He turned to me, "Well, you kind of did that to me as well," He mumbled lowly before his eyebrows pulled together realizing something, "Gosh, you really had to make this awkward by being such a girl and opening up about your feelings now," He huffed out and looked at the window, "I really hate you sometimes."

"You're really grumpy when Cara is away." I couldn't help but comment.

"Well yeah sure. No sex, equals moody me." He casually added and I shook my head with a sigh. You'd think after all these years I'd get used to his unfiltered mouth, but he just gets more creative with age.

It took us around half an hour to reach my sister's house. Having Alex talking non-stop helped in decreasing my anger's level a bit and I was more in control again. Alex followed along as I walked to the house and knocked. Zoe opened the door a few seconds later and greeted us, ushering us to get inside.

"Is Zack here?" I impatiently asked.

She nodded, "He just got home." She answered, "Why?"

"I just need to talk to him about something." I said as I headed for his room, "Alex, come on," I urged Alex to follow along as he had already opened some conversation with Zoe.

He followed and the closer I got, the more anger I felt creeping over my being. All I could see now is Chase's health deteriorating over the past month. How he was in pain, how he was hurt, for such a selfish and unnecessary reason.

The door of Zack's room was opened and the second my eyes fell on him, control and sense eluded me, leaving nothing but anger and rage. I immediately marched forward. He couldn't have a second to register my presence as my hand collided with his throat, wrapping around his skin and pushing backward till his back slammed against the wall.

His eyes grew wide and before I could mutter a single word, I spat my question at his face, "How dare you?!"

"Ashton," Alex said carefully, his hand over my shoulder, kicking me back in, "Let's not suffocate the kid before we hear what he has to say, okay?"

My fingers loosened from over his neck and I retreated it back. It curled into a fist as I stepped a bit away from him, my hand itching to put his head into the nearest wall.

Zack's shocked eyes drifted from me to Alex as he rubbed a hand over his neck, "What is...what is this about?" He asked, but the look in his eyes proved that he knows exactly what.

Rage curled in my chest and erupted through my tone, "It's about you hurting my son," I started, "It's about you stabbing him in the back for no apparent reason," I added, "I just need to know why, why would you go to the extent of physically causing him harm, and it can't be just a damn scholarship because you don't even need it! I would've given it to you and more!"

"That's exactly why," He answered, his eyebrow raising, "I don't want anything from you, because I am so sick of being your charity case!"

My eyebrows pulled together, "What the-" The thought of hitting him got more appealing at the moment, "Charity case?" I remarked, "That's what you got? You're my nephew Zack, your mother is my only sister, if I didn't take care of her, who would?"

"I can. I can take care of her, we don't need you." He answered ever so confidently, and I scoffed, "You? How? Tell me how, by getting drunk, or by skipping school and failing your classes or by getting into fights almost every day," I questioned, my eyebrow raising in accusation, "Or by using the drugs I once caught you use, tell me, how can you take care of anyone when you proved that you can't do one thing right?"

"Wow, you've got quite a reputation here buddy," Alex commented with amusement, "And I thought I was a bad boy in my times."

I shot Alex a glare shutting him up, while Zack's eyes kept their focus on me, anger flared in them at my accusations, "You have no right to talk to me like that," He stressed out, "You need to understand that you're not my father!" His voice raised, some deep buried fury seeped within his tone, "You are not, so stop acting like you are!"

"Yeah, I am not, but I am your uncle, you grew up in front of my eyes, I treated you like my son, for god's sake I loved you like one and in return what did you do?" I snapped, unable to keep myself in control, "You went and hurt the one person who did you no harm, and why, just because you don't want my money, is that it?"

He didn't say anything back, only infuriating me more. I edged forward, my fingers wrapping around the material of his shirt, pulling him closer, "Say something, for god's sake say you regret it, you don't mean it," I snapped, at least I thought he'd apologize, but he seems so confident about what he did, defending himself and his messed up motives.

I felt Alex's hand over my arm, pulling it away from Zack, "Okay, okay, let's make some distance," He said, placing his hand over Zack's shoulder, urging him to back away from me, "Social distances are cool, let's stay like this." He added, as if talking with two kids.

His gaze went back to Zack, "You don't regret it, do you?" Alex asked him but Zack didn't answer, only proving it right. Alex shook his head in disbelief, "Why do you hate Chase so much?"

Zack's jaw tightened, "I don't hate him."

Alex nodded, "Yes, you do, very much actually," He said, "That furious tone, that's hate." He remarked, "You are so envious of him that you started hating him without even noticing," At his words, I saw Zack's throat bob, I saw the hard swallow, "You hate him or else you would've not been so reckless with something as important as his health."

"But do you know what this envy could do to you," He added, "It will change you, it will ruin you, it will hurt you. Maybe now you just exchanged his medicine, but next time, you might do worse, you might go to extents you never thought yourself capable of." Zack was silent as Alex explained and carried on, "Now tell me, is that the type of person you want to be?" He asked, "I understand that you wanted that scholarship, that you wanted to stand on your own, but do you think you deserve it after you took the competition out of your way?" Alex shook his head, "You don't. Just like you don't deserve everything Ashton has done for you, you don't deserve this either."

"I don't want anything from him, I never did." Zack shot back, offended before his eyes drifted to me.

"Don't worry, that won't be a problem anymore." I said.

"Good, at least I got my scholarship, I don't need your money, so whatever your punishment gonna be, I don't care, you can take this house that you bought," He looked around in disgust, like he couldn't stand to be surrounded by these walls, "You can take back the car you got, you can cut your charity, I really couldn't care less."

I stepped forward, calmly this time, a sneer came to my lips, "You think this would be your punishment?" I scoffed, "You hurt my son to get that scholarship, so guess what," I started, "You better start searching for another way to pay for your university because like you got it by cheating, I am taking it away by cheating too."

His eyes widened, "What?" He asked in disbelief, "You can't do that!"

I nodded, "I can, because you see this money that you claim to hate, it's so weird how it can buy almost everything, like that scholarship you took, I can so easily take it away."

The threat in my voice sent him reeling, "No, you can't!" He snapped, pointing his finger at me in warning, "I won't let you!"

"What will you do?" I sarcastically remarked, "Exchange my medicine this time?" I scoffed, "You need to understand that when you make mistakes, there is a price to pay."

"Well guess what then, you were right, I don't regret what I did," He said, quirking an eyebrow at me, his tone challenging, "Your Mr. perfect of a son deserved it and if I have to, I would do it again."

"Hey!" Alex snapped, trying to shut him up. And this time he couldn't catch me or pull me back as I marched forward and my fist harshly sent an uppercut across Zack's jaw, the intensity finally shutting him up and pushing his body backward.

"Stay away from my son for your own good," I grated out through clenched teeth, "There won't be a next time, I promise you." I threatened, "But if I figure out that the pills you gave him has caused him any long-term harm, you will see to what extant I am willing to take this."

**********

Lilly's POV

"Why are we here again?" I asked, rubbing at my sleepy eyes before a yawn escaped my lips.

"Because your dear mother decided to stay in New York for another three days," He said as he rang the bell, "So I am following her there and both of you will be staying here at Katherine's."

Max opened his eyes, "I am so sleepy that I can understand if this is a dream or even real," He commented with a yawn and I totally agreed. Dad dragged our asses out of the house from freaking six in the morning.

The door opened and auntie Katherine smiled at our sight, "Good morning!" She said, excitedly. Gosh, where do these people find this energy to smile at this time?

Dad pulled at my arm and Max's, pushing us toward the house's entrance, "I just expect to receive them like I dropped them, in one piece."

Katherine chuckled and nodded, "Don't worry," she ruffled Max's hair and he groaned in annoyance. She turned to me, "We gonna have so much fun," She said and sent me a wink.

Oh god, I am scared.

"Sweetheart, you are the best, I love you!" Dad said before he gave her a quick hug and hurriedly scurried toward the car.

"Even though that sounded so fake, I am still gonna enjoy it!" She screamed at him before she turned her attention to us, and ushered us to enter, "Come in, come in,"

We got inside and she closed the door behind. "Come on, let me show you where you can stay," She added, heading up the stairs.

"Now, since you are fun-aunt-Katherine, you will definitely extend my curfew, right?" Max said, flashing her an innocent smile.

She chuckled, "You're so cute," She said, tapping her hand over his cheek, "But that's not happening."

He sighed, "I had to try."

She opened one of the rooms, "Max, you can stay here, befo-" She started but Max immediately threw his bag and plopped over the bed, "I will see you guys later, when normal people wake up," He mumbled interrupting her and buried his face into the pillow.

She smiled and shook her head before she backed away and closed the door.

"Where will I stay?" I asked, my eyes drifting around the hallway.

She walked a few steps and pointed at one of the doors, "You can stay in this room."

My eyebrows pulled together, "But that Chase's room."

She nodded ever so innocently, "Yeah, I know."

I couldn't help my low chuckle and my eyes narrowed playfully, "You really wanna win that bet, don't you?" I asked, referring to the one she did with dad about me and Chase getting together.

She nodded her head, not shying away, "I need to win that bet, Lilly," She said, correcting my choice of words, "I need to get that five hundreds bucks from your dad, it's life or death."

I shook my head with a smile and she returned it, "I am counting on you, okay?" She gave me a wink, "Now, go rest, we can talk about this later."

She went down and I opened his room's door, choosing not to knock, in case he's naked, so I can catch him.

Much to my luck, the room was empty. What the hell?

I walked inside and looked around, even the bed was already made. I checked the bathroom and then looked at the time to see it hasn't even hit seven am yet. Where did this SOB go at this time?

I decided to change my clothes and lay in his bed for at least half an hour before we have to head to school. I went through his closet and his things, searching for my favorite sweatshirt. Oh, there is so many options to wear from. Man, it's gonna be fun living here for three days.

I changed into the sweatshirt and decided not to wear any pants or shorts, why would I, there is no need, I am innocently just laying in the bed half naked before school starts, no one can force me to wear a pant, right?

I laid over the bed and unlocked my phone, going through my social-media accounts and waited for Chase to come back.

I couldn't help my smile when I heard the room's door gets opened. Chase walked inside, totally oblivious to my presence, his eyes focused on the phone's screen in his hand. He was wearing a black short accompanied with a white T-shirt that hugged his muscles like a second skin.

Oh man, I am hungry already.

He removed one of the air-pods from his ear and looked up. His eyes fell on me and he immediately halted to a stop. His eyebrows pulled together before his gaze drifted from me to the door then back to me, "How did you-" He tried to ask, "When did you," He couldn't make sense of how it's seven am and I am in his bed and wearing his clothes.

Told you this is gonna be so much fun.

He walked forward and dropped his phone over the bed, "Well, when I told you I am your cute stalker, I wasn't kidding." I said and he sighed in annoyance, already hating to love my presence, "One time you might just go take a shower and find me there waiting." I added with an innocent shrug as I inched to the bed's edge, "It's not by my hand, I swear."

I got to my feet leveling myself with him, "You went for a run?"

He nodded and I smiled, "It's kind of -" I cleared my throat as my eyes drifted all over his body, "Sexy, you know," I commented.

His eyebrow raised, "I am sweating."

I nodded, "Yeah, that's hot," I mumbled as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He shook his head, "It's not."

"Believe me, it is," I said, licking my lips as I eyed his messed up hair and his beautiful eyes and those very delicious lips, "It's very, very hot."

Air pushed out of his lungs and he leveled his gaze on mine, "Do you really have to do this now?" His eyebrow raised, "In less than an hour we should be heading to school."

My eyebrow raised, "Well, you have no idea what we can accomplish in an hour." I added with a wink.

Tease fluttered all over his eyes as they dropped down to my lips. I gasped when I felt his hand touch the back of my bare leg, "Believe me, I know exactly what we can accomplish," His gentle caress moved all the way to my upper thigh, his warm touch sending chills all over my body, oh man, I wish mom would stay in New York for weeks, months even.

He angled his face closer to mine as his fingers slipped up until they were gripping at my bare skin before he shifted closer to my inner thigh. I liked what his next move would be. What I didn't know was if I was going to let it go that far. Who am I kidding, I wanted to go further even.

My lips parted on instinct, needing to feel his lips on mine and in the same moment tortured by his teasing touch. The tingling feeling rising up there had me wanting to rub my thighs against each other. His hand inched closer and closer and the second his finger grazed the outside of my panties, I jerked in his hold, and something very close to pleading squeaked in chest.

"Too bad I have to get ready," He said over a low whisper before he pulled away. My eyes widened when he simply just walked away, leaving me all hot and bothered.

He didn't even kiss me when it was so obvious he was planning to.

"This is not fair!" I snapped, turning around to glare at him as he picked up something to wear.

He didn't even look at me as he commented, "No one said life was fair."

"You're still mad at me, aren't you?" I asked, referring to the day he fought with Zack.

He shrugged, "Maybe I am," He casually answered as he headed for the bathroom.

I crossed my arms over my chest, "You're the one who went and fought with him when I explicitly asked you not to." I explained and he couldn't seem less bothered, "So, I am the one who should be angry here!"

He gave me a smile, "Too bad I don't care," He said before he went into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. A few seconds later and I heard the shower water running.

"Son of a bitch!" I exclaimed in anger. He really got some nerve.

"Did you just call me a bitch?"

My eyes widened before I jerked around to see auntie Katherine by the door, her eyebrow raised as she stared back at me.

I nervously laughed, "No, no, no way, of course not," I gulped down and she smiled, totally not bothered, "I just came to ask what do you want for breakfast?"

I rubbed at the back of my neck as the embarrassment rushed all over my being, "Anything you make would with no doubt be great!"

Her eyebrow raised, "You really don't need to be such an ass-kisser."

I gulped down, "You just heard me call you that word, believe me, I am ready to do more," I said, "And I didn't mean you by that, but your son," I sighed, "He really knows how to drive me insane."

She placed her arm around me and pulled me along, "Oh believe me, I know." She rubbed her hand over my arm sympathetically, "Like father like son."

As Katherine made us some pancakes, we talked randomly about nothing and everything before uncle Ashton joined us as well. I was hoping to see him actually, so I can ask about yesterday. If he talked with Zack and what happened exactly, but Katherine's presence shushed me.

They were talking about something so I reached for my phone to check the time. My eyebrows pulled together when I saw two missed call and two messages from no one but Zack himself.

'Lilly, we need to talk. '

'It's urgent, please pick up.'

What the-

Before I could have a second to react, his name flashed over the screen, dialing me again. My eyes widened and I contemplated on whether to answer or not. What could he possibly need to talk about at this time in the morning?

I excused myself and walked into the living room in order to pick up. Anger tightened my jaw and I pressed the answering button, "What the hell do you want!" I snapped at him, trying to keep my voice down.

"Lilly, you need to listen to me, there is something, I just...I just learned about it last night, it's-" He started, his words all fumbled, "Look when you get to school tell me, before you go into your class, we need to talk."

"Like hell we will!" I exclaimed. Does he think I am stupid or something, like I trust him enough to be with him all alone again.

"Lilly, it's fucking important, it's about Chase, I didn't know, I swear I didn't," He started, the frustration in his tone genuine, "Oh fuck, I can't believe this is happening!"

My eyebrows pulled together and fear crept up my chest, "What do you mean?"

"The pills, the ones...the ones I gave him, I didn't know, I didn't, I asked a friend for just something that wouldn't be of any harm and I just thought, I swear I didn't know-" The panic in his voice had me panicking as well, "Zack, what the hell is wrong with the pills?"

"I didn't know, I would've never done it if I knew, that jerk he lied to me, he gave me-"

"He gave you what?!" I snapped, unable to contain myself.

"It's a drug," He answered.

"What kind of a drug?"

"Lilly, it's highly addictive and Chase... he has been using it for the past two months, even if he didn't notice, he is...his body is addicted to it...if he stops now, then," he said and my heart skipped a couple of beats, "Oh my god, what have I done."

"Then his body will go into withdrawal," I answered on his behalf, unable to process this new information.

I removed the phone from over my ear as shock consumed my being.

By this, Zack not just managed to definitely ruin Chase's dream job, but he freaking made him an addict.

**************

Chase's POV

"Morning," I said as I walked into the kitchen. My mother's gaze fell on me and she smiled, "Morning sweetie," She said, "Come eat something before leaving."

I shook my head, "I am not really hungry," I said, the thought of eating something had my stomach tightening.

"Just a little," Dad urged, "So you can take your medicine."

I gulped down that uncomfortable feeling and nodded, Mom immediately came to my side, "Are you okay?" She worriedly palmed my cheek, "You look so pale."

I smiled, "I am fine," I said, more like lied. I haven't been able to sleep all night, which is why I went for an early run in the morning. My whole body feels out of sorts, it's a bit confusing, and this headache is gonna kill me but it's not big enough to worry them, especially not after my frequent asthma attacks.

"Okay," She tapped her hand over my shoulder, "I am gonna go wake up Max so he won't be late for school," She said after and headed out of the kitchen.

My gaze drifted around, my eyes searching for Lilly, "She's talking on the phone," Dad said, answering my unspoken question.

I nodded and took a plate to at least have a couple of bites, maybe it would give me some energy. The same disoriented feeling from last night rushed back and I paused in my steps as the dizziness swarmed my vision.

This time the hot-cold flash hit me harder and my hand shot to the counter, trying to hold into something.

"Chase," Dad's worried voice pulled me in before I felt his hand wrap over my arm, "Hey buddy, what's wrong?"

My eyes pressed shut, the pain that pierced through my head was too much for me to handle. It had me wincing, my hand shook and the plate went down and crashed without my permission before I pressed my palm against my temple, trying to suppress this immense pain.

I couldn't understand the way every cell in my body was vibrating with a type of ache I have never experienced before.

It felt like my whole body was giving up on me.

"Dad?" I managed to say and my breath hitched, "I don't feel so good."

*****************************

If you can't understand this reference, then I am sorry, we can't be friends xD

Anyway, are you ready to see our little baby in pain, because I am not :(

Freaking Zack...

*sniffles* What do you think will happen next? Does Zack deserve to be killed on Ashton's hands now xD?

Btw I didn't proof-read the chapter before publishing. I am so sleepy. I am hitting publish and heading right to bed, so excuse me if there is many typos.

Love ya all!