Ⓕⓔⓑⓡⓤⓐⓡⓨ ①②ⓣⓗ ②⓪②⓪

-Zach's Pov-

"It's been three months Zach," Jack murmured before kicking an empty pizza box aside and out of his way, "and you're still in love with her."

I shifted my gaze from the wool carpet to Jack's concerned dark brown orbs, "When did love become so complicated?" I whispered.

"When you decide to put in no effort," Jack retorts with a blank face, and I instantaneously grasped one of my million pillows before hurling it in his direction, "What the fuck! Did I lie though? "

A sad sigh slipped past my lips as I averted my gaze away from Jack to the black frame that sat on my wooden black bedside table. I ran my index finger across the photograph of Talia and I in front of the Eiffel Tower, — a broad smile dancing on my lips with my arms wrapped around her petite waist, her head thrown back and her mouth gaping open whilst in the middle of a laugh as her arms hung loosely around my neck — the sun's glare hovering over our bodies.

Talia's melodic laugh rang through my ears as we strolled down the streets of Paris, "They asked that?" Talia asked Daniel through her giggles.

"I'm not joking!" Daniel exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air and his ocean blue orbs narrowed, "They went to the employee that was in charge of the giraffes and asked if there was an extra spot available for one more!"

I shook my head as chuckles slipped past my lips. "That was so funny," Jack choked out.

Daniel snapped his head in Jack's direction, "Funny? The employee stared at me with a funny look on his face." He growled out, opening his mouth to continue, but was cut off by a shrill shriek from Talia and Olivia.

"Jesus." I murmured before applying pressure to my left ear, "Babe, have you never seen the Eiffel Tower before?" I asked the brunette.

She averted her gaze from the wrought-iron tower that stood at a height of over a thousand feet. "I've seen pictures of when Brad traveled to Europe," she started with a shrug of her shoulders, "but nothing can compare to seeing it with your own eyes."

I raised an eyebrow at her before shaking my head while tugging my phone out of my front pocket, "Jo?" I say, gaining the attention of the tall brunette.

Jonah and Tate's conversation came to a halt, "What's up?" He asked with a raised eyebrow with one of his arms snaked around Tate's waist.

I nodded my head towards the overjoyed brunette, "Do you think you can take a picture of the two of us? I know she'll regret not taking a picture in front of it," I said, which resulted in him nodding his head.

"Yeah sure," he answered back, pulling his arm from around Tate's waist before grasping my phone with both his hands.

I smiled before strolling over to the enthusiastic girl, swiftly snaking my arms around her waist, causing her to jolt in surprise, "Don't do that!" She quietly exclaimed, slapping my chest lightly with the palm of her hand.

I chuckled before bending down, "Now, where's the fun in that?" I asked with a smirk dancing on my lips.

She raised an eyebrow before getting to the point, "What do you want?" She asked and I removed one of my hands that rested on her waist and pressed it against my chest.

"Why do you always assume I need something when I come up to you?" I say, acting offended by her accusations.

"Because last time you did—" she started before getting interrupted by a loud cough. Both of us snapped our heads in the direction of the sound, only to see Jonah with one of his eyebrows raised and my phone by his side.

"Are you taking the photo today or tomorrow?" He asked and I pursed my lips in his direction, nodding my head in response, "Good. Now just pose, "he instructs.

I placed both of my hands around her waist, glancing down at her with a broad smile, "Is that a plane?" Jack exclaims before groaning.

"That's a bird!" Gabbie commented and Talia threw her head back as giggles slipped past her lips. Her arms were loosely wrapped around my neck.

I sighed at the memory. "Now, she's nothing but an unforgettable yet painful memory," I said, feeling a heavy sensation in the front and middle of my chest.

"You're speaking as if she's dead," Jack murmured, and I instantly snapped my head in his direction, scowling at his poor choice of words.

"Well, she's not!" I barked, tossing the duvet before glaring at the faux blond who looked alarmed by my tone. His dark brown orbs were as wide as saucers and his hands flew to the air in surrender.

"Zach, I didn't mean it like that." Jack said, while taking a couple of steps back from my hard stare and long strides, "I know that Talia means the absolute world to you and I would under no circumstance disrespect her in any way."

I came to an abrupt halt, momentarily closing my eyes as memories of Talia and I flashed through my mind. "What's the point of being head over heels for a girl who wants nothing to—" I choked up, pressing my palm against my mouth,"—do with you." I said before collapsing onto the ground.

I watched Jack's lips curl downwards. "Oh Zach..." he started but trailed off as I shook my head before throwing it into the palm of my hands, my body wracking with sobs. "Listen, don't you think it's time for you to finally move on from her?"

"I can't" I muffled out.

"What do you mean you can't?" Jack questioned, confusion laced in his tone.

I slowly lifted my head, brushing away the few tears that steamed down my face, "I physically can't move on from her Jack." I croaked out. "It's like... It's like no matter how hard I try to forget about her, my feelings for her only seem to grow."

An exasperated sigh slipped past Jack's slightly parted lips as he aimlessly ran his fingers through his short blonde-lavender hair. "Right," he started, before getting interrupted by his buzzing phone.

"What are you doing?" I softly asked, watching his fingers ferociously tap against his iPhone screen, his eyebrows furrowed. He momentarily shifted his gaze from his phone screen to my tear stained face before glancing back down.

"Jonah texted," he breathed out before slipping the phone into his front pocket, "he wants us all to meet him at some new cafe that recently opened."

I shook my head before pulling myself off the ground and onto my feet. "I'm not going," I said while running my fingers through my greasy, tousled dark brown hair, grimacing at the texture.

"What do you mean you're not going?" Jack huffed out and I turned around to see him leaning against my bedroom doorframe, arms crossed against his chest.

I shrugged, "It means I'm not going." I nonchalantly say before making my way back to bed, peeling the Oxford blue duvet only to be yanked out of my grasp, "Hey!"

"Don't 'Hey!' me," Jack growled, discarding the duvet on the ground that was overflowing with waste. "You've been cooped up in this pig sty of a room for the past three months, only leaving the house to go to the studio."

"Fine." I huffed, trudging towards the bathroom, towel in hand. "But if I see Talia, I'm leaving," I negotiated, halting at the bathroom entryway with my hand pressed against the door knob.

A bewildered look painted his features, "No!" Jack exclaimed, "The boys and I refuse to let you continue living this life," he said, gesturing to the mess that remained scattered around my bedroom floor, "and you're staying whether she's there or not!"

A groan elicited from the back of my throat as I entered the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. I hung my towel on one of the hooks that were built into the white wooden door before stepping in front of the mirror, glancing at my reflection. A frown danced on my lips as I observed the person staring back at me.

His once bright, dark brown orbs were now a dull brown which were encircled by dark eye bags. His once neatly short dark brown hair was now a mess,

"Who are you?"

~

Thirty minutes later, I found myself seated in the passenger seat of Jack's black Tesla, gazing out of the window, watching cars speed past us. "What are you thinking about?" Jack asked and I turned my head around to see his gaze fixated on the road.

"Nothing." I breathed out while leaning my head against the glass window, thinking back to the person staring at me, but brushing the thought aside before Jack could question me any further. "Why was I obligated to come?" I asked with an arched eyebrow.

Jack glanced in my direction from the corner of his eye before putting his undivided attention on the road ahead. "Because," Jack simply said, but before I could respond, he took a sharp right turn.

"What the fuck Jack?!" I hissed out, rubbing the side of my head that had slammed against the glass window. He murmured a quiet apology before pulling into a small parking lot.

"We're here!" He enthusiastically exclaimed, pulling the keys out of the ignition as I tried my best to ease the pain.

I turned my head to the front and spotted a small cafe with the words: Millie's Cafe in Lopis blue lettering and it's logo in blue on it's left. Three tables were placed outside with a navy blue umbrella tent that shielded customers from the sun's glare.

I watched as a group of friends walked out of the cafe, broad smiles on their faces while conversing with one another. A frown danced on my lips as it reminded me of the times Talia would hang out with the other girls, "Let's go." Jack said, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I snapped my head in his direction to see his keys in his right hand and his left hand grasping the door handle. I unstrapped the black seatbelt from across my chest, "Right," I murmured before swinging the door open and getting off.

The two of us stalked into the cafe. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, as well as the loud chatter that could be heard on all sides of the aesthetic little dinner.

"About time!" Jonah exclaimed as Jack and I plopped down on a vacant spot in the red upholster booth, "Your food is getting cold."

I rolled my eyes before pressing my arms against the cream wooden table, burying my head in the crook of my arms, "Why can't you guys leave me alone to drown in my own sea of sorrows?" I muffled out.

"What? All I heard was, 'Why can't you guys just let me fuck around?' " Corbyn answered, causing the others to chuckle. I lifted my head to see Jack, Daniel, and Jonah's heads thrown back or a hand pressed against their mouths.

I scowled at the newly dyed brunette that sat in front of me, a confused look on his face. "I never said that. Don't twist my fucking words," I seethed out, causing him to throw his hands up in protest.

"I didn't—" Corbyn started to protest, but was interrupted by the chiming sound of the bell which was placed over the door, indicating that a new customer had walked in.

"Shit" Jack muttered under his breath, loud enough for only our table to hear, "Zach, don't turn around," he said, and I looked up to see a concerned look on all the boys' faces.

"Why?..." I asked, trailing off before turning my head, but wished I hadn't as my eyes widened at the sight of the brunette walking with five other people while clinging onto a blond boy. Her dark brown hair swayed with every step she took, a smile dancing on her lips. "I need to get out of here." I shakily breathed out, rising onto my feet, but I was instantly pulled back down.

"No," Daniel answered with a serious look on his face, "You need to face her someday."

"Can that someday be another day?" I pleaded, feeling my heart rate pick up the longer I thought about the brunette that stood a couple of feet away from me. "No, I can't do this." I choked out, gulping thickly.

Jack shook his head, "Dani's right. You need to face her someday, and that day is today, "he said, and I just gnawed on my bottom lip before averting my gaze in her direction. My heart sank at the sight of the way her hands wrapped around some blond's arm, whispering in his ear as he nodded his head in response.

My gaze trailed her every move, watching as she made her way in our direction, plopping down in the booth beside us. I gulped before stuffing a spoonful of cold scrambled eggs. "Stop staring at her and start eating!" I exclaimed quietly. Quiet murmuring from the next table could be heard until someone poked my arm.

I snapped my head in their direction to see a blond girl with light purple roots, a nervous look on her face. "Hi, do you mind passing us some napkins? Our table only has two." She softly asked and I just blinked at her. A sigh was heard from my table before Daniel stretched out his hand, a couple of napkins in his hand.

"Here you go." Daniel said, but I remained frozen in place, unable to comprehend what was going on.

"Thank you," she said before turning around. I shook my head before shifting my gaze to Talia, who sat opposite a brunette boy with two girls on either side of him: One was the blond with purple roots and sparkling blue eyes, and the other was a curly-haired brunette with sparking emerald eyes.

A sigh slipped past my lips as I turned my attention back to my plate. "So Talia, how are things with Brody?" The brunette-haired boy question and I glanced at their table from the corner of my eyes. My breath hitched in my throat.

I watched as Talia rolled her eyes. "Nothing," she responded, and I felt myself let out a breath of relief, which caused the boys to glance at me with raised eyebrows. "We're just friends and nothing more. He's just helped me over the past three months-" She continued, but I couldn't sit and listen.

I shook my head, "I-I can't do t-this," I choked out while rising from my spot. I ran my fingers through my hair, ignoring the boys' calls. I continued my way towards the exit with my head bowed down and instantly collided with someone else, "Oh fuck!" I hissed at the feeling of hot liquid dripping down my shirt.

"Oh my god! I am so sorry," a deep voice exclaimed. I lifted my head to glance into scared sea-green orbs before clenching my jaw at the stinging sensation on my skin.

"No," I hissed out, grasping onto a vacant chair, "it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, " I say with a forced smile on my face. He shook his head, but I raised my hand to stop him from speaking further. "I'll pay for whatever," I said while gesturing to the floor, which was now covered with their meals.

"You don't have to do that," he said. I glanced behind me to our table to see the boys with amused smirks dancing on their lips. I shifted my gaze to Talia's table and her eyes were as wide as saucers and her hands were pressed over her mouth.

"I know but I want to," I say, the forced smile dancing on my lips.

He hesitantly nodded his head, "The name's Brody. Brody Wilson. " He introduced himself with his hand held out while I just glanced at it momentarily before slapping it with my own.

"Zach. Zach Herron. "

-Talia's Pov-

I nervously chewed on my bottom lip, intently watching the interaction between Zach and Brody. "Oh my god!" I breathed out under my breath.

"He's a sweetheart," Serenity said, her eye-baling Zach.

I glared at her, "Well, he's not on the market." I fibbed with my jaw clenched, "Besides, you already have a boyfriend."

A glint of amusement danced in Serenity's blue orbs, "Talia..." She trailed off as her lips curled into a teasing smirk, "Are you jealous that I'm going for your 'man'?" She questioned while wiggling her eyebrows.

"He's not 'my man'," I scoffed with a roll of my eyes. I eventually found my gaze shifting to Zach, observing his new appearance. His once short, dark brown locks were slightly longer than usual, a few strands falling in front of his face. His usual t-shirts were replaced with button-up shirts that had the first two buttons removed. I let out a shaky breath before shaking my head, "and I'm not jealous because I was the one who... broke up with him," I said, choking on the word 'broke up'.

Carly's lips curled downwards, "Babe, it seems like you still love him," she softly says as I just gnawed on my bottom lip while gazing at the black and white marble table.

I lifted my head to gaze at the two. "I don't think I ever stopped," I whispered as my eyes pricked with tears. I swiftly wiped them away before any could slip out.

"That guy was so kind," Brody bursts out while plopping down beside me with a tray full of our designated orders.

Asher raised an eyebrow at his friend, "I was expecting a brawl." he nonchalantly retorted while reaching for his chocolate chip pancakes. I narrowed my eyes in his direction before he averted his gaze from the delicious meal, "What?"

"Shut up!"

~

I exhaled sharply before closing and locking the front door to my apartment, tossing my keys into the black and white marble bowl. I pressed my back against the white wooden door, clenching my eyes, letting the tears stream down my face.

The image of Zach at the cafe was imprinted on my mind like a tattoo, but I couldn't help but blame myself for his new yet unrecognizable appearance. The way his cheeks were slightly sunk in with facial hair growing from his chin to both sides of his face. His once bright, dark brown orbs had lost their sparkle and were replaced with a duller shade.

I wiped away the tears that continued to roll down my face with the pad of my fingers before pulling myself off the ground. I eventually found myself seated by the piano, the black lid lifted open and the black and white keys in view. I let out a shaky breath before pressing the keys, drowning myself in the melody that lingered in the air.

I pulled my fingers away from the instrument, pulling myself off the stool and stalked to the small book shelf that consisted of a variety of books, ranging from young adult books to classics. My fingers danced across the titles before letting my fingers curl around one book that was bound with white spirals.

My song book

I grinned victoriously before tugging it out of the bookshelf, flipping to a new page after pulling a pencil out of the white mesh pen holder that was filled with a variety of writing utensils. "Right. Let's get to work, " I muttered to myself before sitting back on the piano stool, placing the lime green book on the small stand that was provided.

My fingers danced across the keys and I found myself lost in the music that rang through my ears and lingered in the air. I hummed to the beat, but not long before the doorbell interrupted my time writing a song. I strode to the door, swinging it open to reveal a smiling Bradley, "Hey, little sis," he greeted before pushing past my small figure.

A sigh slipped past my lips before slamming the door shut, "Yes, you're very much welcome into my abode," I sarcastically said while crossing my arms across my chest.

Bradley strolled towards the open piano and before I could stop him, he had lifted the notebook from the stand and into his grasp. "You're writing?" He questioned with his eyebrows creased over one another.

I pursed my lips into a thin line, "Yeah..."I trailed off quietly before averting my gaze to the black and white striped carpet that lay under my glass coffee table that had a white vase with pink roses. "I thought, if I can't get him out of my head, maybe writing a song would help."

He furrowed his eyebrows in my direction, "You're still hung up on that asshole!" He angrily spat out.

"Can you not, please?" I choked out before closing my eyes, "I understand that you don't like him-" I started to say but Brad interrupts me.

"Don't like is an understatement, Talia," he angrily murmured, running his fingers through his dark brown hair that had grown over the last couple of months. "I despise him after he cheated on you and-" He continued to rant but I cut him off.

"I get it!" I weakily yelled, clearing my throat slightly before fixating my gaze on the ground. "I get that you hate him, but in the end, you're not the one in a relationship with him are you?" I croaked out.

A bewildered expression crossed my brother's face before he shook his head, "W-Why would you get back together with him? After everything he's done to you?" He whispered, looked deep into my dull dark brown orbs.

"Because..." I started before pausing mometarily, letting out a shaky breath, "Because I love him Brad." I choked out, feeling the tears prick my eyes once again. I watched as my brother's face softened. "I felt like I was on cloud nine when I was with him, but now I just put on a happy facade in front of everyone so they'd stop worrying about me."

Brad shook his head before pulling me into his embrace, pressing his chin ontop of my head, "I'm sorry." he softly said in my ear. "I'm sorry you had to put on a fake smile to hide what you were really feeling but you don't need to do that anymore."

I lifted my head from his chest to look into his light brown eyes, "What about my love for Zach? I can't just push my feelings for him away because of you and the boys." I hoarsely say. I watched as he pursed his lips and closed his eyes momentarily.

"You're right though." He answered in a soft tone, "I am not the one dating him and I have no right to dictate who you date because it's your life, but all I can do is support the relationship no matter how much I hate the guy."

I grinned at him, "Really? This is not some joke? " I giddily asked, which resulted in a small nod from my older brother as a smile spread across his face.

"Yes." Brad exclaimed before pecking my forehead, "Do you want some help with producing and writing the song?" He asked with a raised eyebrow  and I just bit my lip.

I shrugged, "Sure," I answered before making my way to the piano, "I wrote the title and a couple of lines, but I need help with the order," I said while handing him my book.

He took the book into his grasp and I watched as his eyes danced on the pages, "Rubberband?" Brad said with his eyebrows furrowed before plopping down on the black piano stool. "Was it a wasted couple of months?...Why you're still caught in my head...Never knew what I had until I lost it." he said while nodding his head while turning around to face the piano, placing the book where it was previously.

"So...What do you think of it?" I ask while fiddling with my fingers.

He averted his gaze from the piano to my face, which wore a nervous look. "It's amazing, but let's go through it and figure it out together," he said with a warm smile.

I grinned before plopping beside him, his fingers dancing across the keys.

"How about after....."