Her Undeniable Temptation

The day before Bella’s birthday she called and asked Zoe to help her babysit her cousins. Apparently, they were giving her tons of trouble, and if Zoe wanted her friend to stay sane. She needed to help her out. Zoe had to get up early and go over to her house, within the first few moments of being there with her cousins, Ricky and Ronnie. Zoe realized that Bella had been totally dramatic, they were fine.

Zoe thought she was bored and wanted somebody to talk to. Which kind of pissed her off, Zoe felt like she could be sleeping at home rather than being in her quiet house.

Zoe could be sleeping at home while hugging her pillow tightly. Instead, she was stuck with Bella watching some freaking cartoon. Both her cousins are under five years old. It’s not like they can watch MTV and keep themselves entertained. Zoe was just reading a cute message from Luke when a notification popped up from Alex.

She hesitated before reading it.

What was she going to tell him? She hadn’t broken the news to him that she and Luke were back together, would he be upset? Pissed? Sigh. She didn’t even want to deal with her feelings about the whole situation, let alone Alex’s feelings. She sighed.

Soon enough, he might as well find out.

Alex: “What’s up?”

Zoe: “helping Bella babysit, what about you?”

Alex: “blasting some new music, babysitting huh, having fun?”

Zoe: “Tons, don’t know if you can tell but sarcasm was intended.”

Alex: “lol yeah, I got that.”

Zoe: “So, did you need something?”

Alex: “Do I need a reason to talk to you?”

Zoe: “Well no but I was wondering if you did have a reason or not.”

Alex: “Nope, no reason! Just wanted to talk to you.”

Zod:???

Alex: “I was going to say I miss you but I don’t know how you are going to take it.”

Me: “oh.”

Alex: “yeah!”

Zoe: “I miss you too.”

Alex: “You made my day.”

Zoe: “sure.”

Alex: “I’m serious Zoe!”

Zoe: “Okay, whatever I’m going to go.”

Alex: “Wait for a sec,”

Zoe: “What?”

Alex: “I want to talk to you?”

Zoe: “you are right now.”

Alex: “No, I mean in person.”

Me: “I can’t! Helping Bella remember?” Alex: “Could you sneak away for a bit?”

Me: “I don’t think so, Bella would probably kill me if she found out I ditched her for you.”

Alex: “Please?”

Zoe: “Come on Alex.”

Alex: “Pretty please!”

Zoe: “Fine! Later, I’ll text you when.”

Alex: “Thank you,”

Zoe: “Whatever.”

Zoe put her phone away and helped Bella make lunch for the kids. “I owe you for helping me out, Zoe! Really,” Bella said as she cut Ricky’s food into a small bite. “It’s fine Bella, think of it as an early birthday present,” Zoe said and sighed.

Zoe was starting to get nervous about seeing Alex, he has such an influence on her! How was she possibly going to tell him that she chose Luke over him? ugh. She hates the sound of that.

To be sincere, she was not over him one bit, Zoe hasn’t even tried to get over him, she loves Alex very much! Obviously, if she could wash the love away but it is impossible.

Well, Zoe doesn’t think she wants to do that but maybe it would make things a bit easier, worth it though? Probably not, he makes her so happy. He is like her Mr perfect.

She was not just going to think about all this right now! She was starting to get depressed. After the kids had their lunch, they tried to make them take a nap. A loss, of course, they didn’t want to sleep at all.

So, they decided to try to tire them out by playing all kinds of random games. That didn’t work, it just tired Zoe and Bella out instead.

Finally, Bella gave up and put on some movies. Hopefully, it would make them sleepy. She sat with them in the living room while Zoe cleaned up the kitchen for lunch.

“Need any help?” Bella called.

“No, I’m good,” Zoe said as she washed a few dishes. She happened to glance out the window and saw a car pull up, not just any car, Alex’s car! He got out and started to walk to the sidewalks. Zoe started to panic, she looked at the living room and Bella was engrossed in the tv.

She didn’t see or notice that Alex was here, Zoe quickly but quietly jogged to the door and slipped out to the porch.

“What the heck are you doing here?” She whispered -yelled. He raised an eyebrow. “I needed to talk to you,” he said.

“I told you later! If Bella catches you here, she is definitely going to kill me.” I

Zoe said and glanced back at the house, ‘please God let her stay in front of that television.’ Zoe prayed.

“yeah I heard a rumor and I couldn’t wait any longer.” He said, Zoe looked at his face, it was composed! She could detect something underneath. “Alex, please go, I can’t talk right now.” She pleaded and he leaned back, His hand in his pocket.

“I will as soon as you tell me whether the rumors are true or not.” He said and Zoe hesitated for a moment. “Um, what is it?” Zoe asked, he was watching her face carefully.

“See, I was in the mall trying to get something when I overheard your Best Friend Dora on the phone telling someone on the phone how you and Luke are now back together.” he stopped for a minute, Zoe couldn’t talk but stood frozen, she couldn’t just speak.

Zoe knew that he was upset, his face always turned into a horrible mask when he was. Dread was starting! Zoe was the reason he was upset. “Zoe, is that true?” he asked quietly.

Zoe was already biting her bottom lips so hard that they felt numb, she stared at the ground. “Is it true?” He repeated. He gave a half shrug which confirmed it. He was silent for so long that Zoe had to look up.

He was just staring at her! Kind of like he hadn’t seen her before and that hurt Zoe so much.

“Alex I’m so sor____” she was going to say but he cut her shut. “No, don’t dare apologize! Not right now, I can’t take that,” he murmured and turned away from her, Zoe can’t stand to see Alex like this but she could stand to see Luke sad.

It was worse than that! She was the cause of Alex’s pain. She was the monster causing Luke and Alex’s pain, she shouldn’t be allowed to date or be around boys period. No wonder the moon Goddess gave mate in books, no room to actually choose or cheat.

“Why?” Alex asked back, still turned around. “huh?” Zoe muttered.

“Why did you choose him over me? I want to know what makes him more special than I am. You just choose him right, ” he said bitterly.

“I don’t know Alex, I have been together with Luke for almost a year now! I’m not ready to throw all those memories away.” Zoe said, realizing she was already crying. Which was embarrassing! She kept her head down and wiped her tears but the tears still kept flowing like some faulty tap.

“You should go home,” Zoe said with her head still down. She turned back towards the house and tried to walk inside but rather into something warm and solid.

Alex had moved two slabs towards her path. His hands went around her waist hugging Zoe from behind. Zoe let the rest of the tears flow on as she whirled around and hugged him tightly, “shh, don’t cry Zoe, if that is what you really want, then it’s fine.” he said, his tone was so sad that it stung.

Zoe took a shaky breath, that actually had little to do with the tears and more of the same sensation she had that day in the nurse’s office when he had an attack.

Her heart started to race. She tried her best to get a grip, this was definitely not the time for those feelings but Zoe thought she was still very much in love with Alex way beyond control.

She wiped her eyes and looked up at Alex. “I’m sorry Alex,” Zoe said.

“You don’t need to do that,” he said as he kept his forehead against hers. “Who am I to stand in between love or whatever.” He said. Zoe leaned closer and kissed Alex, which he gave in immediately.

After some moment he pulled away and I smiled. “I think I’m in love with you Alex?” Zoe said, he looked at her in a confused way. She happened to glance at the window and to her absolute horror, Bella was staring at them in shock.

By the look on her face, she has seen everything because her eyes have turned into another shade and her hands are actually molded into a fist.

Zoe was dead.