Zac
Zac was working on some maths problems. He was so glad this was his last year of school!
With a sigh of relief he finished the last one. He closed the text book with a satisfying snap and packed up his books.
Diana
Diana had this horrible nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she'd had ever since she saw Zac and Faith together at Ashley's party. It had dulled down over time but now it was back stronger, after she saw the invitations to the YIRAAS Ball. She had the feeling he might ask Faith. And that was not on.
Zac was in the rec room doing his homework, she knew, so she went in there to see him.
"Zac? We need to have a little chat."
Zac
Zac looked up.
"Sure, Mom," he said. "What about?"
He hoped this wouldn't take too long. He wanted to go online.
Diana
Diana sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to her.
"It's about the YIRAAS Ball... and who you might be thinking about taking."
Diana hoped she was sounding casual.
Zac
Zac had this sudden urge to groan. He had every intention of inviting Faith during their date on Saturday, but there's no way he coudl tell Diana that!
"Why?" he shrugged.
Diana
"Well, I was thinking... do you really have to take anyone at all? You could spend the time with family... after all, we haven't seen too much of you lately."
Diana thought it was a better idea to go with the family line, otherwise Zac might get too defensive.
Zac
Why did his mother have to be an empath?
"Well," Zac began, "I mean, I don't have to, but it would be nice to. I mean, what's the point in having to wear a tux if you can't impress a girl?"
Diana
"Ok... well... who were you thinking about inviting? Someone I know?"
Diana was trying to be as tactful as she could be under the circumstances. She could see he was hiding something from her.
Zac
"Oh gee, Mom," Zac replied. "There aren't a lot of girls my age who aren't already YIRAAS members that know about this stuff."
Diana
Diana tried again.
"What I meant was... ok, I'll stop beating around the bush. I'm your mother and I have a right to know. Are you going to invite Faith?"
Diana was tired of being diplomatic.
Zac
Zac thought quickly.
"Mom, Mom, one word. Julie."
Diana
Diana frowned. "You're going to invite Julie?"
Zac
"Actually," Zac considered, "I probably won't have to. I think she applied for an honourary membership."
Diana
"You better be telling me the truth... and you better not even think about seeing Faith, either."
Diana was still suspicious, but she was willing to half drop the subject - for now.
Zac
"Mom, why would I lie about Julie applying for YIRAAS membership? What would be the point in that?" Zac asked. "And why do you keep bring up Faith? Don't you trust me?"
Diana
Diana sighed. "Zac, I trusted you before and look what happened. The only reason I brought up Faith was because I can sense you're hiding something from me, and I assume that whatever you're hiding must be something you think I wouldn't approve of. And seeing as I don't really approve of Faith..." Diana trailed off.
Zac
"Well, I learn from my mistakes, Mom," and then a cheeky grin crossed Zac's face. "Maybe I just want you to think that it's Faith I'm hiding from you. Maybe I'm really hiding something else from you. Or maybe I'm just saying this to through you off the scent."
Diana
Diana frowned angrily. "Zachary Walker Hanson! Do not play games with me! If I find out that you have been seeing Faith, let me assure you that you will be in so much trouble, young man!"
Zac
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Zac replied rudely. "You didn't find out I was even dating Julie until well after we'd broken up. Even with you on my back now, I can still hide stuff from you. Stuff would wouldn't even dream of."
And on that note he stomped out of the room and down the hall to the front door.
Diana
Diana buried her head in her hands. Why was he being so difficult?
Zac
Zac slammed the door shut on his way out and got into his van. He drove a while and then pulled over and sighed. The fighting with his mother couldn't go on any more, but he couldn't stop seeing Faith! Oh, why wouldn't Diana just let it be?
He turned off the engine and got out. The park was just nearby so he walked there and dawdled about for a while.
"Zac?"
Zac turned.
"Caitlin? Oh hey, long time no see. How you been?"
"Better," she smiled. "You?"
"Same."
There was quiet for a moment.
"Is this awkward?" Caitlin asked.
"Hmph? Oh, umm, I don't know... Is it?"
"We, we did used to go out. And we haven't spoken since."
"Point taken."
Another silence.
"You seeing anyone?" Calitin asked.
"Yes... no... kinda," Zac replied. "We're not dating exculsively or anything, but I have a hell of a time with Mom - she doesn't approve of Faith because she's five years older, and crap like that."
"Ahh. Ironic."
"Why?"
"I'm actually seeing someone who my parents don't approve of either."
Zac had to smile. Then a thought crossed his mind.
"Say... your parents liked me right?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well... it's awfully devious, and I'll understand if you say no, but uhh..."
"What?"
"Well... we could tell our parents that we're dating."
"But... we're not."
"Yeah, but we could tell them that. And you and me, and Faith and your guy could coordinate our dates. I could pick you up for a date which your parents will think is with my, and my parents will think is you, but we really go our seperate ways after the ahh, show."
Calitin considered this.
"You'd probably have to drop me off too..."
"It'll be tricky," Zac agreed. "But it might work..."
"I'll have to talk to Nate."
"No problem. You still have my number, right?"
"Yep."
"Okay, give me a call when you've decided."
After talking to Caitlin, Zac felt better. But not better enough to go home, so he drove to the mansion to see Faith. Just to let her know what he was planning, of course.
Faith
Faith had just finished getting dressed after her shower. She had run for about 2 hours this morning, coming home exhausted, but feeling better about herself. She stepped into her jeans and threw a white singlet on.
The doorbell went off and she went downstairs to answer it, hoping whoever was at the door wouldn't be scared by her bruised face. One thing Paige couldn't actually heal properly. Dang.
Zac
The door opened and Zac beamed to see Faith on the otherside.
"Hi Faithy!" he said cheerfully. "Hope you don't mind me just showing up like this..."
Faith
Faith gave Zac a hug.
"When have I ever minded about you showing up? In fact, I quite like it when you just show up."
Zac
Zac grinned and kissed her cheek gently.
"Well, I'll just have to just show up more often," he said. "And I have to tell you about a little... scheme I have going. If she agrees, Mom might finally get off my back about you."
Faith
"Mama bear really hates me, doesn't she?" Faith sighed and led Zac into the lounge room. They sat down on the couch and Faith rested her head on his shoulder.
"So, tell me about this plan."
Zac
"Yeah. I wish she would just get to know you."
After a sigh, he continued:
"I met up with one of my ex-girlfriends today, Caitlin. It seems that she's dating someone her parents don't approve of either. So I suggested we pretend to be dating again. We should coordinate our dates and I could pick up Caitlin, making it look like we're going out, but after the formalities are over, we go our seperate ways. Of course, I'd probably have to take her home again, but if she - and her boyfriend - agrees, I think a few problems will be solved."
Faith
Faith nodded. "I've never been the parental type... mothers never like me."
She thought about the idea. "It's perfect, if it works, that is... of course, all the sneaking around... it is kinda a turn on."
Zac
Zac winked.
"Mmm... always like a good turn on... is that an invitation? Or are you still sore? Because I don't want to hurt you or anything. Unless you like pain..."
Faith
Faith grinned.
"Just don't be too rough with me baby."
She stood up and took his hand, taking him upstairs to her room.
Zac
"I'll be as gentle as gentle can be," Zac promised.
True to his word, Zac was very gentle and he was also very slow.
Faith
When it was all over, Faith's energy level was at zero. She leaned over and kissed Zac before lying back down again.
"You know, if Mama Bear finds out, she'll go insane."
Zac
"Yes she will. But right now, I don't care," Zac said.
He rolled over and ran his hand through her hair.
"I have you."
Faith
Faith smiled and turned so she was facing him.
"I don't care either, not as long as I have you too."