Page 20 of Everything That Kills Me
Jack shrugged. He didn’t know any artist well. Maybe he ought to clarify what he’d said. “I might like a song or a tune but that doesn’t mean I like everything by that person or group. Same with the classical composers. And books for that matter.”
“I like Counting Stars,” Zeph said.
“The song or for real?”
“Both. Who can’t smile at what’s above us? OneRepublic deservedly had a massive hit with it, but the idea that money can’t buy happiness only applies if you have issues in your life that money can’t solve.”
Jack wasn’t sure he knew what happiness was. He’d had long periods of contentment with Thomas, plenty of times when he’d enjoyed what they’d done or the place they’d been visiting, but… There was abut. Jack’s future was all laid out for him and he didn’t anticipate it making him happy. He’d be sacrificing a normal life in order to right wrongs in a way most people wouldn’t understand or agree with. Zeph included.
“Coldplay’sViva la Vidais full of meaning too,” Zeph said. “About how power can be fleeting. One moment you hold the key to wonders, the world at your feet, the next moment you find your castles are on shaky ground and you’re about to lose everything. I wish I could write something as powerful.”
“You write songs?”
“I try. Songs and poems.”
“What’s your favourite line from Counting Stars?”
“Everything that kills me makes me feel alive.”
Christ!“Mine too.” But for different reasons.
Zeph had a nervous smile on his face and Jack’s stomach twisted.
“I have a keyboard in my room. That’s my bedroom at the front, over the porch.”
Was Zeph going to invite him to see it? Was he supposed to ask Zeph to play for him? Even as the thoughts formed in hishead, Jack felt as if he’d walked into the sea and suddenly found nothing firm beneath his feet. He’d swallowed water and was floundering.So swim to safety!But he didn’t want to. Not yet. “Are we okay now?”
“We’ve always been okay. I’ve forgiven you for laughing at me. You didn’t know what I’ve had to put up with. We’re more than okay now. I shouldn’t have been expecting Rufus and Scott to change. I should be the one who changes. I feel brave all of a sudden. Though not brave enough to go back and tell them to leave the house. Again.”
Zeph’s tongue ran over his upper lip, then he bit his lower one. Jack had to drag his gaze away.
For once, he wasn’t feeling brave.He pushed to his feet. “I should go. Thomas is collecting me.” Jack sent the text. “I need my jacket.”
As they walked down the side of the house, Georgia stepped in front of them. “Where’ve you been?” Her question was directed at Jack.
“Zeph was showing me the night sky.”
“There was a tricky question in physics homework,” Zeph said at the same time.
“It’s a fucking party!” Georgia spoke through gritted teeth.
“Myparty. So I can do what I like. Right? And if want to talk physics with a classmate, I can!”
Jack slipped past them into the house, grabbed his jacket and emerged quickly before he bumped into Alice. Georgia and Zeph were still snapping at each other but Georgia stalked away before Jack reached them.
“What’s the issue?” Jack asked.
Zeph turned and headed back towards the road with him. “Apparently Alice is crying. Georgia’s pissed off I talked to you.”
“Ah.”Shit.
“Do you like her even a bit?” Zeph’s voice was a whisper. Then he screwed up his face. “No, don’t answer that. Thanks for coming. Night, Jack.”
He hurried back to the house and let himself in the front door. Jack stared after him. He wasn’t sure whether he was relieved not to have answered Zeph’s question because what hovered on his lips was,I like you, not her.
Jack stopped in a layby down the road and called Thomas to tell him where he was standing. He’d waited around ten minutes before the car pulled up and he got in.
“What happened?”
