+chapter.thirteen+

"Zachary Walker Hanson!" Walker shouted. "And Jennifer Lynn Porter! Where do you two get off leaving the way you both did?"

"Dad...put your arguments with us aside for now. There's something really serious going on."

Jenn nodded. "That person...They got in my house again...This time thought...they did real damage."

"Such as?"

"They murdered the officer that was watching over my house..."

Walker swallowed. "Are you serious?"

Jennifer nodded. "Why would I make something like this up?"

"Oh my Lord..."

Zachary and Jennifer both nodded.

"Did you call the police?"

"No...That's why I came here before..."

Walker nodded, not saying anything about before. Not yet. "Alright. I'll call the police. You two go upstairs and get some rest."

The two went upstairs reluctantly. How could they sleep? They wouldn't. They knew. They would lie there, enjoying the other's presence. Especially with the chat Walker and Diana might have with them.

Jennifer sat down on one side of the bed and kicked her shoes off. Zachary sat on the other side, doing the same. As he laid back, he spoke up, his voice slightly hoarse. "Are you alright?"

Jennifer nodded slightly, crawling closer into his arms. "I'm with you...everything is supposed to be alright...and it is."

Zac kissed the top of her head, holding her so closely and gently as if she would break if too much pressure were applied. "God, I love you."

"I love you too," Jenn spoke up gently. She rested her head against Zachary's chest. Her eyelids slowly fell shut as exhaustion took over her body.

Zac continued cradling Jenn in his arms, watching her thoughtfully. When had she become so beautiful? When was the exact moment his feelings were more than just best friend feelings? Had it only been two days previous? That's all? The love that filled his heart...it was so great, so fulfilling. Zac's eyes never left her. He pushed a few stray hairs out of her face and behind her ear. God...she was gorgeous. Her look was cute and chic. Her scent was sweet. Her touch was gentle. Her skin, soft. The sound of her voice brought joy to his heart. Her presence made it skip a beat. To him, she was everything.

Zachary kissed the top of her head again as he slowly brought his head down to rest on hers. He let his eyelids fall and close gently, sleep taking over his body within minutes.

Hours later, Jennifer was being awoken by a firm set of hands shaking her. She forced her eyes open and looked up. She was no longer in Zac's arms and a group of people was surrounding her the bed she was laying in. She could feel their eyes.

"How could you?" Walker asked.

"How could I what?" Jennifer replied, confused.

"What do you mean what? The officer. How could you lie about that?"

"Lie?" Jennifer sat up. "But...I didn't lie...his body...it's right in my living room..."

"It's not there, Jennifer. The police checked the whole house. All they found of importance was your plan."

"Plan?" Jennifer looked around, confused. Her eyes fell on Zachary as she half listened to Walker.

"Your plan, Jennifer. About the 'person' in your home. The 'dead officer'."

"But there was a guy in my house and a dead cop! What about the threat letter? The pictures?"

"You could have easily done that."

Jenn turned her head and looked at Zac. He was standing behind Diana, his head down. He didn't believe in her anymore. He, Zachary Hanson, didn't believe in her.

Jennifer swallowed hard, sitting up to put her shoes on. She needed air...she was going to be sick. How could Zac not trust her? Did those thirteen years really mean nothing? And those two days...those two glorious days...They had been the best two days of her life.

"I don't believe you...God...how could you even think of me doing that? Me. Why would I? What gratification could I possibly get from that?" She stared at the faces in front of her. Those who were her second family. She shook her head as she stood. "Forget this. I'm outta here. Thanks for nothing."

Jennifer stood up, a sudden feeling of dizziness overcoming her. She shook it off quickly and walked out of the room. Jogging down the stairs, she felt her chest tightening. 'No. Don't let them see you cry. Don't let them.'

Jennifer opened the front door and walked out, slamming it behind her.

She walked down the stairs; her feet quickly shuffling down the front walk.

"Yea right. I'm his baby. He'll never leave me. He loves me. What a buncha bull," Jennifer mumbled angrily as she walked up the street. She wasn't going to stay home. If the Hansons didn't believe her, her real parents would? Yeh. Right.

Jennifer began to run to her home, sneaking in the front door when she got there. Who knows if anyone was home at the time, but she didn't care. She hurried up to her room and pulled out her backpack.