The absence of sound was quite deafening. Even the smaller movement or flicker felt like a bang to my ears. The only sounds that played around me, was the slight buzz and flicker from the lights, and my laboured breathing.

I slowly shifted my eyes open, and I was still in the basement. Stuck sitting on the floor, with Zac next to me, leaning against the wall. I was too ashamed to say anything, not letting him bang against the door to cry for help.

"How long have we been here?" I stuttered.

"It's been about fifteen minutes." Zac replied with his head buried in the palm of his hands.

Fifteen minutes. It had felt like endless hours.

As I leaned against the wall, I lifted my legs so that my knees were close to my face, bowing my head onto my knees, I tightly shut my eyes. It felt like any sudden movement would trigger my asthma. I was stuck.

"Zac? Hannah?" A voice finally called from behind the door.

My head shot up, looking at Zac, I nodded for him to go towards the door.

"Dad?" Zac shouted stumbling to get up. "Is that you?"

"Yeah it's me. I forgot to tell you about the door. Are you guys okay?" Brian responded, trying to budge the door open.

"Hannah sweetie, are you okay?" My dads voice closely followed.

My eyes shine and mist with water at the loving and calm sound of my dad. I wanted to call out, but something within me stopped me from shouting. Zac looked at me and understood that I just simply couldn't respond.

"We're okay. Hannah is okay." Zac replied for me. "How are we going to get the door open?"

"Two options." My dad called out with a strain to his voice. "We could either wait for someone to get it opened, but it'll take time to call someone out at such short notice, or we could just break down this door right now."

Even though my thoughts and hearing were muffled, from all the tension, I heard my dads words loud and clear. Zac looked back to me, lifting his brows waiting for me to respond. I shrugged my shoulders, indicating whatever was best.

It felt like all the energy and life had been sucked from me. My limbs felt heavy, my chest felt tight, and I just needed some fresh air to lighten all this load that was weighing down on me.

"Just break it down." Zac answered for me.

I could feel the hesitation in both our dads. After a few seconds of deliberation, they agreed.

"Okay, move out the way." Brian finally answered out.

Zac made his way back to me and held out his hand, waiting for me to use it as support. He nodded reassuringly whilst also curling his lips ever so slightly, into a friendly smile.

I took his offer and placed my hand into his, as I used him for support to pull myself up, my legs started to buckle. Just as was about to lose balance, Zac held me by wrapping his arm around my waist, and hoisting me close to him.

Our bodies were closely flushed together, this was the closest we had ever been. Heat was emerging from him, causing the temperature in my body to rise up. My heart was beating in a static way and it felt like my stomach was swirling around. The grip he had around my waist, felt like it warm blanket around me, it was like I was protected from everything around me.

"We're out of the way." Zac gave the all clear as we moved further back into the room.

I could feel my chest and throat closing again, the air around me was thick and masking my ability to breath. I could feel Zac eyes land on me, causing me to inch my head upwards. He started to breath slow, urging me to follow him again. Just as I was breathing with him, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, it was like his technique aided me and knew how to help me.

Suddenly, a large thump against the door startled us. Bits of dust flew around, causing me to cough. The door was hit again and again. After the fourth try it flew open and a strong gust of wind blew into us.

Not a second went by after seeing my dad, I ran into his arms. He caught me and helped me up the stairs and the first thing he did was hand me my inhaler.

My jittery hands fumbled around it, placing it into my mouth. When I finally had the first two pumps, it was like my airways opened up to a new world. I fell back into reality with the ability to breath again and it all came crashing into me what had just happened.

I pleaded with my eyes to go home, and not saying a word, my dad ushered me to follow him. As I was leaving, I could feel Zac's presence behind me, but I didn't have it in me to face him.

***

After the event that followed in my dads office, I stayed in my bedroom for the rest of the day. I had taken a shower to freshen up, but I was like all the energy was vanished from me. All I wanted to do was lie on my bed, and forget about it all.

Whilst staring deep onto the ceiling, sprawled out on my bed, a soft knock at the door captured my attention.

Not bothering to answer, it opened slowly and Ruby peered her head. I instantly brightened up at the sight of my best friend.

"Oh it's you." I beamed, flashing her a smile.

Without saying a word, she huddled into my room and brought me into a hug. I relaxed into her embrace, being stuck in a room, I wished I had Ruby with me.

"Your dad told me what happened, are you okay?" Ruby said whilst still in our hug.

"That was the most embarrassing moment of my life." I replied, getting out of the hug to face Ruby.

"What? Why?"

"He's going to use it against me. I showed weakness, I panicked like an idiot and now he going to tell his sister, then she'll bully my sister and make fun, that her older sister is pathetic-"

"Hannah? Hannah? Calm down." Ruby interrupted my erratic words. "What are you saying? Did he just leave you to panic and suffer in that room?"

"That's the thing." I sighed. "He didn't. He did the exact opposite. He helped me. He was amazing. Zac saw a different side to me and I can't face him."

"Why?"

Water pooled into my eyes, causing a rippled amount of tears to fall down my cheeks. I couldn't answer Ruby's question. She knew not to press further, so instead she held me and let me cry into her shoulder.

I couldn't pinpoint why I was feeling like this. I knew I couldn't face Zac. He saw vulnerability in me. Considering how much we hated each other, this easily played to his advantage.

I didn't have it in me to sit next to him in our business class. After showing some progress on our project, we were now pushed back to square one.

***

We were now entered into the fourth week, as a new Monday emerged. Nine weeks remained till the presentation of our project and all I could do was avoid Zac. It has gotten to the point where I fibbed to the school, telling them I had a doctors appointment.

After missing the morning of double business, I strolled into school to make it in time for my art lesson. Warily keeping an eye to ensure I didn't bump into Zac, didn't play right, as his deep soft voice called out to me.

After ignoring him, I continued to walk a straight path in the hope I would get away from him, but all of a sudden he hopped from the side standing in front of me.

"Why weren't you in class today?" He asked, not allowing me to escape.

Images of what happened between us came filtering into me. My eyes scanned all around, trying to avoid connecting with his.

"Hannah?"

"If you're going to make fun of me go ahead." I finally jabbed.

He jerked his head back, scoffing at my words. "Do you really think that low of me?"

Just as I was about to respond, we were called out from another student. "Guys, your sisters are at it again."

Internally groaning and cursing, I was seething in annoyance. This was a constant loop between Ava and Lexi. After many bust ups, it was getting tiring. We followed the trail of students and we were met once again of our two sisters squaring up to each other.

"What's happened now?" I said in a monotone voice, clearly sick and tired of this regular occurrence.

"It's the same thing that happens all the time." Ava waved her hands, feeling flustered. "She's always on my case-"

"Your always quick to put the blame on me." Lexi screeched, interrupting Ava. "Just get off my case, fuck off."

Ava scoffed and reciprocated her words. They both started to bicker over each other, getting louder and louder.

"Will you guys shut the fuck up." I hollowed over them.

"Here we go again." Lexi laughed. "The big sister is coming into save her little sister. Just get out of my face you bitch-"

"LEXI." Zac's voice boomed over. All our head tuned to him, he was flustered with anger, deathly starting at Lexi flaring his nostrils.

"Apologise right now." He demanded, pointing at me. All three of us were wide eyed shocked at Zac's reaction.

"But-"

"Apologise now." Zac repeated.

"Sorry." Lexi said in a low voice.

I couldn't comprehend what happened. Zac defended me? My brows were drawn together and I tilted my head quizzically. My mouth opened, but no words were coming out. I turned to Ava showing her a dazed look of bewilderment.

After many instances of our sisters fighting, this was the first time Zac demanded Lexi to apologise to me. I couldn't fathom what had happened.

The bell ruptured and the students started to filter out, making their way to their classes. Zac took Lexi away and both Ava and I were left still confused and surprised.

My head overpowered with so many thoughts. Embarrassment? Confusion? Surprised? I knew I had to battle it out and talk to Zac, the part of approaching him and stepping towards it was going to be harder than I thought...

A/N

What is going on? Is this a new Zac?

What do you think of Zac shouting at his own sister, demanding an apology...

And will they ever get started on their project, time is ticking...

Don't forget to comment, vote and share!

Love _xxAMxx