Boseman High School Shenanigans: Episode 1

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Connery," Zach replies politely to Aaron's mother, offering her his hand. He notices that apparently Aaron told her about him and he wonders what exactly he said to her. "It has been a long day, but I'm okay. I'm just glad my sister didn't get hurt." He nods over to Rose.
He then says goodbye to the Connerys, blushing slightly with excitement when Aaron mentions he's going to text Zach. His eyes linger on the other boy until he disappears through a door and out of sight, then he turns to his parents. "Are we going to the hospital or straight home?" he asks. On the one hand, he does want to check in on the two people who got hurt. On the other, he's getting really tired.

After getting to bed, Zach tries his best to stay awake, waiting eagerly for Aaron's promised text. But it has been a long day and it's getting hard to keep his eyes open. Maybe he can just close them for a moment...

The moment Zach hears his phone vibrate, he reaches for it and unlocks it to check the message. He reads it through once, his eyes catching Aaron's name at the end, so he yawns and makes himself sit upright in bed, trying to get himself more awake again. He then reads the message again before typing up a response.

2:27amZachary: Barely. How are you? Hope you didn't get in any trouble with your mom
After that, he also quickly saves Aaron's number in his phone.

Well… they’re talking two or three years minimum…
Lily smiles as she sends the message, knowing Wendy will jump out of her skin.

Yeah.. Court ordered ban from The Dungeons and The Dragons 👮🏼‍♂️
She waits another minute before sending another.

Yessir, random home inspections for any dice, pens or paper. If they find any, I’m off to maximum security. You’ll never see me again

Your parents being cool? 😬

In the Range Rover

"I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm just glad the girls are going to be okay," he looks back at Sarah and winks affectionately. "When I saw her on the ground, I just lost it on that loser that was out there. If Debby had looked any worse, I would have killed him, I swear to God. And I hurt the wrong person."

He runs a hand through his hair.

"Thanks for picking me up. It means a lot."

Ill get my mom to talk to yours
butter her up and get us back on track!!
mom and dad are being surprisingly cool.! Not exactly shouting it from
The rooftops but they get why I did it
you’re good though, yeah? That shit was fucking weird. Everyone played it off like a big misunderstanding. But that crazy bitch WAS out there with an axe

Zach is already halfway through writing his response to Aaron when that second text arrives. Zach has to read it three times until he's sure that he understood it correctly. Aaron freaking Connery is asking him to sneak out of the house in the middle of the night to go on a date? Sure, he didn't specify that it's a date, but what else could it be?

He quickly deletes his half-written text and responds,
Zachary: Yes!
Which immediately feels super awkward to him. Too eager? Too weird?

Zachary: I mean, that sounds nice. Gives us a chance to talk and all. There was something I meant to ask you but then all this stuff happened and you knowZachary: I'll meet you in front of my houseZachary: Just need to get dressed

He screenshots the conversation, cropping it before his awkward responses to Aaron's request and sends the screenshot to Abigail before getting up and quietly taking off his pjs and putting on a set of clean clothes, including a fresh binder and hoodie.
Zachary: Holy crap!Zachary: [Image Attached]Zachary: Holy Crap, Abby!

On the Way to the Richardsen House

"Mom! Please! Just leave it alone okay? It was just a bunch of misunderstandings," Emily whines.

"I am well aware that we have to keep a low profile but I have to have a life too. I'm not staying away from them!" Now visibly upset, Emily's voice gets louder and louder.

"They are the only friends I have. I am sick and tired of not having any close friends because we keep moving! This lifestyle was your choice. Remember? And your kids are paying the price. I'm not talking about this anymore."

Glaring out the window into the dark night, she stews about her circumstances, her ridiculous parents and the life they chose.

"I'm going out later to meet some friends." Defiantly crossing her arms over her chest she adds, "I'm going and you won't stop me."

In the Hospital

Freddie kisses his sister's forehead gently as she sleeps. He loves her deeply and there are no lengths to which he will not go to protect her, and Sarah, too. He's failed them once, and never again.

He's tempted to look in on Marco, too, but to do what? Apologize? He doesn't see how he could do anything but aggravate the volatile man.

In the Range Rover
He looks at Belinda as she drives. She's gorgeous, growing more beautiful with age, he's certain. The flashing lights highlight her features and he looks away. How much does he owe this woman? He destroyed her life, in most ways, leaving her to pick up the pieces as best she can.

"I didn't see Marco attack Debby. I just assumed it was him because he's an asshat. I don't know what happened tonight, but when I find out, I'll pay them back smart. No more cops, I promise."

Zachary: It's not a booty call!Zachary: Right?Zachary: I mean, Aaron's not the type for that. I thinkZachary: I'll keep you updated, Abby! Wish me luckZachary: He's so freaking cute <3
With the TV still running, Zach had a decision to make. Should he go out the front, past the living room where his dad was probably sleeping, or out the back? The latter would mean taking the sliding garden door, which often got stuck and needed force to be opened. He could open it no problem. The question was whether he could open it silently. He wasn't sure.

It still seemed like the better option to him and so he turned to the back door, quietly sneaking up to it and then trying to push it open without alerting the whole house to what he was doing.