Author's Note: Yeah, I know what you're thinking. I haven't updated since, well, September. But I got randomly inspired this week, so here you have it. Hopefully, I'll continue to be inspired and, you know, write more. And school's a bear but it's almost over and as soon as I get this stupid research paper out of the way I'll have like, oodles of free time, well. Then there's finals. Bah, I hate the last month of school.

Chapter 9: It’s All My Fault

I'll be there for you
When the rain starts to pour

- I’ll Be There For You, The Rembrants

“Rebecca, you need to talk to him, need to!”

Rebecca shook her head briskly, “No way. We’re through. We’ve been over this before Raine.”

Raine nodded solemnly at her friend, “I know. But he misses you Becca. And you two are perfect for each other.”

“If we’re so perfect then why’d we break up?” Rebecca challenged.

“Because you’re so much alike. You’re both incredibly stubborn. And Zack was only sticking up for Cody.”

“Yeah well, he didn’t have to dump everything on me. It’s not my fault.”

“Then who’s is it?”

“I just had this conversation with Zack and now we’re having it?” Rebecca sighed, “Raine please. Just leave me alone already.”

Raine let her head fall into her hands as Rebecca left the lunch table.

She knocked softly on the door, just in case he was sleeping or something. Of course…why the door was closed in the first place would have been a mystery to her had she not been preoccupied with Zack and Rebecca’s love lives.

Shrugging she turned the knob and opened the door, not expecting what came next.

Zack was sitting up in bed, his head in his hands, crying softly- which, obviously, was a shock to Raine who hadn’t seen him cry in, well…ever.

“Zack…?”

Zack glanced up at her, quickly wiping his tears with the back of his hand.

“Zack, what’s wrong?” Raine asked gently. Zack shook his head quickly, burying it in his knees.

“C’mon, Zack,” She whispered softly.

“This is all my fault.”

“What is?”

“This. Cody’s mad at Rebecca and Rebecca’s mad at Cody and Rebecca’s mad at me and…everything’s messed up. And none of this would’ve happened if I wouldn’t’ve passed out in our living room. It is my fault, it is.”

“No it’s not! I told you before! No one, including you, could’ve predicted that you’d be here right now.”

Zack shrugged limply.

Raine nudged him, “C’mon, it’s not. Don’t blame yourself, Zack. That’s not going to help anyone.”

Zack nodded, but the tears continued to fall harshly down his face.

Raine embraced him gently as he sobbed into her shoulder.

“Thanks,” Zack whispered after a while, pulling away.

“What friends are for,” Raine replied with a loose shrug.

Zack sighed and twisted the blanket fitfully.

“You miss her, don’t you?”

Zack looked up, “Who?”

“Becca.”

He nodded.

“When was she here last?”

Zack shrugged, “’bout a week ago.”

“You should call her,” Raine mused.

Zack shrugged again, “Don’t think she really wants to talk to me right now.”

Raine stood slowly, “I better go. I have to be at dance in an hour.”

Zack nodded slowly.

“Hey, Raine?”

“Yeah?” She asked, turning.

“Will you uh tell Cody…I uh…I miss him.”

Raine smiled gently, “Of course.”