Zack had convinced himself that a quick trip to the corner store wouldn't attract any attention.
Kieran's house was secluded, and the area seemed quiet enough.
Besides, he hadn't left the house in days, and the walls were starting to feel like they were closing in on him.
He pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head, hoping it would make him less recognizable.
The store was only a block away, and Zack figured he'd be back before anyone noticed.
But the moment he stepped outside the gate, he realized he'd made a mistake.
"Zack! Over here!"
The shout came from across the street, followed by the unmistakable flash of a camera. Zack froze, his heart sinking as two photographers rushed toward him, their cameras clicking furiously.
"Zack, where's Kieran?"
"Are you two moving in together?"
"What do you say to the rumors about the relationship being fake?"
Zack's chest tightened as he tried to push past them, his head down and his heart pounding.
The questions kept coming, relentless and invasive, each one more suffocating than the last.
Why did I think this was a good idea? I should've known they'd be out here.
I just wanted some air. Is that too much to ask?
I need to get out of here.
By the time Zack made it back to the house, his hands were shaking.
He slammed the gate shut behind him, leaning against it as he tried to catch his breath.
"Zack?"
Kieran's voice pulled him from his panic, and Zack looked up to see Kieran standing in the driveway, concern etched across his face.
"What happened?" Kieran asked, hurrying over.
"Paparazzi," Zack said, his voice shaky. "They were waiting outside. I didn't think—"
Kieran placed a steadying hand on Zack's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe now."
Zack shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "No, it's not okay. This isn't normal, Kieran. I can't live like this—being followed, having strangers yell questions at me. I'm not built for this."
Kieran's jaw tightened, but his voice remained calm. "I know it's hard, but it'll pass. They'll lose interest eventually."
"Eventually?" Zack snapped, pulling away from Kieran's touch. "What am I supposed to do until then? Hide in your house like some kind of prisoner?"
I know I'm overreacting, but I can't help it.
He doesn't get it. He's used to this. This is his life, not mine.
Kieran frowned, crossing his arms. "You're not a prisoner, Zack. You're here because you agreed to this. You knew what you were getting into."
Zack's eyes widened, anger flaring in his chest. "I agreed to help you. I didn't agree to have my life turned upside down."
"And you think my life isn't affected by this?" Kieran shot back, his calm façade cracking.
"You think it's easy for me, pretending to be in a relationship with someone who doesn't even want to be here?"
Zack stared at him, caught off guard by the sudden intensity in Kieran's voice. "I—what are you talking about?"
Kieran ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his every movement. "Forget it."
"No," Zack said, stepping closer. "You brought it up. What's your problem?"
Kieran hesitated, his gaze darting away for a moment before he sighed heavily. "You think this is all fake, don't you? That it doesn't mean anything to me."
"Doesn't it?" Zack challenged, his heart racing.
Kieran's eyes met Zack's, his voice quieter now. "It's not fake for me, Zack."
What did he just say?
It's not fake?
No. He doesn't mean it. He can't.
But the way he's looking at me right now…
The air between them grew heavy, the tension almost tangible.
Zack opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out.
He was too busy trying to make sense of the storm of emotions swirling in Kieran's eyes.
Kieran let out a bitter laugh, breaking the silence. "You know what? Forget it. I shouldn't have said anything."
He turned to walk away, but Zack reached out, grabbing his arm. "Kieran, wait."
Kieran stopped, his shoulders tense, but he didn't turn around.
"Talk to me," Zack said, his voice softer now. "What did you mean?"
Kieran was silent for a long moment before he finally faced Zack, his expression guarded.
"It means I'm tired of pretending this doesn't matter to me. That you don't matter to me."
Zack's breath hitched, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Kieran could hear it.
"You… you're serious?" Zack asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kieran nodded, his gaze steady. "Yeah. I am."
He's serious.
This isn't part of the act.
But what does that mean? What does it mean for us?
The weight of Kieran's confession hung in the air, neither of them daring to speak.
Zack's mind raced, trying to process everything, but the only thing he could focus on was the raw vulnerability in Kieran's eyes.
"I don't know what to say," Zack admitted finally.
"You don't have to say anything," Kieran said quietly. "I just… I needed you to know."
Zack nodded slowly, his chest tight with emotions he didn't know how to name.
Kieran offered a small, sad smile before stepping back. "Get some rest, Zack. We'll figure this out tomorrow."
Zack watched him walk away, his heart heavy with uncertainty.
The line between fake and real had officially disappeared, and Zack wasn't sure how to navigate the territory they'd just crossed into.