37 CALL ME ZACHARY

ATHENA

I wanted to ask more, but I saw Zachary coming to us, and he quickly sat beside me.

I noticed that he usually sits beside me and always stays near me whenever he is around me. I felt uncomfortable by his presence this close to me every time, but I didn't voice it out, and I'm thankful I didn't because after knowing that he has an IED, I don't see how he would react if I did.

He picked up the remote control and turned on the television, and spread his hands behind the couch, almost touching my shoulder. I looked at him, but he focused his eyes on the television. He was so close that I could feel his leg brushing mine.

Why does he need to sit here beside me? It's too crowded with the three of us with Tyron's bag. There are two single-seater couches on our right and left, but he chooses to sit beside me.

I looked at Tyron, and I could see he was smiling despite not looking at us.

"What are you doing, Tyron?" I asked when I noticed he was putting his things inside his bag, then to