Chapter Text
After Rikki breaks up with him and leaves him alone in the office sitting on the couch, tears start to well up in his eyes. He tries to blink them back, but it’s no use. It isn’t long before tears start to stream down his cheeks and he silently cries to himself. He has never cried, not before and not in front of anybody and he wasn’t about to start now, but this, as well as everything else, well, let’s just say he can’t take it anymore. He wipes his eyes and heads out of the office. He keeps his head down and runs out of the café. He runs all the way home, and when he enters the house, he slams the front door shut and runs upstairs, slamming his own bedroom door shut. He flops face down on the bed, grabs his pillow, screams into it and a whole new set of tears start. Harrison, hearing the commotion starts to head upstairs and knocks on his door. Zane lifts his head up from his pillow
Zane: Leave me alone!
Harrison: Why are you home early?
Zane: I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE DAD!
Harrison ignores his son and comes in anyway. Zane throw the pillow at him, he catches it and throws it back at Zane
Harrison: What the hell is wrong with you Zane?!
Zane: If you must know, Rikki broke up with me.
Harrison: Good. I never liked her anyway.
Zane: How can you say that?!
Harrison: Son, she’s beneath you. Beneath us.
Zane: No she’s not! I loved her. I still love her. You wouldn’t understand!
He gets up and storms out, brushing past his dad
Harrison: Where do you think you’re going?!
Zane: Away from you!
He slams the front door and runs back to the café. He enters the office and slams the door but forgets to lock it. He goes to the desk and puts his arm to the desk. He then cries some more. He brandishes a knife, and it is mere millimeters from his wrist when Rikki walks in.
Rikki: Ok, I’m ready to- Zane?! What the hell are you doing?!
Zane: Maybe life would be easier if I wasn’t here anymore.
Rikki’s tone starts to soften
Rikki: What are you talking about?
Zane: Nobody understands.
Rikki: Then help me to.
Zane: No. You can’t help me anymore. No one can.
Rikki: Zane…
Zane: I’m a failure Rikki! My dad hates me because I’ve made some stupid choices. I failed, I’m a failure Rikki…… at love….. and at life.
Rikki: No you’re not.
Zane: Yes I am. I don’t even blame you for breaking up with me. What I did was stupid, immature and selfish.
Rikki: So, all this is because of Sophie?
Zane: No, not exactly. It’s everything else I’ve done wrong.
Rikki: Then let’s sit down and talk about it. Give me the knife and talk to me.
After some hesitation, he hands it to her and she puts it on the desk chair, takes his hand and sits down with him on the couch.
Rikki: Now, tell me what’s going on.
He shakes his head, but looks up at her and she sees that his eyes are red and his face is stained with tears.
Rikki: Have you been crying?
He nods and she reaches out to hug him and comfort him. He lets out a new wave of tears. Just then, Sophie enters the office
Sophie: What is going on here?
Rikki: Leave Sophie!
Sophie: But-
Rikki: NOW! GET OUT!
She gets the hint and leaves
Zane: Thanks.
Rikki: Talk to me Zane. I’ve never seen you like this.
Zane: It’s everything. My dad hates me, he never has liked me. Your friends don’t like me. The café’s going under. I’m a complete failure and it’s all my fault!
Rikki: No you’re not. I still like you Zane.
Zane: Really? You do?
Rikki: Of course. Just because I broke up with you doesn’t mean I hate you.
Zane: I’m really sorry for that by the way. I never meant to hurt you.
Rikki: I know you didn’t. We can talk about that later. Why don’t I go talk to your dad? Get him to see reason?
Zane: But he doesn’t like you.
Rikki: I’ll change his mind. I have my ways.
She gets up to leave, but he grabs her arm
Zane: Please, don’t leave me here alone.
Rikki: Alright, let me walk you home.