Chapter Text
Mary Alice’s dinner.
How could they have ever forgotten about Mary Alice’s dinner?
Previously mentioned by Lynette, “Well, usually when the hostess dies, the party is off.” Harsh, but true. Mary Alice’s death had taken a toll on everyone.
Bree Van de Kamp thought about this as she stood motionless outside the Young house. Despite her original motives for being there, she didn’t act on those, not just yet. She was preoccupied with the fact that she could hear Paul and Zach arguing. Bree almost considered going home, but what kind of neighbour would she be if she didn’t invite the family of Mary Alice to the dinner specifically planned to honour Mary Alice? Especially considering that she’d know Mary Alice and her family for a multitude of years.
Bree tried to tune out the arguing to focus on her reason for being there at such a late hour. Bree let out a breath and stepped forward to gently knock on the door.
The voices inside immediately ceased, as if going completely mute. Bree heard soft footsteps approaching the door before the door handle began turning, and the door slowly eased open, revealing Zach, who had an expression of unease and himself trying to mask the unease so that Bree wouldn’t ask any questions.
“Hello, Zach!” Bree smiled, “I hope this isn’t a bad time.” Bree was almost perfect at pretending things were fine, even if they weren’t.
“What can I do for you, Mrs. Van de Kamp?” Zach said, a bit too fast, and there was a slight tremble in his rushed words.
Bree let out another breath, “Well,” she started, “I wanted to invite you and your father to a dinner party tomorrow night.”
Zach shook his head slightly, “I’m not sure where he is right now.”
Bree knew he was lying. She had heard his angered voice just minutes before, “I’m sorry that it’s such late notice.”
“We just, we weren’t sure if you and your father were ready for any kind of social engagement yet.”
Bree put on a sympathetic look on her face, “Well, we’re sort of throwing it in your mother's honour.”
Zach’s expression softened, “Really?”
“Yes, it’s just going to be a casual night with the gang,” Bree began to sense another presence near her, “We’re going to eat, and tell fun stories about your mom.”
Zach stared at the ground, trying to stifle his own tears. As if out of nowhere, another hand grabbed the edge of the door, opening it and revealing Paul.
“Oh, Hi, Paul! I was just—“
“I heard. Thank you for the gracious invitation. We’d love to come.”
Bree smiled, delighted, “Wonderful! It’ll be tomorrow at around 6 pm sharp,” she began turning around to leave, “Oh, and please be on time. I just cannot stand tardiness.”
Bree straightened her posture, “Anyways, have a good night.” She turned around and walked about halfway down the porch,
“Mrs. Van de Kamp?” Zach said abruptly, stepping slightly outside.
Bree turned, “Yes, Zach?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For remembering my mom.”
——————
The collar of Zach’s shirt was tight. Way too tight. Almost like he was being strangled, he reached his hand up to fix it, only to be stopped by his father, swatting his hand away. They stopped in their tracks on the way to the Van de Kamp house.
“Don’t mess with it,” Paul said sharply.
“But dad, I-“
Paul snapped his head to the side, staring at his son, “I don’t wanna hear it,” he spat, “Just try to act normal enough. Our neighbours will be there, and we don’t need them asking any questions.”
“Fine,” Zach mumbled in response.
To say the least, Zach was nervous. He didn’t enjoy large gatherings to begin with, but this one would be worse. He was already reluctant to attend in the first place, but his father insisted, to “Keep up their image”.
That wasn’t the only reason Zach was nervous. Since the dinner was being hosted by the Van de Kamps, it was assumed that all the Van de Kamps would be there. Including Andrew, whom Zach could admit, he was mildly afraid of.
Andrew was the type of person who was popular, charismatic, and confident. Andrew was everything Zach wasn’t.
——————
Zach followed his father's orders throughout dinner. Someone would ask him a question along the lines of “How’s school going?”, “Did you learn anything new today?”, or “How have you been holding up ever since your mother’s death?”. Which he always gave short answers to.
One thing that was slightly out of place, Zach kept noticing how Andrew kept glancing at him. It was like he could feel Andrew’s gaze burning into his own head.
After dinner, Zach stood near the front door waiting for his father to finish cleaning up. He fiddled with his collar and noticed his father glance at him with a frown from across the room, raising his eyebrows. Zach immediately stopped.
Zach turned to look to the side, and almost out of nowhere, there was Andrew Van de Kamp. Zach almost jumped.
“Hey. I was just wondering,” Andrew began, “Do you wanna hang out for a bit? Y’know, before your dad drags you home.”
This was absolutely shocking for Zach. Not only was this Andrew Van de Kamp (AKA: one of the most popular kids at school), but also, Andrew seemed pretty genuine with his offer.
Zach stood up straighter, as if to seem more confident, “Uh, sure.”
Andrew smirked, “Okay, let’s go,” he said, before turning to the door to leave, Zach trailing behind. Paul didn’t seem to notice.
——————
Near the end of the street, they came to a small park. Zach followed Andrew to a bench and took a seat next to him.
A few moments passed with them sitting in silence. Andrew pulled out a box of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket, taking one out and lighting it. Before he could put it in his mouth, Zach piped up,
“Uh, I don’t think you should be smoking…” He stuttered out, staring at the cigarette in between Andrew’s fingers.
“You gonna stop me?”
That shut Zach up, “…No.”
“Thought so.”
Andrew took a drag of the cigarette, blowing out the smoke, “You know,” he said, “You’re not as weird as people say.”
Zach stopped staring at the cigarette in Andrew’s hand, shifting so he was actually making eye contact with him, “Who’s saying things about me?”
Andrew took another drag, blowing the smoke out quicker this time, “I dunno, some of my friends say you’re crazy, weird, creepy,”
Andrew stifled a chuckle, “I mean, you are a little weird, but creepy? Crazy, even? That’s an overstep.”
Zach couldn’t tell if Andrew meant to be nice with that statement, “Uh… Thanks, I guess.” Zach replied.
“Any time.”
Another few moments of silence, then Zach heard someone calling him from across the street.
Paul comes outside, stiff and impatient. He calls for Zach again, and Zach leaves reluctantly, but not before Andrew says—
“You know, if you ever wanna hang out again, come find me.”
Zach smiled at that.