27 Earthquake

"Is your mom usually so uptight?", Zephyr asked, hearing the commotion downstairs.

"I'm afraid so", Alex replied, about to write In her notebook.

"Wait!", Zephyr exclaimed, forcing Alex to halt, "I brought some index cards. I thought they might help you study", Zephyr said, bringing out a pack of index cards from his bag, "There was only blue".

"Thanks", Alex said, taking the pack and opening it. After taking a few seconds to think, she began to write on the card.

"No worries", Zephyr replied, noting something down in his notebook.

As she was writing something down, Alex paused and looked up, "What copies DNA for the production of proteins?"

"mRNA is formed in transcription and transported out the nucleus, through the cytoplast before entering the ribosomes where protein synthesis occurs", Zephyr answered, twirling his pen in his finger.

"Thank you", Alex muttered, quickly noting down his statement.

"We've only just started looking at the parts of a cell in depth", Zephyr said, "How come you've already moved onto DNA?".

"I want to make my notes early on so I only have to focus on revising when we have the exams", Alex answered, receiving a nod from Zephyr.

As Alex and Zephyr settled into their studying, they were suddenly interrupted by Phil's screaming which could be heard through the door, "Bill 'Bojangles' Robbinson! I said it first!". A few seconds after, the slamming of a door was heard, and then the sounds of Phil walking down the stairs.

"Sorry about them", Alex said, interrupting the quiet.

"It's fine", Zephyr responded, "I've had to deal with it plenty of times with Matt".

"You know, I've realised that our dads are pretty similar", Alex commented.

"They are quite similar", Zephyr agreed, "But mine has pieces of your mom in him as well".

"Really?", Alex asked.

"Yep", Zephyr answered, "He's really uptight about some things. He snoops through my room whenever I'm not home. He's always worrying about me".

"But isn't that what all parents are like?", Alex countered.

"Yeah", Zephyr replied, thinking about it, "I guess they are".

"Do you think you'll be valedictorian?", Alex questioned.

"I'd like to think I will", Zephyr answered, "If not, I don't mind being second as long as you're the valedictorian".

Alex nodded her head at his answer, continuing to write. "Ugh. I need to get another pen", Alex said, about to stand up and make her way towards her desk.

"It's fine", Zephyr replied, grabbing a pen, "I'll give it". Standing up, he walked over to Alex, who was sitting on her bed. "Here", he said, giving her the pen. However, just as she was about to take it from his hand when the room experienced a sudden and violent shaking, causing Zephyr to trip and fall onto the bed.

A loud crash reverberated throughout the trembling room as Zephyr landed on top of Alex. Thankfully, Zephyr managed to save himself in time so not all of his weight fell on Alex. Zephyr lay on top of Alex with his arms beside her, his face mere inches away from hers, creating an intimate moment amidst all the chaos. Taking the chance, Zephyr leaned in and gently kissed Alex on her lips. His heart raced with nervous excitement as he placed his lips softly against hers. Alex blushed and smiled, feeling a mix of surprise and joy.

Realising the situation, Zephyr reluctantly separated their lips and pushed himself to the side, laying down beside Alex. Snapping out of his stupor, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her under her bed, shielding her from any potential falling debris.

As objects trembled and toppled from their places, cascading to the floor with a resounding crash, Zephyr intertwined his fingers with Alex's, squeezing gently to comfort her. The walls quivered, and the furniture swayed, unable to withstand the forceful motion. Dust and debris filled the air, creating a haze of chaos and confusion.

The rumbling subsided gradually, leaving behind a scene of disarray and damage, as the room bore the marks of the powerful earthquake that had shaken it to its core. Emerging from the bed, Alex dusted herself, not letting go of his hand. "Thanks", she muttered, receiving a comforting squeeze from Zephyr.

"We should check on everyone", Zephyr said, leading Alex outside of the room.

Exiting the room, they were about to make their way downstairs when Phil ran to the stairs and asked, "Are you two okay?".

"We're fine", Alex reassured.

"I'm better than fine", Zephyr whispered, causing Alex to shiver from the cool sensation of his breath on her ears.

"Alex! Haley! Phil! Zephyr! Luke!", Claire screamed while violently pulling on the bathroom door, "Are any of you there?"

"Alex and I are here", Zephyr said, rushing to the door, pulling Alex along with him.

"Is that Zephyr?", Claire asked.

"Yes. It's me", Zephyr replied.

"Good. I need your help. And Alex's too", Claire spoke through the door, "The door's jammed. I'm going to pull and I need you to push. Ok?"

"Yeah", Zephyr replied.

"We're ready", Alex responded, preparing herself.

"In 3. 2. 1. Push!", Claire shouted, pulling with all her might with Zephyr and Alex doing the opposite, exerting as much strength as possible. They struggled for a few moments, the door groaning and creaking from all the pressure exerted upon it. Ultimately, the door failed to budge, leaving the trio frustrated. "Alex. Call Phil".

"Dad!", Alex shouted, "Get up here!".

"On my way!", Phil exclaimed, running up the stairs, tripping over a step, "Seriously! I just fixed that", Phil complained. "What's wrong?", he asked, as soon as he saw the crowding around the bathroom door.

"The door's jammed", Zephyr said.

"Yeah and now Mom's stuck", Alex added.

"You okay there?", Phil asked, his ear against the door.

"We're fine", Claire replied, "Just get us out of here".

"Ok. Don't panic. I'm going to get you out", Phil said, beginning to walk away, "I'm just going to look for some tools".

"Get a crowbar if you have one!", the plumber shouted.

"What is that supposed to mean?", Phil said, coming back up the stairs, "I'm not some dandy without a crowbar".

"You did just use the term dandy", Zephyr said, stealing the words from the plumber's mouth.

Phils retorted, "Dandy is a term coined by 15th-century miners who-"

"Just get us out, Phil", Claire shouted, interrupting Phil.

"Ok", Phil said, nodding and making his way down the stairs.

"Dad", Haley asked, walking out of her room, "How long will it take to get Mom out of there?"

"A long time", Phil shouted as he ran down the stairs.

"Honey, don't worry. Mom is going to be out soon", Claire reassured as Haley grabbed her purse, "Wait! You're not going to the party are you young lady?".

"No. I'm not going to the party", Haley lied, "I'm going downstairs", making her way to the stairs.

However, she was stopped by Alex, who whispered, "With your purse?"

"Urgh", Haley groaned, "Ok. I was planning on saving this for some other time, but if you don't cover for me, I'll tell Mom what you and Zephyr were doing in your room"

"We did nothing", Zephyr said, cutting in, with Alex nodding.

"Aww. That's so cute. Your boyfriend is protecting you", Haley teased, "I saw you two kiss in our room before the door closed. And after, you came out holding hands with smiles on your face". Turning to look at Alex, she continued, "You know what Mom will think if I tell her that. So please, just cover for me"

"So you plan to blackmail me and potentially put my relationship with Zephyr in jeopardy just to go to a party", Alex whispered in anger.

"I really want to go to the party", Haley pleaded, "I've been revising for the whole week".

"Liar", Alex interrupted, "I saw you face-timing your friends and Dylan the whole of yesterday".

"Okay fine", Haley whispered, "But please. I'll do anything".

"Anything?", Alex asked.

"Yes", Haley muttered.

"Fine. Me and Zephyr are going on a date tomorrow and I need you to make sure Mom doesn't find out or follow us", Alex said.

"Ok", Haley said, hugging Alex, "Thanks. Byeee", she said, rushing down the stairs.

"Come back here!", Claire shouted, "I can hear you scheming. Don't you dare leave this house". Unfortunately, her screams fell on deaf ears as Alex and Zephyr were back in Alex's bedroom and Haley had already left the house.

"Oh God", Zephyr muttered, looking at the state of the bedroom.

The once neatly arranged furniture was now askew and overturned. A dresser had fallen over, spilling its contents across the room. Shattered glass from the mirror sparkled amid the debris.

Alex's bed had shifted from its original position, its sheets and blankets tangled and crumpled. The wardrobe doors had swung open, revealing clothes that had fallen from their hangers and mingled on the ground. The shelves were no longer holding their contents; books, photo frames, and other trinkets now lay scattered on the floor. The curtains that once adorned the windows were torn and hanging precariously, partially blocking the light that struggled to creep into the room.

Despite the chaos, the bedroom remained eerily silent, as if holding its breath after the upheaval it had just endured.

"It's all so messy", Alex complained, picking up some of the clothes on the floor, "I didn't notice how bad it was before".

"Yeah", Zephyr replied, moving the bed back to its original position. However, as he looked at the bed, a goofy grin appeared on his face as he remembered what they did.

Seeing this, Alex smacked the back of his head with her pillow, "Stop smiling like that".

"Hey", Zephyr complained, "I was just remembering what happened".

Coughing into the back of her hand, Alex tried to hide the blush on her cheeks, "It was pretty amazing".

"It was. Wasn't it?", Zephyr dreamily said, only to have a pillow thrown at his face.

"Snap out of it and help me", Alex said, fixing the crumpled sheets and blankets.

[Time Skip]

"There", Zephyr said, proud of what he did, "Much better now".

"It does look much better now", Alex agreed, "Much more efficient".

"Yep", Zephyr replied, popping the 'p', "All because of me as well".

"All you did was suggest some small changes", Alex remarked, "Nothing major".

"Awww", Zephyr complained, "But I did all the heavy lifting".

"Yes", Alex agreed, giving him a small peck on the cheek, "And for that, you get a kiss".

"Hey", Zephyr muttered, "I want it on my lips".

Sticking her tongue out, Alex walked out of her room, "Too late now".

Following her, Zephyr walked out of the room and made his way downstairs and into the kitchen, where he saw Phil fixing a cabinet.

Turning around, Phil found himself face-to-face with Alex, "Hey", he nervously greeted.

"What are you doing?", Alex asked.

"Aren't you meant to be getting Claire out of the bathroom", Zephyr added, walking right next to Alex.

"That is what I was doing", Phil agreed, "But this cabinet was the problem".

""How?"" Zephyr and Alex asked at the same time.

"Yeah. It's very heavy", Phil murmured, pointing at the cabinet, "And because it was properly anchored, there was a ripple effect", he said making some gestures with his hands, "It was pulling part of the floor down and then pushing part of the floor up, causing the bathroom floor to...", Phil stopped seeing the looks on their faces. "Ok. Please don't tell Claire", Phil begged.

Just as they were about to respond, shouts of "Phil!" interrupted them as Claire stormed downstairs. "What happened to you?", she asked, "You disappeared for like 20 minutes. We just had to break ourselves out of the bathroom".

"I'm so so happy to see you", Phil tried hugging her, "Get in here".

"No. No no no no", Claire pushed him away, "Seriously. What happened?"

"He was awesome", Zephyr said, turning everyone's attention to him, "He was running around. Turning off the gas line. Taking care of Luke after he ran into a wall".

"Yeah. He cleaned up all the broken glass and helped get Zephyr untrapped", Alex added.

"He did?", Zephyr asked.

"I did?", Phil asked, confused.

"Yeah. Me and Zephyr were in my room during the earthquake and a wardrobe was about to fall on me but Zephyr pushed me away and got himself trapped", Alex elaborated, "Dad had to carefully get him out".

"Oh", Claire muttered in surprise, "Good job then Phil", she added, hugging Phil.

"I don't know about you guys", Phil said, "But I want to relax and put my feet up".

"Yeah", Claire agreed, sitting on the sofa.

"Ok", Zephyr agreed, nodding his head. However, instead of sitting on the sofa, he grabbed Alex's hand and sneaked back up to Alex's room.