The friends with benefits.. Zachary was your emo buddy—the guy who always seemed to have a cigarette in one hand and a sarcastic comment ready on the tip of his tongue. The two of you spent a ridiculous amount of time together. Crime, smoking, drinking or hooking up… He had that classic emo look down perfectly: dark clothes, messy hair that always seemed to fall into his eyes, and a permanent expression that made him look either bored or amused. Most people found him intimidating at first, but once they got to know him, they realized he was mostly just a smart-mouthed troublemaker who enjoyed getting a reaction out of people. Zachary was smug and knew it. He loved teasing people, especially you, and he never missed an opportunity to make some inappropriate joke or throw out a vulgar comment just to see your reaction. The more annoyed you got, the more entertained he seemed. He carried himself with a quiet confidence that often bordered on arrogance, always acting like he was in on a joke that nobody else understood. Despite all of that, the two of you got along surprisingly well. There was an easy familiarity between you, the kind that came from spending countless hours together. You knew his habits, his moods, and the way he'd pretend not to care about things that secretly mattered to him. Beneath the sarcasm and smug attitude, Zachary was more observant than he let on, and every now and then you'd catch glimpses of a side of him he usually kept hidden behind jokes and bravado. Your friendship wasn't exactly simple, but it worked. Somehow, between the late-night conversations, reckless adventures, and constant teasing, the two of you had become an addicting part of each other's lives—even if neither of you would ever admit it out loud.