"The stones weighing down my bones shattered with every brush of his lips against my reverent skin"

❃ B l a z e ❃

"Those are a lot of snacks," were the first words that left my mouth when Bree upended the duffle bag's contents on my bed.

"Yeah, we're doing first date rituals with you. Eating, gossiping, giving you sexual advice." A bright grin beamed on Ann's cheeks as she ripped open a bag of Cheetos.

"Please don't talk about sexual advice when my brother is involved." Bree's nose crinkled with disgust as she popped an Oreo into her mouth. 

Meanwhile, I stood dumbfounded in front of my bed, reeling from how swiftly they had settled into my room.

"Do you want to watch a movie? There's still time until we get you ready for your date." Bree grabbed my laptop off my desk after I nodded, opening the web browser.

"Let's get you into a romantic mood." My two best friends shared a conspiratorial smirk before hiding the screen from me.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I swore under my breath as the sound of heavy panting sprung from my laptop speakers, resembling moans.

"You fucking didn't, turn it off." I glared at them when I saw a severely explicit video playing on my computer. The visuals of bare skin saturated the silence long after I slammed my laptop shut.

Ann and Bree dissolved into a stream of laughter, my cheeks heating slightly from a weird tingling in my stomach.

"Just getting you ready for your date," Bree gasped out through a fit of chuckles, her eyes watering slightly.

"It isn't that kind of date." My sharp retort served as fuel for their amusement as Ann made a show of wiping hnon-existent tears.

"You're so adorable, don't tell me you've never watched 50 Shades of Grey before." Ann's lips quirked up as she finally settled down, propping her elbow on a pillow.

"I'm pretty sure everyone has seen that movie. That doesn't mean you just play it out of nowhere."

"It'll get you in the mood to get freaky," Ann shimmied her shoulders and I chucked a pillow at her head.

"Now isn't the time to watch Hollywood porn. Please put on something that won't have me picturing boobs on my date."

"You're such a bore," Bree pouted, nonetheless flicking through the catalogue before playing an early 2000's chick flick.

"I wonder how much money we've spent on snacks," I murmured, shoving a handful of kettle chips down my throat.

"I blow all my money on food and clothes, which is reasonable," Bree explained, intensely watching the male lead try to win the girl's attention.

"Men like this don't exist in real life," she gestured towards the screen and we nodded in unison.

"Why are you agreeing? Rafael would buy you a planet if he could," Ann muttered, swallowing a mouthful of Sour Skittles.

"No, he wouldn't and if he did, I'd send him there for buying it in the first place."

"Guess you don't need a new planet when you're living in a world of your own." The two of them snickered at their supposedly clever jab and I rolled my eyes, refocusing on the movie at hand.

Time faded as we hung out, the snacks reducing with every minute. By the time the movie had ended, only a few packets of Gummy Bears remained, which everyone refused to eat.

"I'm going to keep it downstairs in your kitchen for the next time we come over." Annikah sauntered downstairs with the remaining food.

"Oh shit, we were supposed to help you decide on an outfit," Bree slapped her forehead dramatically and I shook my head.

"I already have it planned."

"Show me."

"It's a surprise."

"It's not your wedding, B."

"Fuck off."

"Rude but hot," she raised a hand to her chest and I suppressed a grin at her naturally flirty attitude, like Rafael.

I glanced at the clock and realised I had under an hour until my date. Woah, where did the time go?

A bout of nervousness vacuumed my body as I nibbled on my bottom lip.

As if sensing my misplaced anxiety, Bree shot me a small smile. "You'll be fine, B. There's nothing to worry about."

"Yeah, you guys are halfway married." Ann slipped back into the room, a corny grin plastered on her face.

"Go change so I can do your amazing make-up." With a stern finger, Bree shoved me off my bed.

"Our date theme is casual," I glowered at her, rubbing my elbow where it had banged on the edge of the bed frame.

"Doesn't mean you can't outshine Rafael."

Judging by the determination on Bree's face, she wasn't conceding.

"Fine, I'll do eyeliner, mascara and a lipstick or gloss. Anything more and it'll wash off with my nervous sweating."

"You didn't show us your outfit," Ann suddenly gasped.

"Wait for the grand reveal," I drawled dryly.

After grabbing my outfit, I ducked into the bathroom. Bending over the sink, I took a few deep breaths and splashed cold water on my face.

The mirror beaded with water droplets as I peered at my distorted reflection, feeling an influx of happiness. I had come a long way since the days of avoiding my face on reflective surfaces.

Healing was a process and my friends had helped catalysed it.

I stripped off my jammies and ran my fingers along the unmarked skin of my collarbones. The lack of bruises still surprised me sometimes.

Just a few more days and I'd be free of my secret. I had decided to tell my friends about Aiden in the next couple of days. I'd ran through the possible motions of how things would change about a million times but realised it was time, I trusted them more than myself. Shoving those thoughts aside for the moment, I dabbed my skin dry and composed myself.

After changing into my date outfit, I piled my hair up into a messy bun and exited the bathroom.

"You look gorgeous." I whipped my head around at Bree's appreciative tone.

"Thank you," I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly as Ann echoed her compliment.

The mirror in the bathroom caught my reflection through the open door and I bit my bottom lip, analysing my outfit.

It was a periwinkle blue dress that streamlined down my body, the slight ruffles at the hem fluttering at my mid-thighs. It's thin straps arched over my shoulders, the neckline dipping an inch below my exposed collarbones. Goosebumps lined my arms as I ran my fingers along the soft material printed with tiny pastel flowers.

"You might want to grab a jacket, it's going to be cold where you're going" Bree offered secretively.

"I'm guessing you won't tell me where we're going if I asked."

"Not a chance."

With a sigh, I advanced to my closet and grabbed a pale pink jacket, the colour identical to the printed flowers on my dress.

"Now I get why you didn't want to watch that movie, you've been living your erotica fantasies in real life." The sound of Ann's jesting made me jolt, confusion clouding me at her words.

"You've got a hickey," Bree teased, lightly brushing her finger over the fading spot at the junction of my neck and shoulders.

"Oh shit." Embarrassment surged through me as I dodged their knowing gazes, taking a spot in front of my bedroom mirror.

"We haven't done anything like that," I hinted as the two of them hovered behind me with megawatt grins.

"Of course."

"I'm not lying."

"Alright, no worries. I'll cover it up concealer." Bree's smile didn't dim as she procured her make-up kit from the duffel bag. "Now, sit still."

"Don't do anything besides eyeliner, mascara and lipstick or gloss. I'm a nervous sweater and it'll all come off and I'll look like a trainwreck."

"Calm down, Blaze." Bree laughed airily, confirming that she wasn't doing much to my face.

The hickey on my neck disappeared as she blended concealer on it, a satisfactory smirk on her lips the entire time. After swiping white eyeliner across my lids and coating my lashes with mascara, Bree applied a light layer of lipstick across my mouth.

"And we're done," she announced with a clap of her hands.

"Goddamn Blaze, aren't you a looker?" Ann wiggled her eyebrows and I failed to suppress a laugh.

"You sound like a flirty grandpa."

"Your hair looks great as it is," Bree murmured, finger-combing through the soft strands as my hair draped down in gentle waves just above my belly button.

"Use these," Ann stepped forward, handing two pearl hairclips to Bree. She pinned back the front strands loosely and fluffed the bottom ends up.

"Final touch," Bree murmured before clasping a layered coin necklace around my throat, the cool metal pressing against the skin of my chest.

"We're like the birds in Cinderella, helping you get dressed."

"Thank you," I grinned, glancing at my reflection. The white eyeliner highlighted the blue in my eyes, making them seem more aquamarine than they were.

"If you end up ruining your makeup due to certain circumstances, I expect to hear details." Bree's words initially failed to hit their target. However, as the implication of her statement settled in, I glowered at her.

A few inappropriate jokes later, they began packing their stuff, simultaneously giving me terrible date tips.

"Anyways, we'll be leaving now. Jonah's helping me with calculus," Ann said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Bree smirked, receiving a dry scoff from me.

"Which means you can do whatever you want," Ann added, exiting my room with a grin.

"Have fun," I reciprocated Bree's warm smile as she left, leaving me in barren silence.

Glancing at the clock, I realised I had less than thirty minutes until Rafael arrived. Considering that I was all ready to go, I took a seat on the pouf in the corner of my room.

Time ticked by as I fidgeted on my phone and hummed tunes to myself. Checking my reflection in the mirror thousands of times, I came up was new flaws every minute- ones that I were sure were just a projection of my anxiety.

Thankfully, after what felt like eons later, the doorbell trilled and I shot up. Smoothing down my dress, I inhaled deeply and checked my make-up once before racing downstairs.

My fingers quivered over the doorknob, a jumble of nerves igniting in my stomach. This wasn't the first time I was seeing Rafael but my body reacted like it was.

I unbolted the door and when I did, all the air in my lungs seemed to collapse, leaving behind a breathless mess.

"Hi."

The deep baritone of Rafael's voice left a trail of goosebumps on my arms and I gulped, the lump in my throat constricting words.

I glanced down at his outfit, appreciation buzzing in my blood at just how attractive he was. Rafael was wearing a raven black button-down, the silhouette tapering down his hunkering form. An olive green jacket stretched across his muscular shoulders, ending below his waistline at the black pants that bagged over pristine white sneakers.

Holy fuck.

"You look breathtaking," The adoration in his voice snapped me out of my reverie and I gulped.

The walls of my throat seemed to cling to words that wouldn't escape. I couldn't stop staring at the slightly flushed skin of his cheeks and angular jawline, as if it had been freshly shaved. 

The emerald in his eyes siphoned the air from my lungs and I mustered up the courage to speak.

"Hello, Rafael." Why did I sound like a vampire?

He stepped closer, the hair on the nape of my neck frizzing from the static charging the air between us.

"You look appetising," I laughed nervously, cringing at the babble of words leaving my mouth.

"Who sounds like a cannibal now?" An amused smile teetered on his face and I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth when the scent of Rafael greeted my nostrils, cinnamon and warmth.

"You get the gist." The wedge in my throat widened as his fingers circled my wrist, cruising past my elbows and up to my shoulder blades.

"You've got really pretty eyes." His voice vibrated against the pulse point in my neck as he placed a kiss under my jaw.

Before I could say anything, Raf backtracked, a knowing smile fighting to be seen.

"So do you, they're the colour of broccoli." God, I needed to shut up.

"Oh?" Rafael raised a brow.

"I like broccoli," I blurted and instantly groaned at my incompetency at speaking decently.

"No, you don't."

"I do now," I clicked my tongue while shooting him a thumbs up and Rafael simply laughed.

"Are you ready to go?" The invitation in his gaze inched through my skin and I nodded nervously.

"Let me grab my phone and purse."

"No, you won't need that." Stubborn fingers pulled me back and I glared at him.

"Yes, I will."

"Fuck no."

"Quite the gentleman," I smiled artificially and uncurled his fingers from my wrist. "I'm still getting my purse."

"It's just going to be extra weight," he shrugged nonchalantly, propping a muscular shoulder against the wall.

"I don't care," I huffed, grabbing my purse and slipping my house keys and phone into the side chain.

"Let's go," Rafael intertwined our hands, his thumb rubbing the inside of my wrist.

"Wait, I need to put on my shoes." Gesturing for him to stop, I held onto his shoulder for support while pulling the white sneakers past my heels.

"Done?" I nodded and we left the house, locking the front door behind me.

"Goddamn, whose car is that?" My mouth slightly hung open at the large, black Range Rover parked in front of my house.

"Dad's." A trickle of embarrassment laced his voice as he held the door open for me. I clambered onto the plush seat, running my finger along the sleek interior.

"Haven't brought the rich boy car today?" I grinned at the name Travis and I had given Raf's precious Maserati. He grunted, eyebrows furrowing with concentration as he reversed the car and drove past the lines of suburban houses and onto the main road.

"We'll need a bigger car for what I have planned."

Fire burrowed under my skin, a sudden spark seizing my breath as I squeaked out. "Oh."

"Nothing like that." Rafael seemed to grasp my misunderstanding and cleared it. However, his sight fell onto his hand loosely wrapped around my right thigh, sending pinpricks skittering through my blood.

"Okay."

A complex silence descended upon us and my breath seemed to halt and release in jagged stutters.

Just as I was about to break the void, Raf and I spoke up together, our words mixing.

"You first," he tipped his head with a smile, showcasing the tips of his pristine teeth.

"Where are we going? I'm dying of curiosity."

"It's a surprise." His noncommittal answer elevated my frustration.

"You look gorgeous in white," he rumbled, his gaze focusing on the eyeliner around my lids, then languidly canvassing down my dress.

"It's not the first time you've seen me wearing white, Raf," I chuckled nervously, terrible at receiving compliments.

"Might as well be."

Wave after wave of butterflies tumbled over my insides and I sucked in a deep breath, tracing the shadow of his jaw and Adam's Apple against the sunlight streaming through the window.

"If you keep looking like that at me, I'll lose focus from the road, Blaze." I was startled as Rafael's voice penetrated my appreciation of his blessed genes.

"You're my boyfriend, I can stare at you, right?" I continued memorising the sharp slope of his nose and the curved length of his eyelashes.

"Fuck yeah, you can." He ground his teeth together, flashing me a thin-lipped smile.

The car ride progressed as the tension seemed to escalate, Rafael's fingers on my thigh squeezing gently.

In the haze of my fluid thoughts, I didn't realise the familiar winding path leading to the place I had visited many times over the past years.

Surprise integrated on my face and I sucked in a deep breath.

"Okay, I don't know if this is a good idea or a bad idea. We can skip it if you don't want to." A barrage of emotions plummeted on Rafael's face- nervousness, fear, hope- as he glanced behind his shoulder at the murky shadows of the cemetery gates.

"Typically, I would meet your parents when I came to pick you up because it's our first date. Since that isn't possible, I just thought we could come here..." Rafael trailed off, the top of his cheeks staining red. "We won't go if you don't want to."

"I love that idea." Saving Rafael the trouble of overthinking, I leaned over the central console and wrapped my arms around him. He lowered his head into my neck and a relieved sigh left his lips, riddling my collarbones with goosebumps.

"Wait here," Rafael suddenly pulled back and I nodded. He exited the car and jogged across the street, ducking into the florist shop.

Admiration teemed in my chest as he appeared minutes later with three flower arrangements.

"This is for you." Placing a bursting arrangement of lilies, he gripped the door open. The core of the flowers was shaded a deep violet which spread out into petals with blended margins of white.

"I read on a couple of websites that flowers aren't cool for a first date. But I thought you'd like them." Rafael's words were stilted and nervous and the aspect of him researching for our date made my heart expand with joy.

"These are called Patricia's Pride or something," he muttered while glancing at the bouquet in my hand.

"I love them." Murmuring my assurance, I gripped his hand tighter and traipsed up the steps to the forlorn atmosphere surrounding the cemetery.

Usually, a sense of bereavement would capture me. But today I felt nothing but pride, true to the flowers, when I leaned in front of my parent's gravesites.

Rafael placed one of the two remaining arrangements, blooming with pale coloured carnations between their tombstones, his palm turning clammy against mine.

"So uh... Mr and Mrs. Davis, I'm taking your daughter on a first date. I hope that's okay with you, if not just give us a sign. Lightning or thunder works but a falling leaf is preferred, it's less spooky." Rafael grated out, avoiding my gaze and I fought a grin.

"No falling leaves, they approve." A pleased smile tipped on his mouth as the silence captured us.

I kneeled against the marble and murmured all the things that happened since the last time I visited in a hushed ramble while Rafael stood behind at a respectable distance. Standing back up, I turned to him, gratitude filling my heart.

"I don't know if you want to go visit Kiara, but I bought flowers regardless." He handed me the last bouquet, his eyes searching mine gravely. I nodded curtly and walked towards the location of her grave.

The comfortable air slipped into something terser as I placed the flowers against her headstone. Failing to conjure up any words or regretful emotions, I backtracked into Rafael's arms and he nodded in understanding at my silence.

Without another word, we walked back to the car and this time, a new sense of adoration for Rafael gravitated in my bones.

"Thank you for that," I murmured, the cool air from the AC blasting against my bare skin.

"Anything for you." The forest green hues of his eyes dipped to my jaw and lower, causing flames to combust beneath my skin.

"It's going to be a long drive from here, an hour or more." Rafael reluctantly dragged his gaze away from the pale skin of my thighs, replacing his sight with his large, slender hand.

"You better not dump my body in some unknown location," I airily joked to clear the fizzling electricity and he chuckled deeply, drumming his fingers on the wheel.

"You can never tell." Raf's eyes sparkled with mischief as he glanced at me one last time before putting he started driving.

The car glided smoothly on the even road and I relaxed, crossing my legs on the seats. Thank fuck for the boy shorts that Bree made me wear underneath.

"We should get to know each other," I clapped my hands together to catch his attention and Raf nodded.

"I know a lot about you already, is there something more I should know?" Even though Raf's tone was playful, a sudden surge of panic gripped me as I thought about all my secrets regarding what had happened while I was with Aiden.

I had everything planned, I would first tell Dr. Lincoln and then him and my friends. Together, we would tell Aunt Mary and she would help me handle it from there, hopefully.

After some internet research, I had realised that there was no legal course of action that would end fruitfully considering it had happened months ago. I should've reported it back then but there was no use dwelling on the past.

The least I could do was call Aiden out and hope that a path opened up where he faced some punishment, even though it would never match his crime. There were too many variables that held power over how the aftermath would affect me but I knew that I had to come forward one day.

"Blaze?" The concerned note in Rafael's voice shattered my train of thought.

"I was thinking of questions." The crescents I had dug into the back of my thighs burnt lightly.

His gaze flickered with uncertainty before turning back to the road.

"You first," I nudged him lightly and he seemed to mull it over before smiling conspiratorially.

"What's your current obsession?" Rafael's random question struck me silent for a few moments.

"Don't laugh," I warned him before answering and he sincerely nodded.

"When we babysit Em and Rhett, I like being artistic with them. So, I bought these really cool pencils that have a dual tip and the other end becomes a watercolour if dipped in water. It's really therapeutic, I draw every night. How fucking amazing, right?" I awaited his reaction and when he matched my enthusiasm, my grin widened.

"You're fucking adorable." A strand of chestnut hair bent down his forehead.

A flush climbed my cheeks as I turned towards the window, gazing at the blurring asphalt and streams of cars.

"How about you? What's your obsession?" Deflecting the question towards Raf, I waited for his answer.

"You."

My breathing abated, a familiar herd of jitters thrumming in my stomach.

"Sounds like the words of a sociopathic stalker," I cleared my throat and Rafael's smile beamed with humour.

"Just a guy in love."

"How are you so good at flirting?" I threw my hands up in an exasperated fit and he simply smirked, squeezing my thigh.

"Only with you." A gravity centred his words, tugging me in with every syllable.

Realising it was probably not the best time to pass out from swooning, I switched on the touch screen display and connected my phone.

"Did you see the new songs I added to our playlist?" Raf nodded his head at my question and I waited for his review.

"They're amazing."

"Like you." My weak attempt at flirting was met with boisterous laughter and I eased back into my seat, Radiohead playing in the background.

Conversation fluttered between us as he manoeuvred past the city roads. My gaze was drawn to the veins traversing across his smooth skin that shifted with every turn, the slender fingers that snared around the wheel in an assertive grip.

"Can you tell me where we're going now?" I glanced at the thicket of trees in my peripheral vision. We had left our town, unfamiliar roads snaking between blooming nature.

"No." The crisp refusal was followed by a snarky grin and I grumbled in annoyance.

"If you take me on a hike or some nature-y bullshit like that, I will ruin your perfect face." Scanning his posture for tell-tales, I was satisfied when he denied it.

"I love it when you get feisty." Tongue pressed against his inner cheek, he lowered his eyes to my neck. The fleeting visual of the hickey marring the skin shone in my vision and I cleared my throat.

"You're being quite... expressive today."

"Bree made me promise I wouldn't be a cocky douchebag today so I'm flirting instead." He shrugged his shoulders and I feigned a beaming grin.

"Good to know you're equally great at both things."

"Your comeback game is getting stronger," he praised and I scoffed when he added, "I've taught you well."

"Careful, your doucheness is showing."

A gusto of deep laughter breezed in the car and Rafael clutched the wheel tighter as he pretended to wipe his tears.

"Remind me why we're dating again," I tapped my chin and he smiled.

"Because I'm crazy for you."

"God, it's like you're a professional flirter or something."

My stomach rolled from nerves as he shook his head, placing our interlaced fingers on my thigh.

The rest of the drive unfolded with easy conversation and an abundance of frisky comments from my date.

"Okay, we're here," Rafael murmured, slowing the car down.

"Where?" I glanced around, noticing nothing but trees, and roads cutting between them.

"I feel like I should've brought a blindfold to make the surprise better," he muttered, more to himself and I laughed nervously.

"That is something straight out of a sacrifice ritual, no thank you."

Raf rolled his eyes before taking a turn that delved between two thick rows of oaks, my eyebrows cinching in confusion.

Before I could ask where we were going, an iron-wrought gate led to an open ground between the coppice of tall trees. A massive screen stretched the expanse of almost fifty feet, the shadows of fractal branches projecting from behind the surface.

"It's a drive-in cinema," Rafael inputted sneakily when my ability to formulate words got lost in my stupefaction.

"It's amazing," I breathed, the cool air from my window chilling my skin.

"My dad's friend, Matias, owns the place," he explained, halting the car right in the middle of the clearing.

"He asked me if I wanted to book the entire thing for the night and Dad was keen on doing it." A splash of red ascended his cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck meekly.

"Please tell me you didn't."

"Of course not, babe. Go big or go home would piss you off and ruin my first date."

I knew it was his first date but I couldn't battle the smile threatening to break out on my lips.

Rafael exited the car, coming around to my side and opening the door. Using his shoulder for support, I got down and followed him as he popped the boot open.

"Oh," My lips gaped at the heap of pillows and folded blankets.

"I came prepared." A victorious grin peaked on his face.

"Clearly."

"We have this place to ourselves for an hour, Matias opened it early for us."

"What do we do in that time?" I spun around, absorbing the beautiful location, the imposing trees caging us in nature's embrace.

Taking a few steps away, I noticed a large sign towards the gate, the words "Twilight's Cradle Drive-In Cinema" sprawled in the classic cinematic font.

"Watch the sunset," Rafael's breath tumbled down my neck as he stepped behind me, hair brushing against my neck.

"Oh good." My voice took on a stifling edge, my composure slipping.

"Hmm," Raf hummed against my neck, his lips inching below my jaw and my eyelashes fluttered shut idly.

However, the peace was shattered as he retreated, a coy smirk contorting his bottom lip.

Swallowing a discreet gulp of air, I narrowed my eyes at him and advanced back to the car.

Rafael's broad shoulders were hunched over as he collapsed the back seat of the car, adjusting the pillows and fluffy blankets in the open boot. Brown hair curled at the base of his skull, the collar of his shirt pulled crisply against the nape of his neck.

Music played from a speaker that he had positioned in the corner, filling the air with an upbeat tone.

♪ play: forever right now//conor matthews ♪

I wrapped my arms around Rafael's back, my cheek pressed against the middle of his spine.

"Hey," he angled his head, the sound of his breathing rippling through my eardrums.

"You're quite warm."

"I think you mean h-"

"Do not ruin it." Wisely, he shut his mouth and relaxed. Our pulses thumped languidly, like the pelting of rain on a concrete path. I finally unclamped my arms from around his torso, a lazy smile perking on Raf's lips as he propped himself against the back of the car.

"Come here." The husky edge to his voice was softened by his reverent gaze.

My limbs became fluid as I padded over to him, knees almost giving out as he tugged me between his legs.

A shuddering breath heaved out of his throat as his eyes surfed down my form, noticing every detail and memorising each pore. Rafael's blithe green eyes dilated as the distance between us shortened.

Every second that passed felt like a moment too long, my chest constricting with impatience. Each flutter of his lashes seemed timed with my racing pulse, a synchronisation of souls.

"You're amazing," Rafael's words sunk in slowly as he tucked a hair strand behind my ear, his finger tracing the shell of my ear and dipping down to my throat in one fluid motion. My breath was robbed as he leaned in closer, gaze plunging to my lips.

When our mouths met, it was slow and peaceful, matching the steady thrum of nature around us. My love for him coiled like a vine around my heart, flowers blossoming between the crevices.

Behind him, the sky blended into a landscape of lilac and ginger streaks, willowy clouds frothing like foam across the vast canvas. It was startlingly breathtaking, like the perfect backdrop for the climactic kiss of a movie.

But the most beautiful sight was the person in front of me.

﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌

"What snack do you want besides me?"

"You just couldn't resist, could you?" My eyes flared with feigned annoyance as I glanced at Rafael, his fingers curled around my shoulder.

The concession stand beamed like a gateway to heaven in front of us, the backlit sign showcasing all the mouthwatering snacks. Laughter and chatter buzzed around the atmosphere, imparting liveliness to the previously peaceful spot.

After we had settled in the boot of the car, Raf and I had spent our solitary hour conversing and admiring the plunging of the sun into nightfall beyond the tree-line.

Comfortable silence spoke in some intervals and our lips and hands did in others.

By the time my mouth had become swollen and red and my eyes had adapted to the impending darkness, flocks of the audience had started occupying the empty spots around us.

Apparently, there was a town ten minutes away, from where they had all come to watch.

"I can't decide." A groan scraped my throat as I was unable to narrow down the potential food options.

"Get it all," Rafael shrugged casually as if asking for the entire menu wasn't an insane idea.

The line reduced in front of us and by the time it was my turn, I still hadn't chosen.

The cashier smiled at me patiently as I struggled, wringing my fingers together.

"I'll have the trail mix and regular popcorn. A large Coke too, please." Just as they went to fill my drink, my indecisiveness kicked in.

"No wait, on second thought, I'll get the Chicken Sandwich with the Coke. I didn't see that before." Sweat beaded at my forehead as I laughed nervously, an understanding smile etched on the cashier's lips.

"Oh, can I get the Nachos too and one more sandwich?" I added at the last minute, remembering I hadn't bought anything for Rafael. Anxiety churned in the pit of my stomach as impatience fluttered on the employee's face.

I was just as terrible at picking my snack as I was at life decisions.

"Hurry up, this isn't a goddamn buffet." The guy behind us scowled in annoyance, glaring at me.

"Shut up and let her order," Rafael's voice turned to steel, icy eyes glowering at Mr. Impatience.

The guy's irritation didn't fade, however, he didn't make any more rude comments.

The nerves in my stomach flared with every passing second, and I couldn't even argue with Raf when he stepped ahead and paid, grabbing a bag of crisps at the end.

After collecting our food, Rafael purposely shoved the guy's shoulder as we passed and flashed me a reassuring smile.

"Who knew ordering food could be so anxiety-induced, huh?" I dryly laughed, hoping to dissipate the tension. Rafael's brows pinched, eyes wavering with concern.

"Are you okay? That guy was an asshole."

"Yeah, I'm fine."

His eyes searched mine for a while, before he nodded, pulling me under the crook of his arm.

"What type of movie is this?" I inquired once we had settled comfortably in the car, the large screen in front of us flashing with the title.

"That's the thing... I forgot to check the genre." An adorably sheepish smile tugged at his lips.

"I think it's a horror movie." Suspicion nipped my voice as I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Oh, is that so? Are you going to be scared?" The teasing lilt in his voice was accompanied by a dimpled grin.

"Maybe."

"Good, I'll get to hold you." The cheeky fucker grinned with victory and I flipped him off.

"If I get nightmares, you're paying for my therapy."

The arm snaking around my shoulder tightened, holding me captive in the warmth of Rafael's embrace.

"Classic creeper move," I bit back a smile as he grumbled, dragging a blanket over our bodies.

"Wait, I need to eat." My hand seized his wrist before he could tuck me in, interrupting his affectionate gesture with a meek smile.

"Is there something for me in there?" Rafael probed playfully, glancing at the bag of food and I nodded earnestly.

In front of us, the movie had started rolling, gloomy frames casting from the projector onto the screen.

String lights had been looped around the branches of the towering trees, bathing the place in a warm, underexposed orange tone. The chirp of nature was drowned out by the speakers that reverberated with the music of the starting credits.

Perfect place to start eating.

My lips fell to a frown as I saw the tomatoes in the sandwich, between layers of splotchy ketchup.

Rafael's focus was immersed in the movie, one arm thrown haphazardly over my lap. When I noticed he wasn't looking, I slipped them between the slices of his sandwich.

Just as I was about to hide the last tomato piece in his food, bony fingers wrapped around my wrist, making the tomato drop on top of the nachos.

"Oh, hello." A flutter of nervous laughter rippled up my throat at being caught, Rafael's eyes narrowing flippantly.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice?" Hoarseness saturated his voice and I gulped, butterflies agitating my stomach.

"In my defence, you didn't notice until the last piece." With a scrunch of my nose, I glanced at the sodden tomato slice resting upon the cheesy nachos.

"Trust me, I did notice. I was wondering how many you'd put in my sandwich."

"See, I'm bold. I either go all in or nothing," I attempted to mimic his cockiness with a rise of my chin.

"Is that so?" Rafael picked up the tomato slice and placed it between his lips. My eyes dipped to the droplets of juice that dotted on his mouth, which he promptly licked away with a swipe of his tongue.

Get a grip.

"Mhm," I nodded, dryness cracking my throat.

"I'd like a demonstration." It took a few seconds for his words to strike home, and when they did, flames licked at my skin and I cleared my throat.

"Look, the movie's started." My voice turned squeaky and amusement danced on Rafael's face.

"It started ten minutes ago." His pointer finger traced a circle around my wrist, running up to my elbow and seizing it softly.

"Okay." My gaze shirked to the screen in hopes of slowing down my erratic heartbeat. However, when Rafael twisted a stray hair strand between his fingers, resulting in his knuckles grazing against my neck, my chest caved in.

"This is tasty," I took a huge bite out of the sandwich. It tasted ashy in my mouth due to the pit that had hollowed my stomach at Rafael's not so subtle advances.

"That's great." Oblivious to my skittish nerves, he continued his gestures, absently drawing patterns on my arm, braiding a section of my hair and loosening it.

Gradually, my pulse accustomed to the spike it had every time he inched closer.

Even though we were watching a horror movie, Rafael was the one giving me jump scares.

Thankfully, he didn't say anything as I resumed slipping my tomato slices between his sandwich, even though I knew he wasn't the hugest fan of raw vegetables.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I nudged him and Raf nodded, wolfing his sandwich down in a couple of bites. Thin wrinkles creased his nose when he picked my tomato slices up, gingerly swallowing them.

"You don't have to eat it." I offered sheepishly.

"One of us has to eat healthily." A casual smile beamed on his lips and I punched his shoulder. Our playful banter enhanced along with the movie, the snacks dwindling between us.

Rafael placed all the good chips from the bag on my plate, the grin on my face never fading at his thoughtfulness.

When I offered to eat the burnt ones, he said he liked his chips that way, which was a blatant lie.

"Seriously, this is a rip-off. No offence to your Dad's friend." Angrily muttering under my breath, I glanced at the sheer amount of burnt potato chips, which was a lot.

"It's fine," he shrugged, popping the charred chip into his mouth. Ultimately, the nachos were the last of our feast to remain and I put the entire dish on his lap.

"I'm not hungry anymore," I explained when he gazed at me suspiciously.

"I'm not, you fed me like a cannibal feeds his victims- getting them all healthy and juicy before consumption." Disgust crawled through Rafael's face at my statement.

"Those crime shows are getting to your head."

"You're getting to my head, in a good way." I winked and hearty laughter originated from his throat.

"Careful, you're approaching my level."

An eye-roll later, my attention swivelled back to the movie, a resuscitated corpse sliding across the screen.

"That's terrible CGI," Rafael commented, his sharp cheekbones rising as he narrowed his eyes.

"The movie critic has spoken."

A scoff itched out of his throat and my eyes zeroed in on the dab of guacamole smeared across his cheek.

I smoothed my thumb over it, attracting Rafael's ardent attention. When I dragged my thumb between my lips, licking it off, his forest green irises became a thin ring, a black hole opening in the centre of his eyes.

The minute details of his eyelashes seemed to become clearer as he inched closer, teeth peeking in from his slightly open mouth.

"Don't kiss me." I was surprised by my outburst as I grasped his shoulder.

"Okay. Why?" Rafael was just as shocked as me as he withdrew with heaving breaths.

"I've got ketchup breath, from the sandwich." Now that the words were out of my mouth, they sounded stupid and I blanched.

"I don't care."

"That's assuring, but I also ate those potato chips so I've got oily breath."

"Let me repeat myself, I don't care."

"I still want a mint."

"Blaze, you really are fucking weird." He dragged his fingers down his face, groaning deeply. "And I love it."

I was unable to answer, the grin on my face stretching so wide that the muscles locked in place.

He stretched over to the front, elongating his body across the distance to procure the mints from the glove compartment.

"Nice ass," I patted his rear.

Once Rafael settled back into his spot, he dragged me into a loose chokehold, popping a mint in my mouth and kissing my temple.

"Yours is better." The chilly whisper made me stiffen and I bit the corner of my lip anxiously.

"I forgot to ask you, why did you choose this as our date?" I glanced around the cinema, the flickering lights dispersing a beam of pale orange hues on Rafael's profile.

"It's simple. I combined your three favourite things- food, movies and me."

"Your humility is endearing." A taunting smile mocked at my lips, but internally my insides pooled with warmth.

My thoughts streamlined onto one minute detail, the full curve of his bottom lip overlapping the top, the redness saturating his mouth.

I leaned forward and captured his lips between mine, the tender intoxication rendering me breathless.

When my fingers knotted in his hair, Rafael's winded grunt passed between our connected mouths, his hands slinking down my back. The rapid contractions of my heart relaxed only when a sudden sound from the movie caused us to break apart.

"That mint tasted really great," Raf murmured, the smile evident on his arched lips.

"I love you." An all-consuming delirium weltered my body as the words glided past my vocal cords.

"An 'I love you' on the first date? I should be running for the hills." The grin on his lips faded slowly and he rested his forehead against mine.

"I love you." Rafael's thumb stroked my cheek softly, invoking a multitude of emotions that ricochetted from my fingers to my toes.

The words drifted in the air, carried by the gentle breeze that caressed the exposed skin of my calves.

Happiness was the primary emotion that captivated me when we were together.

And in the glimmer of his smile, I found solace.

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"I am ready to be the sacrificial lamb, look at these stomach rolls."

When I patted my tummy, Rafael glared at me, obstinacy sweeping his eyes.

"You haven't even eaten that much, we're going for dinner."

"I will throw a tantrum if you do." Wagging a finger right under his nose, he captured it with his hand.

"I can handle it."

"Dude, you're going to kill me. Death by over-eating isn't a glorious way to go." He ignored my rant, reversing the car out of the empty drive-in cinema.

It had been twenty minutes since the movie had ended and the audience had filtered out. Most of the movie had passed in the daze of fragile kisses and dreamy conversations and by the time it had dispersed, the end credits were rolling on the screen.

"If you're hungry, we can go to dinner but I'm not eating one bite." My offer was shot down as he pursed his lips, shaking his head.

"Okay, that's it. No more 'nice Blaze'. Pull over or I'm jumping out of the car." My anger was met with amusement in his beryl green eyes.

"I will become Vin Diesel if you don't listen to me. I've even got the muscles," I shrugged off my jacket and flexed my biceps.

"Stick biceps don't scare me."

"You shithole," I scowled, drilling holes into the side of his head.

"I'm serious, Rafael, I can't eat dinner." When he realised I wasn't budging, he conceded with an exhausted sigh.

"Fine. How about dessert?"

"That I can do." Victory bubbled in my voice as I relaxed back into my seat, fiddling with the edge of my jacket.

"There are a bunch of food trucks in the nearby town, unless you want to go to a restaurant." I chose the former and he nodded, swerving onto a road that meandered between the edges of the woods.

"This looks like a ghost town." I glanced at the appearing rows of houses, the streetlights emitting a soft glow to the otherwise quiet place.

I was proven wrong as we approached wider roads with commercial offices lining each side. Mom and pop stores bustled with life, their fluorescent lights casting on the faces of the smiling patrons.

It wasn't even 10 PM but the town was less populated and exponentially smaller than our own, save for the huge park that we stopped in front of.

Near the entrance, a series of food trucks were parked, a handful of people looming around the perimeter. We stepped out of the car, his hand intertwined with mine.

"What are you going to eat?" I faced Rafael and he bit his bottom lip in thought.

"Those lobster rolls look good," he motioned towards a guy holding a tray of food, steam swirling from it.

After locating the truck that sold it, I stepped up to the counter beside Rafael as he placed his order.

"I'll pay." Just as I got out my purse, Rafael clasped my wrist with a glare.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Stop being stubborn," I gritted out, poking my finger in the centre of his chest.

"I'll prepare your food while you two figure it out." The food truck owner whistled between his teeth, flashing me a helpless smile.

"Would it kill you to let me pay for once?" I threw my hands up in the air and Rafael nodded, his wordless reply making me fume.

"I feel like a First Aid Kit without bandages. Useless." My perfect metaphor didn't receive a humourous reply.

"Or a burger without a patty. Useless." He was silent again, a flicker of amusement darting in his eyes.

"Let's settle this. Whoever says the smartest pick up line gets to pay," I jabbed my finger into his shoulder. "Or are you too scared of me?"

"Okay."

I scoffed at his monosyllabic answer, racking my brain for the worst flirtatious lines.

"Was your dad a boxer? Because you're a knockout."

"That was basic, you can do better," Rafael crossed his hands over his chest cockily. "Watch and learn."

"Are you a peanut butter jar because I want to stick my tongue inside you?" I gaped slightly, astonished at him jumping straight to the chase.

"Do you know what a hungry shark and I have in common? We both want to bite you." Rafael scoffed at my attempt.

"That is a red flag, young descendant of Dahmer. But I must be a bull because all your red flags make me want to ram you." My eyes widened at his sheer confidence, grateful that there was no one in listening distance.

"That was smooth." The food truck owner propped his elbow on the edge of his window, and Raf and him shared a victorious grin before he retreated to make our lobster rolls.

"Are you my glasses? Because I can't see the world without you in it." Clearly, I wasn't as funny because Rafael winced like it was physically painful to see me flirt.

"Are you the deep sea? Because I want to explore your bottom." A notorious grin arched on his lips and I glowered at him.

"You've been waiting for this moment, haven't you?" Raf nodded earnestly, a satisfied sparkle in his eye.

"You're the guanine to my cytosine, we're a base pair. Boom, that was cool as fuck." I raised my fist victoriously but Rafael shook his head in amusement.

"You're so adorable when you get nerdy," he ruffled my hair patronisingly and I bared my teeth, a dangerous glare narrowing my eyes.

"Are you fried chicken? Because I want your legs around my mouth." Oh my god.

"Roses are red, you're acting very brave. If you don't shut the fuck up, you'll end up in a grave." Okay, maybe that wasn't the best of my humorous talent.

"For legal reasons, I did not hear that. I think you should let her win, mate. She might kill you on the car ride back home," Mr. Truck owner piped in with a huge grin, who introduced himself as Antonio.

Rafael yielded to my amazing persuasion skills with a reluctant nod and I handed Antonio the money with an unwavering grin. Once he handed us the food, we collapsed into silence.

"These are really good," Rafael muttered in pleasure after a few bites, a trail of hot sauce dribbling down his chin and onto his shirt.

"Thanks," Antonio wiped his hand on a towel before diving into a random conversation with us. Rafael proudly provided a detailed description of our date, a heated look passing between us every few seconds. When another track of sauce oozed down the neckline of his tee, I sighed.

"How do you not know how to eat?" I murmured, grabbing the tray of food from his grip. I held it out and gestured for him to continue guzzling down the lobster rolls like they were his last meal. A prolonged stare stirring with affection sizzled between us and I looked away when his fingers brushed mine against the tray.

"Damn, your chemistry is hotter than my oven," Antonio whistled lowly, disappearing into the truck to hand Rafael a bunch of paper napkins. He looked a couple of years older than us and upon chatting, he revealed he had opened this food truck after dropping out of college with the help of his girlfriend and family.

By the time Rafael was done eating, a new friend had been discovered in Antonio who made us promise we would swing by again on our next dates.

"That was fun," I linked my arm with Raf as we strolled on the pathway cutting across the perimeter of the park.

"I definitely had the better pick-up lines."

"They sounded like they belonged in an American Pie movie." Unruly laughter ripped out of his throat, filling the empty park with the noise.

"Wasn't really a compliment," I muttered and his arm wound around my shoulder, sucking me right into his familiar, homely scent.

"I had fun today," Rafael whispered, tilting his head to slightly rest on mine. He played with the ends of my knotted hair, flattening them between his thumb and forefinger.

"I did too, it was amazing" A grateful smile bloomed on my face as Raf's lips pressed against my forehead. The bottom of my dress flapped in the gentle wind that coursed around us, pasting to my thighs.

"I'm organising our next date though, capeesh?" At the resolute tone of my voice, he nodded.

"I love it when you get bossy."

"And I hate it when you don't listen."

"Touché," Rafael smiled, a comfortable silence settling between us as the whisper of the swaying trees occupied the void.

"Let's race," I suddenly exclaimed, tugging his arm away from the stone pathway towards the grassy plain.

"You're quite keen on losing today, aren't you?" Mischievous arrogance rose in his voice and I glared, rubbing my hands together.

"You see that fence over there? Whoever reaches there first gets bragging rights and a day of indisputable favours." I pointed towards a row of steel bars lining the boundary, approximately a hundred metres away.

"Just to be clear, what type of favours does that include?" My palm smacked down on his chest as he laughed deafeningly.

"No cheating," I raised a finger in warning.

"I would never." Rafael's toned arm snaked around my waist, as he placed a swift kiss on my lips.

"No distraction techniques either," I added as my thoughts became muddled at the bristle of his fingertips against my neck.

"Okay." Raising his hands in surrender, he stepped back and shrugged off his jacket. The fabric of his button-down stuck to his muscular silhouette, a hint of his collarbones peeking in from the open top button. My tongue dried as he rolled up his sleeves, revealing the tattoos etched into his skin.

"I thought you said no distraction techniques." Rafael's voice dropped a few octaves, icy sparks trickling down my spine at the texture. I realised that I had bunched the hem of my dress between my fingers, the crumpled fabric attracting his dedicated attention.

"Right." Dodging the way his unwavering gaze invoked strange emotions in my body, I shrugged off my jacket and adjusted the shoulder straps of my dress with unsteady hands. Our outer clothes laid in a heap, the threat of them getting grass stains seeming inconsequential at the moment.

I attempted doing the high jumps that all athletes did before their races but almost sprained my ankle and instead settled for the boogie dance that was supposed to loosen my joints.

"Blaze, this isn't the Olympics," Rafael delightfully inputted and I glowered at him.

"Ready?" When he nodded, I muttered. "On the count of three."

Our gazes clashed for a moment, an inferno of crackling anticipation flaring between us.

"One... two." I raced off before reaching three and behind me, I could hear Rafael yell out in frustration. It was his fault, he should've expected this, it was a child's move.

The greenery around me turned into an indistinct fog of green and black, the kiss of the air nipping at my skin bestowing a rare freedom to my body. My hair unfurled like a golden, wild mane, whipping around in the wind. Suddenly, a peel of laughter tore out of my throat and then another as the fence approached closer.

However, it was cut off as a shadow sprinted in my vision seconds before an arm banded around my waist, causing us to crash to the ground.

The harsh impact that I was expecting was absorbed by Rafael's body as he cradled me between his arms, a pained grunt flashing momentarily on his face.

"Raf, we were racing, not playing tag." I pushed myself up on my elbows, hovering over Rafael who raised a brow.

"I think all the rules were thrown out of the window when you decided to sprint early, darling." The coarseness of his tone mixed with his palms digging into my hips evoked restlessness in me as I tried to get up.

"Stay." In one brisk movement, he tugged me down, my thighs straddling his stomach. A teasing smirk toyed at his lips as his fingers clasped on the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

"For the record, I won that race," I whispered as my hair draped around our proximal faces, the slight glimmer of his toothy grin in the moonlight making me smile.

"Whatever makes you happy." Rafael's words were followed by validating actions, our lips crushing together manically. My throat constricted with joy as his tongue slipped between my mouth, hands diving to the dip of my spine. My fingers ploughed into his hair as I gently pulled at the follicles, a deep vibration palpitating from his throat.

The distant, late-night twittering of birds served as a soundtrack to our exploratory affection. Serenity mixed with a chaotic typhoon of shivers convoluted through my body, the music of our heavy breathing echoing within the depths of my brain.

When Rafael finally pulled back, my lips cast open and vision fogged with turbulent emotions. His thumb flattened against the hollow of my throat, fingers dipping marginally below the neckline of my dress.

"I love you." Rays of moonlight panelled across his defined face, full lips uttering the magical words. I fiddled with the collar of his shirt, unhooking a button and closing it again.

"An 'I love you' on the first date? I should be running for the hills." As I mimicked his earlier words, the corner of his lips angled up in humour.

Suddenly, he flipped us over and my racing heartbeat almost collapsed.

"Aren't you going to say it back?" The shadow of Rafael's jaw flickered in my vision as he leaned over me. The slight weight of his body lingering above mine caused liquid yearning to pool in the recesses of my stomach.

"I love you."

And right before he stole my breath again, I felt like I was suspended in blissful infinity.

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The tips of my fingers glided across the paper as I penned down my story, every detail flickering in my memory like a freshly plucked nightmare.

After we had driven home from our date. Rafael had set alight another herd of butterflies in my stomach by kissing me goodnight on the front porch.

My earlier decision to tell everyone about Aiden had strengthened and as I wrote down the events in my words for the past hour, I felt a sense of redemption, for myself.

When the scribbled words began to blur together with fatigue, I dropped my pen and cracked my knuckles. Exhaustion drooped my shoulders as I checked the time to see it was well past midnight.

I crawled under the covers after switching off the lights, fluffing my pillows before I pulled my duvet up to my nose. The picture of my parents reflected a sliver of moonlight and I smiled, unadulterated happiness cascading through my body.

"Goodnight, I love you," I mumbled to their shadows.

Just as my eyelids began to shut, the sound of my ringtone trilled through the silence. As Rafael's name appeared on the screen, an intrinsic grin teased at my lips.

"Wow, Raffie Taffie. I can't believe you miss me already." My banter was met with uneven breathing and a terse silence, alarm bells blaring in my head.

"Hey, Raf. What's wrong?" The silence progressed and panic brewed in my heart.

"Rafael?" No response.

"Raf, I'm here," I murmured persuasively, anxiety simmering in my bones.

Just as I was about to hang up and call Bree to check on him, his voice shattered through my pulsating concern. The strained words that left his raspy throat chilled me to my core, causing a fresh wave of terror to sediment in my body.

"My mother's back."

hi! wow it's been a hot minute. i have finals rn so writing has been tough plus i've been lacking motivation. a lot of changes have been going on for me personally and it's been difficult to cope with adulthood (how fun) but i'm hoping for the best.

on a happy note, i like this chapter and i hope you do too! thoughts?

also thank you guys so so much for 270k+ which is absolutely wild! i can't even process it, love y'all sm. please vote and comment, it honestly makes my day of you do. wattpad book notifications make me grin like a maniac.

i had this part planned forever, even the song, and i'm so glad it finally happened. now the peace will be shattered.

question: who was your top spotify wrapped artist+song+genre this year? honestly just tell me everything about your wrapped because i'm nosy as fuck. if you want to see mine, it's linked at the bottom of my bio :)

love
a