Chase's POV

"So Chase, my neighbor has this girl and she is so pre-"

"Oh no, no, no way," Conner interjected, shaking his head as he pointed at me, "This one over here is taken." He added as my grandpa for some reason decided to set me up with his neighbor's granddaughter.

"Set me up, I am the single one over here." He added in annoyance before he seated himself beside my grandpa, way too interested in this conversation.

"Taken?" Grandpa's eyebrows pulled together as his confused gaze flickered from Conner to me, "When? With whom? And why wasn't I informed about this?"

I wanted to facepalm. Freaking Conner. I am really starting to contemplate the idea of having him stay with me.

"With Lilly," Conner answered on my behalf ever so casually, "You know her, right?" He said then waved his hand in the air, "Anyways, anyways, back to your neighbor's granddaughter, how is she like? Is she hot?"

A smile lit up grandpa's face, "Oh, Lilly, yeah, I always liked that girl."

"Which girl?" Melanie asked as she walked into the room and placed a plate full of Christmas cookies on the table ahead of us.

"Chase's girlfriend." Grandpa answered with a smile, my love life seemed to brighten up his day for some reason.

"Chase has a girlfriend?" It was Zack who asked that question. My eyes shot up to the door, to see him standing there, he had half an eaten cookie in his hand as he glanced at me in pure confusion.

"Yeah, it's Lilly, you know her, they spent last Christmas with us." My grandpa answered, informing both Melanie and Zack.

I turned to Conner and shot him one hell of a glare, he just had to open his big mouth. He gulped and scooted closer toward grandpa, as if he could save him from me later.

"Yeah, of course I know her." Zack answered, his tone neutral. Maybe he thought this is still about the whole fake dating fiasco.

He turned his back after and walked out of the room. Something weird tugged at my inside, I already hate the whole keeping it a secret situation and it just keeps getting harder by the second.

I don't want to keep it a secret anymore, not from anyone. Especially not from Zack. I can't handle the thought that he's still after her, he is still trying...trying to get my girl. And I can't accept that.

"Oh really, she is such a cute girl," Melanie said with a sweet smile as she gently placed her hand over my arm.

True, she is my dad's step mother yet she always treated me just like she treated Zack, like her very own grandson.

The vibration of my phone over the table grabbed all of their attention. My grandpa leaned closer and took a look at the screen, his smile widened when he saw Lilly's name.

"Answer it, answer it." He said excitedly as he patted the empty space on the couch beside him.

Seriously now, why is he that much excited?

I answered the video call and her pretty face showed up on my screen. She smiled at my sight and all of my annoyance suddenly faded away.

"Hey," She said sweetly and I wished nothing but to have her by my side now.

"Hey, ho-"

"Come here, sit here!" Grandpa interrupted me, "Come on," he added, his eyes glaring, forcing me to go and sit beside him.

Lilly's eyebrows pulled together and she gave me that beautiful confused look, questioning as to whom that voice belonged.

I sighed, "My grandpa wants to talk with you."

Her eyes widened, "Oh my god," she whispered and immediately tried fixing her hair.

When I seated myself beside him, he scooted even closer to have a look at the screen, "Hey gorgeous," He started making me throw him a confused glance. Did he just call her gorgeous?

"Hello Mr. Ryder, how are you?" She asked, ever so angelic. She is anything but angelic with me, yet I love both of her sides. Her craziness and bluntness is what pulled me to her at first.

"I am fine, and don't call me that!" He remarked, "Why didn't you come this Christmas to our house? I would've loved to have you here."

"I really wanted to," She answered, tilting her head to the side, "But my uncle came to spend it with us." A small smile pulled up at her lips, "But I promise that I'll come and visit soon."

"I will be waiting then." He answered before he threw his arm over my shoulder, "So, I heard you and this little one are shagging it up!"

My eyes widened, "Grandpa!"

"What?" He looked at me innocently, "I am just speaking your language."

I looked back at Lilly and even from the screen, I could see the pinkish red creeping up her neck and cheeks. She bit at her lower lip, "Uh, we...we are just-" she ran out of words and I couldn't help my chuckle at her cute embarrassed face.

"Look, I love you and all but if you break my little boy's heart, I am coming for you." He added, jokingly.

She smiled and her eyebrow raised, "What if he is the one who'll break my heart?"

"Oh, then I will give his ass some very good kicking!"

Lilly laughed, "I think I like that."

He kept on chatting with Lilly and whenever I try to pull the phone away, he takes it back. Seriously?

When dad came into the room, I looked at him and mouthed, 'Help me.'

He chuckled and kicked Conner away before he sat beside him, "Dad," He started, grabbing his attention, "There is this project Alex and I started and I wanted to take your opinion on the-"

"No, no," Grandpa shook his head, strictly, "I retired so I don't have to hear a damn thing about work anymore, get out of my face."

He and dad started to argue and I took that as my chance to run away.

"Why didn't you tell me he is gonna talk to me!" Lilly said, annoyance flared in her tone and she shot me a glare, "I would've fixed my hair or tried to look more presentable."

"You always look-"

"Ugly?" She interrupted me as a tease flared in her tone and eyes.

I nodded with a smile, "Yeah, that."

I sat down on the chair of the dining table, "Did anything new happen?" I asked and she shook her head, "No, after we talked with dad, it all went smoothly." She sighed and leaned her face into the palm of her hand, "It's still a bit weird, you know? Having an uncle and all, our parents hiding it...I am just...I am still trying to wrap my mind about it, that's all."

"True, but I guess there is a good reason why your parents would hide something like this from you."

She nodded, "I know, I think it has something to do with the way he died." Her lips pursed, "To be honest, I really don't want to know more," Sadness swirled in her eyes, "I saw the look in dad's eyes and it broke my heart," She shook her head, "I just don't wanna ever see that look again."

"I agree," I said, "Somethings are better kept hidden I guess."

She nodded, "But it seemed that I was really used to him, you know." A smile lit up her face and that sadness slowly started to fade, "I saw a video on that phone, it really looked like I loved him a lot, and he did too."

"I mean I don't blame him, I am so lovable after all." She added, flipping her hair in the process.

I chuckled, "I can't argue with that."

A slow smile curved her perfect mouth and she stared back at me for a couple of seconds, "You know something, after you get back here, I am never letting you go anywhere." She said strictly, "I am getting all depressed over here by myself."

"Well, once I get back, I will have to make it up for you, then."

She pulled her lower lip between her teeth trying to hide her smile and a tease lifted her brow, "I can't wait."

The footfalls nearing the door had me looking up from the phone. My eyes fell on Zack as he paused to a stop by the doorframe. He looked around before he blankly glanced at me, "Can we talk?" He asked.

I nodded before I looked back at the screen, "I'll talk with you later, okay?"

She seemed to sense the sudden tension that enveloped the room. She silently nodded her head before we hung up.

Zack edged forward and seated himself on the chair near me, "I am gonna be straightforward about this," He started right away, "You and Lilly, it's not fake anymore, is it?" His eyebrow raised, "Because apparently even grandpa knows about this now."

Exhaling a heavy breath from my lungs, I decided to just go with it, "I was actually going to tell you about this, there is no point of hiding it, anyway." I nodded, "Yeah, Lilly and I, it's not fake anymore, no."

Even though he seemed to already know the answer to his question, a wave of shock flashed in his eyes. He ran his hand along his jaw, "Wow, just...wow."

"Zack, it's not what you think-"

"Oh believe me, it's exactly like I think it is." He interrupted, his tone furious, "I told you that I liked her, you said you'll help me but instead you went and took the girl for yourself."

I tried with all my power to keep my composure and stay calm, "You know nothing Zack, so don't jump to conclusions like this."

He scoffed, "You're unbelievable, I thought you're my friend, instead you go and steal the girl that I-"

"The girl that you what, huh?" I shot back and stood up, holding into the blink of anger that surged into my veins, "You want me to believe that you actually like her, you don't, we both know exactly what you want from Lilly, and there is no way in hell I am letting you-"

"Letting me?" He scoffed and got to his feet as well, "Who do you think you are, huh?" His jaw ticked, "So, this is why she canceled on me for the party." He shook his head, "I still can't believe that you'd do something like that!"

"How about you don't play the victim here." My eyebrow raised, "Since the day you told me that you like Lilly, how many girls have you been with?"

He didn't answer.

I nodded, "See, I know you Zack, I know you very well."

"Even though, that's not for you to decide!"

"Lilly made her decision."

"She didn't make her decision, Chase." A taunting smirk pulled the corner of his lip up, "You were just her second choice, when she couldn't get what she actually wanted."

My fingers curled into the inside of my palm, it's getting harder and harder not to lash out, "I think it's better if you watch your words." I grated out.

His jaw ticked and he backed away, "Don't think this is going to stop me now." He said.

Anger spiraled through my inside and I shot out, "You better stay away from her!"

He smiled, actually smiled, "I don't think I will."

***************

Four days later....

Lilly's POV

"Okay now," Dad started, "Put one hand above my elbow, on the forearm, and the other hand below," He carried on, "So that your hands will be on both sides of my elbow."

He was standing right behind me, his arm around my neck. I followed his order and did as he said, "Now, in one strong and determined movement, you have to step and swing your entire body around, okay?" He asked and I nodded, "Like my arm is the hinge to your body."

I drew into a deep breath, "Do it slowly this time, to get used to it, then we can repeat it in fast motion."

I followed his instruction, step by step, slowly, and used his arm as a hinge to step away and I was able to free myself from his hold.

I smiled in satisfaction, "I did it!"

I always loved all types of martial art. As per my request, dad has been teaching me a few self-defense moves lately and it getting me all types of hyped up.

"Okay, let's do it, but fast this time," I said, getting back into position as the adrenaline pumped hard in my blood, "And dad, I need you to put all of your power into it."

He chuckled, "If I do that, then I will hurt you, little bug."

"Hey!" I whined, "I am not that weak."

"I never said you are." He said with a smile.

He placed his arm around my neck, but he didn't press too hard, "Okay now, after you get free from my hold, you should aim for either the head, ribs or the legs, because they'll be the most wide open for you counterattack."

"Okay."

"Three, two,-"

Before he could get to one, I placed one hand under the elbow, the other above it and in one swift fast move, I swirled around and got free. As per his last instruction, I used my free hand to attack at his chest area and push him away.

He staggered backward, "Jesus, Lilly." He groaned as he pressed his palm over his chest, "I said push, but not this hard. Do you hate me or something?"

My eyes widened, "Oh my god, I didn't mean to-" I walked closer to him, "Are you okay?"

He shot me a glare, "Yeah, I guess so." he sat down and mumbled, "What did I give birth to."

Mom chuckled as she came into the backyard and saw us. I immediately took the water cup from her and handed it to dad, "I am so sorry, I thought you were expecting it."

She walked closer and pressed her hand over his shoulder, "Oh Alex, did Lilly beat you down?" She tried so hard to hide her smile, "Someone is getting old."

Dad's eyes widened and he shrugged her hand away, "What the fuck?" He shot up from his seating position, "Did you just say the O-word?" He pointed at the inside of the house, "Let's go into our room, right now and I'll show you who is old."

He took her hand in his and started dragging her away. She laughed, "Alex, I was kidding."

"I wasn't." He said, still dragging her with him.

I couldn't help my smile. They're way too crazy.

I was about to get inside but the sound of the car coming to a stop by the driveway had me running to the front of the house as fast as I can.

My heart rate spiked and my stomach twisted into the tightest knot when my eyes fell on Chase getting down from the car.

I didn't see uncle Ashton or Katherine. I didn't see anyone else as I ran toward him so fast.

He turned around and that's when he noticed me. I came crashing between his arms and they immediately wrapped up around my body.

My own arms wrapped around his neck and I didn't feel my feet touching the ground anymore. My eyes pressed shut and I reveled in the scent that I've missed more than anything. A shock of breath wheezed down my throat and I tightened my hold over him.

He buried his face into the mass of my hair and pressed a tender kiss over the side of my neck, he breathed me in, "I missed you."

I pulled away a fraction and looked into his eyes, my heart thrummed wildly, "Me too, so much."

He looked around, making sure that no one is around any more. He pressed his hand over the back of my neck and all I felt was the softness of his lips press against mine.

Heat surged into the confines of my chest, drowning me in as I kissed him back. His kiss came urgent; he kissed me hard, and I welcomed the warmth of his tongue as it slipped against mine.

He staggered forward, our lips not once breaking their possessive hold. My back hit the car's window in a low thud, "Chase," his name left my mouth in a plea, a prayer.

This boy has ruined me for everyone else.

Nothing, no one will ever measure up to him.

On a heavy breath, he broke the kiss. His forehead pressed against mine and his thumb brushed over my cheek, "We really shouldn't be doing this here."

I licked my lips and nodded, "If dad caught us again, you definitely won't make it out of this one alive."

He chuckled and backed his head a fraction so he can clearly look at me. A beautiful grin danced all over his flirty mouth and chills slipped down my spine with the affection that played in his blue eyes as they caressed my face.

"Before we go inside and your father forces me to sit ten meters away from you, I wanted to ask something."

I nodded, ushering him to carry on. He caressed my cheek with his thumb, "Tomorrow at 07:00, what will you be doing?"

I shrugged, "You know the usual, planning to take over the world and all."

He quirked a brow at me, "Well, free yourself up, you're going out with me."

My heart jumped out of my chest and I bit down at my lower lip, "You mean a date?"

He nodded, "I realized we haven't had our first official date yet, so tomorrow night you're mine."

I will gladly be yours forever. I wanted to say but tried to catch myself back or else I will sound way too desperate. Not gonna scare the boy away now.

I smiled, "Okay then, I guess taking over the world can wait a day."

*************

Next day...

"Woah-" was the only words that came out of dad's mouth when he saw me walking down the stairs.

I twirled around and proudly asked, "How do I look?"

"You look so damn beautiful." Dad said before a small smile made its way to his lips, "You're definitely my daughter."

I fixed the little blue dress at the sides, before I looked at the mirror hanging by the wall and made sure my hair and makeup are on point. I fixed the blue ribbon that I tied over my hair and a satisfactory smile crawled up my lips.

I haven't used it before, I wasn't planning on using it even, scared I might lose it or something. But today, it's kinda special in a way.

"Hold on," Dad interjected, "Why do you look beautiful?" His eyebrow raised, "Where are you going?" The softness left his eyes and he glared at me, "With Chase, isn't it?"

"Yeah dad, with Chase," I answered, "I already told mom and she accepted, so please don't start now."

"The hell I will!" His voice raised and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, "I am the one who says if you can go or not, why didn't you ask me?"

"Because you'd do what you're doing now and refuse."

"Good thing you know me." He answered, "You're not going with that guy anywhere, definitely not at night!"

"First of all, I am going, mom said she'll handle you," I casually said, "Second of all, it's still 07:00, the sun hasn't gone down yet!"

He facepalmed, "Oh my god, this girl is gonna kill me!"

"Dad, do you really need to do this every time?" I whined, this situation playing on my nerves, "You love Chase, you know him, so be thankful that it's him I am going out with and not some other guy you don't know."

"The only thing I'll be thankful for is you two breaking up." He mumbled in annoyance.

His words tugged at my heart, "Don't say that!"

"Tonight was supposed to be a good one, I was happy, why do you have to ruin it?"

At my words, he pressed his lips into a thin line and I noticed the bob in his throat, the hard swallow. My words seemed to hit a place in him and he sighed in frustration.

He looked away and raked his fingers through his hair, "Fuck," he said under his breath before he looked back at me, "Okay whatever, you can go."

I smiled, feeling accomplished. I know very well how to play on his weaknesses. He walked away after, still drinking in the feedback of the fact that he just allowed me to go.

When I heard the ringing of the bell, I immediately grabbed my coat and purse and scurried toward the door.

Chase stood there in all his glory, looking handsome as usual. The button up white shirt and the leather jacket suited him like nothing else.

Oh damn, when will I get a good taste of this boy?

At my sight, he seemed to freeze there in his spot for a second. He looked taken aback, like he wasn't prepared. For the longest time, he just looked down at me, in astonishment. His throat bobbed, "You look-" He paused, out of my words.

I quirked a brow at him, "Ugly?"

His chuckle was low and throaty, "That doesn't even do justice to how you look."

"Well, guess what," I inched closer, my fingers wrapped around his jacket, "All of this," I nodded toward myself, "Is only yours."

He sucked into a deep breath, "If you keep talking like that, I might just cancel the whole date," He edged forward, "And drag you up to your room," His breath washed over my face and his hand rested under my chin, "And show you exactly how all of this is mine."

A shocked breath wheezed down my throat. Fire licked its way through my veins and despite the cold weather, I felt myself burning.

"I think it's better if we go now, before any one us does something totally irrational." Especially me, I would be the one responsible for all the irrationality.

A grin danced over his lips as he took my hand in his and lead my way to the car. He opened the door for me but before I could get inside he said, "I like your ribbon."

On instinct, he leaned closer and his finger twirled the loosened side of the ribbon. A satisfied sigh sneaked past my lips, "Yeah, it's kind of special."

*************

The hours passed by so fast, faster than I wanted them to. The night went on ever so smoothly. Chase took me to my favorite restaurant and we had dinner, just the two of us, chatting, talking, and laughing.

It was so entertaining that I lost track of time. Having all the time just for the two of us, without our friends interfering or our parents interrupting, is beyond amazing. I could so easily get used to this.

We talked about nothing and everything. It was refreshing. It was overwhelming. It made me sure that I want this guy. All of him.

It made me happy and relieved that he was my first. My first kiss, my first date.

I wanted him to be all of my firsts.

I thought he was taking me back home but he took a different route. He drove about fifteen minutes and I noticed we were approaching the seaside.

He parked the car and when we went down, "Oh, I've been here before." I said as I moved forward, eyeing the scene ahead of me.

Chase followed me and we walked out on the public docks and looked at the big yachts tied up there. I stopped, the familiarity of the place finally sinking in.

A smile curved my lips as I stared at the specific yacht ahead of us, "It's your parents's yacht." I said, remembering, "We were so young when we last came here."

I felt Chase's arms wrap around me from the back. He rested his head over my shoulder, "Yeah, I borrowed it for the night." He sighed in contentment, "We can have a little tour before we head back home."

I leaned into his hold and eyed the letters beautifully curved at the side of the yacht. They spelled Katherine, "Your dad gifted this to your mother, right?"

He nodded, "Yup, right before I was born."

"Okay, when you start working and become filthy rich, you better give me a big gift like this, get it?"

He chuckled before he pressed his lips against the side of my neck, "Lilly, I would give you the world."

I closed my eyes and savored this moment. I saved it into the depths of my memories, and promised myself that I would never forget how it felt.

The rush of feelings that wrapped up around my heart, the way that wild muscle in my chest begged for this guy. The fire that lit up inside my chest...I never could put a name on it.

But something about this moment, something about being in his embrace like this. Something about this night as a whole finally made me put a label on that feeling.

I wanted Chase to be all of my firsts and he succeeded.

He is my first... first love.

"Chase, where have you been, for all those years, where were you?" The better question would've been, why it took me this long to actually see you?

"I've always been here, Lilly." He said, "And here is where I'll always be."

Here, by my side.

I can't describe this. Words could never do it justice. It just feels too good to be true.

***********

I walked back into the house, a big grin stuck to my face. It would take a miracle to wipe it away. It would take an army to erase the happiness eating at my inside.

Tonight was perfect. Our first date. It thrilled me, that more of these are yet to come.

"You're late."

Here goes my happiness.

"Were you sitting here just waiting for me?" I asked him, crossing my arms over my chest.

He got to his feet, "Well sue me if I am worried about my daughter."

"Dad, when will you stop worrying about me?"

His eyebrow raised, "Umm, never?"

"I am okay." I said with a smile, "Actually, I am better than okay."

"Can you please just get used to the idea of Chase and me, because you'll be seeing a lot of this," I pointed to me and the door, "For a very long time."

He mumbled somethings under his breath as he started to walk away, "At least, after this summer, I won't have to anymore."

"After this summer?" I asked as I followed his steps, "Why?"

"Well he won't be here, so that's a bonus on my side at least."

My eyebrows pulled together, "Why won't be here?"

Dad paused in his steps before he turned around, his eyebrows pulled together, "He didn't tell you?"

When he saw my clueless face, he carried on, "He'll start college, all the way in Washington."

What?

"He said he is gonna tell you."

But he didn't.

"I am gonna go sleep, I am tired." I said, dismissing his next words before I turned around so fast and walked back to my room. I closed the door shut and slammed my back against it.

Nerves twisted my stomach into a hundred knots and I felt myself flailing within.

I thought back to everything we discussed today. We talked, we planned the days to come, we planned what would we do this summer, what we'd do after.

He didn't mention a word about leaving.

He's leaving?

What about...us?

He lied. Because he knows me. He knows me so well.

He knows that I won't accept a long-distance relationship. So he decided instead to lie.

To hide it from me.

To hide it at least till I get more attached, to fall in love maybe, or to get so used to him; because if I did, I might then accept it.

Angrily, I pulled the ribbon out of my hair and threw it away. I watch it land on the floor and something inside me trembled.

I knew, I knew that it was too good to be true.

********************************

Heya!!
Are you liking these frequent updates?

I am scared that when I get back to work, they won't be so frequent lol xD kick my ass of that happens, okay?

Anyways, did you like the chapter? What do you think would happen now?

This chapter's question; would you do a long-distance relationship?

I'll drop my answer here: Nope, never, it's a no-no for me.
Drop your answer as well.

See ya next chapter! Bye!
Love ya all!