Song: Kissing you- Miranda Cosgrove

I don't know when he talks to my mom, neither one of them say anything the whole week. I have no way of contacting Zayden, however he must me stocking me because two days he comes to the school to meet me during lunch. I almost missed him the first time but there he was standing by a tree outside watching me. So I took my lunch outside and we sat under the tree. My last school we couldn't eat outside but this one doesn't mind one bit. I even shocked that no one even realizes that he doesn't even go to this school.

I take any time with him that I can even if it's only for a few seconds out of the day. When I am not with him all I want to do is think about him. I started writing again and I find myself writing about him. I want to remember every moment that I spend with him.

My birthday happens to fall on a Saturday and I wasn't really planning on having a party however my parents feel that a small one wouldn't hurt. I don't invite any friends over, mainly because I don't have any. Carter invites Natalie and Daniel over. I'm really surprised when another girl walks in holding hands with Daniel. She is really pretty. She is a little shorter than him and her hair glistens in the sunlight. She is wearing sunglasses so it's hard for me to see how she really is. It's funny how you can look into someone's eyes and get a sense of who they are. I will say she has a really nice smile and on top of that Daniel seems to be really happy so that is all that matters.

"Hey squirt...happy birthday," Daniel says giving me a big heartfelt hug. He then turns to the girl and introduces us. "Maya this is Coralie...Coralie this is Maya."

"Nice to meet you Coralie...Daniel here talks about you all the time."

"Does he now...how sweet of him. " I smile as my face starts to blush. Daniel talks about me, awe.

We both laugh...but mine is mostly from my nerves. I wonder what he says about me. She must get the vibe I'm putting off because she says, "It's all good stuff...you're like his little sister it's just so sweet."

"Yeah...he is like my big brother," I reply as I nudge his arm.

Then Carter comes over to us. He slips his shoes off and turns to look at me.  "Are you going swimming or not?"

"We are." I tell him as I take off my shirt revealing my swimsuit. When I take my shorts off, Carter and Daniel both pick me up and throw me in the deep end. As I go under the girls come diving in beside me and the guys are laughing and high fiving each other. Then they both dive in. I watch as Natalie splashes Carter with water and then Daniel and Maya are kissing each other. They actually make a really cute couple.

Somehow I get splashed and water and before I know it Daniel is dunking me under the water surface.

"Hey watch it!" I yell playfully.

"Awe...birthday girl all wet...hey I bet I could beat you." He looks down towards the other end of the pool.

"Yeah...if you cheat. Watch out Maya this boy here likes to cheat."

"No I don't" he argues back.

"Wanna bet?"

We swim down to the one end and Carter tells us to get ready. "Ready...Set..."

Seriously! Daniel takes off before Carter even says three. I tried to tell them that he is a cheater and no one wants to believe me.

"Go!" Carter yells.

I push off with force and make it to the one end, do a flip and swim back to the other end and I touch right before he does.

"Seriously...how do you always beat me...let's go again," Daniel complains.

"I'm just good like that...and no you're just going to try cheating again and you're still going to lose."

Everyone is laughing. "Bro you know she is going to win...give it up man," says Carter.

We play around for a while and then someone suggests we play Marco Polo. Natalie goes first and she finds Maya because she won't stop laughing. Maya finds Daniel right off. I watch as they practically make out. I admire the two of them. I'm glad Daniel found someone. He is actually a really amazing guy and he deserves to be happy.

"Dear lord...get a room will ya," yells Carter as he reaches down in the water and splashes it all over them.

Daniel smirks and then he goes and tags me. During my turn they are all being way too quite. I can hear Natalie and Maya snickering but when I try reaching out they are not there. I continue to roam around the pool. Until I touch someone and when I open my eyes to see who it is...I nearly pass out. I'm so overwhelmed that I start crying and cover up my face. He reaches over to remove my hands. Emerald green eyes stare back into mine. I wrap my arms around him neck and before I know it I kiss him.

"How?" I say when I look back at him and then he kisses me again. We hear someone clear their throat. My dad is standing on the edge of the pool with his hands on his hips. I release Zayden quickly, then smile with excitement.

My dad clears his throat yet again and with a little bit of authority tells us to get out of the water. "Coralie...Zayden...please get out, dry off and come into the den with us." He turns and walks on into the house. 

Zayden gets out of the pool first and holds his hand out for me so that I can get out. It's not like I need his help getting out but the gesture melts my heart, so of course I let him pull me out. I can't help but notice his rock hard body. He has been working out. I also notice that he has a few tattoos that I didn't know about and my eyes start to wonder all down his body. When they get to the edge of his swim trunks I quickly close my eyes and turn around with a redden face. 

He hands me one of the towels on the chair so I can dry off and then he grabs one for himself. I try not to watch him dry off but damn I can't help it. We stand there for a solid good minute or two and I hear my name being called inside. I grab a hold of his hand as we walk into the house. Surely they won't mind if we are holding hands. I just can't get over that he is actually here standing by my side, holding my hand.

"Please have a seat." Dad gestures for both of us to sit down. Both of my parents sit on the sofa across from us so that we can all see each other eye to eye. I can't figure out why he is here; my mind is blown away. 

I have a zillion butterflies in my stomach fluttering around. My nerves are all tingly and I'm overwhelmed with joy. I'm just so happy to see him that it really doesn't matter what they say at the moment. I just can't believe they let him come over. Wait how did he know? One of them must have went to his place.

Dad goes first. "Your mom and I talked. We also talked to Sarah and then we went and talked to Zayden."

I look at Zayden puzzled. My parents have talked with him...what...why didn't they tell me.

"We have come to an arrangement that you two can see each other. However there are rules and you both have to go by them. If you break any of them then we will have to come to other terms. Zayden has already agreed to all of our rules."

"Rules?" I look at my dad then mom and then back to Zayden. What in the world, they have all had a conversation about me without me even knowing and rules that I don't even know what they are. This is my life too and I should have the right to know what these rules are before they just assume that I will agree to them as well.

"So...Zayden may be allowed to come here but needs to leave by ten...no later and all doors must remain open at all times. You however are not allowed to go to his place or anywhere where you two can be alone. You may go on a date on weekends...if Carter goes with you or until we say otherwise. We don't mind if you hold hands and hug and maybe the occasional kiss because we two were young once." He smiles at my mom and she smiles back.

I look at Zayden and I can't stop myself from grinning ear to ear with excitement. He grabs my hand again and squeezes it. I look up at both of my parents.

"Thank you!" I let go of his hand and jump up to hug my dad and then my mom. "Thank you...thank you...thank you." My eyes glisten with tears of happiness.

"You're welcome. You are seventeen now. I know we can't force you to not fall in love...besides it looks like you already are. Here on out no more lying...understand. If you even think about doing something we expect you to come talk to us...understand?"

"Yes sir." I can't help but smile. 

"Now...are there any questions?"

I shake my head no.

"We love you Coralie...we just want you to be happy."

"I love you guys too. I know I can be difficult sometimes and I really don't mean to be. I really appreciate that you are allowing us to see each other."

My mom smiles at Zayden. "Well...welcome to our family, I expect you to treat my daughter well."

"Yes ma'am," Zayden replies back as he reaches over and shakes both of their hands.

"Ok then...let's go eat some cake and open up somepresents." My dad says with a grin and we all head back outside