The last time here, I was anything but happy. But right now, standing here and looking right into this magical view of nature, I was nothing but happy.

I smiled, holding his hand a bit tighter and he opened them, interlocking his fingers with mine. We've held hands before, but never entwined our fingers like this. Maybe that's what sent a tingling sensation into me

"This is nice." I said in a low tone, with a hint of a smile as we sat down, letting the water brush our feet.

"Glad you feel that way. I wasn't sure if you'll be happy or sad about this place. But that day, you were so relaxed the moment you were here. So, I thought..." He trailed off and I turned to see him look at me with concern in his eyes.

"No, you're right. This place is so..." I looked around, taking it in. "..calm and soothing. Relaxing, as you said."

"Are you cold?" He asked when I crossed my arms and I shook my head.

"No, I like cold."

"I won't mind until you freeze then." He muttered, making me chuckle.

"So kind of you."

"Yeah," he snorted a laugh as he moved in closer and leaned back, shifting his weight onto his open palms, placed flat on the wooden pier we were sitting on.

I followed his gaze to the sky and my lips curled into an amused smile.

It was beautiful!

He pulled me back slowly until we were lying down. He had his arm beneath my head, making a hard yet soft pillow for me.

It was literally like a portrait, the sky. Looking like an elegant dark velvet, on which someone sprinkled beautiful, shiny silver paint drops.

"It's beautiful," I said or more like whispered, mesmerized by its beauty.

"Hmm, it is amazing."

We said nothing for the next few minutes, just kept staring at the beautiful view above us. Who knew staring at something would be this amazing?

I tilted my head closer to him and saw him smile.

"I don't know if I'm making you bored, but tell me if you are, because I'm enjoying this."

I turned fully into him, bending my knees as I spoke, "Do you think I'm bored? You're wrong Mr Smith. Because I'd like to stay here for the whole night."

"Whole night?" He raised his eyebrows, a smirk working its way on to his face.

"I said I'd like to, not I will. I've two little brothers waiting for me at home." I said and he smiled widely, his fingers drawing circles on my arm.

"Can I ask you someth- or probably not." He shook his head with a grimace and looked back at the sky.

"What?"

"Oh, that's nothing. Wow, that star is extra beautiful."

"Oh, yeah?" Hiding something, huh? Playing with the master?

He closed his eyes, grinning sheepishly.

"Ask me what?" I poked him and he sighed.

"That, can I call you Ivy?"

I stared plainly at him. Call me Ivy?

"Don't tease." He added quickly. "I always wanted to call you that. I like it more than Eve."

Now that I think of it, he never called me Eve. It was Evelyn all the time.

"But I understand you don't want to. I know only a few people call you that, people who are so close to you, so no worries. It just came out at the moment." He gave a sheepish grin again. "I just love Ivy more than Eve."

Can I fall for him? He's everything a fifteen-year-old me asked for.

"You can call me that, Zack. You are close to me. You, Sasha... You all are really close to me." I said, still looking at him like a starstruck teenage girl.

"I can?" He cocked his eyebrow and I nodded.

Of course, he can. I never asked anyone to call me Ivy, never asked anyone to stop calling either. I don't know why no one called me that, even Maria calls me Eve.

Now that I think about that, apart from Noel, Theo, Jake and Sophie, I'm Eve or Evelyn for everyone.

"That sounds good. I don't know why, but I love that name." He said and I smiled.

"Why didn't you call me Ivy then?"

"As I said, I thought it was only for close people. I've only heard boys and Jake call you that. I didn't wanna creep you out at first." He said as if it was the most obvious thing.

"I know it sounds cheesy, but I love that name." He added at last and that made me laugh.

"Sure, who knew that charming, hot Zack was a cheesy guy who loves Eskimo kisses and all?"

"I really want to hold onto that 'charming and hot' part but I'm extremely furious about mentioning the eskimo kiss now." He shook his head, looking away and I laughed hard.

If this is what 'extremely furious' looks like, I'd love to see it every time

"Woah, it's almost eleven. We need to get you home." He said, glancing at his watch and I sat up.

Eleven? But it's been only a few minutes...

I pulled out the phone from my bag, lying down next to me and checked for Maria's message. When found nothing, I typed out one for her.

Will be back soon.

I know Maria wouldn't leave without calling me and I sure know she wouldn't mind staying late. After all, I've worked till midnight.

"I love that you don't have a curfew." He muttered, standing up.

"Working woman, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. Right." He chuckled, taking my bag for me and sadly, we walked away from that beautiful scenery.

"We should come here often." I blurted out, turning back to look at it once more and Zack stopped walking.

"Oh, I'd love that." He smirked, leaning onto a tree, close to me.

"But it's hard for a working woman to get free time." I said leaning onto the same tree and he turned fully to me.

"We've way too many classes to bunk, friend."

"Oh, no." I sighed, smiling.

Zack leaned in, resting an arm on the tree, right above my head and the familiar feeling from that night at the shop came, now only stronger.

"Oh, yes. It'd be fun ditching every now and then." He smiled slightly, leaning forward. And now, our faces were only inches apart.

My breathing quickened as he leaned again, leaving only a tiny space between us. His free hand rested right below my ear, thumb caressing my cheek. For a moment, my breath mingled with his as I bore into his soft but intense gaze. And finally, he closed the distance.

The moment our lips met, a shiver ran down my spine and my hand, absentmindedly, dug into his hair. It was slow, soft and gentle. He slowly coaxed me into the kiss, pulling me closer. His hands slipped down, cradling my neck and the other one went around my waist, resting on my back.

Zack pressed his firm lips to mine, deepening the kiss. I felt my arms going around his neck and then, I kissed him back, savouring every bit of it.

When we broke apart for air, it's kind of weird that I missed his warm lips. So, I leaned onto him, resting my head on his shoulder. I was melting like a chocolate in the heat.

Butterflies in the stomach, they say?
Nope, butterflies where nothing near this feeling.

I felt the graze of his lips as his face fell into the crook of my neck and closed my eyes even tighter, trying to feel everything.

The feel of his hands on me, his fingers running through my hair. Feel of my hands, loosely hanging around his neck. Feeling his lips, explore my neck, my shoulder...

Feeling every single thing that's happening to me, including the burst of happy fountains inside me.

I took a few shallow breaths and opened my eyes, "Zack?"

"Hmm?" I heard him hum but felt bad for opening my mouth when his shoulders stiffened slightly.

"I think I can stay here for a few more minutes. No rush." 

The moment the words left my mouth, his shoulders visibly relaxed and he pulled me away from his chest, just to crash his lips into mine. Again.

Our lips moved in sync as he pulled me closer and closer. This time, more passionate as if he's trying to melt me. And it totally worked.

And just like that, I slipped into an oblivion of pure bliss.

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

I love reading romance 😍, but I suck at writing it!  Never thought it'd be this hard😌

So please imagine this chapter as a wonderful date in your mind and forgive me😇

Thanks for reading everyone 🥰❤️
Stay safe ❤️