The sun hits my face warm and welcoming, and my lips twist upwards. After our argument, or my little breakdown, I decided we should finally come to the park, since the reason we couldn't the first time is gone. Nina agreed, even though we hadn't talked properly yet, and is now walking a few paces behind me, looking way less happy than I am.

"You're slow," I tell her, walking backwards to look at her very inexpressive face.

"I'm keeping my distance until I'm sure you're calm," she says. I think she's joking, but I can't read her face or her voice.

I roll my eyes and keep going in a quest to find ice cream. It'll most likely be unsuccessful. There are not many people outside yet, just the random passerby here and there. No food trucks or anything of sorts.

"Hey!" I call her, turning to face her once more, and she raises a brow at me. "I like you!"

"Do you? I hadn't realised it the first ten times you said so." She grins and relief washes over my body. Despite how happy I am, a certain nervousness keeps nagging at me.

"I'm making sure you know," I add. She rolls her eyes, but a wide smile stretches her lips.

Seeing her type on her phone, I slow down until I reach her, out of curiosity. She's not as amused as she was when we left her apartment–or maybe it's our apartment now–­, and although I don't want to think I'm the responsible for it, I have to assume so. It's been just Nina and me for months. There's nothing going on with her besides that, and I fear the way I lashed out earlier was too much.

"What are you doing?" I ask once I'm beside her.

"Just a quick phone call," she says as she looks my way, pressing the phone to her ear. Seeing my inquiring eyes on her, she adds, "Taking precautions, considering the earlier threat."

My stomach twists with guilt thinking about that. "I'm sorry. I'm sure he was just trying to be intimidating."

"I know." I hear a faint 'hi' on the phone and her eyes wander away from me. "Hi, dad. How are you?"

I look down, kicking small stones as far as possible. I try not to eavesdrop on the conversation as she explains what happened, but she's right next to me and every word reminds me it is my fault she is in this position.

"Yeah, I know, but I'm not exactly on the best terms with her, so if you could-" she goes on. "That's not true, or she'd have called me by now." ... "I know, but can you talk to her?" ... "Just this once! Come on," ... "If you really loved me, you would ask her," ... "I think manipulation is a very strong word. I prefer to call it using all my resources. And if you loved me, you would talk to mum about the situation. I'd be grateful. I'd even get you a new Yankees cap."

I snort at the bribing, and she nudges me with her elbow. I try to push her, but she catches my arm mid motion. Her hand slides down my arm until it reaches my hand, and I tighten my fingers around hers.

"A jacket, then?... A jacket and a cap? Damn, you're greedy." The call doesn't go on for much longer and soon she shoves her phone in her back pocket again. "He is not worried."

"Mmm?" I turn to her.

"He doesn't think your father is going to be an issue. I asked him to mention the problem to mum, anyway."

"Is he sure? I really don't want to bring any issues to you just because you're helping me."

She frowns exaggeratedly. "Just because I'm helping you? I thought I had a longer list of wrongdoings. This is terrible. I shall engage more feverishly in misdemeanour."

I smile, but the problem is always on my mind. "Seriously, though."

She shrugs. "No offense to your family name, but you know how influence works. If he's not worried, I'm not worried either."

I nod and squeeze her hand a little tighter. Nina's parents seem supportive, despite the way she often depicts her mother. It's a constant reminder of what I don't have, and I wish I could have it too. I'm alone in the world now. Even my friends are in another country.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

I shake my head. "I'm just sad there are no ice cream parlours open."

"We can buy some in the store," she says. "We can have a picnic and all."

A grin spreads across my face. "I'd love that. Let's go."

We take a while to find a store, but eventually come back to the park with strawberry ice cream and disposable spoons. We sit on the grass side to side, and I want to lean against her, but I'm not sure she's okay with that.

"What now?" I ask as she opens the ice cream box.

"Now?" she frowns. "We eat and get brain freeze. What else?"

I turn to face her, but she's focused on opening the ice cream and the spoons container. She's not paying attention, and it makes me feel like she doesn't care about me at all. I push all those thoughts to the back of my mind, remembering all the previous discussions we've had about this.

"I mean us. You and I. What now?" I ask, peering at her intently. "I like you and you li-"

I'm interrupted by the spoon of ice cream she shoves into my mouth. I stare in bewilderment, and she grabs another spoon, scoops the ice cream, and puts it in her mouth.

Pulling the spoon from between my lips, I swallow the ice cream and keep going. "What was that for?"

"It's pretty good, don't you think?" Nina asks. She moves closer to me, so that her knee is next to mine, and she can put the box in equilibrium on top.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm avoiding the conversation. Obviously."

"Why?"

She sighs. "Because I'm not good at this." She gestures between us. "Relationships have never really been my forte and I really like you and the situation isn't the best. I don't want to mess this up."

"So... are we in one? A relationship, I mean."

"Well... what do you want?"

I blink. I'm pretty sure this is not how these things usually go.

"It's not a decision for me to make alone..." I trail. "Is this normal for you?"

"Discussing being in a relationship with a woman I haven't even kissed yet? No. Not really."

I blush at the thought of her kissing me. It makes me giddy and excited, and that is what makes it wrong. She doesn't look interested in this at all. Only tormented. A relationship shouldn't start like this.

"If you don't want to, that's okay," I whisper.

She frowns. "I'm sure if I wrote it in big bold letters, you'd find a way to ignore it. Eat your ice cream."

I do as told, looking at the ground and thinking about what I should say to make it all okay. All the hope I had earlier is quickly vanishing, and the desperation is coming back.

"I think we're not communicating properly," I mumble. "I don't know what you want."

"You. I want you, Giada. I want to play silly games with you, or just stare at each other until you start complaining, or anything really. As long as it's with you."

My bottom lip quivers. "What's so hard about that?"

Her shoulders slouch. "I guess nothing. Maybe I'm just afraid I'll mess it up."

She's crazy. I'm always the one starting every argument. I'm the one afraid of everything and she's the one reassuring me again and again. How can she think she'll mess it up?

"You won't. I know it."

"You're a psychic now?" she jokes.

I shake my head. "This is me trusting you. You thought I couldn't, but I can. I trust you."

Pinch me, I think she's blushing. She looks away, her hair falling on her pinkish cheeks, and I'm in awe at the thought of leaving her wordless.

"Eat you ice cream," she mumbles and shoved another spoonful in my mouth.

"This is your spoon," I say after pulling it out. She tries to take it back, but I hold her hand. "I like you a lot. I never like anyone as much as I like you."

"You're so cheesy." She nudges me with her elbow, and I push back a little too hard. She holds onto me before losing balance, but we both end up laying on the grass. "What are you? A wrestler? Calm down."

I chuckle and prop myself up to look at her laying down. "You started it."

"I started it? We're children now?" she asks with a smile.

"I mean... you threw a water ballon at your aunt. There's at least one child here."

"Idiot." She rolls her eyes and pushes my face away long enough for sit up.

I look at her in frustration. Is she never going to kiss me? What is she waiting for?

"This was a great idea," she says. "I haven't been to this park in ages."

I rise to her level, leaning towards her just enough for her to get the hint. "I only have great ideas... unlike yours."

"Don't start complaining about the mayo jar again." Don't start changing the subject again.

"I don't want to talk about the mayo jar," I say, getting just a little closer.

Her eyes lock with mine, but she doesn't move a muscle. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't," I whisper. If she doesn't get it this time...

She smiles. "Come on. Go for it."

I press my lips into a thin line, suddenly realising she's been avoiding me on purpose this whole time. Perhaps I should feel mocked, but I'm just annoyed.

"What are you doing?" I demand.

"Waiting to see if you have the guts," she jokes. "Do you?"

She's infuriating, and I have a tornado of emotions swirling inside of me. Feeling her eyes burning on me, I close the space between us and press our lips together. I feel her little smirk against me, but it disappears quickly.

"Is that it?" she asks when we separate. I think she's trying to annoy me on purpose.

I kiss her again. As our lips move together, I follow her pace and refuse to be the first to break away. Her hands pull me closer to her and clutch her shoulders harder.

"This is a park, Giada. Control yourself." She smirks.

"I take it back. I don't think I like you anymore," I complain. "You're mean."

"I'm joking." She pulls me into a hug, and I lay my head on her shoulder. "Don't sulk."

"You suck," I add. "Worst girlfriend in the world."

"I'll be better. I promise." She grins and presses a quick kiss against my lips.

She pulls me harder against her and we stay like that for a while, eating ice cream and watching the sunset. Just the two of us.

So... I hate it. Probably gonna come back here in 2 years and redo it, who knows? I hope you guys liked it. I tried...

I was going to write the kiss scene completely differently, but then I remembered NicolexAndrew first kiss and decided to keep it similar just because.

So, Epilogue coming soon. Thank you for reading.