🍁"I still hope, It's you and
me in the end" 🍁

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bryce's P.O.V.

After finishing our lunch, Kyler and I paid the bill. He let me split the bill. I was amazed at how he didn't pick up a fight this time. He picked up the bag he has with him and placed it on the table. He slid it towards me.

"I know this is a casual meeting for you. But it's a date for me and I bought a gift for you", he said. I didn't expect him to get a gift for me.

"You don't have to", I said as I placed my hands on my lap. I'm too hesitant. Receiving gifts is such a difficult task. It's like you're taking favors. I feel like I'm being a burden on someone. I'm not a gift person. I don't like taking gifts. I don't like giving gifts either. Why can't people keep their money to themselves?

Giving gifts is a form of love. How could you know? You're a loser, my inner self gave me a reality check.

"I know I don't have to but I want to. Can you respect the time and thought I've spent on buying this gift for you by accepting it?", Kyler said.

You spent money as well.

"Thank you", I said as I picked up the bag. I placed it next to me and he raised his eyebrows.

What now?

"Do you want me to open this?", I asked and he nodded positively.

"Now?", I asked again and he left a deep sigh.

"Yes, Bryce. Open it right now", he demanded and I pouted.

Look at him. Acting like Luke. Where are mature boys? Ask them to contact me.

I opened the bag and took out the gift that was wrapped. It was a big box. I looked at Kyler and then started removing the wrapper. I've received too many gifts this year, I thought as I was opening the box. As soon as I opened the gift, a smile made its way on my lips without my knowledge.

It was a hoodie and there was a quote written on it which says, "It's way too People outside".

"Do you like it, Miss Introvert?", Kyler asked grinning. I passed him a smile.

"I'll wear it. Thanks", I said and he nodded.

"What's in your bag?", He asked pointing to the gift I've bought for him.

"I've bought something for you too", I said and he looked surprised.

"You bought a gift for me! That's new", he said and then he forwarded his hand towards me.

"Give me that fast", he said and I shook my head. I forwarded the bag towards him. I was nervous. Will he like my gift? I placed the hoodie back in the bag and stared at Kyler's face.

I need to read his expression.

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

Kyler's P.O.V.

Saying I was surprised would be an understatement. Not only Bryce asked me out, she even bought a present for me. This is so freaking awesome. I am a gift person. I just love receiving gifts and giving gifts. When we fail to express our emotions, presents are something that conveys our messages. A gift given out of love is worth every single penny. I was so excited to see what she could have bought for me.

I smiled as I noticed Bryce staring at my face without blinking. She never looked at me for more than ten seconds continuously and today as I'm opening the gift wrap, her eyes aren't leaving my face. Well, I'm all here for grabbing her attention. She looked so cute. I wanted to grab those cheeks of her and kiss the hell out of her but I can't. I've already been a moron who kissed her two times without consent but both times I failed to taste those lips.

I want to kiss her with her consent this time. I'm gonna change my image in her mind.

I opened the gift and I was impressed by her choice. She had gifted me a purse, a car key holder, a belt and a pen set. I can use all of these things. It had class.

"Do you like this? I don't know what should we gift to boys? Luke helped me", she said and I looked at her.

"I love it. Thanks", I said and she smiled. Relief spread over her face.

"Glad", she replied.

I got up from my seat holding my gift and forwarded my hand towards her. "Let me take you to my happy place now". She glanced at my hand and then at me. I counted till five in my mind and when she didn't take my hand, I started pulling it away.

Only at that moment she placed her palm in mine and got up. She held her purse and the gift bag and smiled at me.

"Show me your happy place", she said and this time she smiled. She smiled with her teeth. My heart melted. This is the first time, she's smiling like this looking at me.

Her smile is so freaking amazing.

"Let's go", I said increasing my hold on her hand as we walked to the car.

Please be my girlfriend, already.

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

I parked the car at an empty place and climbed down. Bryce got down as well. She didn't wait for me to open the car's door for her. She's different from the rest of the girls I've dated before. Bryce is used to doing everything for herself. She ordered for herself, she split the bill and she isn't at all demanding. She's so self-dependent. I love that about her and respect this quality of her a lot. But I want to spoil her. She's just not giving me an access.

"This is a nice place", she said as she stood next to me and looked all around her. I've brought her to the lake side.

"This place gives me peace of mind and heart", I said and she smiled.

"Can I come here as well?", She asked. I held her hand.

"Only with me. Don't bring anyone here?", I said and she left a deep sigh.

"I was thinking of coming here alone", saying so, she left my hand and walked ahead to sit on one of the benches. I shook my head and followed her.

What was I even thinking? Bryce loves her solitude more than anything else. I'm so jealous. I want her to be obsessed with me more than her solitude. I want her to think of me as her happy place, her human diary, her quiet time and her love.

You're having high hopes, my mind commented.

I can wish for that atleast.

I sat down next to her and glanced at the lake. Bryce was silent. I should start the conversation with her. What should I ask? Should I propose her to be my girlfriend? It's our second date. Should I propose her on my third date? Talking to her was always a task.

What exactly am I supposed to talk about?

"How long will you keep staring at me? I have a hoodie to hide, just so you know", she said without even looking at me.

This was embarrassing.

"I didn't stare. I am looking at you", I said and she scoffed. She looked at me and I gave her my best smile.

"What's there to look at my face?", She asked.

"Innocence, beauty and your charming smile", I said and she got all nervous and shy. She looked away.

"You're so extra", she said but I caught her ears turning all red.

She is blushing. When will she stop being so adorable?

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

Bryce's P.O.V.

Kyler is too much. He knows I'm not comfortable here and still he's flirting with me. I got up from the bench. I am missing my bed badly.

"I think it's getting late. We should leave", I said looking at him. He was still sitting. He looked up at me and smiled.

"Okay", He replied and without asking anything, he quietly walked to the car. He unlocked the car and stood next to the passenger seat.

"Aren't you going to drive?", I asked.

"I am", he said and then he opened the car's door for me. "Please be seated", he said and I raised my eyebrows.

Gentleman much!!

"Thank you", I said as I climbed inside. I sat down and Kyler leaned down towards me. He placed his one hand on my seat and faced me.

My eyes widened as he was a few inches away from me. I saw him clenching his jaws as he looked down at my lips. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it finding it impossible to even find my voice inside my vocal cord.

Where are you damn reflexes? Do your work.

"Bryce, do you feel disgusted at this closeness?", Kyler asked. My fingers were dug inside the car's seat tightly out of nervousness.

"Tell me", he demanded an answer as he moved more closer. My back was making holes in the car's seat but I couldn't move away from him even one inch.

"No", I replied. I'm nervous, not disgusted. I never felt disgusted at his touch. Now when I think about this, I'm surprised. Nate's touch freaked me out in an ugly manner not Kyler's.

Why?

"Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?", He asked looking up from my lips into my eyes. My throat went dry. His hand made its way up to my cheeks as he slightly caressed the corner of my lips with his thumb. I shuddered under his touch. With his hand behind my neck, he pulled me forward.

Closing his eyes, he placed his forehead over mine. I closed my eyes as well. I felt his breath was heavy. My heart was beating rapidly inside my chest. My surrounding picked up the temperature. All of a sudden my whole body was on fire.

"We should go home", I whispered. He pulled away a few inches away. I opened my eyes. He was still way too close with those lips of his who has the power to steal my very first kiss.

Do I want to kiss him?

He didn't say anything. He simply lifted his face and kissed my forehead. I felt something inside me melt immediately as soon as his lips touched my skin. My eyes went moist. My heart swelled up. I looked at him.

"I want to be craved by you. I want you to think about kissing me as much as I do. I'm ready to wait as long as it's you and me in the end", he said as he gave me heartwarming smile. Saying so, he pulled the seat belt and tucked me. Closing my side of the door, he walked to the driver's seat. My eyes were still moist.

This was so heart-touching. His kiss was so soothing to my soul. Kyler can't be real. This is too good to be true. Am I in some sort of novel? Do guys like Kyler really exist? I was numb. The touch of his lips was still lingering. His hand reached out to me and he entwined our fingers. I didn't push him away.

I couldn't.

As soon as Kyler parked the car outside his house, he looked at me and smiled. I gave him a small smile of myself. I want to hide myself from him. I might not be able to resist him next time. I'm not being myself today. He's messing up with my system.

"Would you like to have coffee, Bryce bear?", He asked.

"It's okay. I'm good", I said ignoring the spark that stupid nick name gave me.

"No one is home. My mom and Dylan have gone out to shop for Caleb's marriage. You'll not have to greet anyone", he said. The mention of Caleb didn't affect me that much today. That's new.

"Come. One cup of coffee won't harm", saying so, he walked out of the car. Before I could make up my mind or make any excuse, he walked to my side and opened the car's door. I climbed down. My stomach was somersaulting as I walked with Kyler inside his house.

We are alone. This is dangerous.

"Close the door. I'll make coffee", saying so, he walked to the kitchen. I obeyed. I can't run away now. What will I do if he pulled out an act on me?

I walked to the kitchen. Kyler turned on the coffee machine as he kept milk to boil. I stood there and observed him silently. I noticed how he knotted his eyebrows together when he's focused. I noticed how he hummed a random song as he was whisking the milk. He had a very handsome face even when he's this serious. He was typing something on his mobile whilst the coffee was being made. He smiled once and then another second he made a sad face. He has a face full of expression unlike me. I've a dead resting face.

Wait a second. Why am I staring at him?

After five minutes of checking him out, I realized my creep act and looked away. Kyler walked to pour the coffee in two cups.

"Bryce can you get me sugar from the upper cupboard?", He asked as he was adding milk to both the cups.

"Sure", I said catching my breath. I was flustered at the thought that I was staring at him so closely.

I opened the cupboard. I found the sugar box. I picked it up. Closing the cupboard as soon as I turned around, I hit Kyler's chest. I immediately took one step away with my back hitting the kitchen counter. He was standing close to me.

"Your sugar", I said showing him the sugar box. He placed his hands on the kitchen counter caging me.

"Push me away if you want, Bryce bear", with this much said, he leaned down and closed his eyes. His lips touched mine and officially, Kyler stole my first ever kiss.

Kyler Grace kissed me!

---------------------

Hey cupcakes. How are you all doing?

Writing this update was a very difficult task for me because of things happening in my life. Still I could do this because of the support of my beautiful readers.

A special thanks to some readers. This chapter is dedicated to them. I'd like to thank
lifeisready,  leo_and_muffins, IamRebel101, Ishitamangla and _puresoul

for giving me valuable advice and motivating me.

I'm going to wrap up this story in next few updates. Thanks for being a part of Bryce and Kyler's story.

Keep reading...
Love you alll..
Aana..