The morning light trickled through the window into the snug flat. The room was illuminated with the white sky. Alongside with the morning rush and buzz of the people and traffic below, the lids to my eyes squinted, trying to open up.

Just as I was slowly regaining consciousness from my deep slumber, a different sensation had entered my body.

It felt like, after all my years of living, I was waking up feeling peaceful. My mind wasn't overcrowded with tension and thoughts and my stomach didn't feel heavy with dread. It almost felt like I was in a cloud of bliss, where a calming peace was washing into me.

Bit by bit, my eyes flickered trying to get used to the brightness surrounding me, as I pointed my toes, stretching the knots out of my body, I realised a heavy arm wrapped around me.

I looked down to study the strong arm draped around me, like it was protecting me. For a moment, I couldn't quite figure out what had happened, as the morning confusion was still lingering around my brain.

It was only until I arched my head over my shoulder, where I found a peaceful Zac deep in his own slumber, worlds away.

It all the came flashing back to me. Seeing him here in New York, pushing him away, regretting it, confessing all and proclaiming our desire and passion for each other.

Everything we had suppressed for so long, finally came to light and went off like a firework between us. I replayed all the moments of last night, remembering the way he made me feel. I hadn't quite felt like this ever, new and raw emotions existed between us. Leading up to the morning of waking up, I had never felt better.

Slowly, without causing a lot of movement, I turned my body to face Zac. My face was met with his lean and chiselled chest. With his arm still draped over me, I shuffled closer and leaned into his chest. I closed my eyes and felt the radiance emitting from him, alongside his soothing heartbeat. I couldn't help but curve my lips into a satisfied smile at the memory of his fiery touch, igniting my whole body.

"I was waiting for you to wake up," Zac mumbled in the most satisfied morning tone.

My heart jerked, not releasing he had been awake whilst I was trying to snuggle into his chest. My head inched upwards, only to notice his eyes still peacefully shut, but the corner of his lips peaked into the most sexiest smirk.

It was like he felt my pupils latch onto him as he slowly opened up his, welcoming his deep liquid green eyes to the morning. Not a second went by and he connected his pupils to mine.

I subtly bit the bottom of my lips, trying not to smile like a fool, trying not to show how truly happy and elated I was to be in his hold.

"How are you feeling this morning," he asked, brushing the strands of my frazzled hair behind my ear.

I shuddered at his touch, with the ever so exotic feel of his hands making a giddy flip in my stomach.

"Good," I replied slight blushing. "I feel really good."

As much as I wanted to stay in this peaceful bliss, snug in Zac's arms, there was something that picked and prodded the back of my brain.

"When's your flight?" I pursed my lips at the anticipation of waiting for the dreaded answer. I didn't want to ask the question, but I knew I had to face reality.

"My flight is tomorrow morning," Zac sighed.

It felt like my heart slightly sank, knowing that he would be gone. I found myself in a predicament. After so long, I finally gave it my all and showed my true feelings and now it was only a matter of time before Zac would slip from my grasp once again.

"So, what does this mean for us?" I asked, perching myself upwards to sit perfectly alongside Zac, with his continued hold around me.

"Lets make the most of our time together. Let's explore New York together, this will be the perfect opportunity to have the much awaited talk," Zac suggested, running his feathery finger down my arm, causing me to relax further into him.

"Is this your way of asking me out on date?" I teased, trying to suppress my giggle.

"I guess it is Hannah Montana." Zac brought his hand to my chin, slowly lifting my head to meet his eyes.

Once again, I was drawn into his dreamy deep green pupils. He landed a soft kiss on my lips that made me feel like I was being lifted onto a cloud of pure peace.

After spending an extra few minutes in bed, we finally urged ourselves to get up and ready for the day.

We both opted for casual wear as the weather showcased a downcast and gloomy sky. We proceeded to leave the flat, into the hustle and bustle of New York. As we didn't have anything planned we let the crowd wash us away into making it the perfect first, and quite possibly, the last date.

***

After walking the streets of New York, being immersed in all the surrounding. Taking in all the sounds ranging from the honking cars, to the endless chatter of people, we finally sat down in a cosy cafe for brunch.

The rich aromatic scent of coffee lingered around my nose, enabling all my senses to wake up. The crackle and sizzle of the food tantalised my tastebuds, getting ready to chow down and tame my hungry belly.

Before we went into any deep conversations, there was one aspect that was sitting on my mind that I had to ask.

"How did you know where to find me?" I lifted my brows, as if I was interrogating Zac.

"I literally begged Ruby to tell me." Was all Zac responded, to which he took a slow sip of his vanilla latte.

I cocked my head to the side in a surprised manner. I couldn't compute the idea of Ruby not telling me about what Zac was up to.

"I also begged her not to tell you," Zac clarified as he saw the visible confusion written on my face. "If you knew, I thought you wouldn't want to see me. Don't blame Ruby, I literally begged her to keep it quiet."

I shook my head, still trying to comprehend the vital information Ruby withheld, but I knew I couldn't stay mad at her. Deep down I was glad she didn't tell me, the unexpected arrival of Zac threw me off and enabled me to blurt how I was truly feeling.

"So tell me." Now it was Zac's turn for the interrogating. "Why didn't you report what Melissa did?"

The conversation took a sudden turn and all of a sudden I felt sick to my stomach. The painful memory of the feeling of being trapped, masked me like a dark cloud. I bit my bottom lip, as my leg bobbed up and down, trying not to be overtaken by the dreaded memory.

The panicked feeling slowly melted away from me, as Zac brought my hand into his, caressing the back. I was coming back to my peaceful state, where I was able to think clearly.

"There was no point," I proceeded to explain. "I made my decision to move to New York and I couldn't handle going through the whole process with the police. I knew if I started fresh in New York there was no way she could get to me. She wasn't worth the hassle."

Zac continued to soothe me with his soulful touch, it almost felt like we were the only ones in the cafe. He brought me into his gaze and I didn't care for anything and anyone around me.

"I am really sorry for what she put you through-"

"You don't need to be sorry," I quickly butted in, reassuring Zac. "You weren't to know what she was going to do, this was all on her."

"But I knew what she was like before. The snide comments, the nastiness, I could have stopped all that, but I didn't." Zac bowed down his head, as if he didn't have the courage to face me.

Now it was my turn to hold Zac's hand. I glided my thumb across, as I clutched him in a caring manner.

"Don't blame yourself. What's happened, has happened, let just move on." My soft tones enabled Zac to lift his head.

He still seemed as if he was hurt, but with a little squeeze to his hand, I ensured that the best way was to move on.

"I am really sorry," Zac sighed. "For everything. The way I've treated you, at times I came across as full on and I regret it all. But, I meant what I said, I really like you, I want us to start fresh and I want to give us a go."

Hearing Zac say those words, was like music to my ears. This was the very moment I had been wanting for so long. My heart was throbbing with pure excitement and happiness. The feeling was so intense that it was beginning to scare me. An aspect of me, felt like it was too good to be true, but another part of me felt every emotion Zac felt. The way he touched me and whispered beautiful words in my ear, felt heavenly and real.

I was glowing on the inside and my spirits were flying high. I was slowly getting engulfed was this unknown feeling that I couldn't figure out what it was.

"I also want to give us a go," I chimed.

"But? I feel like there's a but." Zac squinted his eyes, as he felt the slight hesitation in my tone.

"But," I let out, confirming his worry. "I think we should give it a go in three years, after we both finish university-"

"Three years?" Zac yelped over the chatter in the cafe, causing a few heads to turn our way.

My eyes soften, as a way of pleading him to hear me out. After quickly calming down, he held on to my hands, waiting for my reasons.

"Look, if we take the plunge now, there's a slight possibility it might not work out. Long distance relationships are difficult. I don't want us to be together now, only for us to drift apart-"

"But we can make it work," Zac let out in a soft and angelic tone.

"You're probably right, maybe we can make it work, but I don't want to take that risk of it not working out. We know how we feel about each other, let's just live our lives and see where we are after university."

We fell in to a silence, as Zac took the time to ponder. Deep down, he knew it was the right thing to do.

He finally let out a long and slow sigh, as if he accepted defeat. "I think you're right. I want to do everything proper between us, if that means waiting three years, then I'll wait."

Although it was quite painful for Zac to agree to my suggestion, I could feel the mood being slightly lifted.

With our limited time together, we proceeded to make our final day together last. After brunch, we went to a museum where I was in awe of the breathtaking pieces of art. I felt like I was in my element and experiencing it with Zac, made it a lot more special.

After the museum, we decided to experience the theatre. This was out of the ordinary for us and we were contained with a lot of laughter. The night then went onto fulfilling our hungry stomachs. I was elated at the food presented to us, as we munched down on the most scrumptious hot dogs New York had to offer.

When we finally made it back to my flat, we couldn't keep our hands off each other. The burning passion between us felt normal, to which the night ended on a magical high.

***

The dreaded morning had arrived. I accompanied Zac to the airport, slowly dragging my feet, wishing I had more time with him.

Zac took note of the visible downcast look on my face. He elegantly placed his hands on my cheeks, inching my face upwards to him.

He peppered a kiss on my forehead, then onto my nose and then my lips. I instantly perked up on my tiptoes, bringing him back for another kiss. I knew I would miss the feeling and taste of his lips, I wanted to take every moment I could.

After finally gathering the courage to tear myself away from him, it was nearly time to part ways. I knew that another suggestion of mine, would pain me to say, but it had to be done.

"I want you to live your life," I let out trying to told it together. Zac furrowed his brows, waiting for me to further explain.

"If you meet someone at university, don't hold back, do what you have to do. I want you to live normally, and I'll do the same here. If it's meant to be, then we'll reunite after three years and give it a proper go. Deal?" I extended my hand, waiting for Zac to accept.

"Alright, deal," Zac forced himself to respond, as he accepted shaking my hand.

With his hand clutched on to mine, he yanked my arm subtly, causing me to crash into his chest. He snaked his arm around me, whilst his other hand glided across my neck.

"This is going to be hard," he whispered in an almost seductive tone. "But it'll be worth it."

"Here, take this, it's a little something that I want you to give me back when I see you in three years." I presented him with one of my rings that I often wore on a daily basis.

His lips curved into a smile as he fished for something in his pocket, he then presented me with a ring of his own. After exchanging rings and placing it safely in our pockets, the dreaded last call announcement for the flight echoed through the airport.

We both sighed, knowing what was to come. One last kiss melted on to my lips, causing the butterflies to dance around my stomach.

"I guess this is goodbye," Zac whispered as he connected his forehead to mine.

I shook my head, disagreeing. "No, this isn't goodbye, it's more like a see you later."

We both crackled into a slight chuckle. I watched Zac walk into the distance, till he was no longer seen. This bittersweet moment exploded many emotions within me.

Finally, after so long I found myself in a good place. I wasn't ridden with guilt or pain. I felt light and happy.

And time would tell if we were truly meant to be...

A/N

So another slightly long chapter, but what do you guys think?

It seemed like this was a start of a beautiful relationship. Do you think it was right for them to part ways, knowing long distance relationships can be difficult.

I can't believe I'm saying this... but... next chapter will be the epilogue, meaning that it'll be the last... what are your predictions, will it be a happy ending or a sad ending?

Don't forget to comment, vote and share!

Love _xxAMxx