Soooo, I am a nervous wreck right now. Today is my first date with Carter, and I honestly do not know what to do.

"Will you stop biting me?" Cam stays, putting a hand over my mouth and pushing me away.

"Just what did Carter do to make you all nervous for a date with him?" Cam glares, rubbing the spot where I bit her.

"I am sorry. I have never been on a date before," I say, biting the pillow instead when Cam glares at me.

"I am going on a date, Cam. I don't know what to do. How should I act? Should I eat a salad? Should I giggle at every lame joke he makes? Should I wear a dress? Or just hoodie and sweatpants? I am going crazy here," I say, feeling my lunch make its way upwards.

Cam looks at me like I am a seven-headed monster and sighs. She holds my hand and pulls me towards her, and squishes my cheeks between her fingers, rolling her eyes.

"Look here, missy, you are going on this date, and you will enjoy it. To answer your questions, act like yourself, and please eat whatever the heck you want. You can scarf down ten burgers and fries, yet still, my idiot cousin will be happy and proud of you. Please, for the love of God, don't giggle at his lame jokes because you make me want to murder myself for just imagining it. Wear whatever you feel the most confident in, and yes, it can even be hoodie and sweatpants," Cam answers and slaps my cheeks lightly.

"I am surprised you answered my questions in order," I laugh, rubbing my cheeks.

"Alex, Carter did not fall in love with Alexis, a skilled fighter and the girl who is so gorgeous and confident. He fell in love with the girl who always had a book in her hand, who had braces, who would not hesitate to stand up for her friends, who loved bubble-gum-flavoured gum, who did not care if the whole world stood against her as long as she had her friends, who are her whole world, with her. Carter fell in love with someone whose glasses never sat still on her nose and whose hair always smelled like the gum she was chewing. He fell in love because it's you," Cam finishes, smiling warmly.

I let her words sink in, and I felt myself calming down. Yes, it's Carter we are talking about. He is someone who has already seen my worst, and he still chose to stay. I don't have anything to worry about because I love him too.

My jaw hangs open at the sudden revelation, making Cam look at me weirdly.

"Cameron, I just realized something. I love him. I love him. I LOVE CARTER," I jump around her like an excited puppy.

"You are realizing that now?" She questions, laughing.

"What do you mean?"

"You must have seen how you looked at Carter every time after he revealed himself because those are the eyes of someone who is so hopelessly in love,"

True, because I really was not disappointed that it was Carter. I was in love with him all along. My heart knew, and it took time for my brain to catch up.

"Thanks, Cam. It's really creepy how much you and your cousin know about me. What did I get myself into?" I ask from inside the washroom as I change into my outfit.

"Haha, very funny," Cam says as I come out.

Somebody comes barging into my room, making us scream. I look at the culprit and find Ace holding my skateboard.

"What happened? I heard yelling a few minutes ago" Ace yells, looking around the room.

"She realized she is in love," Cam says with a shrug.

"At least it didn't take me two years," I say and stand in front of the mirror. 

Through the mirror, I see two pairs of eyes creating holes in my head with their fierce glaring.

"Have I ever told you that you guys are a cute couple?" I say, laughing nervously.

They both take a deep breath and look at me. Wow, talk about being in sync.

"I don't want Carter to come here and find a dead body, so I am letting you go," Cam says, giving Ace a kiss on the cheek.

"Eww, there is too much love in the air," I say, grabbing my phone from the bed.

"There is going to be more," Ace informs, pulling Cam by her waist into a kiss.

"OKAY, I am leaving," I declare and head downstairs, leaving the lovebirds alone.

"Do not touch my bed," I yell as I see Carter pull up.

"Oh, he is here," Cam says, making me sit on the sofa while Ace leaves to greet Carter.

"Okay, I am so happy to see my baby going on her first date," Cam sniffles, making me look at her weirdly.

"Dude, chill, why are you talking like my mother,"

"Just be yourself, Alex. You have nothing to worry about. Carter fell in love with you as you are, so don't be nervous, and just enjoy your date," Cam smiles, instantly calming me down.

"Thanks, Cam," I smile.

"Ready?" Carter asks, coming in.

"Yep," I say, and hug Ace as I leave.

"I am so happy for you," He beams, making me laugh.

"Shall we?" Carter asks, extending his hands. I smile as I intertwine my fingers with his and head for his car.

"You look so cute," Carter beams as we drive off.

I am wearing olive green short overalls with a white crop top. I glance at m his outfit and he is wearing a white t-shirt, black jeans, and a black jacket. Classic, but hot.

"Thanks," He laughs.

"I said that out loud?" I ask.

He smiles, intertwining our hands once again as he places a kiss on it, making me a tomato.

"Ace really is protective when it comes to you. I was terrified of him for the first time,"

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.

"He threatened to castrate me, kill me and throw me in the river if he ever catches you shed one tear because of me,"

"I don't know if I can laugh," I say, chuckling.

"I am glad you find my situation amusing," Carter sniffles, making me laugh.

"He has seen me go through some of the hardest times in life, and it makes him want to protect me. I am so grateful for that," I smile, glancing at myself in the side mirror. Carter stops the car at our mysterious destination and kisses my hand.

My face lights up as I see the name in large, bright red colours.

"You brought me to a trampoline park?" I squeal, excited.

"I might or might not have asked Cam, and she told me it's one of your bucket list," He blushes, rubbing the back of his neck.

"So cute," I gush and kiss his cheek.

"Thank you, Carter. Let's go," I yell the last part as I run inside. For the next two hours, I laughed and enjoyed to my fullest with Carter. Seeing him try to do a backflip was the highlight of the day. I can't count the number of videos I have on my phone of him failing miserably.

"I had an amazing time, Carter. Thank you so much," I smile, munching on my fries.

"I am glad you enjoyed it," Carter says, his voice strained as he massages his back. I laugh as I feed him a fry, which he gladly accepts.

"Carter, I have been meaning to ask you this question for a while," I start.

"Tell me, love," He responds. Ignoring the butterflies from the nickname, I continue.

"We have known each other for less than four months or so, but in the letter, you mentioned being in love with me for five years,"

"Yeah, about that, hi Iris," He stops, waiting for me to process. It takes a solid two minutes before I remember it.

"Teddy?" I gasp.

"You are the boy I rescued five years ago after the motorcycle accident," I state, remembering the events from five years ago.

"At your service," He grins.

"I came to the hospital one day after we became close, and you just disappeared," I exclaim.

"Yeah, sorry about that,"

"I am glad you are safe. We never shared our real names, so I couldn't find you after that, and the hospital wouldn't give me any information,"

"I lived here before moving, so I used to come and see you at the park often, and I slowly fell in love. I never dared to talk to you though,"

"How is the wound? The motorcycle guy did push you pretty hard before storming away,"

"It's all healed now. I have you," Carter smiles, making me blush.

We talked for an additional hour in the restaurant, and Carter requested that I wait outside near the car. I look up at the sky, which resembles a beautiful black canvas painted by a master artist. I silently thank God for all the blessings in my life as Carter comes outside with a bag full of food.

"For the others, I am sure they are starving by now," He grins, making me fall in love with him even more. We planned a sleepover today, and my parents are not home. I hope they didn't burn the house down in the name of trying to cook something.

We reach home, and Carter walks me to my door, making me smile. How can I love someone this much within such a short time? It's a mystery that is both beautiful and fascinating.

"Bye, love," He smiles, walking backwards to his car.

I do something so unexpected that even I am surprised. I run up to him and put my arms around his neck, bringing his lips to mine. Our lips touch, and he is shocked at my actions, but he kisses back nonetheless. This moment is magical, and it's everything I hoped for.

"Well, that was unexpected," he smiles as I slowly break the kiss.

"Guess I couldn't hold back," I blush, placing my hair behind my ears. Carter smirks and pulls me into another long kiss. Glad I saved my first kiss for someone special.

"My friends are looking through the window, aren't they?" I ask without looking back.

"Ace and August look like they are about to kill me, and Cam is wiping away tears from her eyes," He grins.

"Someone is going to die today," I sweetly smile as I turn back to run inside the house, but Carter holds me by my waist and laughs while those three runs away in fear.

Amazing first date ever. 

       ________________________________

Hey guys, sorry for the long delay. How was the chapter? Vote and leave a comment, and a big thank you to my loyal readers. I love you. Jesus loves you.

Love 😍
Author