I yanked my way up and finally grabbed onto the highest branch. Ethan was already at the top, stretching his hand to pick a lusciously red apple that was out of his reach. He carefully climbed closer then plucked it off the branch.

I turned and looked for an apple of my own.

"Mackenzie, catch!" Ethan threw the apple at me and I held my hands out, preparing to get stoned in the face.

To my surprise, it stuck right to my hands. I wiped it against my soft jeans and gazed at Ethan. My eyes full of question.

"It's for you," he kindly smiled.

"Oh. Um...thanks?" I looked to my left and saw another dangling apple and tugged it off awkward. "And, um..for you?" I tossed the fruit to him and he caught it effortlessly.

"Ha. Thanks." Ethan took a bite. "You're not gonna have it?" he asked nodding to the apple in my hands.

My stomach felt like a huge knot that was impossible to untangle. I was more than thirty feet above the ground and my head was spinning. There was no way on earth that I was going to swallow a single bite—of anything.

He bit his fruit again. "C'mon," he insisted. "It's actually really good."

"Uh..fine!" I grumbled under my breath and sunk my teeth into the sweet fruit.

"So. Your first time apple picking at night?"

I crumpled my eyebrows. "Uh, yeah. Speaking of which....why—"

"As the leader of the student council—which, as you know, is very much like our school's way of having a school's president— I usually have to stay back quite late sometimes." He took a short breath that, in any public speaking event would be mistaken for a dramatic pause, but if you were really paying attention, you could tell that the guy needed some oxygen.

"This one time I got so hungry..but there wasn't anything to eat. I saw the apple after dark and climbed the trees. I left with a satisfied stomach and well, a feeling of peace."

I almost laughed. "Okay..but how exactly is stealing apples at night peaceful?"

His smile widened,"Just look at the view from up here." His soft gaze drifted to the picturesque scenery. "It's amazing."

I followed his gaze to one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Hundreds of mystical lights glowed powerfully above us. The moonlight shun through the quietly whistling branches of the apple trees. In the distance streetlights were lit, looking like spaceships in a permanent pattern. We sat in silence, eating our apples and absorbing the beauty of the night.

Ethan glanced at his watch and sighed. "Hey," he said snapping me awake with his voice sounding rugged once more. "It's six thirty-four. It's getting quite late..to be at school anyway."

I let out a small laugh. True that.

"I should get going. How long till your ride's here?"

I felt sort of stupid to tell him the truth and my mother was making me angrier just at the thought of it. "I'm honestly not sure. My mum should be here around something past seven."

Ethan raised a brow at me. "Oh. Wow. Um, well I'll wait till you leave, then"

For a moment, I was a bit shocked at his words, but I allowed my surprise to slowly evaporate. He was know for being a perfect guy. It was the obvious "gentleman" move. When he was done, he would just add his kind doing to his "good deed" list.

But I definitely hated the idea of him so-calledly taking care of me to be a duty of his, something that he had to do because it was almost like his job. At least, he thought it was his job.

I glared at him,"No, it's fine. Really. I can manage."

He seemed to switch from chill and kind to debate captain in a matter of seconds. It was like he was purposely trying to imitate me. No. This seemed somehow more like another challenge, and knowing that he never lost a competition in his life, I wasn't looking forward to the awkward, tensed silence that would happen between us when my stubbornness overtook.

"No, trust me. I don't mind at all. It's not a problem," Ethan pressed.

"It's okay."

"Please, Mackenzie. I insist."

I gave an exhausted whimper then pouted without giving much thought.

"Here's what. I'll do you one thing better," he offered, obviously not accepting "no" for an answer. "It's a long wait. How about I drop you? I bet it's not that far."

My eyes widen in fear. An image of my mum yelling at me then at Ethan when she saw us in a vehicle together flashed in my mind. She'd have a freak attack.

"But!" He added quickly, misinterpreting my horrified expression,"It's also completely okay if it's not close. Mackenzie, I really don't mind. You can't just stay here alone in the dark for more than half an hour. What if something happens? I know it still sounds cliche, but it's better being safe than sorry."

He really was good at debate. No wonder he's never lost, those judges maybe felt like they didn't even have a choice but to make Ethan win.

An embarrassed splash of red flushed my cheeks and I looked down..and instantly regretted it. I felt like I was going to fall if I so much as inhaled. Either the earth was spinning or I was, but my vision blurred and I was starting to feel my lunch churning, threatening to escape. The half eaten apple slipped out my shaking hands. Oh gods.

"I...I t-think we should...get down," I managed to stammer. "I should go...now."

Ethan flung his apple and gently placed his hand on my shoulder which made me jump. I'm such an wimp.

His features played a mix on alarm and confusion. "What? Mackenzie...what's wrong" he called out. The worry in his voice increasing.

I dug my nails into the branches and held on for my dear life. It was like my brain couldn't function words.

"Mackenzie..?" his voice sounded more soft. He was trying to calm me, I assumed, but there was nothing that could do that besides the ground.

The safe, steady, beautiful ground.

"Okay. So I promise on my life, I didn't know that these apples were made the evil queen. I swear."

For a second my thoughts started to clear and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Now, what's wrong?"

I loudly exhaled. "So..there might be the slightest chance that I'm...I'mafraidofheights" I confessed my fear as if it were one word.

"Mhmm," he gave me a spectacle. "Well, before I ask you questions, like why you climbed the tree in the first place, we should try to get you down."

He offered his hand and I hesitatingly took it.

"Listen, Mackenzie," he said with his voice so clam and comforting, it almost sounded like a whisper. "It's okay. Don't worry, nothing will happen. I'll make sure of that. Trust me..okay?" He patiently waited for me to give approval.

I scoffed sarcastically,"Ethan, I'm not a baby. I may break a few bones if I fall but I know that I won't die...I think."

He smirked and we began to descend with Ethan guiding me down.

Although we were moving as slow as we possibly could, every muscle in my body was tensed and I felt a line of sweat trickle down my neck like a spider.

The second my feet came in contact with the ground, I began breathing normally again and my brain finally seemed to click on.

My cold, sweaty palms was still wrapped in Ethan's and without second thinking that I could be rude, I pulled away and muttered an apology.

"Right. So you're good?" he inquired as though he was trying to get the question out the way.

I made a half nod and looked at him with reassurance.

"Okay! Good!" he began. "So now can you please explain to me why in the world you thought that it would be a good idea to climb—"

"—can we not?" I interrupted. My mind felt like a tsunami and I couldn't possibly tell Ethan the truth without looking like a wannabe genius or something, when in reality I was a total fool. "I just..not right now. I don't really feel that good, I guess."

"Mhmm. Okay. So? Let's go, then."

"I—" What could I possibly say? I don't want you to drop me because you'll look good? My parents would go mad seeing me in a vehicle alone with a guy? Or, My stubbornness just won't allow me to give you the opportunity to make it seem like you came to my rescue?

I was so tired of boys...both way too mean and sickeningly kind.

They weren't that different, really. Either way, they'd get something to their advantage.

Ethan was already six steps ahead of me, probably thinking that I was merrily trotting behind. He turned to say something with a small smile on his slightly freckled face but it fell when he noticed that I hadn't moved an inch.

"I'll wait. I know you're a very busy person and all, so I couldn't possibly keep you back," I tried again to just tell him to leave without actually having to say it.

"My mum just texted me. She'll be here in five minutes." I lied.

He gave me a confused stare but then shook his head as though he was trying to get ready rid of his thoughts.

"Um..okay, then. I guess if you're absolutely sure about waiting on your own..then, I'll be on my way."

"Yup. I'm more than absolutely sure. So goodnight, then."

"Right, yeah. Goodnight. You take care, okay?"

I briefly smiled.

"See you around, Mackenzie." The corners of his mouth turned slightly before he walked away and disappeared into the dark shadows of the night.