Winning chapter, as voted by the readers: chapter twenty-nine.
I hope you enjoy! 

Amanda was at times infuriating and other times amusing. However, there was so much more to her than that; she was witty, smart, beautiful and incredible to talk to. The more I got to know her the more I regretted saying that thing about her sister all those months ago. That had been a díck move. 

She was also understanding. Surprise had taken me when I'd basically had a melt-down about the future. She'd helped me through that so well - too well, in fact, because I'd stupidly blurted out the one thing I was unsure of - love.

I didn't love her, did I? And yet, it felt like I would fall so head over heels.

I sighed and picked up my phone, a grin finding its way onto my face as I sent:

Harry:
Just know that the offer to kiss me still stands.

When she didn't reply straight away, I continued to bombard her with texts.

Harry:
And it will for a while...

Nothing.

Harry:
Forever. Or maybe until you finally decide to lay a smooch or two...
Yeah...

Ten minutes later, I sighed deeply and began to wonder if I was coming on to strong. Was I?

I asked:

Harry:
Have I scared you, Amanda?

To which, she still didn't reply. Great, I thought. Just great.

Harry:
Oh, God I have. I'm sorry!

"You idiot," I spoke, running my hands through my hair. "Cool it or she's gonna block you ... again."

I jumped up from the couch and moved through to the kitchen, checking my phone every now and again. No messages. I groaned to myself as I made some tea and nibbled my way through some biscuits. What was wrong with me? I'd like to think nothing, but according to Amanda there were many things.

But she did like to tease me. And I, her. It was just friendly banter. I was an alright bloke, I was positive about that. My mother had brought me up to be a gentleman and to respect others. And I did to the best of my ability. If you wanted people to be nice to you, you need to be nice to them. I believed that, strongly.

My phone buzzed.

Amanda:
Harry...
I was in the shower, calm the hell down. Ffs.

Oh. My mistake.

Harry:
Oh! Sorry. Showers are important.
Gotta love a shower, sorry.

Amanda:
Yes, they are brilliant things and I would very much like it if I could enjoy my next one without my phone buzzing constantly.

I wanted to say something cheeky like joining her or sneaking in ... but that was creepy. Even I knew that. Instead, I went for something a little less creepy.

Harry:
Sorry...
Could I make it up to you somehow?

Her reply was rather quick.

Amanda:
Yes, you could take your turn at asking questions?

Oh, yeah; the questions. I was never one for asking a question after a question to get to know someone. I much preferred it in person, hence the reason I was desperate to meet up with her at a time that wasn't during school where our different years and classes were in the way. I wanted to go out perhaps to the cinema or for a coffee and speak to her like a normal human being. Perhaps then, she would also think differently of me.

The questions were getting annoying. We'd covered the obvious and I was terrible for thinking things up on the spot. I sighed and sent her a message, trying to lean more towards her preferences in a partner.

Harry:
Alrighty! Sounds fair!
Dream date? I'm curious.

Amanda:
A night in with pizza, chatting by a roaring fire with the TV on in the corner. Maybe a few kisses here and there.
Then BOOM!

Oh, wow. I was quick - a little too quick - when responding and before I knew it, some of my cheekiness had rubbed off on my text.

Harry:
Boom? Hm, I like your thinking ;)

My only hope was that she didn't take it too seriously. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be like that and when she replied, I breathed out loudly.

Amanda:
...
If you had let me finish, I was going to say:
BOOM! And then we demolish a full tub of Ben & Jerry's.
-_-

Damn, I thought. Of course, the dirty mind I sometimes allowed to come across when talking to others had instantly imagined the naughty things. And I had been wrong again. 

Sheepishly, I sent:

Harry:
Ah... I so knew that.
:D

Amanda:
Hm, indeed, Harry.
OK, next question.

I thought for a moment, trying to conjure up an inquiry that would actually have a decent answer. I thought about my sister and what she all liked when it came to music, films, stories and it hit me: what did all girls have? A celebrity crush.

Harry:
Which celebrity do you love the most?

Amanda:
Damn ... there's too many!
I'll be boring and say Brad Pitt.

Fair enough,  I thought as I thought of my next question. My mum had even commented on Brad Pitt's 'dreaminess' before.

Harry:
OK, what about your favourite food?

I laughed when reading her reply but also became a little frustrated; these questions weren't doing much good.

Amanda:
Harry, you know I can't answer that.

Harry:
Wow, Mands, you were right! This whole question thing really DOES help us find out more about each other!

Amanda:
Urgh, sorry. I'm a fan of everything. Food is life.

She was right but damn I was trying to get to know her better, I really was trying and the efforts were proving fruitless. I wanted to know the deep stuff, like her secrets, her weird fetishes, what books she liked most and why. Silly stuff I wanted to know. Just, everything.

I wanted to know because I really, really liked her.

Harry:
OK, how about we ask questions like the ones asked in truth or dare? Like, a bit more personal ones that make us question the existence of the human race?

Amanda:
What the hell were you asked to have had you questioning the human race?! :O

The memories of being asked invasive questions was clear in my mind - my mates were the worst when drunk and knew al of your darkest secrets. Therefore, if you lied, they were right there to set the truth down on the table.

Harry:
Amanda, you do not want to play truth or dare with my friends and I at drunk parties. It gets wild, it's scary!

Amanda:
I can clearly see that you have been scarred by this particular question, what ever it may have been, so let's just leave that one alone, yeah?
So, go on - ask me a weird question.

Ask her a weird question. But what? I thought and thought, collecting all my thoughts and ideas to try and find the oddest of them all. Nothing came to mind because there was something else. Something much more important that I wanted to ask her. 

I suppose my only fear was rejection or the horrible truth - she wasn't interested.

I held my breath and went for it.

Harry:
Are you ready for the toughest question of your life?

Amanda:
Go for it.

As I typed, I was shocked to find my heart beating erratically in my chest. The hell? I was never usually this frightened to talk to girls ... or anyone for that matter. The only time you should be afraid to talk to a woman was when your mum was mightily pissed off. 

I sent the message and waited, my heart in my throat. What would her reply be?

Harry:
If I asked - most sincerely with no fooling around and one-hundred percent positively sure about it - would you go out with me?

I waited.

Options for chapters 31-40 shall be up soon, hopefully! Let me know what you think x
Cazza