The following two and a half weeks are crammed with organizing, packing, and tidying up. It's tiring and nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time. After I gave my consent to moving in with Zach, I had a lot of things to take care of which probably wasn't the worst because it helped me to forget about all the other shit happening in my life.

I'm glad Aria was avoiding me since our argument at the mall, and I didn't make an attempt to approach her either. I mean, why should I? After all, she is the one who has read my medical record without my permission and constantly sticks her nose into my and Zach's business.

Zach, however, surprised me with an apologize for persuading me to do that dumb shopping trip with Aria the day after it and, very much to my joy, he didn't talk to her since then either. At least, not more than hello and goodbye when we met her in the stairwell.

Today is the big day. I'm finally moving in with Zach. All my friends inclusive their boyfriends and also Jake are here to help us bringing all my stuff to Zach's place. Better said, our place. God I'm so excited for this step. I've never lived together with a guy before, and I can't wait for this change. Okay, technically, Zach and I have lived together right from the start, but it still feels different now that we'll officially be living in the same apartment.

"So, you actually agreed to share a place with this softie, huh?" Jake chuckles and pulls me into a friendly embrace as he steps over the threshold, spotting me standing in the living room door. After making sure Zach is out of earshot, he mutters, "But seriously, it's so nice to see you guys are working out your stuff. You're good for him, you know?"

I give him an insecure look and tilt my head, "How do you mean that?"

"I've never ever seen him smiling that much and I know him since we were schoolboys. When you two broke up, he was an aggressive mess and grumpy all the time. Jeez, I was this close to killing him."

Looking over at Zach, I smile dreamily as I take in the appearance of my boyfriend. Being deeply engaged in an animated discussion with Liam about whether to load in the box with the dishes before all the clothes or afterwards, his dark, wavy hair falls into his forehead, almost reaching his eyes. I think, he could really use a haircut by the way. The rosy color of his cheeks shows he is at least as excited and nervous as I am. Even though it's only 8am, he seems to be wide awake.

"You know, he's good for me too," I say and face Jake again. "I guess, we complement each other."

"Hey bro," Zach casually strolls over and wraps his arm around my shoulder. "Are you here to chat with my girl or will you actually help us?"

"Man, just because you are not allowed to carry anything yet doesn't mean you can boss me around," Jake chuckles and rolls his eyes before joining Ben and Hailey who have already started carrying the boxes with my clothes out of the bedroom.

Zach leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips. "Are you okay, honey?"

"Yea." I smile into his sparkling eyes. "I'm just a little nervous. This is huge."

"Me too," Zach giggles and scratches the back of his head. "But in a good way. I can't wait to spend the first night in our first apartment together."

I laugh and playfully nudge his arm. "Zach, we've spent the past six weeks together in that apartment."

"Yea, but from now on it's ours." Zach crosses his arms and pouts. "You can make fun of me, but for me it's something special."

Softly snickering, I wrap my arms around his neck and stand on my tiptoes.

"I'm not making fun of you, darling," I whisper and pull him down for a sweet kiss. "It's something special for me too!"

Satisfied with my response, Zach rests his head on my hair and pulls me close. We stay like this for a moment, holding each other tight and simply enjoying the company before we head to help the others again.

8 hours later

Zach closes the door after we said our goodbye to our friends. Tomorrow, I still need to return my keys to my old landlord, but thankfully, for today, we're finished. 

"God, I feel like I've been hit by a truck," Zach mutters and exhaustedly leans against the closed
door.

I nod in agreement and yawn. Carrying all the boxes up to the third floor was hard work and extremely tiring. Gladly, the furniture stays in my old apartment, so we only had to bring my dishes, clothes, books, and stuff like this to Zach's place, but that was enough to wear us all out. I never thought I'd have so many belongings and I swear, I feel muscles in my body I didn't even know I have.

I'm so thankful for the help of all my amazing friends. I don't know what we would have done without them. Once we carried all the boxes upstairs, Zach and I ordered pizza for us all, and we hung out for a bit. Only now that everyone is gone, I realize how exhausted I am.

"Me too," I state and rake my fingers through my disheveled hair. "Ugh, and I'm in desperate need of a shower."

"You go ahead and clean your body. Afterwards, I have a surprise for you." With a mysterious smirk, Zach walks past me into the kitchen.

Curious what he has prepared for me, I hurry up in the bathroom and only ten minutes later, I return into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around my body and another one on my head. A smile lights up my face as I spot one of Zach's white t-shirts and a pair of my sweatpants as well as fuzzy socks lying on the bed, waiting for me to put it on.

I quickly pick a pair of panties and get dressed before I head for the living room. The terrace door is open, so I step into the cool and dusty afternoon which happens to be the last in March. Zach is standing beside the round wooden table alongside the railing. A few candles are placed on the table and on the floor around us.

"You took your time," Zach states and waits until I stand in front of him before he brings out a sky lantern from behind his back. "I thought it would be a nice idea to send up our wishes as an initiation ritual."

Unable to hide my wide smile, I look up into his face and excitedly bite my bottom lip, "That's so romantic, Zach. I've seen this at a wedding once and always wanted to do that myself."

"I'm glad you like it," Zach chuckles and pulls out a matchbox, cautiously lighting the lantern. "Alright, you go first. Whisper your wish into the lantern. I won't listen."

I think for a second before I lean over and quietly murmur my wish into the white lantern. Zach gives me a thoughtful look and then whispers his own wish before wrapping his arm around me, motioning me to hold the other side of the lantern. Since it apparently is bad luck to tell your wish, we keep them a secret.

"Ready?" He expectantly glances at me.

When I nod, we both release the lantern and watch as the bright little object flies up to the sky, slowly fading in the gathering dusk.

"Welcome home, baby," Zach whispers into my ear and pulls me closer, placing a soft kiss on my hair.

I feel a few tears trickling down my cheeks. Happy tears. The realization I'm finally at home hits me and makes me shudder. Even though I fell in love with this apartment right from the start, it's something else what gives me this homely feeling.

It's Zach. Zach is my home now. Wherever he is, I feel safe and completely at ease.

Leaning my head against his shoulder, I smile into the sky and enjoy the comfortable silence surrounding us and the warmth of Zach's body attached to mine.

***

The next morning, Zach and I walk to my old apartment one last time. I've arranged to meet my landlord at 10am, and now I am waiting with Zach for the elderly, lovely Mrs. Moore to show up. We're a bit early since I wanted to take my time to say goodbye to the place I called home for the past few years.

Brushing my fingertips over my beloved beige sofa, I wistfully smile and close my eyes for a moment.

"I will miss this comfy baby," I state as I feel Zach's strong arms sneaking around me from behind.

"Me too," he whispers into my ear, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. The fresh scent of his body wash rises in my nose and elicits a satisfied sigh from my throat.

Turning around in his embrace, I look up into his face.

"Really?" I ask with a light frown, cocking my head.

"Yea." Zach bites his full bottom lip and smirks at me with amusement dancing in his eyes. "The first time we had sex was right here!"

He takes two steps, pushing me backwards until I feel the backrest of the couch touching my ass. Thinking of the morning I decided to give myself to Zach for the first time, a dark shade of pink creeps into my face, coloring my cheeks crimson.

"I remember how you sucked me off first before I sat you down right here." He lifts me up and places me on the backrest before trailing my bottom lip with his thumb. "And after that mind-blowing blowjob, I made love to you for the first time."

"Mmh," I hum appreciatively as Zach starts gently kissing my neck. "I remember that all too well."

Zach pulls away and warmly gazes at me, "Do you also remember our first kiss?"

Snickering softly, I nod and let my fingertip glide over his dimples as he broadly grins at me, "How could I forget? You had me pinned against the door after we ran away from Terrence."

"Jeez, I guess, I won't ever forget that feeling of your lips pressed against mine. That perfect, plump lips." Zach's eyes wander down to my mouth and he draws closer until I feel his warm breath brushing my skin.

After pulling him in for a tender kiss, I gently push him backwards and hop off the backrest of the sofa. I casually stroll over to the window where I used to sit on the sill, observing the people starting their day as freaking early as I did at that time, holding a steamy cup of coffee in my hands. My mind wanders to all the memories I've made at this place, and I dreamily smile as pictures of my past pop up in my head.

"We would have never met if I hadn't forgotten to close this window that night," I mumble, running my hand over the light wood of the windowsill.

Zach steps beside me and places his palm on my lower back. "This may sound weird, but I'm kinda glad my stupid stepbrother tried to kill me."

With a frown, I turn around and eye my boyfriend before I wrap my hands around his neck.

"I can't say I'm happy that you nearly died, but I know what you mean." I gently weave my fingers through his soft waves and chuckle, shaking my head. "So much has happened since then. Hard to believe that it's been only four months since the shooting."

Zach nods in agreement and peeks out of the window. Right in that moment, the doorbell rings out.  After taking one last look at my old home, I head for the door with a happy but also slightly wistful smile capturing my face.

***

"Baby, you sure we need ten bags of chips?" Zach chuckles and shoots me an amused glance as I grab another three bags from the shelf.

"Of course," I grab two bags of popcorn and carelessly throw them to the other stuff into the cart. "There will be twelve of us after all."

It's Friday, two days after the move, and Zach and I are currently shopping for tonight's housewarming party at our place. God, it feels so weird and at the same time freaking amazing to really call it our apartment. For the first time in my life, I'm officially living with a man.

"Jake will bring a crate of beer, which should be enough for Liam, Ben, and him," Zach thinks aloud.

"And Logan and my brother," I add and smile at the thought of my family visiting.

When I told my mom that Zach and I are moving in together, she excitedly squeaked into the phone, what nearly caused my eardrum to rupture. When she calmed down again, she assured me to visit as soon as the move will be over to inspect my new home.

Since Christmas, I haven't seen my family and I miss them a lot. I can't wait to hug my mum and spend some time with her. Of course, Logan and Jude will come along too, which excites me even more since my brother's 17th birthday was two weeks ago and now, I actually get to celebrate with him.

Beside my family, all my girls together with Liam and Ben as well as Jake will be our guests tonight.

"You go ahead with your tons of chips, I'll be right back." After brushing a quick kiss on my cheek, Zach disappears and leaves me alone with the tough decision whether to chose popcorn or nachos.

Just as I decide to take two of each, a deep male voice makes me jump and I accidentally let drop the four bags of munchies.

"Hey, uh... Olivia, right?"

"Theo, hi," I exclaim with a startled chuckle and bend down to pick up the snacks spread on the floor.

Snickering huskily, Theo crouches down to help me. "You planning a party? Or are you just addicted to chips?" He points at my generously filled cart and raises his eyebrow.

"Uh, I'm... I mean we're throwing a housewarming party tonight," I retort nervously smiling at him.

"Oh," Theo gets up again and shoots me a surprised look. "I suppose you figured things out with your guy then?"

I get to my feet as well and immediately feel a strong hand wrapped around my waist. Tilting my head, I glance straight into Zach's questioning face.

"Hey, baby." He looks between Theo and me. "Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Uh, yea. That's Theo the barkeeper I told you about," I say before facing Theo again. "Theo, this is Zach, my boyfriend."

The two of them shake hands and Theo broadly grins at Zach.

"I see you made sure to keep that gem of a woman," he states with a wink in my direction, his brown eyes twinkling mischievously. "A wise decision, man."

Zach keeps quiet, but his mouth forms into a possessive smirk and his grip around my waist tightens while he eyes the black-haired guy opposite him.

A moment of awkward silence follows, spreading an unpleasant tension in the air surrounding us.

"You want to come?" I burst out to ease the mood a bit. Well, looking at Zach who cocks his head, looking at me with a light frown, I think maybe that wasn't the best idea.

"Uh..." Theo uncomfortably scratches his neck and glances at Zach. "I don't want to intrude."

Giving Zach a little poke, I motion to him to say something.

"No, it's fine. You should come by," Zach sighs and forces a smile onto his lips. "It'll be fun."

"Alright then," Theo accepts with a smirk. "I'll be there!"

We quickly tell him time and place of the party before we part our ways again.

"Was that really necessary?" Zach groans with an accusing look as soon as Theo is out of earshot. "I don't even know this guy."

"What?! He was nice to me when I was feeling like shit." I shrug my shoulders. "Plus, the more guests, the better the party, right?"

"Right," Zach scoffs and wrinkles his nose.

With narrowed eyes, I smirk up into his sulking face. "Babe, are you jealous?"

"I don't like the way he looks at you," Zach murmurs and averts his gaze. "He finds you hot. I can tell from the way he checked you out."

"But I find you hot," I giggle and nudge his nose. "Do you understand now how I feel when Aria is flirting with you?"

"Alright, I got it." Zach rolls his eyes but chuckles at my little side blow. He grabs my hand and pulls me with him while pushing the cart in front of him. "Now let's finish our shopping already. We still need some booze and you wanted to buy decoration, right?"

"Yea." I retort with a smug smile. It somehow feels nice to know Zach can be jealous as well.

We continue buying all we need for tonight before we take an Uber back home and start preparing everything for the party.

*****

A little cheesy and nostalgic chapter. I wanted to take my time to properly let Liv bid farewell to her former apartment. I really hope you liked it, even though it's a bit of a tangle of different, little moments.☺️

Next chapter will be the housewarming party. Any ideas how it will go with Theo passing by? Do you think it was okay that Liv invited him?🤭

What do you think about Theo by the way?🤔

Please don't forget to vote and comment.🦋

Katie🤍