Jackie's p.o.v

“So where should we start.” Ethan looked at one spot while thinking.

“Hmm, could you hurry up?” I told him annoyed.

“Give me your hand.” He said and I gave him an unsure look.

“I thought you were in a hurry.” He teased.

I gave him my hand and he took the other one without the bracelet.

“People in a relationship share things. Personal things to show their affection for each other. Since I don’t have any personal stuff with me I’ll have to give you this.” He took off his rubber hand band and put it on my hand. I have notice him playing around with it few times and found it odd and cute in the same time.

“Now give me something yours.”

I thought about it. What exactly can I give him?

“It’s supposed to be something that is personal to you. Has to have a meaning.”

“Does this rubber band have meaning to you?” I asked playing with it.

“Yes it does.”

“Hmm. Wait here.” I went to my room and looked around. I didn’t really attach myself to things. There was nothing I can give him with sentimental value to me.

“Did you find something?” I turned around to see him leaned at the door.

“I told you to wait downstairs.”

“I got bored.”

“I wasn’t even gone a minute.”

“What about this?” He walked around the room and took a picture of me on my desk.

“It’s just a photo. And it doesn’t have any meaning. If we are going to do this, I want to do it right.”

I sat on my bed and sighed.

“I’m sure you will come up with something Plush.”

As he said that I turned around and started going through my plushy toys. I couldn’t find what I was looking for and then I kneeled down and pulled out a box under the bed.

“Mystery box, hah?” Ethan asked.

“It’s a box with things I have to take with me in case of earthquake, flood or alien invasion.”

“I like how you think. I haven’t thought of that.” Ethan came closer as I opened the box. I pulled out this little plush toy panda.

“This was the only thing I could think of that has meaning to me. I’m attached to it so I guess if you want it…I mean I know it’s a toy and you can’t carry it…”

He took it out of my hands.

“This is perfect. I’ll take care of it Plush. Don’t worry.” He winked and then stood up walking around the room.

“Step two. We will do something you like.”

“Something I like?” I never did anything I like with Tazia and Dom.

“Yes. People in relationships do things their partner likes.”

“Well, I’ve always wanted to do the “blindfold food tasting challenge" but Tazia and Dom suck at that game and it’s just not fun when they can’t get one thing right.”

Ethan laughed. “Alright we will do that.”

“But I don’t have anything in the fridge.” Oh man, and I was just getting excited.

“Then let’s go and by some things. In the mean time I’ll tell you what other things people do.”

“Okay.” I grabbed my wallet and we headed to the closest store.

“So what else?” I asked Ethan kind of excited.

“Well you can tell me something that is very stupid thing that you like or don’t but something people don’t know.”

“No.” I said right away. “People don’t know that for a reason.”

“I’ll tell you first, if you promise not to laugh.”

“I promise not to tell anyone else.” I smiled. Oh I was so going to tease him for this. Muahah.

He hesitated and then leaned closer to whisper it.

“I…like..to sleep naked.” With that he pulled away grinning and kept on walking. I was numbly speechless for a moment.

“Are you blushing Plush?” He asked turning around. “Well, at least you won’t tease me about it.”

I was so angry about that I wanted to slap the idiot out of him.

“Now it’s your turn.”

I bit my tongue. I couldn’t back out now.

“I am afraid of bugs.” I said as quietly as I could but he heard that.

“Well that isn’t so bad.” I sighed in relief. “But why aren’t you afraid of that bug on your head?”

“What?” I started jumping up and down shaking my head.

Suddenly Ethan started laughing out loud. I realized he was playing me. “You idiot. How can you do that to me? I almost died.” I started throwing tiny fists and he just kept on laughing. I had never heard him laugh form the heart before. But he is still an idiot and I hate him.

“Wait here. You can’t see what I’m going to buy.” I stomped angry in the store and when I glanced back he was still laughing.

I got the things I needed and put them in a black bag so he can’t tell what I bought.

I walked outside and he was leaned on the wall waiting.

“Let’s go.”

“Are you still mad at me about the bug joke? He asked since I avoided talking to him.

“It wasn’t funny. And at least I told you something that isn’t associated with nudity.”

He took my bag but I pulled it back.

“I am helping.”

“I can handle it.”

“You know, just because you are independent don’t mean you can’t let others help you.”

“I’ve been taking care of everything myself so far, why lean on others now.”

We arrived home and I placed all the things on the counter.

“I am going to have to cook some of these things.”

“Okay. I’ll just take a nap then. Wake me up when you are done.”

He collapsed on the couch and I got to work.

After I was done I went to the living room to see him sleeping on the couch, cuddling up with my plush Panda. There was a knot and twist in my stomach but I was probably just hungry.

“Ethan.” I spoke but he still was sleeping. “Ethan.” Nothing.

I came closer poking him. “Ethan hello. Time to wake up.”

 I sat next to him and put my hand on his shoulder gently nudging him.

“Can you wake up now? Please.”

“Well since you asked nicely.” He murmured smiling and lifted himself up slowly.

Suddenly he stretched and his shirt lifted up.

“Do you want a closer look?” He teased.

“Get over yourself idiot.” I told him and walked angry in the kitchen.

Few minutes later he walked in the kitchen and I told him to sit down pulling out the blindfolder.

“I like where this is going.”

“Must everything you say sound so perverted. Can’t you act like the X I spoke to through the laptop.

“You do realize the only difference is that I am not solving a case. And I didn’t know you were so darn cute.”

I froze in the same time he said that. Don’t blush, don’t blush..

“Enough talking idiot. Let’s play.”

He smiled and I fought the urge to slap him while I was blindfolding him.

“Okay. You have to guess what I am feeding you and the ingredients.”

“I have to warn you. I am pretty good at this game.”

“I am pretty good at cooking so you might want to lean on luck for this one.”

“Bring it on.”

I gave him to try my Chocolate-Mint bars first.

“You, feeding me with a blindfolder on, kind of turns me on.” He spoke and I hit him at the back of his head.

“Just eat the damn food.”

After he swallowed it he smiled. “Wow this is easy. Peppermint, chocolate chips, butter, vanilla extract and chocolate glaze.”

I opened my mouth in confusion. “You are really good. How can you tell?”

He smirked. “The peppermint gives it a cold edgy taste and the chocolate is so creamy I just know...”

“Okay, next.” I stopped him before he went on with his erotic food talking.

Next I gave him Mocha Java cake. I made small proportions of everything so I had time to make everything I wanted.

“Bittersweet chocolate morsels and instant espresso or instant coffee granules..am I close?” He spoke.

“Damn it.” I was still confused.

“So I did get everything right.”

“Tazia or Dom couldn’t even get pass chocolate.”

“Well I have special talents, you know.” He smirked and I was so thankful he can’t see me blushing.

“You just wait, I was warming up.”

“Bring it on Plush.”

I gave him my Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes.

“Hmm different.” He stopped for a while.

Hah. I knew he needed some time to thin….

“Lemon, frozen blueberries, vanilla extract, cream cheese..”

“Damn it Ethan.” I kind of caught by self feeling weird after I said his name out loud.

“Looks like I’m winning this challenge.”

Suddenly I noticed Erika who stood there and looked at me weird.

“Um, Jackie. What are you two doing?”

“We are playing a game now shhhh. You’ll ruin his concentration.”

“Weirdos.” She left and I waited for him to guess another piece.

As we kept on playing he got everything right. My Praline-Crusted Cheesecake, the Strawberry Semifreddo Shortcake and even my Gluten-free strawberry and raspberry crumble. He didn’t even think about for long. His tastes buds for sweets were so developed I was confused how he wasn’t fat from eating so much to tell the differences.

“Is that the last one?”

“Well one more left.”

I gave him a try of the tiramisu cake. He swallowed It and for the first time he wanted another bite. That means he can’t tell what’s in it. I might just win..There is still hope.

“Toffee candy, whipping cream, coffee, baking cocoa, rum…another bite.” I gave him one more time to try it. “And bit of chocolate right?”

I pulled off his blindfolder.

“You.got.everything.right.”

He smiled and patted my head.

“That means I win right.”

I blinked few times and waited for my reaction.

“Plush?”

“I can’t believe you guessed them all. That was so fun.” I jumped happily and he laughed.

“But the last one was hard right?”

“Nope.”

“Oh come on, you had to take two more bites to get it right.”

“No.” He leaned on the chair with his hand on his belly. “I just really wanted to have few more bites because that was so delicious."

He leaned across the table and took the tiramisu cake eating it as fast as he could. I remebered when he mentioned over the laptop how much he liked toramisu cake. I guess I deliberatly made it without even thinking about it.

"You are very good at cooking. I’m thinking of proposing but I am too stuffed to kneel down.” He said whiping the rest of his mouth.

“Thanks.” I blushed and scratched my head. No one ever said I was good at cooking. Even though I know that, but no one has ever complimented me about it. Actually about anything.

“I’m glad you had fun.” He smiled and something inside me made me relax. “Well do you want to do something now?”

“Hm?” He looked at me confused.

“You said it’s about making the other person happy. Doing what they like right? What do you want to do?” I asked excited.

“I don’t know.” He raised his shoulders like he didn’t expect that.

“What sounds like fun to you?” I pressured him. I don’t want to feel like I’m the only one who is having fun.

“How about a movie?” I asked and pulled him up taking him to the living room. “You can pick the movie.”

“Okay.” He smiled and sat on the couch and I grabbed my laptop.

We watched 20 minutes of the movie but it felt awkward. “So do people in relationships just watch movies like regular friends?”

He turned to look at me and smiled. “You’re right. I forgot.” He pulled me close and put an arm around me.  I pushed him away.

“What are you doing?!!!”

“Couples cuddle together.”

I bit my lower lip. Don’t blush now Jackie.

“Fine. Just because I have to finish what I started.”

I came closer and he put an arm around my shoulder. I just sat there stiff and embarrassed. But I put myself in my own trap so this is my fault. Endure it, you stupid head. Wow, I’ve never actually imagined myself as stupid before, why did I start now?

“The movie is kind of lame.” He whispered in my ear. Why am I shivering ever time he does that. 

“You chose it.” I added annoyed.

His hand glided of my shoulder and caressed my arm slowly.

“I need some water.”

I walked to the kitchen immediately breathing hard. That was the most intimate I have ever gone with a guy before. I mean it wasn’t anything but yet, my heart. Ugh..He probably does that with every girl. Well I am not that stupid to play this game anymore. Positive or negative, I don’t want any relationships. They confuse me and annoy me. I won’t ever let him touch me again. I leaned over the sink taking a deep breath. This ends now.

“Are you okay?” I turned around and he was right there behind me.

“I’m fine.” He came closer and placed his hands on inch side of the sink trapping me.

“I..I figured out everything I need to know about relationships. Thanks, this was educational, but I have homework to do and..”

“You never got to see the best part.”

“The best part?” I regretted the words as soon as they got out of my mouth.

“Yes.” He smiled and his eyes stared into mine. Damn him for being so close, I can’t think like this.

“One of the best reasons people go in a relationship it’s because of the intimacy they share with their special someone.” He raised his hand and caressed my arm. “Light touches..” His hand went up and then he touched my face gently. “Soft skin…” His hand somehow got to my neck and his fingers lightly cupped it.

“The heart beats faster, your belly twist and you can feel loosing control of your senses especially when you are this close..” He leaned few inches from my face. “And everything vanishes once…” I almost felt myself closing my eyes as I could hear voices outside the kitchen window.

“My parents.” I pushed him off and ran away to the door opening it while breathing hard.

“Hey dear is something wro..”

“Hey mom, dad..how are you, good day at work? Let me take your bag.” I pushed my parents aside. Phew that was close. This is a big risk. I can’t let myself ever be alone with him again. He is dangerous.

Surprisingly Ethan was very normal and didn’t do anything unusual even though I was always on the edge in a defense mode.

Even after dinner he was relatively still and calm. Much back to his usual self.

 “Did you finish your homework?” Dad asked me.

“Right. Yeah. Yes.” I ran to my room. I completely forgot about that. I opened my book and started studding.

After few hours I noticed I was getting tired. It was already past midnight.

I went downstairs to see that everyone has gone to bed. Even Ethan. And he was sleeping with my plush toy. I blushed and ran upstairs going straight to bed.

Stupid Ethan. I swear I don’t get him at all.

So I made this little longer just because I am such a great person ♥ Haha vote comment and share this story with others please. I will probbaly update soon enough. Even better stuff are coming your way.