Zander's P.O.V.

She is so beautiful, the way her long red hair bounced while she ran. The way her cheeks flushed when embarrassed.

Stay away, you'll only hurt her.

Shut up, brain.

"Hey Cupcake, have a nice run?" I chuckle and move closer, hesitantly placing my hand on her back. When she doesn't object, I slowly rub circles across it, trying to help her catch her breath.

"No. No I did not." She stands up straight and fake glares at me, her lips forming into an adorable pout that could make any man weak to his knees. I know it does me . . .

"Awe, you're too cute." I tease her, laughing loudly. I gently grab her arm and pull her closer to me. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her into a hug, her head resting on my chest. My heart beats faster when I feel her arms wrap around me as well, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

"Where have you been?" I feel her head leave my chest, then her beautiful doe-like eyes are staring up at me filled with so much curiosity.

My heart clenches when she asks, images of my week flashing through my head. Don't think about it. "It doesn't matter, but I'm back now. Why, did you miss me, Cupcake?" I smile and stare down at her, amusement and what feels like pure happiness rushing through me.

"Pfft, no!" She rolls her eyes, but smiles anyways. Her cheeks tint with red ever so slightly, telling me that she did in fact miss me.  "Okay, maybe a little." She smiles and my heart basically does flips in my chest.

I lean my head back and laugh loudly, "Ah, you're too much." I look back down at her and reach up, softly pinching her lightly tinted red cheeks. Her nose scrunches up in distaste, giggles rising from her when she slaps my hands but I continue to try.

"Stop it!" She squeaks and pushes my hands away, taking off running in the opposite direction. I bite my lip and watch her run away for a second, my heart racing in my chest. The things this girl does to me. I move to catch up with her, a small squeal escaping her lips.

"Get back here!" I shout after her, quickly moving to catch her. I laugh loudly when I finally catch her, quickly scooping her up and throwing her onto my shoulder.

She laughs and starts hitting my back lightly, "Put me down, you jerk!" She wiggles around but I tighten my hold on her as to not allow her to fall off.

"Nah, I'm quite enjoying the view." I tease, chuckling loudly. I turn and start walking back my bike, her gasp causing me to laugh even more.

"You perv, put me down!" I laugh again and stop in front of my bike.

"Alright." I quickly pick her up again and sit her down on my bike. She takes a moment to get over the dizziness. I swing my leg over the seat and sit down before she has a chance to get off. I grab the only helmet I have and hand it back to her, "Here, put this on."

I hear the soft click of the helmet latch, then start off. Her small hands wrap around my waist, basically death gripping it the whole ride. I laugh to myself when I feel her bury her face between my shoulder blades, a huge smile stuck across my face. She's too adorable for her own good.

About five minutes later I pull into her driveway, shutting off the engine and gently tapping her knee for her to release the death grip she has on me. Even if I don't want her to let go . . .

I get off the bike and wait for her to get off as well. She stares towards her house confused. "Are you just going to sit there? C'mon we've got a mini party to prepare for!" I grin down at her with amusement, offering my hand to help her up. She snaps out of it and takes my hand, her fingers feeling so small and soft against mine. It takes everything in me to not wrap my fingers up with hers. She gets up and hands me the helmet, then slowly her fingers fall from my hand as she passes and walks to her door.

I sit back down on the bike and watch as she walks up to the porch, a soft smile prominent on my face. I quickly put the helmet on and prepare to start the engine. She pushes the door open and almost goes inside, but stops when she sees me still on the bike.

"Where are you going? Aren't you coming in?" She frowns in confusion and points inside. I resist a laugh and shake my head no.

"Not yet, I'm going to go get snacks! Text Gina and stuff!" I rev the engine then start pulling out of the driveway. She nods and heads inside. I told her to text Gina, even though she already knows since I've talked to her almost all day just to plan this out . . . Oops.

I go through the store rather fast, throwing different snacks in the basket. I stop in front of the candy section and eye up the different varieties, trying to find one she might like. Chocolate? Skittles? Do I even know what she likes?

"Need any help?"

I look over and see a girl my age, dressed in the work uniform. She's smiling widely, blonde hair tied up in a pony tail so tight it looks like it's literally about to pull her face off. Holy shit, it's kinda terrifying.

"No, I'm fine thanks." I frown and turn back to the candy, mentally battling over the two options. Skittles? No no, what if she likes chocolate more?

I feel something touch my arm, "It doesn't look like you're fine, are you sure you don't want any help?" I slowly look at my arm where her hand is resting, then slowly look over at her. She's biting her lip, batting her eyelashes seductively.

I move my arm away from her hand, taking a step back. "I said I was fine, thanks." I quickly grab some Skittles and Chocolate, then rush down the aisle to the check out line.

Gotta hurry up!!

The check out lines were all full, causing me to wait longer than I had wanted. Hurry up! After a good twenty minutes, it's my turn and I'm able to get out of the store after another five minutes of getting everything into bags.

I run back out to my bike with the bags, shoving them into the small compartment under the seat. It only takes about ten minutes for me to drive back. I pull into the driveway and park beside what is, I'm assuming, Gina's car.

Hurriedly, I grab the bags and go to the front door, opening it and going inside. "I brought food!"

I hear screams come from the living room then next thing I know, I'm being ambushed by Sarah and Gina, both of them giggling and grabbing the bags from my hands then running off with them again. I chuckle and follow them back into the living room, a mess of different movies sprawled across the floor.

"Zander! Help us pick movies!" Sarah grins up at me and motions me over to her from her spot on the floor beside the huge mess.

"In other words, 'Zander, team up with me and chose a movie I'll like instead of one Gina will like!' Pfft, I see how it is." Gina fake glares over at Sarah, chomping down on a piece of licorice as if to be intimidating. How that girl can eat like a horse yet still look normal, is beyond me.

"How about we just all agree on one category?" I smile in amusement and make my way towards Sarah. I watch as her head bops in agreement, her once down hair now up in a messy bun that suited her so well.

"Okay, on the count of three we'll all say the one we want." I sit down beside Sarah and put my hand into the air, counting down from three.

"Horror!"

"Comedy!"

"Romance!"

"The fuck?" I look over at Gina incredulously, my nose scrunching up in disgust at the recommendation. Sarah busts up laughing, lightly clapping her hands like a seal. Awe.

"What?! They're good movies!" Gina pouts and crosses her arms. "Fine, then I pick Horror. That makes two against one!" She sticks her tongue out at Sarah.

Sarah shakes her head and wipes away imaginary tears, "I don't even care, that was great." She giggles a couple more times before leaning forward and picking up a movie with a creepy looking front cover. "Here, we can watch this one. Zander, would you start the popcorn?" She smiles sweetly over at me. I'm putty in her hands.

"Sure." I smile and get up, heading into the kitchen to start the popcorn. After a while I head back into the living room with a bowl full of buttery goodness. I know exactly where I'm going to sit -

I about drop the popcorn bowl when I see him. His arm draped across her shoulders like he owns the place.

"Who are you?"

Everyone turns their attention towards me, silence filling the air. The guy looks towards me and glares, disgust clear on his face.

"Why's it matter?"

I glare daggers at him, ready to punch him into oblivion. "You're in my seat." I nod towards where he's seated next to Sarah, my eyes darkly glaring at his arm wrapped around her.

"Oh boo-hoo." The guy rolls his eyes and leans over, planting a big fat kiss on Sarah's cheek.

Oh, hell no.

I lunge forward and rip him off the couch, having him on the floor by the collar of his shirt. I start punching and punching, nothing but red clouding my vision. Punching and punching and punch -

"Zander? Are you going to sit down?" I quickly shake my head, coming out of the daydream. Sarah is stood in front of me, her hand gently resting on my shoulder in worry. Her eyebrows crease in, a small frown on her face.

"Y-yeah. Sorry." I smile and move to take my seat, but am stunned when I see the same guy sitting there. Sarah moves past me and plops down beside him, but then turns sideways to say something to Gina.

The guy nods over at me, a smile on his face. Boy, how I'd love to punch his pearly white teeth in.

"Oh! Zander, this is Keagen. I hope you don't mind that I invited him too . . ." She trails off, a look of pure innocence on her face. My heart melts and the rage fades away slightly. Begrudgingly, I shrug and head over to the other couch, sprawling across it.

"Let's start the movie." I glare over at the T.V. Thoughts of my daydream resurfacing.

"Okay, let's get this party started!" Gina claps excitedly and hits the play button, starting the longest two hours of my life. I glance over at them every so often, how they're lightly giggling together. I take note to the way she unknowingly leans towards him during a scary part. Pure hot rage and jealously rushes through me, and my glare only intensifies.

If looks could kill, Keagen would be a pile of ash right now! -Gina

I look at the text and roll my eyes, my mood darkening even more.

Why is he even here. -Zander

I hear a soft snort come from across the room, quickly covered up with a 'sorry.'

She invited him. I'm on your side here. You need to step up your game! -Gina

I huff in annoyance and quickly respond,

You don't say. -Zander

After a while, the movie finally ends and the credits roll across the screen. I stretch as I sit up, watching him out of the corner of my eye. Keagen sits up as well and yawns loudly, checking the time on his phone.

"Geez, it's late. I gotta get home." He turns towards Sarah and smiles widely, causing a blush to rise across her cheeks. I glare at him and roll my eyes. Pulling all these moves like he owns the place.

I look over and see Gina hiding behind her hand, obviously trying to contain her laughter. I roll my eyes again and lean back against the couch, pretty much pouting.

"Okay, thanks for coming over." She smiles up at him while he gets up.

Gina springs out of her seat as well, quickly sending me a wink then turning towards Keagen. "Actually, I need to head home as well." She walks over and pulls Sarah into a hug, blocking Keagen from her. A smug smile makes its way onto my face, picking up the obvious life line Gina is throwing my way.

"Okay, see you all later. Bye, Sarah." He waves to her and smiles, then moves quickly towards the door. Sarah doesn't seem to notice his quick escape, too busy being wrapped up in Gina's arms.

"Bye, SarSar. Love you! Bye, Z!" She lets go of Sarah then rushes towards the door, waving goodbye to the both of us. Soon enough she's gone and it's just the two of us.

"I'm gonna have to head out soon too." She spins around and smiles widely at me, causing a small smile to form on my face as well.

"Boo, okay." She fake pouts and slouches, sadness taking over her features.

I chuckle lowly and move towards her, gently pulling her into a hug. She giggles and wraps her arms around me, snuggling her head against my chest. I lean down slightly and nuzzle my nose into the crook of her neck, basking in the sweet smell of her perfume. I swear, she always smells like roses and sunshine.

"I've got to go, Cupcake. It's getting darker." I smile against her neck, the feeling of her arms tightening around me as if she doesn't want to let go. I chuckle softly and gently pull away, smiling down at her as the happy feeling from earlier returns full force.

"Okay, promise I'll see you again soon?" She grins while we walk towards the door. She opens it for me and leans against it.

I nod and move outside, "Promise." I grin back at her then slowly walk over to my bike. I mount the bike and start the engine. Once I grab my helmet, I begin pulling it over my head, my grin never once faltering.

"Wait!" Sarah yells out to me, causing me to pause. I look up in confusion and watch as she rushes down the steps. She jogs over to me, a soft blush tinting her cheeks. "You forgot something."

"What - " I barely get the words out when she leans forward and completely catches me off guard. She gently plants a sweet kiss on my cheek, my skin instantly heating up bright red.

"Cya." She leans away and giggles, then runs back inside before I could even say anything.

And I swear, my heart melted into nothing right then and there.

~•~

Chapter 19 is here!! I've been waiting to write this one for a while, hence why I was able to write it so fast 😂 I gotta ask, so far, who do you ship?

Zarah?

Or

Seagen? (These are really crappy ship names, I literally just thought of them two seconds ago 😂😂 Feel free to change them 😂)

Edit: Y'all are so angry about Keagen, HAHHAHAHA! 😂😂😂😂 Love you, guys, have fun reading more! *laughs evilly* 😘😉😈

Song added: Everything You Ever Wanted by Hawk Nelson. It's amazing 😍😍😍

Stay cheery!
~Molly